|   Great Sub...why is it so cheap ? | Tom Bombadil
Dec 10, 2002 9:43 AM | | I have Magnaplanar Mains (MMG) the Magnaplanar Center Channel, decent DVD Player Marantz DV-7000, decent receiver Marantz SR-8000 for my HT steup.
While auditioning for some subs, found that the Earthquake MK IV 12P, PARADIGM Servo-15 and Sunfire True Sub Architectural all were quite nice in reproducing music (above 25 Hz stuff - which is where most recorded stuff is) and Movies.
All of the above were priced in the $1300 range and above.
I then took some advice from some that obviously know what good sound is about and purchased this:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=10001198&St=7058&St2=64554230&St3=90304099&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=15171&DID=7
for $350.00 (incl shipping and taxes).
Examination of the components revealed top-notch quality and honest disclosure of strengths and weaknesses in Driver.
Took me 2 hrs to finish ogling at it and put it together.
Putting it together and some auditions later, it reveals itself to be as good as any of the above (Big Brand Names Sub) for Music and Movies.
I cannot understand why this option is that much cheaper (or why those companies sell so expensive).
I am currently using this in my Main system which has the MG 1.6 QRs, Musical Fidelity Amp, Musical Fidelity Tuner and Rega Planet CDP. I will be getting another one for the HT system. |
| I wish I knew about it sooner :) -nt | RUSSIA
Dec 10, 2002 10:21 AM | | |
| It's a mail order kit, that's why | Richard Greene
Dec 10, 2002 10:31 AM | | The Parts Express 12" and 15" subwoofer kits are even better, especially for larger rooms, because they produce the same output with less harmonic distortion and go a little deeper too. Sealed subs using small enslosures have limited output under 30Hz. compared with ported subs .. but for music played in reasonably sized rooms, this makes little difference. I've been building my own subs for 20 years. I have tried many different enclosure designs, from ported to passive radiators to Isobaric configurations to sealed enclosures.
I prefer the sound quality of low Qtc (large enclosure) sealed boxes using large drivers (one 15" or dual 12" drivers) parametrically equalized for a relatively flat frequency response at my seating position.
Start with a good driver as in the sub kit you purchased and you get a lot of performance for not much money.
It's also tough to make design errors when using a sealed enclosure. |
| It is good to know... | Tom Bombadil
Dec 10, 2002 11:41 AM | | that you didnt identify some fundamental flaws about its sound quality being compromised because of the price.
I have still much to learn in the placement, room resonance etc. of subwoofers. With the Main speakers it was easier to understand the contributions of reflections etc. With subs things seem quite complicated.
My floorboards do contribute (rather "take away") some of the accuracy of some frequencies. The Room shape (rather than material that the walls are made of) and sub placement probably affects the way the "standing waves" are created/maintained/destroyed.
My understanding/listening of Subs is quite immature. I have basically put out this post to see if anyone pokes holes into what I consider a good bang for the buck - for people without the skill to build their own. This kit requires no prior skills except of using a screwdriver. |
| A find for sure | entrope
Dec 10, 2002 7:25 PM | | I bought one of these subs on an eBay auction to use for movies only. I did not expect too much. I assembled it and put on some bass heavy tunes to start loosening up the driver. I tuned it to my room and fiddled with the placement. Darned, if it didn't sound good. Not OK good, but goooood. It can't compete with my ACI Titan II but won't embarrass you either with sloppy, thumpy bass. I did find a review on it saying what I already discovered-it was a tuneful and quick. |
| What review was this? | igor
Dec 12, 2002 8:38 AM | | I thought I saw another review (one of the bigger magazines) that reviewed this sub recently, and didn't find it all that good. If memory serves me (and it might not!) they said the sub was ok for HT, but too mushy/thumpy for music, and that there were better choices. Am I thinking about the wrong sub? I know it was a partExpress kit that was reviewed for $350. I'll have to search ecoustics for this review. If it wasn't for that review, I would consider it for my next sub. It does appear to offer good value. |
| I read one by a "Wes Phillips" .... | Tom Bombadil
Dec 12, 2002 12:28 PM | | that review is now posted on the PE website for the 10" kit.
I am currently using it for my main system that has a good Musical Fidelity Amp driving Magnaplanar 1.6 QR. The Sub is seamless with these speakers - I have the crossover set pretty low - pretty close to the 40 Hz (My attempt at 50 Hz).
People have consistently asked the sub to be turned off to realise what its contribution to the music is - so seamless is the integration - it is in balance (gain wise), in phase and fast enough to match the maggies.
I wonder if there is a way to assemble the sub wrong and make it mushy/thumpy e.g. not installing the foam inside or letting it float about instead of adhereing it to the walls.
In fact we need another sub (for HT) and I am in favour of the same. Some people say that HT requires less demanding acoustical coherency but this sub taught us how important a good sub is for HT.
I will be surprised to find a bad review for this kit - and I would like to read it. |
| I read one by a "Wes Phillips" .... | igor
Dec 12, 2002 2:01 PM | | I searched ecoustics.com which usually posts reviews from other magazines, but I couldn't find any review of the partsexpress sub, so maybe I'm imaginging things. I'm sure it is possible to screw up the building somehow -- just let me have a whack at it! Actually it looks pretty straightforward.
Maybe if a negative review does exist, it is because the sub is too inexpensive, and if it gets good reviews, why would anyone spend more $ on another sub, and of course magazines want to keep their advertisers happy, and I don't think Partsexpress is a big advertiser to most of these magazines. Seems like Sen$ible Sound is one of the few magazines that gives negatives reviews, although this kind of product would be right up their alley. If I find that review, I will bring it to attention. |
| "Wes Phillips" review is the one I read | entrope
Dec 12, 2002 7:59 PM | | http://www.onhifi.com/product/dayton_titanicsub.htm
"And it's a pip! It is tight as a drum and incredibly tuneful. In my large listening room (25' by 13' by 10'), I'd probably do best utilizing two, if I wanted to really rock'n'roll the deepest low-frequency effects available for movie soundtracks (and did I mention that the line in and outs can daisy chain as many of these critters as you can afford?), but for most musical material, one seemed more than adequate."
This is the review I was referring to and the sub I have. |
| Just yesterday...the wife was convinced to get another one... | Tom Bombadil
Dec 13, 2002 12:06 PM | | We were playing LOTR DVD..., Five Magnaplanars producing some very coherent sound...tight as drums them things...erm...they are drums in a sense...
The relatively inexpensivey priced aforementioned sub played superbly. We could not tell which part was the Sub or where it was, it filled the small square room 20x20 very well from the corner it was positioned in.
Yes quite convincing DARK worlds and Monsters lurking from the Underground ! Remarkable that the little beast is able to accomplish all this. I was wondering HOW LOW should a Sub go...MAN this one is plenty and IMO very, very (#amn) accurate. Of course our Volume Levels were perhaps not as much as some basshead junkies since we were surrounded by the speakers and ended up being about 6 feet away from every speaker (sitting in the Center - as it were). We didnt need to crank the Volume too much. Any more'n we'd be def.
Yes I am very happy with this little beastie... IF you have the extra room, go for the 12" or 15" you will not be disappointed, this is a High Quality kit - don't be disappointed at the price - you can always TELL your friends it is for $1500 - heck it sounds like it !
I am getting another one before your mouse clicks...bye. |
| |
