Subwoofer recommendation

[dreamaurora]

Ya, can understand it is hard to recommend if you have not heard of the particular model.

I am definitely asking in the wrong forum. Not an audiophile or for home theatre. I am just using my system as budget friendly computer speakers which in-need of a budget friendly subwoofer. I'll wait for sale and go with something around $500 or $600 that is value for money. Sadly, not many people review subwoofers and finding reviews for them is hard.

You can try asking in budgetaudiophile reddit. To be honest, I don't think anyone is so free to go Adelphi and other shops to try speakers and gears all the time. So a lot of advice you get online are often based on hearsays. So just audition those you think you would like and if you are happy with it just buy and don't think if there's any better for the price range.

 

[Psycovirus]

You can try asking in budgetaudiophile reddit. To be honest, I don't think anyone is so free to go Adelphi and other shops to try speakers and gears all the time. So a lot of advice you get online are often based on hearsays. So just audition those you think you would like and if you are happy with it just buy and don't think if there's any better for the price range.

Thanks. I dare not ask budgetaudiophile because a lot of their products they recommend not available in Singapore.

I found a nice, budget, Sealed Subwoofer from Starke Sound. SW10 @ $550. Got a showroom to check out too.

Going down there to check it out and audition myself. Thank you for your advice.

 

[LiLAsN]

Thanks. I dare not ask budgetaudiophile because a lot of their products they recommend not available in Singapore.

I found a nice, budget, Sealed Subwoofer from Starke Sound. SW10 @ $550. Got a showroom to check out too.

Going down there to check it out and audition myself. Thank you for your advice.

Well done. What a good find.
Very impressive Frequency response (±3dB) 18Hz-240Hz.

And based on its bigger cousin reviewed by our very own Pete and the science based Audioholics with measurements which are smooth and flat and with a bit of EQ from a Room Correction software, can significantly improve that flatness further, I would say this is an excellent buy especially in a small to medium sized room.

Audioholics review with the measurement of the bigger sized ones (2nd page): https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/starke-sound-sw15-and-sw12/conclusion
Petetherock's review of the bigger sized ones: http://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2019/08/starke-sw12-subwoofer-review.html

And that price, what a steal for something that can perform and give you that full human range of 20Hz to 20kHz with at most, reference volume of 85dB or preferably lower in a small to medium sized room. This is a subwoofer worthy of buying for those on a budget. This hits all the right notes.

Do take note that when you're listening to it in a demo room, take into equation, the size of the room as if it is too open and big, it might affect your listening experience with it. But in a typical HDB sized room which is considered small, it is more than enough to give you that rumble. So something to think about as well.

 

[Psycovirus]

Well done. What a good find.
Very impressive Frequency response (±3dB) 18Hz-240Hz.

And based on its bigger cousin reviewed by our very own Pete and the science based Audioholics with measurements which are smooth and flat and with a bit of EQ from a Room Correction software, can significantly improve that flatness further, I would say this is an excellent buy especially in a small to medium sized room.

Audioholics review with the measurement of the bigger sized ones (2nd page): https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/starke-sound-sw15-and-sw12/conclusion
Petetherock's review of the bigger sized ones: http://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2019/08/starke-sw12-subwoofer-review.html

And that price, what a steal for something that can perform and give you that full human range of 20Hz to 20kHz with at most, reference volume of 85dB or preferably lower in a small to medium sized room. This is a subwoofer worthy of buying for those on a budget. This hits all the right notes.

Do take note that when you're listening to it in a demo room, take into equation, the size of the room as if it is too open and big, it might affect your listening experience with it. But in a typical HDB sized room which is considered small, it is more than enough to give you that rumble. So something to think about as well.

Thank you. I have read pete's Review of the SW12 already.

Just got the Subwoofer today. Been matching volume with my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52s. The 10" SW-10 is impressive! Very compact size, same size as my previous Nobsound 8" but in a 10" form factor.

Very impressive looking Glass Fibre cone.

A lot of inputs. Line In / LFE In, Balanced In.
Also Volume, Phase dial (0°-180°) and Crossover (50-200)

I currently have the subwoofer at 35% volume and 80hz Crossover. 0° phase.

Measured the sub to be pretty flat! other than some room distortions.
With my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52, I achieve such a nice clean sounding system with tight quality bass. Perfect for my PC and some Vinyl...

Red - Just Subwoofer, SW10 | Light Blue - Full System

Listening to something like James Blake - Limit to Your Love, the bass notes are no longer boomy. sharp distinct sub bass notes. Really beautiful.

 

[poooooo]

Thank you. I have read pete's Review of the SW12 already.

Just got the Subwoofer today. Been matching volume with my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52s. The 10" SW-10 is impressive! Very compact size, same size as my previous Nobsound 8" but in a 10" form factor.

Very impressive looking Glass Fibre cone.

A lot of inputs. Line In / LFE In, Balanced In.
Also Volume, Phase dial (0°-180°) and Crossover (50-200)

I currently have the subwoofer at 35% volume and 80hz Crossover. 0° phase.

Measured the sub to be pretty flat! other than some room distortions.
With my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52, I achieve such a nice clean sounding system with tight quality bass. Perfect for my PC and some Vinyl...

Red - Just Subwoofer, SW10 | Light Blue - Full System

Listening to something like James Blake - Limit to Your Love, the bass notes are no longer boomy. sharp distinct sub bass notes. Really beautiful.

I'm interested in this sub, any additional findings, pros, and cons after a few months of usage? I'm looking for a compact sub for a small hdb bedroom atm.

 

[Psycovirus]

I'm interested in this sub, any additional findings, pros, and cons after a few months of usage? I'm looking for a compact sub for a small hdb bedroom atm.

Hello. I have no issues with the Sub after about 4 months of use. It switches off automatically, and switches on without delay when there is a source. I haven't touched the sub after setting it up, sometimes forgot it exists. The bass still kicks really hard. Using it in an HDB Bedroom as my PC Sound system. Sounds very full.

Thanks.

 

[Booomz]

Thank you. I have read pete's Review of the SW12 already.

Just got the Subwoofer today. Been matching volume with my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52s. The 10" SW-10 is impressive! Very compact size, same size as my previous Nobsound 8" but in a 10" form factor.

Very impressive looking Glass Fibre cone.

A lot of inputs. Line In / LFE In, Balanced In.
Also Volume, Phase dial (0°-180°) and Crossover (50-200)

I currently have the subwoofer at 35% volume and 80hz Crossover. 0° phase.

Measured the sub to be pretty flat! other than some room distortions.
With my ELAC UniFi 2.0 UB52, I achieve such a nice clean sounding system with tight quality bass. Perfect for my PC and some Vinyl...

Red - Just Subwoofer, SW10 | Light Blue - Full System

Listening to something like James Blake - Limit to Your Love, the bass notes are no longer boomy. sharp distinct sub bass notes. Really beautiful.

Looks good, is it really -3db down at 18hz though? Considering between two of these (sw10) or one sw12.

The sw12 has a claimed f3 of 16hz, but 18hz for a 10inch is crazy.

 

[kurt_629]

can i ask, between Yamaha NS-SW050 and wharfedale WH-D8, which is better?

 

[moron+genius]

Just bought sw12 good price now on 1212

 

[jimbo73]

Spend more and get the SVS SB 1000 pro. The app itself is more the extra outlay

would you recommend PB 1000 pro instead of SB 1000 pro for home theatre setup?

 

[petetherock]

would you recommend PB 1000 pro instead of SB 1000 pro for home theatre setup?

I suggest you have a listen to decide on whether the differences in output vs tightness make a difference.
The PB has more output, a larger cabinet and a different sonic signature.

 

[dreamaurora]

Bought this 22 kg monstrosity on 1212. It was the last of its kind built around a decade ago. Downfiring, with a big class A/B amp in a beautiful huge wooden cabinet (high WAF). Despite its size the driver is only 8" but could produce down to 20hz comfortably. Very happy with it. It cost 1.6K but for first time ever it went down to $500 after discount along with other old Cabasse stocks. Predictably, all of these old school subwoofers are snapped up quickly and out of stock now.

Downfiring subs give better rumble and smoother sounding bass but less punch compared to directional subs. They are also less fuzzy in positioning and can be placed at the center, hence they are practical for desktop or small living room. I always recommend Rel T/5X if have budget up to $1.5K. Want punchier small sub, SVS Micro 3000 (not downfiring) then.

 

[petetherock]

Check the warranty, and also the driver - if it's been kept for a decade, make sure the rubber surround is still ok

 

[dreamaurora]

Check the warranty, and also the driver - if it's been kept for a decade, make sure the rubber surround is still ok

Warranty is only one month for this old stock, but the build quality is incredible and should last quite a while. Ah, well, if it's spoil I will just save up and buy a Velodyne in the future.

 

[Peach Tea]

No Perlisten D215S no talk lol

 

[Booomz]

So I eventually ended up getting a Rythmik L12. Not too far off from the F12 at a much more affordable price here.

I found these two comparison spreadsheets pretty useful,





Was considering the Starkesounds. They are very reasonably priced here but far off from their claimed specs.

If you can swing two SW12s I don't think you'll be disappointed. The SW15 comes close to a Rythmik L12 but at a much bigger size and slightly cheaper.

would you recommend PB 1000 pro instead of SB 1000 pro for home theatre setup?

Definitely the PB-1000 for HT. Always get the biggest best sub you can afford and fit in your space.

 

[petetherock]

Just charts, I don't see the figures for the L12?
Where did you get the figures?

 

[Booomz]

Just charts, I don't see the figures for the L12?
Where did you get the figures?

From Rythmik's site, the L12 is -1db at 20hz compared to the baseline which is the F12.

Does somewhat add up with my own testing.

Direct on axis and uncalibrated 90db, low-music damping

90 degrees up from MLP calibrated 78db, unfortunate 21.5hz null due to placement and space constraints.

Some room gain in the subsonic frequencies.

 

[Kepller]

Just bought sw12 good price now on 1212

Can I check how much was the SW12 on 1212? And was it on Shopee or Lazada?

 

[yumsang]

my Rythmik F12 got humming sound when power on but without signal cable
bought ard 11 years ago
looks like time to replace.

50-50 for music and movie....
SVS sb1000 pro or pb1000 pro?