JoshH Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) I need a subwoofer for my living room 2-channel system. A few caveats - its a multi use room, not dedicated so the room has bookshelf speakers hidden behind speaker cloth covered doors. I am running a pair of Vandersteen Bookshelves driven off a Meridian Amp with a Lumen source. The subwoofer has a dedicated space inside another cloth covered cupboard. So the subwoofer needs to be forward firing and I prefer the sound of sealed enclosures. Budget not really an issue.. but dont need anything over the top. Has to fit inside the cupboard - dimensions: 560mm Wide x 450mm deep x 490mm high - so can fit something reasonable in size. Any thoughts or ideas appreciated on what might be a musical sub that might work? Perhaps the MK Sound V12 might be worth a look.... P.S The vandersteen sub wont work.. it requires an external Crossover designed to go between pre and power. Edited December 9, 2019 by JoshH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Heinemann Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) sorry josh, but you really need to move the cupboard on. Nothing will ever be right whilst you've got your setup the way it is. Funnily enough, bookshelves really need to be on stands, not on bookshelves. All sorts of weird and wonderful issues arise with bookshelf speakers on bookshelfs. It is kind of mind boggling that you would consider dropping over a grand on a sub to put it in a living room cabinet. I mean, by all means try it, if you are lucky, you might get away with it. but on the flipside, that position may very well be located right on a destructive node, and it will seam that no matter how loud you turn up the volume on the sub, it wont sound like it is there at all. Just my thoughts, Cheers, Jack Edited December 9, 2019 by YaBoiiGarfield 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Heinemann Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, JoshH said: The subwoofer has a dedicated space inside another cloth covered cupboard. So the subwoofer needs to be forward firing and I prefer the sound of sealed enclosures. If you were to stick with the cupboard, you will NEED a sealed sub. it just wont work having a ported sub in a cupboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshH Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, YaBoiiGarfield said: If you were to stick with the cupboard, you will NEED a sealed sub. it just wont work having a ported sub in a cupboard. Yes I know - hence my note for a sealed sub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshH Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 24 minutes ago, YaBoiiGarfield said: sorry josh, but you really need to move the cupboard on. Nothing will ever be right whilst you've got your setup the way it is. Funnily enough, bookshelves really need to be on stands, not on bookshelves. All sorts of weird and wonderful issues arise with bookshelf speakers on bookshelfs. It is kind of mind boggling that you would consider dropping over a grand on a sub to put it in a living room cabinet. I mean, by all means try it, if you are lucky, you might get away with it. but on the flipside, that position may very well be located right on a destructive node, and it will seam that no matter how loud you turn up the volume on the sub, it wont sound like it is there at all. Just my thoughts, Cheers, Jack Yes.. sigh its not ideal.. in an ideal world I would just go and buy a pair of Vandersteen Quattros and put them on the floor sellout from the walls with some nice power /pre and be done with it.. but its a compromise as its the main living area and WAF is off the charts in this room. I have a dedicated cinema so I cant complain.....If I really want to listen to serious music I will go in there. I have tested a sub in the cupboard (a Jamo D7) - and it actually works 'ok'. There is plenty of output as its not in a null, but its not perfect either. Its a compromise. The Vandersteen bookshelves actually sound pretty dark good in the place they are located - again not perfect, but its good enough for my living room. Its a big space, so a cheap n nasty sub although cost effective wont really cut it. I dont really consider a grand a lot of money for a sub - but of course all things are relative and I appreciate that to some this is a lot of money to drop on a sub. That said, the system needs some bass re-inforcement badly. I love the top end and mid range on the Vandies, but there is no bottom end to speak of. Appreciate your thoughts and input. All your points are valid and unfortunately I just have to compromise in this room. I think I made up my mind on the V12 M&K. Its on special at the moment for $1200 which is a good saving over retail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Svs SB whatever you can afford up to the 3000 can fit in there. Definitely musical and very compact for their bass. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnL Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) I think this would work VERY well.........especially at the price!!!!! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Whatmough-Subwoofer/184074616266?hash=item2adbb3bdca:g:0aAAAOSwlkhd2mCF&frcectupt=true If it's a Tornado Mk 1.......I have heard it in the past and it was clean, tight and musical. Only 3dB down @ 25 Hz.............don't know about inside a cabinet though. IIRC RRP was around $1K at the time. The MK 2 has similar specs but RRP now seems to be $1.4K https://www.pymblehifi.com.au/shop/whatmough-tornado2-classic-active-subwoofer/ Edited December 9, 2019 by JohnL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Maybe that one: https://www.ebay.com.au/i/143454884805?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=143454884805&targetid=888113442687&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071803&poi=&campaignid=7408627137&mkgroupid=86410136608&rlsatarget=pla-888113442687&abcId=1139226&merchantid=7364522&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_rfvBRCPARIsANlV66M2ZDJJjJk4HorUvV6wezr1ScX6vbv98x8XYc7uFyrrMqv2MaKBHE4aAneHEALw_wcB or https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/rel-t-7i-8-inch-home-subwoofer?variant=18256279273568&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_rfvBRCPARIsANlV66ORgpJAz2xGEx2RKIMBXZY_KEj9iWL7lJQbTUm3u0aK0iLEzKNmIiEaAviaEALw_wcB or https://m8audio.com/product/sub-oneten/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chazz Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Second hand Rhythmik 12SE. I have two! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshH Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 10 hours ago, Chazz said: Second hand Rhythmik 12SE. I have two! Any idea where to source these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spammoj Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 SVS subs are good value, they pop up on the classifieds often enough. Haven't heard many other brands but mine blend into my mains very well with a little eq and help from some mic measurements. One example: How large is your room? That might also determine how big of a sub you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 I've had SVS, Velodyne, Subsonic and Wharfedale subs and my current Rel is easily the best I've had as far as integration goes. Grab one of these IMO: https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/collections/subwoofer/products/rel-t-9i-black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshH Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 13 hours ago, blakey72 said: I've had SVS, Velodyne, Subsonic and Wharfedale subs and my current Rel is easily the best I've had as far as integration goes. Grab one of these IMO: https://www.melbournehifi.com.au/collections/subwoofer/products/rel-t-9i-black Thanks, thats a bit more than I wanted to spend... really want to keep it around a grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 This one then running the Speakon Hi-level Interconnect: https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/home-theatre-speakers/products/rel-t-5i-active-subwoofer?variant=45080491271 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 (edited) 35 minutes ago, blakey72 said: This one then running the Speakon Hi-level Interconnect: https://www.theaudiotailor.com.au/collections/home-theatre-speakers/products/rel-t-5i-active-subwoofer?variant=45080491271 I love my Rel S3 for 2 channel playback, but I found even the largest T series Rel plonked in a corner didn't have the output for my large living area. They are also downward firing so may not be appropriate for a cabinet. SVS SB-2000 might be the go Edited December 16, 2019 by blybo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 VAF SW2. Sealed. 300x300x300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petetherock Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 I'll suggest the JL Audio E110 or 112 if it fits. Awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 21 hours ago, blybo said: I love my Rel S3 for 2 channel playback, but I found even the largest T series Rel plonked in a corner didn't have the output for my large living area. They are also downward firing so may not be appropriate for a cabinet. SVS SB-2000 might be the go Yeah they aren't hugely powerful, I think that's why mine was easier to intergrate. Didn't realize these were downward firing. My R205 is forward firing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blybo Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 9 minutes ago, blakey72 said: Yeah they aren't hugely powerful, I think that's why mine was easier to intergrate. Didn't realize these were downward firing. My R205 is forward firing forward firing with a downward firing passive radiator IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippi Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 Aegis Evo by Acoustic Energy is well worth a look. http://www.hifi-review.com/151274-acoustic-energy-aegis-evo-sub.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_man Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 (edited) Here’s your sub package right here, you will however need a larger enclosure. Edited December 16, 2019 by Yamaha_man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bris007 Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 I have got an M&K V75 that I am putting up for sale. 12" driver output down to 20Hz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJohn Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 Klipsch SPL line of subs are forward firing and ported, there's a 10, 12 and 15 - but no sub wants to live in the closet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reflux075 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 This is what you want. SVS SB series of subs have been the most musical and easy to integrate subs I have used that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I have used it with both bookshelves and floorstanders and they are just brilliant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 (edited) I have a simple theory on the use of subs with 2 channel music reproduction. If you believe that you need a sub for 2 channel music reproduction.....you actually admitting your main speakers are not up to this task. Edited January 11, 2020 by stevoz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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