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HELP: Subwoofer for music

I would like to get a subwoofer for music purposes. I don't really need earth rumbling low notes(I go to the movies for movies), but it would be nice to hear a low bass tone when one comes along. I bought the plans for the Decware WO32, horn loaded software, but there are so many variables that I am not sure I could build one correctly without building several until I got it right and I don't have the time and money, plus I think I will be hiring a skilled carpenter to build the thing for me(it will still be cheaper than buying it built from Decware). I found another set of subwoofer plans from BESL, www.bamberglab.com, and it looks promising(not as complex to build as the Decware WO32). The thing about the WO32 is that it is hard to find a subwoofer amp plate that will fit in the alloted space of the WO32 without taking it apart and I am no electrician, so who knows what can happen with that. I could just put binding post on the cabinet and use a solid state 100w amp that I am no longer using, but now I need a crossover....and....well....what a mess! The vandersteen(sp) looks like what I would like; 3 x 8in speakers, which would make it fast, but the price is out of this world for me, not to mention that you have to tune it for your system and what if I change my system?

Any suggestion would be great.
matchstikman
bigtee
803 posts
 
One of the high points of the Vandersteen sub is it can be readjusted to whatever system you change to. It is extremely flexible. It doesn't take a lot to set it up correctly. It does require you to install high pass filters into your amps inputs for a 6db rolloff @ 80 hz depending on your input impedence. These are easy to make or you can buy the Vandersteen crossovers x-2. Richard Hardesty in his online journal #4 of "The Audio Perfectionist" tells you exactly how to set this sub up. He also talks about other subs and why they don't work for music (such as bass reflex) I use a pair of these in my system and you cannot tell they are there except the deepest part of the musics foundation is there in spades. Never boom and do not call attention to themselves. I'm sure you will get many opinions because everybody's got one but give these a listen.
These subs sell on Audiogon from time to time for about $850. That is about the least amount of money you are going to pay for a quality sub such as these.
judit
217 posts
 
I purchased a REL Stadium III on Audiogon. It is tight and musical, easy to integrate and very highly regarded. REL has smaller Subs (in terms of $$$) in their line up, which might serve you well. However, I think Bigtee is correct, it may be difficult to find something satisfying below the $850 sticker price.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
You don't hear about it enough--perhaps one of the best kept secrets. Try the Sunfire Architectural Sub. It's an 11" cube. Fast, tight, great extension and designed for two channel listening. Lists for $1400, but can be found, nicely discounted. I like the size and the way it integrates with my Revel M20s. I let my speakers run fully extended and crossover the sub at about 45 Hz. Beautiful. Good luck,
warren
tweekerman
473 posts
 
Hey Matchsticman, I'm working on the same project. Got all kinds of ideas going on. Like you i want a sub for music , not for HT purposes, not for movie sound effects. Natural (very low key) and subtle. Here's what i got going. I'm going to buy a sub cabinet from madisound, then get a carpenter to cut the hole for a Seas Excel W26. Instead of a sub amp(Hypex200), think i'll gamble on the Marchand XM9 xover, will carry 20-100HZ. I think the Hypex sub amp will deliver more bass than i really want. I'm looking for an intergrated bass. I get the feeling some folks are not happy with the intergration of the sub bass. I'm hoping the OUT on my Jadis intergrated is just for this purpose..??? Keep in touch.
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