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Please recommend a musical sub for me

Hello folks, I am wondering if you could recommend a sub for a music only system. I alternate between four vintage 80s speakers (Spendor SP1s, Spica TC50s, Linn Kans, EPI 100s) and all are classics and excellent within their specific parameters but they are all somewhat deficient in the bass. I alternate speakers depending upon my mood and musical selection. I am running Quad separates (909 power and QC pre) and listen to everything except classical. I would like a sub under $1000 (new or used) that is flexible enough to blend with these speakers for a music only application. I am not interested in reproducing earthquakes and sound effects, just a seamless integration and a fast, quick, precise bass that keeps pace with the music and doesn't seem to be disjointed from the speakers named above. My room is fairly small (13 X 14) so this might be an important factor in your recommendations. Thanks for your advice.
mp666
honest1
586 posts
 
I love the TC50s - first speaker I ever bought, still have them. Kinergetics subs used to be recommended with them; they even had a crossover card specifically for the TC50s. Also, anything Audio Physic would be great (Luna, Terra). I remember hearing a small servo controlled Velodyne that cmae out in the late 90s that was very nice, but be caerful, as I have heard manyu vleodynes that were clearly not what you are looking for. Entecs will be fast, precise, and shake your floors if the music calls for it, but be sure to get a model that allows teh crossover to be set. Some early ones had a fixed crossover point set farily low, and would not blend as well with the smaller speakers you aer using.
loomisjohnson
1,943 posts
 
definitive makes really quick, musical subs in your price range. hsu are great, very affordable subs as well. at the higher end of your budget, rel is a reliable, oft-praised choice.
mp666 OP
8 posts
 
Thanks for the direction, guys. Some of the ones on my short list thus far are:

Hsu VTF-2 or VTF-3

MJ Acoustics Pro 50 or Reference 100

REL Q108E or R205 or R305 or T1 or T2

Any comments from owners of these subs in a music application would be appreciated. I am confused by the REL ones in particular. The prices overlap in the Q, R, and T series and I don't know which would be best for music in a smallish room.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Given your room size, a REL B-3 should work well.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
In your smallish room, a VTF3 is overkill. you might not be able to turn it down enough!
The VTF2mkIII I use is fine into even my 5000ft/cube room.
It even plays well with my panels.

Your problem may be a near-cubic room.
Approaches to 'fix' may include, putting sub close to seating position....this recommended by Dr. Hsu. I heard this in his cheesy demo room up in Orange County, Ca.
OR. a pair of subs to minimize standing wave interaction.
and finally:: Some kind of room modifications with bass traps.
In <2000ft/cube multiple subs may be nutty/expensive, so I'd go with 1st or 3rd rec.
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