I don't think I would go any smaller than 12" drivers for subs, but I have heard REL and KEF subs with smaller drivers that were surprisingly good for their size, but expensive.
I would look at the SVS SB-1000 or get a pair of Rythmik sealed subs for the best sound. The Rythmiks would be a little over budget, but a worthwhile investment. If you can find a different place to hide a small sub and get it somewhere else in the room, the SVS subs might be better. There are wireless options and they come with an app that lets you adjust the sound remotely.
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the wireless option sounds great, do you think is a good way to go, is wireless going to be accurate match with the rest of the system? Hardwired, at least for most audio products, seem to be the preferred set-up.
In the past I had 2 or 3 of my subs connected by wireless. Ichandelier to hard wired, mostly because the transmitters I had at the time were a little fussy. I didn't notice any difference in sound quality. You don't have to connect them wireless, my thought was that might give you more placement options.
The SVS subs I own don't have the app control feature, but I think it would be really helpful for set up.
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That sounds like bad advice. There are a number of different subwoofers that should work fine in your space. A smallish sealed sub (or better - 2) will fill in the bottom end and shouldn't create issues if set up correctly.
Are you in Washington? I have 4 systems in different rooms with different speakers. Some are SVS. None of them are "balanced force" and they all sound great. I'd be happy to have you visit and listen.
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@navyachts I'm in Olympia. For some reason I thought you might be in Bremerton.
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Sounds like a great time! I love Jazz Alley!
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@mijostyn I understand the principle behind dual opposing drivers. There are many ways to get good sound, with some better than others. That doesn't mean all other options are "wrong". I rarely listen at loud volumes and have 4 subs. They are never straining, which leads to distortion. They all have their volume at around 20 - 30 percent of maximum. They are well integrated, so that with most music, you wouldn't detect their presence. The same results can be achieved in a small room with a couple of smallish sealed subs if setup correctly, with great results and little or no distortion.
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@mijostyn That's really neat that you like going down rabbit holes in pursuit of what you consider perfection, but that doesn't sound like what the OP was asking about.
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@big_greg You are right, this is a diversion, but @navyachts problem has been successfully addressed and his interest has been diverted to the subwoofer question. I am nowhere near the most intelligent person on this website, but I have been using subs with ESLs since 1978 and building subs since 1987. Experience being the teacher that it is I feel qualified to deal with his situation. ESLs are like the most beautiful girl you wish you never met. It is easy to make them sound terrible putting additional requirements on associated equipment, particularly amplifiers and subwoofer systems.
Experience is a great teacher. I recommend letting someone start out slow and easy and if they want to go down rabbit holes from there, good on them.
Let's get back to the original question:
"I don’t have a lot of room, maybe 16" or so square and I was wondering about a pair of SVS Micros. Do you think they would complement the 13As or do I need something bigger?"
The answer is "you won't know until you try". Get a pair of the SVS Micros, try them out, and if they don't "complement" the speakers, send them back and try something bigger.
What "additional strain" are they going to put on the amplifiers or subwoofer systems? They have their own amplifiers and there is no existing subwoofer system. Everything you're saying makes more $$$$$$$ than ¢¢¢¢¢¢¢.
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It looks like your preamp has 3 sets of outputs. The SVS Micro only has unbalanced inputs, so it would have to be from one of your RCA outputs. Other subwoofers have balanced inputs. You can get the Rythmik F12 with balanced inputs (it's an option) if those are the only outputs you have available. It looks like they are back-ordered for a couple of months though.
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@navyachts I'm not trying to shill for SVS, I promise, but the 3000 Micro can be remotely adjusted using an app on your phone or tablet. SVS also provides wireless options if you don't want to run cables. I recommend connecting with cables if you can.
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By the way, have you ever played around with DSP?
@navyachts not so much in my main system. I've played around with it in my car and have experimented with it in Roon, but it usually ends up sounding not quite right. I've also experimented with the DSP functions in the Parks Puffin. None of it is really to my liking.
I have a friend that uses a Trinnov processor as a preamp for his system and it sounds quite nice, so I do believe it can work well and be a useful tool.
As far as cables, I tend to use higher end stuff for most of my cabling, but for subwoofers, BJC should be fine. I think I have a couple of their cables in use with my subs.
I like that the newer SVS subs provide the app and DSP to help you tune them, that could be very useful. If you can get the subs in opposite corners of the room, that is often best, but work with what your room gives you and experiment with placement. They might sound fine at the front of your room. Every room is different and you won't know until you try. If you're using single-ended or balanced cables, you only need one cable for each sub.
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You do the same fine sir!
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Please post after you get them and let us know how it goes. Feel free to PM if you have questions.
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I'm a little surprised, but when someone tries to talk me out of buying something (and not trying to up sell me), I listen.
If you can stretch your budget a little, give Rythmik a call. They make better subs, but you won't have the convenience of an app like you would with svs or the in-home demo.
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@big_greg what models are your subs?
I have two Rythmik F25s and two SVS SB 13 Ultra subs. Much bigger and more powerful than what you're looking at, but the volume on the F25s is below 9 o'clock and the SVS are at -25. They are all barely on.
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@navyachts I would be surprised if four doesn't do the job. Note that the four I have are bigger models, but I have a fairly large room that opens into another room. The volume levels are quite low on the subs and with some electronic music, they shake the house. Most of the time, you wouldn't know they are turned on.
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@big_greg its funny SVS told me that I shouldn’t mix & match subs, at least when I suggested 2 micro 3000s and their recommended SB-2000 Pro (either 2 of 4 for my room). The SB-2000 no longer come in white, which I kinda had my heart set on!
Did they say why? It's worked out fine for me. I can see how their could be some gain matching issues, but that shouldn't be that hard to figure out.
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