What is the trend ins subwoofer size preference these days?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greg Zakrzewski on June 15, 2009 at 3:57pm

I think as more people move beyond the dreaded HTIB systems they are looking for better quality but might not have the space, SAF or aesthetic appreciation for a "proper" large box. But as the saying goes: "there ain't no replacement for displacement." At the same time the htib has gotten people used to the fact that you need at least some sort of box in the room somewhere to get "theater" style bass so they can be at least decent sized sealed boxes.

I also think a trend is the manufacturers are now playing to the strengths of the small sealed boxes and making what they can out of them instead of trying to match the extension and SPL of larger ported units.

Permalink Reply by Tom Carcione on January 26, 2010 at 1:17pm

I thought smaller was the way to go until I heard the Danley DTS-10. I since have bought the kit and I am very happy. I know it is a very big tapped horn sub but if you have the room it goes very deep down to 11hz and still maintain good spl. It can be used as a platform or riser if so desired so that does help somewhat with fitting it into your room. I love it and I don't think I will be going back to anything smaller whether vented,ported or sealed.

Permalink Reply by Jerry Rininger on March 6, 2010 at 6:23am

My guess is that the trend in the market is smaller because of the WAF and people just want small and compact units. I would personally like a larger sub than my ACI Force. The 10" unit does a fantastic job and is much more musical then the 12" sub I had. I prefer the Force over my previous sub because of the quality and musicality of it, no question about it... But when I'm watching movies I miss how much air a 12" unit can move.

Permalink Reply by T. Rodney Tatum on March 8, 2010 at 11:19am

I think a wife that doesn't like big subwoofers won't like small ones, either. They either want a surround system or they don't. If it's the later, it won't matter what you buy. The purchase will be met with resistance. Example: You may spend weeks trying to find the ideal location for subwoofer placement---Come home from work one evenning and find that she has moved it under a cocktail table where she can't see it. Worse yet----She has rearranged the furniture rendering your speaker placement obsolete and your subwoofer is in the garage where she wanted it in the first place. If this sounds like YOUR woman: Get rid of her now while you can still afford to. Sounds systems have mute buttons which is more than you can say about other love interests. (That was just a joke! Take it easy, girls!) IMHO, compatibility with a spouse has to include your hobbies.

Jerry Rininger said:

My guess is that the trend in the market is smaller because of the WAF and people just want small and compact units. I would personally like a larger sub than my ACI Force. The 10" unit does a fantastic job and is much more musical then the 12" sub I had. I prefer the Force over my previous sub because of the quality and musicality of it, no question about it... But when I'm watching movies I miss how much air a 12" unit can move.

Permalink Reply by Chris Eberle on March 8, 2010 at 1:56pm

A sub-moving wife is all the more reason to get a large one. At 127 pounds, my wife won't be moving our SVS PB-12 Plus any time soon! Frankly, I won't be moving it either.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Powell on November 9, 2010 at 11:29am

Four 18's? Must be a big Home Theatre. I use 2-12's in a 16'-28' room and get plenty. They are custom passive cabinets using an old Rotel rb-5000 power amp with 1/3 octive eq. I get a solid 16hz from pipe organ that rattles the walls quite well. They are much larger then any 12" manufactured sub I have seen. They are a horn loaded cabinets without any ports, 18" wide, 18" deep and 28" high. They use inch and a half MDF (2 3/4 sheets laminated) I am lucky enough to have a Musician wife who allow me to do what I want in the theatre room, and my music studio. At least to the extent of our budget.

Permalink Reply by Matthew D. Anderson on February 26, 2012 at 6:25pm

Chris,

Great review on the SVS PB-12 plus at Secrets. I enjoyed reading it and it very much influenced my decision to purchase that model today. It should be here next week. I wonder how the newer version compares to the older version you reviewed. Thanks again.
 
Chris Eberle said:

A sub-moving wife is all the more reason to get a large one. At 127 pounds, my wife won't be moving our SVS PB-12 Plus any time soon! Frankly, I won't be moving it either.

Permalink Reply by T. Rodney Tatum on February 27, 2012 at 6:39am

Any well made sub that can reach realistic (20Hz Flat) frequencies and acceptable SPL's will suffice regardless of size and shape.  I've always felt that seven quality bookshelf speakers mated with seven quality subwoofers would yield a great surround system.  This theory is probably more cost affective than an expensive front end with di-pole surrounds augmented with subs for low frequencies because full range speakers will not be required and it eliminates placement issues.  Either way, ones love for movies and music (...and ability to hear) should dictate the investment made and the willingness to deal with W.A.F's.  When you buy your next home, specify a man-cave as a deal breaker and put to rest years of agony and grief!

  Fantasy Edit:  Can you imagine seven Paradigm Signature Sub 2's in a home theater system????