Musical sub recommendations

[IRG]

Most "normal" household rooms are far from ideal. One thing you need to watch out for with your subwoofer is the bass actually sounding louder in the dining room than the room where you audio system sits. The bass typically sounds louder



Trying to adjust the level of a sub or matching the surrounds with the mains by ear is an exercise in futility because you can't reliably and consistently judge the levels by ear when that many speakers are involved, or when you're comparing the main levels with the sub level. The whole purpose of the SPL meter is to establish a reliable and replicatable reference point. Once you've done that, THEN you tune according to your preferences. In general, I've found that the SPL meter gives me the quickest and best sounding results, particularly with level matching the surrounds.

The rule of thumb on SPL meter usage is to point it straight ahead, hold it at a 45 degree angle, and keep it at ear level. To minimize errors, I've also read recommendations that you sit perpendicular to the meter (off to the side, rather than directly behind it). But, if you really want to have the most consistent readings, I would suggest that you mount the meter on a camera tripod.



It doesn't matter if you have a downfiring or forward firing sub, a suspended wood floor can still accentuate the bass waves, as can other resonant objects throughout the room. Corner placement will maximize bass reinforcement regardless of where the driver points.

Rather than worry about these types of issues, I think the more important part is to familiarize yourself with the acoustical effects that your room creates. Standing waves will create a more bloated sounding bass than wood floors or a downfiring design alone. Placement, bass traps, and parametric equalization are the solutions to that problem.



One thing I will caution you on with the Rava is its fairly large size. The cabinet on the sub is basically an 18" x 18" cube. The veneer that they use is very good, and its attractiveness depends on how you view oak furniture. (If you remove the grille or peer at the back of the unit, it still looks like a DIY project because of the manually-applied black paint)

If you're interested in something smaller, then you might want to take a look at the Acoustic-Visions MRS-10. Its outer dimensions are less than 14" and it uses a downfiring 10" woofer with a longer stroke than the Shiva driver used in the Rava, so its bass output is actually close to what the Rava delivers. It also has a piano black finish, which along with the smaller size, might be more decor friendly.

http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~aco...ed/mrs10.shtml

Is there a preference in SPL meters - analog or digital from Radio Shack? Last time I checked, they only had the digital kinds. I will have to look again and see what is available.

I have a question on Velodyne subs - I might even post another topic, but do you know if the DPS series and the DLR series are essentially the same? I am comparing both the 12" models, and they seem to have the same specs, magnet size, etc. The biggest difference is that the DLR have a remote for changing the modes, the DPS does not, and the DLR looks a little better. Otherwise they seem the same. Not a lot of reviews, what I have read have been very positive. I've always liked Velodyne, and need to take a closer look here. Also, there is a company online that is selling the DPS-12 for under $400 delivered. I am tempted, but doing all of the research first....

The Acoustic-Visions sub you mentioned looks pretty good too. It is getting a little pricey for me, but it still seems like a good sub. The Adire is still a contender though, we'll see what develops.

[Woochifer]

Is there a preference in SPL meters - analog or digital from Radio Shack? Last time I checked, they only had the digital kinds. I will have to look again and see what is available.

The analog SPL meters got discontinued a while ago, and were recently reintroduced. All of the correction charts that you see posted around the internet are typically for the analog model, and the analog model costs $10 less. And I would also go with the analog model because it allows you to eyeball the 0.5 db increments. The digital model only goes up or down in whole decibel increments. If you can't find the analog model in stores, you can mail order it from Radio Shack's website.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=33-4050

I have a question on Velodyne subs - I might even post another topic, but do you know if the DPS series and the DLR series are essentially the same? I am comparing both the 12" models, and they seem to have the same specs, magnet size, etc. The biggest difference is that the DLR have a remote for changing the modes, the DPS does not, and the DLR looks a little better. Otherwise they seem the same. Not a lot of reviews, what I have read have been very positive. I've always liked Velodyne, and need to take a closer look here. Also, there is a company online that is selling the DPS-12 for under $400 delivered. I am tempted, but doing all of the research first....

Don't know enough about Velodyne's lineup to say for sure. I've heard enough Velodyne subs to keep them under consideration if you're looking at ported subs.

Before you mail order anything, I would check with Velodyne to make sure that online vendor is authorized. Most companies require that you buy from authorized vendors, otherwise they invalidate the warranty.

The Acoustic-Visions sub you mentioned looks pretty good too. It is getting a little pricey for me, but it still seems like a good sub. The Adire is still a contender though, we'll see what develops.

The Acoustic-Visions sub uses a driver based around Adire's XBR^2 motor design, and from I keep reading, it's a formidable design that can move a lot of air. The 10" driver used on the Acoustic Visions MRS-10 has a longer stroke than the 12" Shiva driver that Adire uses on the Rava, which means that it can create almost as much bass out of a smaller cabinet.

When I bought my Rava, it was the only sealed sub that I could find that sold for less than $600, so my choice was a lot simpler. Now, you got other sealed options in that price range from B&W, Atlantic Technology, Rocket (mail order), Acoustic Visions, and even Martin Logan. The Rava's still a very nice subwoofer and a great value, you just have a lot more choices out there than even two years ago.