willland:

gsxr1000:

I think it's the MKII not the EQ model even though those are the specs he put on the ad.

I think you are right.  The TS-EQ12 has a detachable powercord and the sub in the ad photo clearly has a fixed cord.

gsxr1000:

I may do the comparison like you said.

You may just like the sound with two Sunfires in the mix.

Bill

 

gsxr1000:

Believe me that crossed my mind but I can't really afford to keep both right now.

Sorry, I think I enjoy spending others $$$ better than mine.

Bill

willland:

gsxr1000:

Believe me that crossed my mind but I can't really afford to keep both right now.

Sorry, I think I enjoy spending others $$$ better than mine.

Bill

 

Yeah me too haha. I just want to have the funds available for when a deal on a SVS comes around. I know it will just be a matter of time. Either the PB-12+2 or the 13ultra. I may even keep the sunfire after I find the SVS for a room system down the road cause it is pretty impressive for such a compact unit.

I ordered a Sunfire True Signature Sub off of ebay. It should get here 4-3-2012. I have three days to evaluate it. I have done alot of research on the internet and there are alot of pros to this sub. However there are apparently issues that come up with this sub. Over time the sub tends to "shake" itself to death (or repair) due to its high power relative to its size. So I am going to try and set it up mechanically so it wont "walk" on me. I intend to use it mostly for music so that will keep some of the ultra low frequencies out of it too. Appearently it "walks" most for only the lowest of frequencies. 

After years of use there are issues I found with the auto off circuitry (wants to turn off while music is playing). So I am going to test that feature well. There are also issues of the sub having a "hum" noise. The manufacturer recommend having the sub on an isolated AC outlet separate from the rest of the stereo equipment. And to keep the AC cord away from the line level cables. 

 Well fingers crossed that I didn't get a lemon here. Ebay is offering a two year warranty on it for $170. I may just go for it but I think I'll call Sunfire to see what a "standard" repair charge is. I think I've see on the internet that Sunfire charges $350 for an over haul but I'm going to verify that.

I'm going to have my Sunfire Signature in a few hours.

Quote from Willland: "Just been playing around with the Sunfire and my Heresys in my "demo room"(spare bedroom).  Hooked a pair of RCA cables to right/left preouts on my Marantz 2252b and set Sunfire crossover to 50HZ, phase at 50 degrees and gain at 1/4 inch from mute.  Wow."

This is very close to my set up. I'm going to also use the RCA's to right/left preouts. But I'm also going to use the sub's high pass (70Hz) RCA's to come back to the Marantz's Main-in. Then set the sub's crossover to 80Hz. Gain also at 1/4 inch from mute (Thanks for the info Bill). For phase I was going to start at 90 degrees and then run a phase test tone CD to see what's up.

 I can't wait!!! 

 Well I got my Sunfire True Signature Sub about 3 hours ago. Its all tested and set up. Everything works! Luckily the sub came with no feet so it was easy to place it on a rubber mat so it wouldn't "walk". First I tested it with test tones and frequency sweeps. All good. Then some bass heavy jazz (Stanley Clark). I set the sub's volume based on this material. Then some Pat Metheny. Then some Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Pow". I must say I am truely impressed. The Hersey III's just couldn't get there by themselves. The bass notes are clear; you can hear them distinctly as well as feel them. The bass is more 3 dimensional now and you definitely know when the bass player comes in. I've got to say for music this sub rocks. As long as this sub is working properly, I can't believe I'm ever going to need anything better than this sub. I wonder how H3's with a good sub like this stacks up against higher end klipsch speakers with no sub? I am completely happy with this setup for music.

do you have an SPL meter?  I would like to hear the #s you can get in room to compare to my Sunfire a bit

or have you done any other testing?

I have been looking for an SPL meter but haven't found one spec'ed to work below 31.5 Hz. Plus I don't want to spend more that like $60.00. Any suggestions?

I used test tones to guage crossover frequencies and phase. I set the sub's volume by listening to various types of music; some with little base (Yes - Fragile); some with medium amount of bass (Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior); and some with alot of bass (Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Etc). The subwoofer volume control was set to give a pleasing level of bass regardless of the music format. Of course the Rap music really works out the sub, while some Rock not so much. The receiver is set up with the bass control at 12:00. I also switched the main speakers off to listen just to the sub for the various formats. Very clean sound out of the sub. Like I said I am very pleased with the performance of this sub.

As far as using a SPL meter, it would be interesting to see the results to see how well my ears stack up. I would be hesitant to change the volume levels on my sub now as it has taken a long time of listening to find the sweet spot.

I recommend a used one from ebay..The old Rat Shack analog meters work just fine along with a correction chart you can get online.

Other's may poo-poo it, but remember it's only for your home stereo and you do have a budget.

i got a used digital RS one off ebay

granted I really dont know how to use it exactly right so I mostly just use it to confirm my ears.  the annoying thing about this meter is it will not display anything below 80 db (must be defective) so I cant do much lower volume testing - and nothing over like 126 db trying to see how loud my car system is :)

All I did was through the receiver test tones I set it where the fronts were all the same at the 0db receiver setting - about 87db on the meter.  I have found that with the sub set up about 6db it sounds best to me in my situation at all volumes.  So the sub will be reading 93 - 94db and the fronts at 87db with the receiver test tone

just listening to good ole rap music I can get 108 - 109db along all of the back wall in my room (where the couch and chair is) and many random places in my kitchen/dining nook that the living room opens up to. I would like to get a test CD to compare output and frequency. 

nothing super crazy loud but plenty to hear and feel it.  all from a 13.5inch cube...

I found this SPL Meter on ebay (TES-1353H) and it is only rated to be accurate between 31.5 Hz and 8K Hz +/- 1.5 db. It is $1000.

I also found correction factors for the Radio Shack Analog SPL meter. They want you to correct like 7 to 20 db for frequencies below 20Hz. But I couldnt find a RS analog meter for sale. It is apparently discontinued now.

Bottom line is I trust my ears and what sounds good much better than SPL meters of dubious accuracy. Maybe I can get an audio professional to come over and test my setup with their meter. Wonder what they would charge for something like that?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCOSCHE-Model-SPL1000-Sound-Pressure-Meter-130db-/270948665216?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f15cc8780

there are tons for $50 or less if you are interested

Thanks for the info. The only problem with these meters is they are not rated to perform in the lower frequencies and there are no correction factor tables available to compensate for the inaccuracies. Plus there is variablity in the meter manufacturing process. Even if there were compensation tables, were the tables created to average meter in the manufacturing variablity.

Goldline apparently makes good meters. I think you have to buy separate a microphone though. I think a professional service is the way to go for the least expense.

oh I agree they are not perfect at all - but it really doesnt matter in any regular home setting because there are too many variables playing against you.  You should be able to get a good idea with a basic meter.

and I dont know for sure but I dont think there is much info below 30hz on anything but the lowest movie effects.  most of the low bass you hear is 40 - 60 hz range

Maybe I can get one locally but keep the receipt if you know what I mean