Detroit Kid

boa, So, if I set the sub crossover to 120hz or cut it off altogether and set the speakers to small, won't I have overlap between 80-120hz when listening to music? Will that have the muddled sound you are talking about? I can't test it yet...should have the RF-3s around Christmas and the sub will come after that. Thanks!

I like what I'm hearing about both the SVS and HSU. The HSU looks a little friendlier for the WAF. I made a cardboard cutout of the PCi and she freaked a bit. I think that's the SVS's only downfall - the thing looks like a mini water heater. Don't think I'll have room for it AND get my wife to accept the aesthetics of the SVS. I can tuck the HSU behind our big chair in the corner and you won't even see it. The SVS would lurk over (and possibly attack) unsuspecting guests. Something I'm all for. But, a bachelor I'm not.

Audioreality, Why would the RF-3 start rolling off at 50-60Hz if the low freq is 37Hz? What kind of effect do you get with the overlap (sub crossover set at 90Hz)?

Attention sub freaks... Please provide input on the best sub performance for both HT and music. We visited this topic exactly a year ago. Since then, new products have been released and you've had time to listen more. I'm interested in getting a sub for under $800. My first two options right now are the HSU VTF-2 or the SVS 20-39 PCi. I haven't heard either. THANKS!!!

Hmm. I do play my cds from my DVD player - 5 DVD/CD carousel. I hope I can find a happy medium between my HT and music playing, so that the sub doens't run hot on the music. That's one of my biggest concerns with getting a sub. I don't want the bass to overpower the mids and highs when hearing music. Other suggestions welcome.

boa12, you say the SVS subs are loud. Too loud? I'm assuming you can customized the levels to blend with the rest of your system. For those SVS owners... Are there any issues switching from movies to music? I could see wanting the bass in the forefront for movies and then maybe to take more of a not-so-much-in-your-face level when listening to music.

I'm also evaluating the SVS PCi 2039 and trying to decide between it and the HSU VTF-2. I don't know of any place to hear either of them. I can only go with what I've read on this site. So far, public favor is overwhelmingly with the SVS. I'm also intimidated by the size. Where the heck am I going to put the thing? Maybe I can make it into an end table - with attitude.

---------------- On 10/27/2002 11:45:23 AM prodj101 wrote: get the mains first, unless you awre planning on watching 100% movies until the everything else arives (thats basicaly all you could do with only a center channel.) ---------------- I'm integrating each purchase into my existing Sony system. I have the $$ for the center now, that's why I bought it first. Now come the mains in a couple of months. After reading some comments on the forum, I may end up increasing my budget! I'm going to listen to the diff between the RF-3IIs and RB-5IIs. If I get the RB-5IIs, then I'll get a sub next (SVS PCi 20-39? ), then get the surrounds.

boat12, Thanks again for the much-needed feedback. Not getting a sub just yet. I'm buying in stages. Just bought the RC-3II yesterday. Love it! in fact, i'd get a nice pre/pro w/ a seperate 6 or 7 channel power amp (used would cost less) & you could use that to also power a nonpowered sub or two (like svs cs series). Why wouldn't I just get something like the Denon AVR-3803 (7.1 w/ crossover settings at 40/60/80...). Would I be svaing that much by getting a pre/pro and amp? I'm also leary about buying used stuff. Can you break the prices down for me? If I get the the AVR-3803 ($1200) and the SVS CS 20-39 ($780), I'd be looking at about a $2000 investment. I have a Sony powered sub right now (305W?) that goes to 20Hz. I'm sure it doesn't compare with the $500 and up subs out there. Right? I heard a RSW-15 at the place I bought the center and felt the difference. I'd like to hear a side-by-side comparison to see how much diff there is. I'll probably make my purchases in this order: center, mains, rears, receiver or pre/pro & amp, sub. Just putting my wishlist together. I'll be dreaming about a killer system and hopefully I can get there...someday.

Can I get anything decent in this price range? Most prices I see are between $500-$1200. Does the quaility of bass really warrant that much of a price increase? Is the quality jump that significant?

Thanks for all the great input! I plan on using it 50/50 - music/tv surround. I have a crappy Sony micro sattelite 5.1 spkr system right now and just can't stand it to listen to music to. So, I was thinking of getting the RF-3II as mains, the RC-3II for the center, something for the surrounds - either the RS-3s or RB-3s, and no subwoofer. I'm hearing that the RF-3IIs (set to large) will handle a good portion of the bass, so I won't really need a subwoofer. I may upgrade and get a Pro Logic II receiver in a year or so. If I do that, how would the RS-3s handle music? So, will RB-3s be a better choice to handle my dual purpose needs? I'm also concerned about how much space I'll need for the RB-3s. - DK

I apologize if this topic has been done before or overworked, but currently, I'm not able to search for topics in the forum. Anyone else having this problem? OK -- From the specs, it looks like the RS-3s and RB-3s are comparable. They also have a similar price (about $25 more for the RBs). Is there something in the design of the RS-3 (two horns?) that makes it a better speaker for surrounds? If they're comparable in sound, I'll get the RS-3s 'cause they'll save me some space and I'll probably be able to get away with less-expensive stands. Thanks - DK

Thanks, boa12. You da audiophile!

I have a Sony STR-DE575 (doesn't allow crossovers to be set). Is there any way I could find out what the crossover settings are at? I don't see this info anywhere in the manual.

boa12, I do have a setting on my Sony STR-DE575 receiver for LFE (Low Frequency Effect), which can be set from 0db to -20db. Sony recommends setting it at 0db to get "the full LFE signal at the mix level determined by the recording engineer". This probably means I don't have the control that you speak of - having 'an adjustable crossover', right? Could I get a preprocessor to do all of this stuff that you're talking about? You recommendation is to get the RB-3s with a good subwoofer. If I had a better receiver (allowing me to set the crossovers, would your recommendation be different? Can you recommend a subwoofer that wouldn't break the bank? Also, aren't the RF-3IIs and RB-3s similar in price? If so, aren't the RF-3IIs a better speaker? Sorry for the neophyticity (word?) and thanks a bunch for the help.