Craigsub SS18.1 passive subwoofer

[derrickdj1]

I am considering a pair of Craigsubs, and was wodering if anyone has any experience with them or the company.

[wsd]

I purchased one of their smaller subs, a CS10.2

Here is my review:

My environment is 13’x13’x10’+ (~1720 cu ft) sealed room -
carpeted (typical Florida construction – block walls on a concrete slab, built
in 2008)

I have the following equipment: Denon AVR-2310CI, Klipsch Forte (mains),
Academy (center) and KG-3 (surrounds)

Preorder: Outstanding
customer service, Jack and Craig answered all of my questions and concerns –
Craig even called me to discuss my options (how often does the owner of a business
call the customer to help?)

Jack sent me numerous emails answering my setup questions
and providing helpful setup links.

Order/Delivery: The
web ordering process was straightforward and easy, auto email updates is a nice
touch.

I ordered my sub on a Friday afternoon, received email
shipping confirmation the following Tuesday and received my sub before 10am on
that Friday – about a week from order to
delivery, during one of the worst winters in a while.

Packaging: The sub
was packaged extremely well and received in excellent shape.

Fit and finish: The
sub is constructed solidly and has an industrial type (pro audio style) finish
– there are slight imperfections on the top from the amp position move – only
noticeable in bright light when you are looking at the top of the unit, up
close – I can’t see it from my seating position.

Performance: This is
the subjective part – I will tell you what I hear is smooth, seamless, separate
bass reproduction in music (I can hear every bass note clearly, not muddled
together) and chest thumping slam during movies.

Movies: (I have only
got to watch a few movies so far)

When viewing the opening scenes of avatar - I wasn't
prepared for the explosion of sound when the shuttle broke though the sound
barrier, it startled me and made me jump in my seat- the wife thought the walls
were going to fall down.

When viewing the opening scenes of Terminator Salvation – my
wife had to leave the room, due to the intensity of the heartbeat – her words
were – “this is freaking me out”, the explosion of LFE sound during initial
attack on skynet was amazing – you not only heard the explosions you felt them
as well – the whole movie has a intense LFE track and will test out your sub
pretty well, the 10.2 did a fantastic job.

I watched “The Losers” last night, man you can really “feel”
the concussion of explosions with this sub.

Music: we listened
to ACDC – war machine; Eagles – disco strangler; Creed – higher, one; 1812 overture with canons (DDD); Fleetwood Mac - Rumors; Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms; Steve
Winwood – Back in the High Life; Golden Earring – Twilight Zone (very good bass
track)

My wife and I listen to the above listed tracks/CDs – first
without the sub and then with the sub.

My wife couldn’t believe the “depth” added to the songs with
the sub on.

The clarity of bass reproduction of this sub is outstanding.
The bass is tight and very impactful.

Here are the sub measurements using the Real Traps Test Tone
CD and a Radio Shack Digital SPL meter (model #33-2055) – corrected

SPL set to 70 at primary listening position using Track-30
(pink noise) with the crossover set @ 80Hz

Summary:

If you are looking for a beautiful looking sub to impress
your friends - this is probably not the sub for you. But - if you want clean, articulate musical
bass reproduction and knock your socks off, slam you in the chest, ear bursting
LFE for movies - then look no further.

Thanks to Craig and the CHT staff, for providing
an outstanding product for an excellent price.

[derrickdj1]

Thanks for the nice review. I have heard good things about the CHT subs. They are suppose to be very good and I like the ideal of a passive subwoofer. If anything goes wrong with the amp, fix it or replace it.

[CECAA850]

Looking at the site reminds me a lot of the old EPIK site. Hopefully CHT will be around a little longer. I wonder who he buys his drivers from?

[wsd]

The drivers in my sub were produced by Eminence to Chase's spec's

[wsd]

here is a link to a 18.1 review:

http://www.chasehometheater.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5230

[shepjk01]

I have 4 chase ss18.2's and have owned many subs. For the price the chase is an excellent value. I was going to go diy on my subs but got a great deal on the quad of 18.2's and could not have built anything with comparable output for the price. The drivers are sourced from eminence as stated.

You can go here for a review of the vs18.1 which uses the same driver that is in the ss18.1 http://www.data-bass.com/data?page=system&id=83 It is an unbiased review. Josh runs the subs through very demanding test and his results were almost identical to the ones posted on the chase website. Also remember the spl output is with no room gain.

[derrickdj1]

I have read Josh Ricci review on several subs and his assessment is very accurate and honest.This sub interested me ever since the shootout of the brothers on AVS forum:SHOOTOUT! Epik Empire vs HSU VTF-15H vs CHT CS18.1 vs Rythmik FV15 vs eD A7s-450, http://www.avsforum.com/t/1313176/shootout-epik-empire-vs-hsu-vtf-15h-vs-cht-cs18-1-vs-rythmik-fv15-vs-ed-a7s-450

All of the subs in the shootout were top notch and similar in results. The SS 18.1 was the lightest of the monster subs at 75 lbs. CHT subs were also compare to JTR and Seaton Submersive in the KC shootout and finished 3rd behind the JTR and Seaton sub.

[CECAA850]

All of the subs in the shootout were top notch and similar in results.

If price and performance weren't an issue, I'd base my buying decision on the company's longevity and service after the sale. Of the above companies, I'd think HSU would come out ahead.

[Heritage_Head]

All of the subs in the shootout were top notch and similar in results.

If price and performance weren't an issue, I'd base my buying decision on the company's longevity and service after the sale. Of the above companies, I'd think HSU would come out ahead.

Great point. Paying a few hundred more and knwoing that in 10 years they will still be around would be important to me.

[CECAA850]

I've seen too many flash in the pan subwoofer companies go belly up. Ascendant Audio, Elemental Designs, and EPIK to name a few. All had great products at a great price point. All had loyal following. All had good intentions. All are gone leaving customers with products still in warranty and no where to go if they have problems.

[Heritage_Head]

Right and when they start giving away their subs for really cheap its a red flag to me (like epik).

[derrickdj1]

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I've seen too many flash in the pan subwoofer companies go belly up. Ascendant Audio, Elemental Designs, and EPIK to name a few. All had great products at a great price point. All had loyal following. All had good intentions. All are gone leaving customers with products still in warranty and no where to go if they have problems.

The CHT subs have remained at the same price point over the last year that I have followed them. The longevity of the company is a big concern. Since these are passiive subs, only the cabinet and driver are left to be worried about.

I appreciate all the input. This morning I went ahead and pulled the trigger for 2 of the SS18.1 subs. I will power them with a Dayton amp from Parts Express with a warranty. I am redesigning the whole system layout going down to a 7.2 setup and getting rid of the surround back speakers. The VF 35's will now become the mains in my basement setup along with the VS 14's. I just need a center for that setup. Now I just need to sell one or two of the other subs. The PA 150, SVS and Epik are all pretty equal with a slight edge to the PA 150.

I will post a review on the pro's and con's of the new subwoofers.

[Heritage_Head]

Grats on your new subs[]. I also read the review on avs and looked really hard at them a few years back. They seems like a great sub and a great value.

[CECAA850]

Review with PICS!!!

[TasDom]

Pics with REVIEW!!!

[Mongo171]

With pics, review.