vandec54 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hello All I would like to upgrade my sub I have read many posts that have been devoted to timbre matching speakers. Do subwoofers need to be matched? or could I get any brand/model? Suggestions? I see in another post a recommendation of a $2,000 sub, I would like to spend less. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 You can probably spend half of that amount and get something that would blend nicely in your system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) They obviously are a little easier to work with when they are the exact same. But they can be taught to play nice together. What sub do you already have? Can you assemble a sub box? If so I built four 18's for 2300$. They are much better than the 4,000$ I spent on dual Svs PB-13 ultras before. Link is in my signature. Edit: I see your sub in you sig now. I'd say if you didn't want to build and you want new try the Svs PB-12nsd or maybe a psa xv-15. Both would be great for around 800 Edited November 18, 2013 by Scrappydue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2013 I agree. Subs aren't timbre matched so you can use any manufacturer you choose. I've owned Velodyne HGS15's and they were great but a single RSW-15 sounded as good as dual Velodyne HGS15's so I highly recommend an RSW-15 if you can find one. You can EASILY buy one for under a $1000. I paid about 1/3 of that for mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vandec54 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the responses, how about a RW-12d? Minor, Big or Huge upgrade over my KSW-12? Edited November 18, 2013 by vandec54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) How did you go from a $2000 down to a $300 sub? LOL I've owned the RW-12 and it is a descent performer but definitely not anything near the quality or output you could get for a $750 - $1000 sub. I've never heard the KSW-12 but my guess is it would be between Minor and Big upgrade. Edited November 18, 2013 by Youthman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 If you have the money and some time you could throw something like this together. http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sa1000-subwoofer-amplifier-rack-mountable--300-811 http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-15-ultimax-subwoofer-and-cabinet-package--300-7097 Or the 12" http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-12-ultimax-subwoofer-and-cabinet-package--300-7096 It would be leaps and bounds better than your current sub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tremors Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 How did you go from a $2000 down to a $300 sub? LOL I've owned the RW-12 and it is a descent performer but definitely not anything near the quality or output you could get for a $750 - $1000 sub. I've never heard the KSW-12 but my guess is it would be between Minor and Big upgrade. He stated "I see in another post a recommendation of a $2,000 sub, I would like to spend less.". I gather from this that he never intended on spending that much. As he shouldn't Not when you can get the value of an RSW, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coleman Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 I owned the KSW-12 before I bought The RW-12D. The RW-12D is a much better sub than the KSW IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Here's my POV. Do subwoofers need to be matched? or could I get any brand/model? In a best-case scenario? No. They need to exhibit the same phase response. For direct radiating subs, that means using the same enclosure type, tuning, and driving them off the same amp (where DSP or other filtering is involved) Since it is often very difficult to source different size boxes of the same type employing different sized drivers but still using the same built-in amps (hence guaranteeing the same filtering scheme), we are left with the only option to use matched quantities for the best performance. Could a mix of the same enclosure types from other brands work together in unison? ...Herding cats comes to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2013 I took it that the OP was asking if subwoofers needed to be matched to the brand of his other speakers, instead of can you mix and match more than one subwoofer in a system. I agree it's easier to buy identical subs if you have more than one but if you only have one subwoofer, no, it does not matter what brand you choose. What matters is the performance of that said sub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet_Hollow Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Woops...good point. I guess I read into that one a little too deeply. My response was aimed at the "Geddes, multiple subwoofer" approach. Edited November 18, 2013 by Quiet_Hollow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Most subs sound the same under 40 Hz and non- identical subs can be used with excellent results. Subs differ in extension and max spl for the most part. I have also used identical sub and it is not necessarily easier to integrated them IMHO experience. There are a lot of internet direct brands under $1000 that will do a much better job for HT and music than some of the Klipsch sub. Check out SVS, PSA, Chase and there is always DYI. The biggest thing is if you don't have one, get two, lol. Edited November 18, 2013 by derrickdj1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi Vandec54! How much room do you have for a sub and what is your budget that you are really willing to spend?? Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Most subs sound the same under 40 Hz im not so sure about this statement. you saying that a rw-12d is as clean sounding as your chase 18.2 at 30 hz? cause i doubt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 18, 2013 Most subs sound the same under 40 Hz im not so sure about this statement. you saying that a rw-12d is as clean sounding as your chase 18.2 at 30 hz? cause i doubt it Great point there. I would have to agree. Just don't see how an inferior sub would sound the same as a high end sub just because it's playing below 40Hz. I would think the opposite is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedcrankcammer Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 KSW-12 sounds boomy / Muddy, my brother in law lives 3 miles from me and owns one. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hello All I would like to upgrade my sub I have read many posts that have been devoted to timbre matching speakers. Do subwoofers need to be matched? or could I get any brand/model? Suggestions? I see in another post a recommendation of a $2,000 sub, I would like to spend less. Thank you As others have stated, subs do not have to be timbre matched to your speakers. Do you have a limit on size? Do you have a limit on price? Do you care if it's new or used? Would you be opposed to building something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 There are few fundemental sounds from musical intstrument under 40 Hz and if the sub is not pushed into distortion a lot of decent subs sound pretty close. The quality of bass from most decent sub is related to setup and integration. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying there are no difference, lol. One of these subs would be good right about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerwoodKhorns Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) KSW-12 sounds boomy / Muddy, my brother in law lives 3 miles from me and owns one. Roger I had an SW 15 and that is exactly how it sounded. Flabby and sloppy. The first second I hoked up its replacement I was surprised by the difference. It was huge. Tons of tight fast bass. Definately upgrade. Edited November 18, 2013 by tigerwoodKhorns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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