Nismo Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 (edited) I got a great new delivery from Ohio today... the 15" sealed, dual driver XS30se from PSA For the past few months I've considered ported, sealed & vented options from the usual suspects. But, after speaking with Tom V. from PSA, he pointed me in the right direction for my room & space. Pretty sure the XS30se with dual drivers will far out perform my existing dual sub set up. In fact, with the XS30se upgrade....I might not even need 2 subs in my HT anymore. Looking forward to selecting the right location & orientation. This week will be fun for sure. Here's a few unboxing shots and a few pics with the RP-140SA to give an idea on size & proportions. 800w RMS (Continuous) / 2400w (Peak) / 18" x 23.5" x 22.5" / 122lbs \ ======================= Also finally got my X4100W back from service today!! HT will be back to normal & better than normal soon. Edited September 1, 2015 by Nismo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 congrats…hope you’re very happy with it. Rock On. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydog Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Very nice! Looks great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 (edited) Thanks guys! This thing is rock solid too. Clip from RHT: Edited September 1, 2015 by Nismo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdave Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Sweet….let us know how they perform. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Tom V. is a great guy to discuss sub option with and they have excellent customer service. Congrats on the new sub! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Congrats on the new sub, it looks like a real beast! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K5SS Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Oh, I would imagine that the new PSA sub will render the Velodyne and the Polk obsolete. I actually owned dual PSW505's and when my Rythmik showed up, they were both sold on CL the next day. I love buying new subs. Enjoy the new toy and be sure to report back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Oh, I would imagine that the new PSA sub will render the Velodyne and the Polk obsolete. I actually owned dual PSW505's and when my Rythmik showed up, they were both sold on CL the next day. I love buying new subs. Enjoy the new toy and be sure to report back! The Polk was a budget pick up a few years back for my computer room. I was bored & brought it into the HT when I had dual sub pre-outs available. It stayed in the HT as it somewhat helped to fill in the right side of the room (evened / smoothed things out acting more like a mid-bass sub). But it was never a serious sub by any means.... I could gut it, insulate it & use it as a cooler.(lol). The (sealed & servo controlled) Velo was good for its time & served me well. But 10+ years later, time moves on & it was long over due for an upgrade. If I recall... I probably paid about the same for the Velo back in the day as the PSA XS30se. No question the PSA is on a whole nother level, especially considering its going in my 13' x 16' x 8' (1,664 cubic foot) space. Its like an omni-directional bull in a china shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Congrats on the new sub, it looks like a real beast! Oh yeah... both the Velo & the Polk are out of the HT. I'll put the Velo in the computer room. Polk will collect dust packed away in the basement. The PSA is a beast..... it actually weighs more than both the Velo & Polk combined. (lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 (edited) Nismo, I have been waiting read a real word review. Been kicking around unloading my 2 RSW 10's for one of these... or the VT1800...I do like the fact that this has both front and rear drivers.And being made in America to me is also a plus. Where did you end up placing it? Edited September 20, 2015 by oldred 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Nismo, I have been waiting read a real word review. Been kicking around unloading my 2 RSW 10's for one of these... or the VT1800...I do like the fact that this has both front and rear drivers.And being made in America to me is also a plus. Where did you end up placing it? You & me both. I too was looking forward to experiencing a (front & rear) dual driver 15" sub in my space. Different than the Klipsch RSW-15 which has an active 15" rear firing driver, combined with 15" front firing passive radiator. Sadly, there is something wrong with my XS30se. Possibly received damage via shipping. After multiple placements, orientations, calibrations, I've never been able to get it to perform in my space. I've had 5 different sub combinations in my current space & they have all performed to their expected category & class. By all accounts (on paper) the 15" dual driver XS30se is the best sub I've ever purchased for my space. However, gonna have to return it & swap it out for a different PSA. I'm sure (under normal circumstances) the XS30se is solid performer, unfortunately my particular XS30se has experienced issues. Also, I've become accustomed to having dual subs in my HT. The XS30se has a large footprint & that will make it difficult to place 2 of the XS30's in my space, so after the return, I doubt that I'll try another XS30se in my space. As an alternative model, the XS15se is basically the same sub, just offered as a single 15" driver vs a dual 15" driver. The XS15 also has a much smaller footprint, making it easy to again have dual subs in my HT. The S1500 is another 15" single driver offering from PSA worthy of consideration. I wish the XS30 wasn't defective, would have enjoyed experiencing a dual driver sub. Edited September 21, 2015 by Nismo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 OK.... I spoke with PSA this morning to troubleshoot the XS30se. Ruled out a defective unit, since Audyssey could recognize & calibrate the sub, but there was concern that Audyssey might be having difficulty calibrating frequencies under 40Hz in my space. Like Scrappy mentioned the gain structure of the BASH amp will adjust the amplification differently. Tom mentioned that gain with the BASH could require 100% & its not a problem, while a similar ICE amp could only be at 40%. And should your space require 100%... Audyssey might overcompensate & make the sub levels too low. He said don't worry about it, just turn the gain to 100% & bump up sub levels +2-3-4-5-dB as needed after calibration. In my case (when having issues earlier) the calibration settings were similar to any previous set up (so all seemed normal). Tonight I reran setup & bumped everything up after the fact & the XS30se came alive. I would have never thought (going from 12" subs) that a dual driver 15" sub would require those particular settings in the same space (i thought the much larger sub would have to dial back the other direction, (but that was wrong). I think limited corner placement opportunities with a 15" dual driver in my small to average space (1664 cubic feet) was giving Audyssey fits. So good news, the XS30se is not defective, Tonight I'm dialing in settings & placement, plus just for good measure I'm adding new RCA's from Mediabridge. Plus, there's a phenomenal 4-1/2 minute music track on the Atmos demo disc... with perfect bass source material to dial everything in (also using MAD MAX, & U2 Rattle & Hum). It will be nice to finally properly demo the XS30se !! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 My dual PSA XS30SEs and Audessy do not get along at all. Audessy Pro dials them back way too much, to non-existence. Still playing with the setup...occasionally. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) My dual PSA XS30SEs and Audessy do not get along at all. Audessy Pro dials them back way too much, to non-existence. Still playing with the setup...occasionally. That's the same issue I was having. While all my initial calibrations seemed "normal"... I couldn't hear any audible "bass". Turning the gain up (based on the Audyssey settings) made it sound horrible.. Tom said, no worries, crank the gain (for amplification) to 100% if needed, adjust distances (feet) to reflect accurately (Audyssey waaay overcompensated for that in my space), then bump up the sub levels 2-3-4-or-5 dB's via the AVR as needed. Did that tonight & the XS30se finally started to crush it in my space. Its alive !! Edited September 23, 2015 by Nismo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) I had a feeling that Tom V would be able to help you. It is great to hear that the sub is working and you are a happy camper! Edited September 23, 2015 by derrickdj1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nismo Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 I noticed some of the PSA subs with ICE amps... feature a Room Size control. I've never owned a sub that used that feature. Anyone have experience with that extra feature. Is it beneficial. helpful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 (edited) Nismo....not quite understanding....when I start calibration...it is looking to have the sub or subs at 75db ....how is this done if the gain is at 100%.... Am I missing something Edited September 24, 2015 by oldred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 I would venture to say that the room size control shift the FR from a lower extension mode to a higher output mode. Every db of extra extension cuts output by around 1 db. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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