http://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:05:00 -0000http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-nsdSVS has long been known for high performance subwoofers and the PB12-NSD while the most cost effective vented subwoofer in the current line up, still musters up a hefty amount of room filling bass. (Also offered is the PC12-NSD cylinder version which is said to have nearly identical performance.) Tipping the scales at 66lbs the heart of the PB12-NSD is a quality 12" long throw, aluminum cone driver vented through a 4" diameter flared port, all housed in a large, well braced, black vinyl wrapped enclosure, which happens to be the only finish option available. The brains of the operation come from a 400 watt version of SVS's Sledge amplifier platform. This combination available shipped to your home for $769, provides extension with authority to 20Hz and perhaps a bit lower in some rooms. Build, performance and parts quality for this price range were all found to be exceptional. While the PB12-NSD is short on finish options and may not have some of the extra bells and whistles offered by other subwoofers on the market, what it does do very well is the task of producing accurate and powerful bass with depth and finese that most other subs in this price range cannot match, as evidenced by the PB12-NSD achieving the Audioholics Large Room rating. At the end of the day that is what a subwoofer is supposed to do and the PB12-NSD does not disappoint. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-nsdSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/niles-sw6.5-sw8Niles has made a lot of custom installation products, many of which we have found to be very reliable and above-average, like their CM-Series In-ceiling speakers. This week, the company expanded its line of powerful high-fidelity subwoofers in the form of two new stylish compact subwoofers engineered with designers in mind, the SW6.5 and the SW8. The new subs are designed for a stylish look that can be more or less concealed in the room. This makes sense from a company that has done so well to create great-sounding products that blend into walls and ceilings. Mike Detmer, President of Niles is going out on a limb, saying their new SW6.5 and SW8 subwoofers "outperform their larger rivals and offer superior sound quality and design for all residential and light commercial installations.” That's a bold claim and we'll look forward to seeing how well the company can live up to its own hype.Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:25:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/niles-sw6.5-sw8SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-15-videoI've had a lifelong struggle with subwoofers. Sometimes I've been impressed with smaller subs that perform well for their size. And certainly I can appreciate a small sub that plays low. But... if you really want the most performance you're going to need a big sub... or two or three. Today, we're looking at one of Velodyne's newest subs - the EQ-Max 15 - and it's big. As the name suggests, it's a 15-inch subwoofer that, while larger than most of the products you'll find that try and cater to the "less-is-more" crowd, this sub actually puts it all out there, unashamed. Kinda like Lady Gaga... except... square... Anyway, the driver is a 15-incher - and what makes that a big deal is that, other than Velodyne's Digital Drive series, this is the only other 15-inch sub they make.Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:10:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-15-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/digital-drive-plus-18Velodyne's Digital Drive series is legendary for its technologically advanced sealed designs, active servo control and high fidelity, low distortion output. If the DD18+ is any indication Velodyne has significantly raised the bar with the new "Plus" series over the previous Digital Drive subwoofers. Greatly increased output headroom, better cosmetics and fit and finish being a few major areas impacted. Velodyne has also packed an extreme amount of hardware into the unit with on board EQ, remote control and more connection possibilities that seen on most any other subwoofer. The DD18+ achieved our Audioholics “Extreme Room” rating and is the first sealed subwoofer to do so. It was also the recipient of our 2011 Subwoofer Product of the Year Award. This new found sense of might comes at no cost to fidelity as the DD18+ exhibited the excellent sonic reproduction typical of Velodyne's sealed servo subwoofers and was utterly unflappable no matter what was asked of it. The new curved side panel cabinet design is more robust and the review unit looked absolutely fabulous in the gloss black finish. All of this technology, attention to detail and overall high quality does of course carry a very hefty sticker with it. $4,999 msrp is a lot of money but if it is within your budget you can be assured that you are buying one of the finest subwoofer systems available. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/digital-drive-plus-18SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-12The X-Ref 12 is representative of the next evolution in Emotiva's powered subwoofer line and comes equipped with many upscale features such as built in DSP that is controlled via a top mounted LCD screen with a rotary push button knob, balanced XLR connection, and two fully adjustable bands of parametric EQ to address room response issues or adjust to suit listener tastes. The X-Ref 12 has a solidly built, well finished sealed enclosure with a hand rubbed lacquer finish. The 12" driver is a robust piece with a 3" voice coil and double stacked magnets which is controlled by the 600 watt highly efficient amplifier. Being a sealed subwoofer with a very small form factor the X-Ref 12 does not have subterranean deep bass extension or herculean output capabilities, so it should perform better in smaller spaces. But, it operates with rock steady reliability and always sounds clean and composed while doing so. Considering the bargain cost of only $599 shipped to your door for a subwoofer that does all of the above and the generous 5 year warranty, the X-Ref 12 offers a lot of bang for your hard earned buck. Sun, 04 Dec 2011 06:35:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-12SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-115-preIf Klipsch's thought was to design and sell a sub that could take on the Internet Direct brands head to head, they've succeeded. While a 2 foot by 2 foot by 20" tall sub wrapped in vinyl might be a tough sell for the ladies, bassheads are going to flip for it. At $850 MSRP (and certainly destined to go on sale at some point), it is a lot of sub for a little money. Bragging a 15" driver, front firing slot port, a 400 watt amp, and a -3dB point at 18Hz, the new Klipsch SW-115 is ready to play. And it plays for keeps. Based on their published spec, we are making an educated guess this sub will earn our "Large Room" Bassaholic rating but we will of course reserve final judgement once we get our hands on a review unit to test.Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-115-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sv-sound-pb-12nsd-previewThe new SVS PB-12NSD subwoofer features a custom designed 12" aluminum cone driver with a 4" flared port and 400 watt continuous rated power amplifier. It maintains a relatively compact form factor (at least as far as big box subwoofers go) with true 20Hz extension. Utilizing a high quality drive unit with a meaty amplifier in an inert and soundly engineered enclosure, the PB-12NSD offers a level of performance not typically found at this price point. This preview article gives a glimpse of the PB-12NSD performance capabilities with real CEA 2010 measurement data. We look forward to conducting a formal review of what we feel will be the subwoofer to beat in the under $1k price category. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:50:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sv-sound-pb-12nsd-previewSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lfm-1-ex-reviewThe Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX is a moderately large 12” ported powered subwoofer with a built in 350 watt rated amplifier. Based on our extensive testing, the LFM-1 EX proved to be an overachiever at its mere $650 price tag. We did find the sub to be slightly mistuned but keeping both ports open produced the best overall sound and measured results. Two ports open also allowed us to achieve its most dynamic output while minimizing port chuffing. The fit and finish was good, though the product wasn’t quite as buttoned up as some of the multi thousand dollar units we’ve tested. The Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX receives the Audioholics “Bassoholic Large Room” rating, which means that this sub is recommended as maintaining adequate headroom in rooms or spaces of 3,000 to 5,000 cubic feet and/or for users who usually listen at moderate to high volume levels. The LFM-1 EX does a lot right and makes no major mistakes all while providing huge bang for the buck value and meaningful 20Hz extension. Outlaw has knocked this one out of the park as far as I’m concerned. Budget conscious sub shoppers looking to fill a large space take note.Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lfm-1-ex-reviewSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emptek-es1010i-preSporting not one, but two 10" poly-matrix cone woofers, the EMPtek ES1010i subwoofer breaks almost all of the budget conventions. For $600 you can get the ES1010i sub which not only has respectable output, but will easily pass the WAF test. The fit and finish on the EMPtek speakers belies their price and would be understandable if they skimped on performance. Instead, you get a subwoofer with good performance, incredible aesthetics, and a price that will shock you.Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:15:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emptek-es1010i-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/paradigm-monitor-sub-12-preThe new Monitor SUBs from Paradigm, headed up by the SUB 12, look to provide impressive performance for the money. For $999 you can get the 12" SUB 12 with a 16Hz low point. For $849 you can get the 10" SUB 10 with a low point of 17Hz or for $699 the SUB 8 with a 19Hz low point. All of these sound like great values. You'll have to give up speaker level inputs and custom finishes but, and we reiterate, UNDER 20HZ performance! That's an incredible value for the money. We can't wait to get one of these on our test bench to verify their performance claims.Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:35:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/paradigm-monitor-sub-12-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-10Emotiva has once again proved with their new X-Ref 10 that they can design a subwoofer with the same no-nonsense rugged build quality they do with their amplifiers.  You simply cannot break this sub no matter how hard you drive it.  The X-Ref 10 is a beautifully-crafted, potent, and compact subwoofer with many useful features including an adjustable PEQ to ensure you get the best performance out of your subwoofer when integrating it into your room.  Take your time to set this baby up and utilize all of its features.  It will reward you with good clean bass that well engineered sealed subs are known for.  Emotiva’s free shipping and generous 30 day return policy makes this value sub a no brainer if you’re in the market for a high performance sub in a compact footprint to please your significant other.  The Emotiva X-Ref 10 achieves the Audioholics Bassoholic “Small” room rating, which means that this sub is recommended as maintaining adequate headroom in small sized spaces less than or equal to 1,500 cubic feet and/or users who usually listen at a moderate volume level.Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:11:06 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/x-ref-10SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rbh-sound-sx-12-sub-videoEver since the recent introduction of the Audioholics Subwoofer Room Size Rating Protocol, we've had subwoofers on the brain. Measuring, listening, measuring... It's gotten so that we're getting pretty good at spotting the good ones. This is a good one, and I don't say that lightly, because RBH Sound, unfortunately, isn't a company people readily associate with good subwoofers. Speakers, yes. Subwoofers, not so much. But this new front-firing, bottom-ported product from RBH, the SX-12, is really impressive. Is this the sub that brings RBH Sound into the mainstay of bassaholics everywhere? We'll have to see when we bench test it. For now, it's a beautiful product, with curved sides that give it a modern, stylized look to match the rest of the SX series, and it sports a back panel that has premium-quality connectors and even a balanced XLR input and output.Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rbh-sound-sx-12-sub-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sx-12-subwooferRBH Sound has chosen to forego most of the extra bells and whistles that accompany many other subwoofers with their SX-12 model and instead chosen to focus on the basics. A vented subwoofer based around a 12” driver and utilizing a 350 watt amplifier, the SX-12’s curved side panels and aluminum cone provide an upscale look amongst a sea of black cubes. The SX-12 achieved our Bassoholic Medium Room rating, so it is not an all out SPL juggernaut, but its low distortion and greatly extended top end capabilities helped it reproduce music in a very satisfying manner. Those looking for a subwoofer stressing musical performance the RBH SX-12 just may be for you.Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sx-12-subwooferSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/thiel-universal-smartsub-uss-preThe Thiel Universal SmartSub USS looks to be a very capable 10" sub. If some of the performance claims are to be believed, the $1990 price tag may be quite the bargain. Getting a single 10" driver to play cleanly down to 20Hz at meaningful output levels is quite the achievement. Anything lower would be amazing. While we have doubts as to how well their SmartSub room correction system actually works, the theory is sound. We'd be very interested to see it in action - especially if we could place it in a traditional, sealed theater versus one that has one or more openings. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/thiel-universal-smartsub-uss-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/meridian-dsw-preRecently, Meridian has been moving toward self-powered speakers. The Meridian Digital Active DSW subwoofer is a diminutive sub at 15" by 17" by 18" tall. Given these dimensions, it weighs in at a hefty 48.5 pounds. It sports a downfiring long-throw 12" driver in a sealed, plywood, enclosure. The problem is the Meridian DSW subwoofer MUST be used with Meridian speakers. Looking past the plywood construction, the diminutive size, or the complete lack of frequency response information, leaving off any sort of traditional connection for use with a standard speaker system on a $5000 sub seems incredibly short-sighted. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:15:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/meridian-dsw-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/asw-610xpThe B&W ASW 610XP sealed powered subwoofer system utilizes a high quality Kevlar/pulp resin 10” driver powered by a 500 watt class D amplifier. Carrying an $1,199 retail price, this sub sports impressive parts quality, built in user adjustable EQ, and manages to deliver quality bass out of a very small enclosure. We found the ASW 610XP to be very musical and best suited for supplementation of bass shy speakers, or small listening venues. The attention to detail and design execution are first rate and this sub is built like tank. The ASW 610XP receives our Bassoholics “Small Room” recommendation. Being the smallest and lightest subwoofer yet tested via our new subwoofer measurement protocol, it is no surprise that it isn't an SPL champion, but the B&W sub does offer good performance from very minimal space.Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/asw-610xpSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sw-311-subwoofer-reviewThe Klipsch's SW-311 is a very small subwoofer with a rather impressive list of attributes and features. Utilizing a 500w amplifier powering a 10" active driver and dual 10" side firing passive radiator's along with Klipsch's proprietary ARC II auto room correction equalization and an LCD screen with push button DSP control panel, there is a lot to the SW-311. All of this is built into a svelte 13"x13"x14" box, making the SW-311 enclosure a jam packed power and technology workhorse. The little Klipsch also carries a surprising amount of output for its size with very little distortion even when pushed to its limits. Used within its limits, the Klipsch SW-311 will perform admirably in small to medium sized rooms, hence why it earned our “Medium Room” Bassaholic rating. This is a well designed and rock steady subwoofer with WAF that is about as good as it gets.Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sw-311-subwoofer-reviewSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/svs-pb13The SVS PB13-Ultra subwoofer is among the best subwoofers we’ve ever tested. It features a 1000 watt Sledge amplifier and proprietary 13.5” high excursion driver. From its top notch cabinetry and components to its earth shattering performance, there is little NOT to like about this subwoofer (other than its sheer size and weight). The PB13-Ultra subwoofer received our coveted “Extreme” Bassaholic rating thanks to its massive output capabilities all the way down to the lowest audible octave. The PB13-Ultra displayed excellent distortion performance even when driven near its limits, and the well executed limiting and compressor circuits ensure that the product is virtually bulletproof. It had no trouble putting out plenty of high quality bass in our rather tough to fill theater room and always sounded composed during the listening sessions. The PB13-Ultra is a very powerful subwoofer that is competently engineered, heavily built, bulletproof, high tech and high output, possessing true extension to below 20Hz and a ton of configurability options. It’s a clear winner!Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/svs-pb13SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-subwoofersVelodyne introduced their new affordable subwoofer series called EQ-Max featuring one-touch remote control setup, built-in processing, and advanced engineering to deliver dynamic bass performance. It's clear to us that Velodyne is getting aggressive with these new series of EQ-Max subs which seem targeted for their online business model. The 15" model has a huge cabinet and ample power meaning it will likely strike impressive SPL #s in our CEA-2010 subwoofer testing. Velodyne was already a recipient of the 2011 CEPro Best award for the EQ-Max10 which is a good start for a promising series of subs. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:20:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-eq-max-subwoofersSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/definitive-technology-sc4000-sc6000-preFor the price, the new SC4000 and SC6000 SuperCube subs from Definitive Technology are quite enticing. While we wait with baited breath specifications on their performance, we love that they are basically a cubic foot box with a driver, two radiators, and a HUGE amp. The whole idea makes us want to grunt and beat our chests like gorillas. We can't wait to learn (and hear) more about these subs. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:50:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/definitive-technology-sc4000-sc6000-preSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rbh-sound-sRBH Sound revealed two new powered subwoofers the S-10 and S-12 as part of their new S-series of products. The S-10 and S-12 both incorporate RBH Sound’s proprietary aluminum cone technology in a 10" and 12" version. Both models utilize feature-laden, high-efficiency, class D amplifiers that facilitate easier installation and configuration with any audio system, regardless of the room or surround processor. These are value driven products providing consumers the legendary RBH Sound at more down to Earth prices with the S-10 retailing for $499 and the S-12 for $699.Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rbh-sound-sSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-digital-servo-10Velodyne introduced its newest subwoofer, the new Digital Servo-10 (DS-10). The DS-10 is a sub that comes in right behind the company's Digital Drive (DD) series in terms of pricing and performance and is built to put out as much powerful and musical bass as possible within a smaller-sized, space-optimized enclosure. The DS-10 comes built with a cabinet-grade satin black finish. The driver is equally beautiful, but for different reasons (to those who are so enamored with technology). It's a 10-inch Kevlar–reinforced model with a ginormous 19.3 lbs. magnet structure and 3” dual tandem multi-layer voice coil. The basket is die-cast aluminum and everything is driven by an impressive 1250 watt RMS (3000 watts dynamic) ERS Class-D amplifier that claims 97% efficiency. As if that weren't enough, the sub includes Velodyne's patented Digital High Gain Servo (HGS) system that adjusts cone movement at a frequency of 16kHz (16,000 times a second). This is designed to lower distortion below 1% (or below what is considered audible. Everything is controlled by a high speed DSP processor. Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-digital-servo-10SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-x-refAfter a successful launch into the subwoofer market with their Ultra Series of subs, Emotiva decided to move things up a notch. Enter their new X-Ref subwoofers. The new Emotiva X-Ref subs come in 10" and 12" models and carry similar box dimensions to their Ultra 10 and Ultra 12 predecessor subs, respectively. Both series have very similar aesthetics from the outside, but, it's what's under the hood that counts. The new X-Ref subs have a more robust driver, more powerful amplifier and more available SPL output. In fact, on paper, the X-Ref 10 appears to outgun the bigger Ultra 12 subwoofer. Like all Emotiva products, construction quality of the X-Ref appears to be first-rate. The compact footprint allows these subs to be easily integrated into any room or system making them an ideal choice for systems employing multiple subwoofers. Of course, you'll also receive Emotiva's five-year transferrable warranty and 30-day no-hassle return policy and FREE shipping along with a preliminary lower pricing which is a great bonus to an already great value product line.Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-x-refSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-dd15Based on our exhaustive testing, it's clear that Velodyne's new Digital Drive Plus series of subs deliver as promised and even exceed some of their own output claims made to us. You stick a robust 15" driver in an inert sealed enclosure with a hulking power amp and masterful servo and compressor, and you've got the recipe for good subwoofing which very few sealed competitors can compete with both in sheer output and pristine fidelity. The DD-15+ has proven to be a worthy successor to the venerable DD-15 that started the whole Digital Drive series nearly 8 years ago. The hefty price tag is about the only downside to this fabulous product, and the end user must decide if it's worth forking over the cash to don the Velodyne name in their theater room. If I were their competition, I'd be worried that Velodyne has just put most of them in checkmate with this very impressive line of well engineered Digital Drive Plus subwoofers. Highly recommended!Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:05:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-dd15SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lsp12-subwooferLava Subs are a relative newcomer to the consumer audio industry whose products are already attracting attention in various online forums for budget minded consumers serious about performance. The LSP12 is Lava’s flagship subwoofer sporting a 12” woofer in a vented enclosure powered by a 250 watt amplifier and retailing for just under $340. When I was first offered the opportunity to review the LSP12, not knowing much about it (other than its retail price) I was quite prepared for or rather anticipated a ho-hum performance from a ho-hum product. In fact the LSP12 was quite the pleasant surprise, to the point I was continually impressed by the performance of this no-frills budget product. So what don’t you get with the LSP12? Besides NOT getting the heavy price tag, you are also NOT getting the extremes of envelope-pushing performance, especially in terms of the extreme low-frequency output you may get from costlier subs populating the marketplace. The LSP12 certainly has its limits, but within those limits, it performs quite well.Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:32:51 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/lsp12-subwooferSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/fw-12.xThe Funkywaves FW 12.X Ported 12” subwoofer is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture. It must be said here, measurements alone do not adequately explain the unique sound of this sub. The tonal character is not matched by any of the other shootout entrants. It is a true subwoofer, offering flat performance all the way down to 20 Hz without any electronic equalization whatsoever. This product is, in a nutshell, very old school in its approach to making a small box go down to 20 Hz. It does so, not by any electronic signal manipulation, but by good old fashioned mass loading. There are definitely both advantages and disadvantages to this approach which are discussed in detail in this review.Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:30:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/fw-12.xSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/hsu-vtf-15h-supplementalThis article is an addendum to our original research and testing of the Hsu Research VTF-15H subwoofer to address the concerns of our readers and manufacturer that our measurements and analysis didn't encompass all of the operational modes of this product. This article explores all operational modes of the VTF-15H and tests it in both vertical and horizontal orientations to gain a full understanding of its output capabilities. What became clear during the second round of testing is that despite the modest amount of power available from the BASH amplifier, the HSU subwoofer is not up to the task of handling low frequencies below 20 Hz. Using the subwoofer in the extended mode is creating the risk of having this speaker self destruct if the operating mode switch is left in position EQ1 and the sub is driven at very high output levels. If the end user is looking for a well designed sub which is capable of playing down to 20 Hz, the Hsu will do so, but with very limited output In our opinion, the best use of this subwoofer is with the Q control set to 0.3, both ports open, the EQ control (also called “operating mode”) set to “EQ2” ONLY. For true 20Hz extension, there are better alternatives than the Hsu Research VTF-15H, but at a higher price. Our opinion of this product remains unchanged and if used within its design limitations, the VTF-15H offers the best bang for the buck in affordable subwoofers that we have tested to date. Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/hsu-vtf-15h-supplementalSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-ultra-12-sub-videoCan Emotiva's $500 12-inch subwoofer really compete? We weren't sure, so we got one and hooked it up. But first we looked at the specs. The Ultra 12 sub sports a 300watt Class D amp that will put out 500watts of peak power. It has a die cast woofer frame with a huge magnet, and utilizes long throw drivers. The woofer is constructed out of a triple-woven synthetic product used in bulletproof vests. We didn't shoot it, but in fairness we're pretty certain they're going for stiffness, not defensive measures. The surround is constructed out of butyl rubber and the boxes are sealed, rather than ported.Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/emotiva-ultra-12-sub-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/aperion-bravus-10d-subwoofer-videoThe Aperion Bravus 10D is an attractive, potent little subwoofer at a reasonable price. It certainly doesn't have the output and extension of its larger peers but that's a tradeoff for a smaller box that blends more easily into your room décor. In that respect, the Bravus 10D excels. It's beautiful to look at and makes it hard to not justify putting two of these subs in your theater room - something we highly recommend. The Bravus 10D is in the middle of the Aperion line of subwoofers. You can order it in two finishes: cherry, shown here, or high gloss black. Both are stunning and the quality of the finish is second to none - in fact it's a higher quality look and feel than any other subwoofer in the market at this price.Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:35:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/aperion-bravus-10d-subwoofer-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sunfire-atmos-flSunfire has been making subs that home theater nuts have be coveting for years. Now they've announced their smallest sub yet - the Atmos. Featuring a custom 6.5" woofer paired with a new asymmetrical cardiod surround, Sunfire claims the Atmos will outperform many 10" and 12" subs. Just not one of theirs we're guessing. The asymmetrical cardiod surround allows over 1.5" of excursion on the driver. It is going to need it as there is a 1400 (you're reading that right) amp backing it. With all that power, they had to design the cabinet out of aluminum to combat the internal pressure the driver will create. We're thinking Atmos is a pretty apt name. With a footprint of under 10" square, an auto room EQ built in, and a host of other features the Sunfire Atmos promises to be everything you want in a small sub... except cheap. Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/sunfire-atmos-flSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rythmik-audio-f25-flThe Rythmik Audio F25 claims a frequency response down to 14Hz at just -2dB. That's pretty impressive (heck that's REALLY impressive). They do this through a combination of a tall, heavy box, huge drivers and technology. Servo technology to be specific. We're shocked to report that the Rythmik Audio F25 is only going to cost you $1300. While that may seem like a chunk of change to some, we DARE you to find a sub that claims the features and extension (much less servo) at anywhere close to that price. That's just crazy. It's so crazy, we just might buy two.Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:15:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rythmik-audio-f25-flSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/vtf-15hThe Hsu VTF-15H is a self-powered front-loaded vented subwoofer featuring a 15" long throw driver and 350 watt amplifier with controls to allow tweaking of the low pass crossover as well as the bottom end of the subwoofer to optimally match it to your room and listening preferences. Weighing in at 123lbs and costing $879 for the black finish, it was hands down, the “BEST BUY” of the group of subs we compared. HSU demonstrated strong engineering, excellent integration of the sub with the power amp and cabinet, and a surprising amount of output from the system given the relatively low output capacity of the amplifier used. The VTF-15H is an excellent example of what can be done when you attempt to squeeze the last bit of performance from a modest budget.Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:55:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/vtf-15hSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-miniveeBased on my time with the MiniVee, I declare Velodyne the king of bass per square inch. Not only did the MiniVee simply deliver more output and extension than I could have hoped for from such a small box, but it delivered rich quality bass that never sounded muddy. Although the MiniVee doesn't come cheap, one must realize it's quite costly to engineer a small potent sub over a much larger alternative. I can’t think of a single product in its size class that can compete, regardless of price. With the Velodyne MiniVee on bass, mated with a potent pair of bookshelf speakers, you could very easily be enjoying full-range sound from a compact PC system that rivals most (if not all) of your friends dedicated home theater systems. Highly Recommended!Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:45:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-miniveeSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rythmik-fv15hpThe Rythmik Audio FV15HP subwoofer sports a 15" high excursion servo controlled driver mounted in a large vented box with a powerful 600 watt (continuous output) rated amplifier. Powerful, rich, deep and solid with true 20Hz extension is how I would describe the bass output of this sub. Rythmik Audio has a very talented engineering staff that produced a truly great high caliber subwoofer product at a very affordable asking price. I would recommend a pair of these subs for any upscale home theater environment where seat to seat bass consistency and ultimate output are paramount concerns. It's loud, clean, and fast... and for most - that's going to make this an extremely hard sub to beat. Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:10:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/rythmik-fv15hpSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pdr-w100-subwooferParadigm Electronics Inc. announced its first contribution to the wireless subwoofer category today at CES 2011 with the new Paradigm PDR-W100. The PDR-W100 ships wireless-ready and includes Paradigm's own wireless subwoofer transmitter. With patented built-in high-power amplifiers, the PDR-W100 boasts 360 W Dynamic Peak with 120 W RMS Sustained power. Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pdr-w100-subwooferSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/paradigm-pdr-w100-wirelessParadigm Electronics announced its first contribution to the wireless subwoofer category at this year's CES with the new Paradigm PDR-W100. The PDR-W100 ships wireless-ready and includes Paradigm's own wireless subwoofer transmitter. With patented built-in high-power amplifiers, the PDR-W100 boasts 360W Dynamic Peak power with 120W RMS sustained power. Audio purists argue that wireless technology does nothing positive for sound quality. For this reason, much engineering was done to ensure the PDR-W100 meets consumer demand for convenient wireless solutions while staying true to the Canadian manufacturer's high fidelity heredity.Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:45:28 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/paradigm-pdr-w100-wirelessSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-plusTHE SVS PB12-Plus DSP is a self-powered front-loaded vented subwoofer featuring a proprietary 12" long throw driver and 800 watt amplifier with single knob DSP implemented control over filtering, equalization and compression functions. Weighing in at 125lbs+ and costing slightly under $1400, it's no lightweight, and requires more than a little bit of real estate. From its ungodly output capabilities, true 20Hz extension, and ability to play clean and distortion free, the PB12-Plus DSP has truly earned the right to be called a "subwoofer". It's no wonder this mighty sub was the recipient of the Audioholics coveted 2010 Product of the Year award in the subwoofer category. Highly recommended!Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:50:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/pb12-plusSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/ultra-12"Subwoofer" - it's like a magic word around here and makes all of us audioholics have little dreams of black boxes that cause our walls to crack, dishes to rattle, and rock our children to sleep... from the other end of the house. Some people think a good subwoofer will go down to 2 Hz, cost $200 and live in a box the size of a small laptop computer. Others go for size, wanting nothing less than a small refrigerator that will smack them around like a rag doll. We prefer a slightly more balanced approach, so when Emotiva announced their affordable Ultra Sub 12, we were intrigued. A 12” high quality driver mounted in a modest sized sealed enclosure with a meaty power amp for under $500 sure sounded like a winner to us. Could their magic black box deliver good bass and punch at an affordable price? Read our review to find out.Sun, 02 Jan 2011 15:30:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/ultra-12SubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-impact-10-subwoofer-videoVelodyne has got to be one of the most recognizable names in subwoofers, and for a long time they priced themselves for discerning consumers who took their bass seriously. Well apparently anyone can now bring low frequency slam into their living room because Velodyne has dropped the cost of entry once more with the new Impact-10 subwoofer. The Impact-10 has a front-firing 10-inch long throw woofer powered by a 150-watt Class-D amplifier. It is priced at just $299 and has a frequency response that goes all the way down to around 32Hz. That's pretty low, and very respectable for a subwoofer that costs about the same as an iPod.Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:40:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-impact-10-subwoofer-videoSubwoofersSpeakershttp://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-311-flThe new "SW" line consists of five new models: the SW-311, SW-310, SW-308, SW-112 and SW-110. They range in price from $1499 for the top of the line SW-311 down to $449. All the new subs have highly damped, non-resonant woven fiberglass drivers, BASH Digital Hybrid amplifiers, and a 1-watt standby mode. The Klipsch SW-311 has easy-to-access front controls and patented ARC II (Adaptive Room Correction) technology automatically customizes bass performance with 12 active filters. It is listed as reaching down to 22Hz at -3dB, has a maximum output of 118dB at 30Hz, and a 500 watt amp. There is a single 10" driver with dual 10" passive radiators. The Klipsch SW-311 weighs in at a respectable (and still manageable) 37lbs. It is just a bit bigger than a 13" cube, and has rounded corners. Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:00:00 -0000/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/klipsch-sw-311-flSubwoofersSpeakers