Need a subwoofer ~£500

3t3P

3t3P

3t3P

Soldato
Joined
20 Dec 2006
Posts
3,760
I'm 99% certain the BK XXLS400 is right for me...

Room is a bit under 2500 cubic feet and doesn't open on to anything else.

Needs to do music well and do well in films.

Prefer down firing aesthetics, floor isn't suspended.

I have no SWMBO and even a monolith is not a problem.

I am however intrigued by and would like to run two subs one day and two monos is just pretty hardcore (weight and space-wise) in a non-dedicated space (my lounge)

options are:

dali ikon 2 mk2 sub for £399.99 @ RS (limited offer and ikon is EOL so won't be able to get two) edit Has gone EOL now
BK XXLS400 (and maybe run dual down the line, maybe without antimode not sure)
One BK monolith/mono + with an antimode down the road but that's it, one sub only

Sub is to go with Dali Ikon Mk2 surround setup and future projector.

Also plagued by whether to fit auto on/off or not in the BKs, TOM @ BK says XXLS400 draws 7w at idle which is a tenner a year...not significant. But auto/on/off isn't defeatable. Said it activated on a 3mV signal, whatever that means! (he said that was low i.e. implied sensitive)

He also said in-room some XXLS400 users have reported useable 15hz frequencies, certainly running two 400's will rival a mono's lower end output.

I do want film LFE to be badass:D
 
Last edited:
I run 1 down firing XXLS400 with antipode.

Ground floor, not suspended, room is about 10ft x 14ft.

I don't have SWMBO either and could have and almost went for the monolith, i am more than happy with the XL400. I think the monolith would be over powering and harder to control, and I can always add one more later on.
 
You cannot go wrong with BK tbh. Even their lesser models than the BK XXLS400 are not be sniffed at.

You will find with everything though the law of diminishing returns kicks in.

I think 2 subs however 1 at either end of the room would be amazing so it's not all coming from 1 direction. So I'd buy 2 BK subs whatever your budget allows.
 
The Monolith is fantastic, I really cant fault mine. I always intended on getting an Antimode but just never got round to it. The only thing I would say is if you are considering a Monolith, make sure you are prepared for the damned size of it, I get away with mine as it doubles a coffee table :D
 
What is a SWMBO ?

If you can hear direction from your sub it is out of phase. If set up correctly you should not be able to tell where it is positioned. I have a single BK Gemini II and its more than enough for a modest room for me. Too much bass just sounds awful if you ask me especially in music unless you listen to electronic boom boom crap.
 
She who must be obeyed.

You won't need two, you shouldn't be able to tell where the sub LF is coming from in a room that size. Take a look at the SVS subs. I have a SVS-PC12 which is a ported cylinder for a small footprint with a lot of punch. Its been on Auto for about 6 years. Standby is less than 1w iirc.
 
no music for me normally but the 400 is superb with movies/dolby etc. My room is around 4m x 3m and it's been superb, plenty of base, never too much. Bottom end grunt is there.
 
I'm making this setup primarily for me and the odd times someone watches a film with me, what does it matter if bass distribution is not perfect? Its the main listening position that matters right?
The projector setup is my attempt at 'balls to the walls' within my budget.

I like the idea of dual subs cos it looks cool (sounds cool saying you have two) but not convinced the outlay of a grand is going to be worth it.

I'm now back at the monolith camp. I got my first house detached purely so could get things like a mono without bothering anyone and seems a waste not to get one, even If I need an antimode to tame it (I suspect an antimode will be needed in my pretty much square room with any sub anyway and i'm not convinced sony AVRs as good as they are, do a a bass EQ like Audyssey can, it just seems to set the level and distance of the sub)

A mono is only a tenner more than an XXLS400 (that's if I don't need the mono+)

Another reason I like BK is their finish too (will get walnut to match speakers and TV stand), otherwise would look at others e.g. SVS

Pics of room, tape measure is at 3.5m to viewing wall:







Just messing around here with temporary setup:D
 
Last edited:
Damn I'm jealous of your room. I'm gutted my house is semi detached because my Dali Zensor setup isn't getting a workout :(
 
nice room indeed- agreed about the finish of the BK subs - had mine around 4 years now - still looks as good as the day I got it. Good luck with whatever you decide but you won't go wrong with anything from the BK range
 
Hedge said:
Damn I'm jealous of your room. I'm gutted my house is semi detached because my Dali Zensor setup isn't getting a workout :(
Click to expand...

Have a Zensor setup but gave to my mum (you know coronation st and eastenders is MADE for 5.1...) and decided to add on to my Ikon 6's to get 5.1.

Zensors are great though, what fronts are you running stand-mounts or the 5's/7's? Have your neighbours ever complained? Though it's always best to err on being considerate..

Reading a forum post a guy ran extensive tests on a mono, very good spectral decay character from the mono neigh on the same as most sealed subs was his conclusion. I am leaning toward a Mono now with an anti-mode.

Considering the mono plus not because it's louder but the because driver is superior? Plus I do worry about these stories of mono's bottoming out on edge of tomorrow (love this film) and WOTW and such.
Although BK don't state fidelity is better on their site with the mono+ saying it's purely an output thing.
 
Last edited:
I've got a pair of Monoliths (and Antimode) in a living room. No issues with music or movies, and there's enough effortless grunt to move the air in such a way that it can leave you feeling a little queasy. It's also really good as to where you sit - no sweet spots or nasty modal issues, and that's not just because of the Antimode, the dual subs really helped in that regard :)
 
The BK subs are great value for money, not much else will touch them in their price range. I had a 400 and it was very nice, I've not heard a mono so I can't help you there. I upgraded to an SVS cylinder after the 400, then I built a DIY sub to go with it.

DIY could be an option, there is even a guy that will make the cabinet for you, unless you are very handy. Though it's difficult to get as good a finish as BK unless you're very skilled.

Another alternative to the antimode is a miniDSP 2x4, though these are more manual setup and require the matching microphone to take measurements. I have an Anthem amplifier so that can EQ my subs, though it only has one output, so I run mine through the miniDSP, do basic correction and balancing and let the Anthem finish off the EQ.
 
Not looking to DIY as interesting as it is I know there is much thought that goes into a well designed subwoofer so will let someone do it better than I:)

Lowe I've seen you post before that monos are fine with music and people always bash it when it's not true. With you two monos is the listening experience any better in the primary listening position or only when you move around?

Do you think I will encounter significant difficulties setting up a large ported sub (ala mono)in a room which is (sort of) squareish?

I am leaning to the mono now...
 
Small update: Alphason FInewoods 1350 TV Stand, exact match in the end with the Dalis, very pleased.

Waiting on Atacama Moseco 7 Stands in dark bamboo for the surrounds next. I wanted to make an AV system different to the usual 'all black'

There is 70cm between a front speaker and the side of the stand. So a monolith would fit...


 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom