Need a subwoofer ~£500

3t3P

3t3P

3t3P

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Joined
20 Dec 2006
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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
 
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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
 
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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.
 
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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...


 
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Now i'm back at an XXLS400 and adding one down the road as I am listening to music more than watching films and the integration aspect appeals.

Bloated bass is BAD for my ears
 
Atacama Moseco 7's in dark a nice match.
Very nice quality stands, well packaged, they rang me to confirm delivery- impressed.
System sounding good in music can't wait to actually get a sub though!
May mass-load them at some point if I can be arsed!


 
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I did consider saving the pennies, buying a mono and an xxls400 and doing a back to back to see what I prefer then stumping up the return postage!

Lowe your setup has the monos front wall by your main speakers. I too would do similar as it looks best there.

My worry is because I would pretty much chuck a mono in one of two positions that I'm not strictly speaking moving it around to find the best room response and may be a bit of a brute force approach by cracking out an anti-mode down the line.

I'm hoping i'll know what sub I'll want when I have the projector setup.
 
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bemaniac said:
Look at the SVS subs if you want huge value for money. These are good enough for 50 seat home cinema rooms! I swear to god I can scare the **** out of anyone within 3 blocks with my PB2000 and it's ******* huge. If you think you can live with this much bass do it, there literally is no limit to the volume - you can just turn it up until your buildings walls start to get damaged.
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Yeh I have been looking at the XTZ subs too, they look very well designed indeed with the 12.17 being at an attractive price point. Amazingly gloss finishes have no different command in price. 'Light' too at <30kg.

the 1X12 is the £675 sub isn't it?

aren't PSA subs all £1200+?!
 
The 1x12 and 12.17 both are 12" drivers with 500w amps I'm not fully sure what the difference are aside from £225! I'm sure there must be something. Great tweakability with the XTZ subs.

I remember reading about XTZ couple years ago, seems they have really snowballed since then.

Just looked up epichimecinema and Jag is just down the road from home in London, if I'm down there and still sub- less be great to check them out.
 
Right it's either:

XTZ 12.17 Gloss Black * Price just increased to £540! though not surprised..
or
BK XXLS400 Walnut DF
 
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