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Back to the drawing board

I hate to start this again. I really had my heart set on 2 svs sb3000. But know after careful listening or maybe this time around I realized what was happening.  So I went to best buy just to re evaluate my decision and noticed I did not like what I was hearing.  Thus time around I had a couple of hours and has my significant other with me, oh no what we heard totally ruined our previous thoughts.  In one room I listened to the rel t9i and the svs sb2000.  The svs had the out put but not the detail and it really hurt the mid range and uppers. Lower base was not full or detailed. Now the rel, wow it just blended really nice and was full, detailed and just sounded right. I'm thinking to myself this can't be right. So off to the other room, svs sb 4000, 16 ultra and the rel s5. Now again the svs has the output or pressure. But the s5 totally beats both of them on detail, disappearing,  tight,  full and more sound stage. I went back and forth between these 2 rooms, playing the same 2 tracks I have always demo with. I know my ears would not lie. So now unfortunately I am reading again. I am considering 2 t9i or 1 s3.  I think I will also demo the JL e110 and paradigm defiance x12.  Wish I could demo a rymthik,  but don't know any places to demo. I will make the trip and one place has the JL and rel. 5 miles further down I can demo the x12.  I now know the sound I want and unfortunately it's not svs with its great price and impressive output. I'm sure the subs are great, but not what me and the ms want in our system.  Has anyone demo JL and rel side by side?  I love the rel sound, is paradigm or rymthik as tight as rel. I've never listened to JL.  I guess a road trip is due. Room is 8ft ceiling 14x24, hardwood floors. Thanks for any help you can give. Pete
pcc67
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
Q =.7 not going to sell well at Best Buy ( or alot of other places also...most setups I redo have the expensive subs set way to high in output and crossover frequency also - the ear is very sensitive to phase in the lower mid....

some good low to no cost SW out there for predictive room nodes, yours included...an inexpensive RTA is a good long term investment - I like AudioTools and the calibrated mic. BIG traps can help, as can the resonator referred to above, DIY very possible, especially when driven by data - ya got to know it is 70 HZ....Traps, treatments, etc are great especially if War Dept. supports the habit...and decor changes...
Like Eric said, room nodes can be violent....get some tools..Download Vandertones for free, get analog SPL meter ( Radio Shack ) and measure and listen...

the at home trial sounds good
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
and because I am a fanboy, for $3 K you can get a Vandersteen Sub 3 with 11 bands of analog EQ that will mate seamlessly with whatever you have on top of it.....
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I have tried to use a sub twice in my audio life       
The problem I found was alternately getting the sub 'right' for Classical and Jazz OK, but then Rock it would be way off (way too much)  Down to the right place for Rock, nothing there on the Jazz in particular, Classical maybe, maybe not.
The other problem I have is living in an 'over 55" apartment building. No chance a lot of wall thumping would fly.  
I actually partly bought Magnepan due to the strange fact Maggie bass does NOT travel much through walls, doors. at all. (Somehow the attack is just too soft to hit the walls hard enough to cause them to pass on the sound?) I was worried about the 20.7 when I upgraded.. But there are only a few Rock albums which I find I need to use earphones! rather than face the dreaded' "Notice to evict" mailed to me.  
And yes folks have moved in, day one or two decided to rock it out,, Make it known they plan to PLAY LOUD MUSIC!, and in three days they are told to either get with the plan (quiet) or move out. I have been here 11 years... I recently asked my neighbor whose bedroom is on the wall my stereo speaker is 18" away from... Am I bothering you with the music. Nope. Which is great!    
So no sub for me. Plus I am a treble freak. HF is where my brain needs perfection. MIds have to have clarity. Bass? clean, but I have no need for much in the bass department.          
I answered to the question since I can guess at how poor the setup would be at any Best Buy. (even some real audio stores might fail to set up the subs well...)
pcc67 OP
49 posts
 
To be fair I haven't listened to vandersteen.  I have 2 vandy 2wq in an other room that I dont use and was going to sell. I own a spl meter from rad shack. I will look into these tools.  Hopefully i will understand it
pcc67 OP
49 posts
 
That makes sense Elizabeth.  I to enjoy the mids and uppers also. But excellent low bass is great also. I want it all. Lol
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