Archive for category Subs
Focal Integration IBus 20 compact powered subwoofer
Posted by hometheater365 in Subs, Video, Video Review on April 2, 2020
Gray Sound S80 Ported In-Ceiling Subwoofer Review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on April 1, 2020
The Gray Sound S80 isn’t for everybody. If you rent, investing in one is likely a stupid idea. If you want the lowest of lows, the S80 also isn’t for you, as you likely will need a big box subwoofer like the SVS SB-4000 that I use in my home theater rig. But if you want to make a room that actually looks and acts like a living space and bring full range sound to it in ways that don’t affect the floor space one bit, the Gray Sound S80 is for you. Your wife will love the concept. So will your architect and interior designer.
Having bass in every room of your house is simply fantastic. Getting in-ceiling speakers to live up to the performance specs of more traditional speakers is also a bit game changing. The specialty consumer electronics industry is finding more and more creative ways to deliver better and better AV experiences without dominating your living space be it a Samsung Frame TV or invisible speakers like those we’ve reviewed here in the past. Add to that list the Gray Sound S80 ported subwoofer. Your in-wall or in-ceiling speakers will thank you for the introduction. ”
SVS PB-3000 subwoofer review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on March 30, 2020
Around the back you’ll find a stereo/LFE phono input and stereo phono output, 12V trigger port and connection for SVS’s SoundPath wireless adapter. There’s also an Intelligent Control Interface (ICI), which gives access to low-pass filter, volume and phase settings, signified by some flashy LED lights.
Old-fashioned dials would arguably be better, if the sub wasn’t also compatible with SVS’s Bluetooth control app, which is quick to get up and running, and makes tweaking simple. The app also introduces a three-band parametric EQ tool for frequency fine-tuning, plus Movie, Music and Custom presets.”
MartinLogan Dynamo 1100X Subwoofer Review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on February 21, 2020
As the astronauts blast off from earth, the amount of bass required to faithfully reproduce this scene is absurd. In fact, during the film’s theatrical run, it was reported that certain scenes of the film, including this one, had a habit of destroying bass drivers in commercial theaters. Luckily, this didn’t happen with the 1100Xs despite the sustained high-volume, low-frequency bass. The 1100Xs remained composed, delivering clean, deep, audibly distortion-free bass with satisfying room-shaking impact. This level of impressive performance carried over to the other bass heavy movies I tested, such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 and 2.”
Arendal Sound 1961 Subwoofer 1S review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on February 17, 2020
“What this well-priced woofer won’t do is completely overwhelm you in subsonic mayhem. For larger setups and bass obsessives, the vented Subwoofer 1V model, which claims to hit 16Hz, might be a better fit – as long as its bigger cabinet and €200 price hike can be accommodated.
A more obvious criticism concerns usability. Ideally, the parametric EQ and other features would be accessed via a smartphone app. The sub’s dial/button arrangement is simplistic and intuitive, but making adjustments is long-winded, and the back of the woofer might not always be easily accessible depending on your installation.”
REL S/812 subwoofer Review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on February 14, 2020
“A downward-firing 12in carbon ‘SuperProgressive’ passive radiator again uses a new design intended to produce extremely long travel while retaining the variable stiffness of its suspension. The thinking here is that it enables the S/812 to act like a sealed-box compact 12in design at low volume, but still deliver bass down to 19Hz when pushed. At the rear are the inputs, including high-level Neutrik Speakon, low-level stereo phono, and LFE (phono and balanced XLR) connections. There are also high-level Neutrik Speakon and LFE (phono and XLR) outputs.
Otherwise the back plate is surprisingly sparse, with just two switches (On/Standby, and 180-degree phase), and knobs for high/low/LFE levels and crossover. The Serie S subs are also compatible with REL’s new wireless transmission system (AirShip).
These are the first mid-sized RELs designed to be stackable, thanks to special fixtures and included metal plates. You can safely stack and lock S/812s up to three units high. That sounds bonkers but there is logic in REL’s madness. In the real world, bass has width, depth and height; by stacking these subs you can create bigger bass presence from a smaller footprint.”
Arendal Sound 1961 Subwoofer 1S review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on January 26, 2020
What this well-priced woofer won’t do is completely overwhelm you in subsonic mayhem. For larger setups and bass obsessives, the vented Subwoofer 1V model, which claims to hit 16Hz, might be a better fit – as long as its bigger cabinet and €200 price hike can be accommodated.
A more obvious criticism concerns usability. Ideally, the parametric EQ and other features would be accessed via
a smartphone app. The sub’s dial/button arrangement
is simplistic and intuitive, but making adjustments is long-winded, and the back of the woofer might not always be easily accessible depending on your installation.
Paradigm Defiance V10 Subwoofer Review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on January 12, 2020
This is a remarkably full-featured subwoofer that performs very well in small- to medium-sized rooms. A pair of Defiance V10s can be had for the price of a slightly larger subwoofer, but will provide a more even output at different listening positions than a single subwoofer.
The Defiance series has a variety of options to fit the needs of different scenarios. The V12 model is very similar to the V10 reviewed, here but with a larger, 12-inch woofer. The V8 model, yep, you guessed it, has an eight-inch woofer but also lacks many of the features found in the rest of the Defiance line, including app control, Anthem Room Control, and the ability to add wireless signal transmission. If you decide your budget can stretch a bit, the Defiance “X” series offers more power and refinement with a similar feature set.”
REL HT/1508 Predator subwoofer review
Posted by hometheater365 in Review, Subs on August 22, 2019
Deep rumbling effects are like being washed over by a wave of LF that seems to bypass the ears and go straight for your wobbly, fleshy bits. Soundtracks have thunderous basslines, encouraging me to dig out the subterranean nightclub scene in Blade (DVD). The thumping track is engagingly solid and, while other RELs definitely have a little more grace with music, there’s no denying the HT/1508 delivers what the director intended from the scene; visceral and engaging bass.
For a REL, a brand born in sub-bass systems for music, a dedicated LFE sub is something of single-minded departure. Yet, just like the smaller HT Series we’ve looked at, the HT/1508 offers unrivalled value in setting out its fast, high-impact and incredibly powerful cinema sound without frills or features. A REL S/3 SHO costs exactly the same and arguably offers much more all-round appeal – but don’t expect it to move your gizzards and blow out the windows like this big-game hunter.
Home Theater 365 