Tell me about home sub-woofers...do I really need one?

[88BlueTSiQuest]

Originally posted by lendaddy
For cinema, you want it more for feel than sound. T2 was always a fav to demonstrate this to people. The opening scene with the machines crunching over skulls with their tracks is an experience in a proper theatre room. BUT I keep my big sub (2 x 15") disconnected till movie time. As mentioned earlier, you won't hear much of it near 20- 30 Hz. But you WILL feel it, and that's what action movies are about IMHO.

You need to give 'The Haunting' a try, get the DTS-ES version, if you have a DTS capable DVD and Receiver. The Bass in this movie, at least the DTS-ES version, is the only reason anyone should have it on their shelves, aside from Zeta Jones.

Here's a review:

Oh, still wondering what that feature is? Well, it’s the DTS-ES track contained on the disc. Never before has any DVD featured the bass that this disc will put through your receiver. In fact, there should be a very large warning either on the package or before the movie plays. This disc could cause some serious damage to someones sound system if it is set just one notch too loud. Chapter 10 and the very famous chapter 17 are perfect examples of this. The bass isn’t the only part that impresses either. The usage of all 3 rear channels doesn’t get much better and viewers have little time to waste before they become completely immersed in this movies sound field. The other version on store shelves features a 5.1 track that lacks the punch of this version, but maintains the excellent sound field.

I believe that the reviewer gave the entire movie a horrible review, aside from one feature. I use the movie alot when doing bass tests and demos. Practically the whole movie, at least when the spirit is somewhere around, features ultra low subsonics. The movie will also torture all 6 or 7 of your surrounds if they are set to 'large' in your receiver's menu.

[1973911s]

SVS Subs

Anyone looking for a home theater sub gives these guys a try. I got the PB2-Plus/2 and it rocks my house, just as any good Porsche guy, I am going to get one more, so the first has some company.

Twin 12" custom SVS proprietary, super high capacity woofers
SVS designed, full-featured 900 watt BASH (R) digital switching amp
Premium finishes ship with on board Parametric EQ (PEQ)
Built-in, flush-mount amp configuration (220v. version available)
Down-firing woofers with distinctive SVS integrated base-plate
Compliant floor mounts, ultra low center of gravity
Three tuned, patented 4" high-flow flared porting (in and out).
Assembled and tested by SVS in its Ohio factory
Extra heavy-duty detachable 8 foot power cord
Advanced plural component polyurethane finish or choice of wood.
Selectable 16Hz, 20Hz or 25Hz extension with included port plugs
Size: 19" wide, 26.5" tall and 28" deep. Weight: 140 pounds

[kaisen]

I have Definitive "Supercubes" (2) in integrated bi-polar tower speakers. The downside is they are over 4' tall, and they draw enough current at high volume to dim the lights on every bass note. No kidding. They sound seamless in music (very musical) and incredible in my home theater.

I used to have them in a larger home theater room. My ex has the home, so I'm temporarily in an apartment. Even in a small room, the subs have a dynamic impact.

It's like anything else. Once you've heard the good stuff, it's hard to go back. Start with a cheap sub with integrated amp and see how you like it. I believe you can buy a 10" Sony sub for $200.

E

[kaisen]

The Haunting has very loud, low bass, but it is not musical or concussive, it is flatulent and annoying. I have had the movie since it came out on DVD and watched it once. Yuk.

E

[1973911s]

kaisen,

This has been lots of comparison to the DT, and many people are big fans, just like everything some people like oranges, and some like apples.

Michael

[austin552]

YES!! Do your homework and shop around. Here is the best audio forumn ever:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

[1973911s]

avsforum rocks, it cost me a lot of money a few months ago.

Michael

[kaisen]

Just bought "War of the Worlds" on DVD. The movie was okay, but the sound was absolutely amazing!! I selected DTS instead of Dolby. The low end was so shaking that I could only listen at 2-3 of 10 on my Sony ES receiver, with pure flat EQ settings. The best low-end of any movie!

E

[wludavid]

Originally posted by kaisen
I could only listen at 2-3 of 10 on my Sony ES receiver

Yours only goes to 10? Weak. Mine goes to 11.

[kaisen]

Originally posted by wludavid
Yours only goes to 10? Weak. Mine goes to 11.

Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...

Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?

Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.

Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?

Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?

Marty DiBergi: I don't know.

Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?

Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.

Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.

Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?

Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

E