Sub connections:RCA vs Speaker cable? - Page 2

Yeah, I meant extension re: my stf-2. I wish I had kept it cuz I sold it for a song! Even if I can't use it now, I could probably use it in a year or two.

The rythmik is the one I'm referring to when I said variable adjustable phase. It's not a gimmick term, just my description of what it does. Without the phase adjustment, you'll need to really experiment with placement to get the phase to align as well as possible. If not, you will have a phase related dip in your frequency response, plus any room induced modes you may have.

For servo subs, the smaller the box, the more power needed to equalize at the bottom. Smaller boxes have more damping force (a good thing audiowise but limits low extension,) so it needs more power to overcome it. Normal subs NEED a big box or will not be able to extend low, no matter what the specs say. Also, the ports need to be like 1.5-2meters long.

Edit: btw, the vtf feature of the hsu subs is basically two different length ports. You plug the shorter port for maximum extension or plug the longer port for greater bottom peak output. It works barring room mode problems.

Re: extension or not

My current DIY subwoofer goes down to about 33hz where the response just drops off a cliff. MAYBE I could help this extend by getting some bass traps, but that is yet to be seen. Now, based on my experience with the hsu stf-2 sub, in my room with phase out of whack and everything, it really did go down to 25hz or so. That last bit of extension was VERY VERY VERY impressive on bass drums (orchestral kind 4'+ around, not kick drums in a drum kit,) organs, and movies. In fact, out of phase and everything, I would have been very happy with it as a movie subwoofer, if a bit overkill. Based on my listening with that, I deduced at the time that low 30's hz response would be adequate for just about all music. I decided to get a dayton titanik sub that would do 32hz. Then I decided to "build" my own dual 10" sub since it cost me less money at the time. It integrates just fine with my speakers now, except from the anomalies I know are created by my room. However, I do find myself missing that last bit of bass extension. If you listen to orchestral works with big bass drum action, you may never know what you are missing if you don't experience it being done by a sub with good extension.

Some days I wish I had kept my hsu and just played with the placement, though it's really impossible in my room. This is why if I were to get a standalone subwoofer today, I would get the rythmikaudio servo sub. The sealed box will give me the tight sound I'm looking for and the servo nature will bring out the deep extension.

Consider your environment too. How big is your room? What are the overall dimensions of your room.

Also, how big a subwoofer cabinet can you deal with in your room? Can it be a 15" driver based behemoth, or do you need a servo controlled tiny 12" cube? (you can go for 15" servo controlled too, but that's more $$$)

What speakers are you pairing the sub with?

Will you be listening primarily to music or movies? (sorry if you already answered this one.)

-Ed

personally, i think the adire rava just rules for the price.

ET.........here is pix of one of my "audio only" systems with HSU sub:

HSU

To heck with what is under and over the speakers.
What kind of speakers are those?

Okay, I'll guess what is on and below. On top of the speakers are cast iron weightlifting weights. (a 12 and a 7 pound on speakers and 2 25 pounders on the sub?) Then the stands are spiked to hard rock maple cutting boards which are isolated to thick tempered glass panels.

I've tried using both RCA and speaker cables for my von schweikert vrs1 and couldn't tell the difference. I ended up with speaker cables (Zu Julian) simply because I needed a long run.

That is exactly correct.......the glass is 24x24 table tops to give me flat hard level surface. And yes those are iron weights, two 25# on sub which tighten things up nicely.

The speakers themselves are Green Mountain Audio "Europas" which use cast resin cabinets ( they do have a funky look but sound great)