Still, the bass wasn’t good enough and I started to have doubts about my subwoofer, which is a huge Velodyne HGS-15, with 1250 watts RMS and can go down to 15 hz. I thought this was big but after some posts on the Velodyne thread at AVS Forum, I was advised to have 2 Velodyne DD-18’s, each of which costs around $4500! This was because my room volume is around 7000 cubic feet, which is 2 to 3 times more than most HT’s.
I didn’t want to get another Velodyne because of its steep cost, which didn’t seem to be worth it so I did some research and finally chose a Paradigm Servo-15 v2. The reason for this was the following:
1. Both are 15 inchers.
2. Both are sealed subs, as opposed to ported subs, which have a different sound signature.
3. The Velodyne amp is 1250 watts RMS while the Paradigm amp is 1300 watts RMS.
4. Both can go below 20 hz.
5. They are physically alike, in size and weight (both weigh about 100 pounds).
6. I got a good deal for the Paradigm (thanks to Alvin).
The next problem was how to integrate the 2 subs. The procedure was more or less as follows:
1. General position. We first tried putting one sub in front and the other at the rear. The problem is that the distances to the main listening position are so different and the sound was pretty bad. We then put both subs in front and the sound was much better.
2. Fine-tuning position. We used the SMS-1 to determine the optimum positions of the 2 subs. Even a few inches can make a big difference.
3. Fine-tune phase. The Paradigm has a continuously variable phase control and using the SMS-1, we determined the optimum setting for the flattest response.
4. Relative volumes. We set the volumes on the subs so that they had equal outputs at the main listening position.
5. We ran SMS-1 and then Audyssey to EQ the subs.
The result is nearly perfect. It is like night and day.
The cannons in “Master and Commander” are incredible. The French and British cannons have different sound signatures.
The bass guitar of Santana’s “Jingo” is incredibly loud and it is accompanied by maybe 10 different types of drums. You can hear each instrument distinctly.
There is a sequence in Cream’s “Stormy Monday” when the bass guitarist plays a scale of bass notes from lowest to highest. Each note is distinct and has the same volume.
The lighting strikes in “War of the Worlds” produces a huge deep rumble which is clear and undistorted.
I can now “feel” the bass.
I am pretty happy now. Fine-tuning na lang muna. Till the next SARS outbreak.
