I don’t browse that sub-forum, it carries too much risk of unexpected expense!
Tv1812Haha thank you mate. Currently trying to wrestle my thoughts between PSA and Arendal subs. What are the PSA model I should be looking at for comparable or better performance to the Arendal 2V ?
Haha thank you mate. Currently trying to wrestle my thoughts between PSA and Arendal subs. What are the PSA model I should be looking at for comparable or better performance to the Arendal 2V ?
I'd imagine you'd want to be looking at the new TV models but even the older sealed models have output below 10hz if that's what you're after. Bear in mind, as @mb3195 mentioned, content that goes that low isn't as common as it used to be given the filtering that goes on in sound mixes these days.
I wouldn't chase <10hz peformance at the cost of >20hz performance though. The PSA's are adept right throughout the frequency range so no worries there. I had the Arendal Sub3 prior to an S1500 and then dual S1811's and the PSA's have all the punch and dynamics of the Arendal but do go lower. The Arendal was better in terms of build quality, a lot heavier and rock solid thanks to the dual opposed drivers.
To be fair, if the Sub3 had gone lower I'd have kept it so you shouldn't discount their new models. Although, I'd be looking at the 2S model personally rather than the 2V as I prefer sealed subs.
At the end of the day you're not really going to go wrong with any of them once they're set up properly.
Wow thank you for that comprehensive reply. I was deliberating getting the Arendal 2V and a smaller sub for infeasonics later on.. but from what I know we shouldn’t mix subs?
what would be the pros of the Arendal 2V over the psa?
I wish spare changes review went into a bit more detail. It just kinda of said it’s good at everything except below 10hz and he’d take it over the pb16. Which he’d said more.
Given that an S15xx will likely keep up with or outperform a 2V, an S30xx should be a comfortable step up.
how do you know mate?
surely this is guesswork?
Based on specs, sorry, should have said.
Bigger drivers, more powerful amp, bigger cab, lower tune. Plus a vented sub will drop off below port tune whereas a sealed sub can benefit a lot from room gain. I don't reckon I'd get 5Hz at reference with a 2V, unless you think I would?
If the S1500 was a step up from the 3 that Saul had, doesn't it hold that the 30xx would be a step up from the 2V? Or maybe I'm getting the Arendel models confused?
Edit: just checked, the 3012 isn't a bigger cab than the 2V.
Like I said mate, I’m not saying it wouldn’t, but until people have heard them side my side I think it’s speculation on what performs best.
Personally I don’t believe it’s all about SPL, especially in the single digit range, hardly any content is played at these levels, they just look good on a REW graph. 30-80hz is 100% more important.
And just because I value <10Hz doesn't mean I don't care about the rest of the range. I would hope you'd know that from my time here.
You could go for a sub and a TR device for the super low stuff (buttkickers, BOSS, etc) but mixing subs with very different capabilities and tunings is about the hardest combination to choose.
People often use the car analogy with subs. Brand XXX is like the BMW where brand YYY is the Ford. I try to stay out of those as I don't have a lot of experience with a lot of brands.
I can say as a PSA owner though, they're like the Subaru of the sub world. They're all about raw, brute power. No looks, no fancy apps or features. You hook them up, EQ them (using a separate device, of course, nothing as fancy as onboard PEQ), and they'll try and tear the paint off your walls if you ask them to. They're awesome.
Whenever I talk to people about placement and integration I make a real effort not to push any brands, despite being a huge PSA fan. I'll try and convince them away from brands that sound like poor value (of which I think there are many), but this is the PSA thread, so I feel ok doing it here.
If you're on a concrete floor then vented will give you more in-room TR. Same is true if your room is particularly large, which it doesn't sound as though yours is. If you're on a suspended floor, like I am, or can do VNF then sealed should work well. Sealed will roll off below tune but less steeply than ported and can benefit a lot more from room gain. My subs aren't native down to 5Hz but I can hit 125dB there (Don't expect that from one sub, I have a lot of subs and a small room). A ported sub that rolls off at 15Hz just can't do that, it's physics.
People talk about big subs being slow and small subs being tighter and faster. I know someone that went from an S3000 to a 10" sub and says the 10" sounds better. I believe (but this is speculation) that that's because the 10" was dialed in by a pro and no longer has the common ~40Hz bump most untuned subs have. My six 15" drivers play clear and distinct bass notes when that's what they're fed because I spent time setting them up.
If you're going the PSA route, budget for a minidsp and a mic, and some time to get them tuned, especially if going multiple. It's well, well worth it in my opinion.
Wow thank you for that comprehensive reply. I was deliberating getting the Arendal 2V and a smaller sub for infeasonics later on.. but from what I know we shouldn’t mix subs?
what would be the pros of the Arendal 2V over the psa?
Ideally you wouldn't mix subs, it can be done but it's harder to get them integrated properly and performing to their best.
For performance I couldn't say as I've not heard a 2V. Going by my Sub3 then you're going to get better build quality in terms of finish and aesthetics. The PSA's are a bit more 'industrial' in that sense.
I was surprised how small the S1500 is as well, compared to the 3000 at least. It packs a hell of a punch for such a small box.
You should come over for a demo. I'll play the into to Blade Runner 2049.
I really want to feel the vibrations. I put the subwoofer right next to my sofa in a 3.5x3.5m room (for now).
My BK monolith gives me a lot of rumble on the sofa... a lot.. but doesn't give me much vibration in the air so I look forward to hearing the infrasonics.
Where are you based mate? I'd love to hear one of these subwoofers. the best subwoofer I've experienced in my life is the bk monolith plus so I'm eager to see the next dimension of bass lol.
Just picking up on this a moment. Infrasonics isn't necessarily responsible for those vibrations. 30hz-50hz can easily feel like someone has just booted you in the back of the sofa.
Even higher up the range can also give you a kick/thud that can be felt. Gunshots are a prime example.