How much to spend on speakers and sub

 

Jeb
Unregistered guest
I am planning on buying some B&W 601 S3 in the next couple of days. I was looking at adding a SVS PB-10 ISD or a HSU STF-2 subwoofer. The speakers are $400 and the subs are around $400. Should I be spending more on speakers, say a 602 S3, and less on the sub, say a HSU STF-1? Just wondering what the ratio of money spent should be.
 

Silver Member
Username: Edster922

Abubala, Ababala The Occupation

Post Number: 392
Registered: Mar-05
That sounds about right, both the SVS and Hsu are extremely high value for the money, being Internet direct and subwoofer specialists.

My guess is that a B&W that goes for $400 local retail is probably equal to a $200-300 Internet-direct speaker.

Since you're getting such a good sub you might want to consider a speaker that specializes in the mids and highs, like the Ascend 170s or 340s.

Really depends on your application, though. Is this a music or HT system? 2-channel or multichannel? What receiver/amp?
 

Jeb
Unregistered guest
I will be mostly using the speakers for music (rap/rock). Currently I have a Marantz SR 4400 receiver. Thanks for your help
 

Silver Member
Username: Stealth_c

Dublin, CA USA

Post Number: 203
Registered: Jan-05
How big is your room? This also determines how powerful of a subwoofer you will need.
 

Jeb
Unregistered guest
the room is about 10 by 15. Do you think those subs are too powerful?
 

Silver Member
Username: Paul_ohstbucks

Post Number: 853
Registered: Jan-05
If you like rap, I suggest investing in a pair of headphones so nobody else has to listen.


HEH....j/k
 

Silver Member
Username: Stealth_c

Dublin, CA USA

Post Number: 204
Registered: Jan-05
The HSU STF-1 would probably suffice assuming you dont have abnormally high ceilings, but really only you can tell. It just depends on how much bass you want to hear/feel. Judging from your taste in music though, I would probably stick with the SVS to be conservative. The STF-1 can piss off your neighbors. The SVS will make them call the cops.
 

Silver Member
Username: Petergalbraith

Rimouski, Quebec Canada

Post Number: 503
Registered: Feb-04
As I recall, the STF-1 does go as low as the STF-2 (which goes as low as the STF-3). I'd go with STF-2 (or equivalent SVS).
 

Silver Member
Username: Paul_ohstbucks

Post Number: 857
Registered: Jan-05
Looking at the 'alleged' lower limit tells you very little about a sub. I've listened to plenty of subs who claimed to go very low, but in reality didnt perform well at all..

For example, the STF-2 lower extension is rated the same as the KEF-psw4000. If you take a closer look at each sub and you'll see they are night and day from one another. Of course, the KEF costs 5x more, has 250% more power, and has much more quality, not to mention it has about 3 times the mass, but that's besides the point. If you compared the two side by side, the KEF would sound entirely different.
 

Silver Member
Username: Petergalbraith

Rimouski, Quebec Canada

Post Number: 508
Registered: Feb-04
Here we go again... Have you heard one?

The STF-2 has the same frequency specs as the STF-3, only less output. So I can assume it sounds similar. I own a STF-3, so I've heard one. I also auditionned subs costing much more (like the Mission m5as) and I'll tell you that none of them compared to the Hsu STF-3. Sure the Mission looks nice, but it doesn't deliver the same low end as the Hsu. The price of a sub is not a very useful indicator of sound output. I trust Dr. Hsu's specs. I'm confident that the STF-2 goes lower than the STF-1, and that the difference will be noticeable for Jeb.
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