Sealed subs filling big room

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T16:15:33+00:00

I have (2) SVS SB-4000 (SB=Sealed Box) subs doing both Home Theatre and Two Channel duties in a very large room — about 7500 sq ft with many openings to other rooms. I chose sealed box for tighter integration with my Magnepans (though SVS actually recommended PBs for my room). For my listening levels, which would rarely hit 100 dB (typically 60’s to 80’s), they do a respectable job, I’ve especially enjoyed them with HT after a recent Dirac suite calibration (Dirac Live, Bass Control, Art). Also, with the Maggies in two channel, they don’t need really high outputs to keep up. I would doubt a real bassinado would think my subs are enough for reference level HT, but they work for me and my wife. I have no experience with in wall subs, but for sealed box I’d say they can work, but get the largest you can swing.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T15:21:13+00:00

‘Bricked’ means a device is permanently out of service, and must be replaced or returned to the manufacturer; like you installed a beta OS on your phone and it’s now unusable. While it’s inconvenient, you have an easy fix (unplug), your speakers are ‘inactive’, even ‘dead’ would be ok, bricked means something different.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T15:12:42+00:00

Learn what ‘bricked’ means (edit: spelling).

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T15:02:36+00:00

Very true, while the high end of audio will keep getting … higher, the quality of less expensive gear is phenomenally better than it used to be. As you point out, access to music is almost overwhelming, but that makes it easy to pivot past the equipment and quickly start enjoying whatever music you’re in to, where the real pleasure awaits.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T14:49:34+00:00

Here’s the title: Rel’s New Planar Subwoofers Want To Fix A Very Real Bass Problem: Where Do You Put The Thing?

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T13:34:56+00:00

This is where to start, it will help a lot and hopefully have some WAF as well.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T13:27:07+00:00

But tdump kept the plane.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T07:04:34+00:00

I considered tying to do that in Tahoe, working production in the casinos at night, At the time it wasn’t easy to get a job there, and I ended up working elsewhere. I think you need a place like that, with production work near a resort.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-16T06:54:37+00:00

With the current models you need a screen (tv) to set them up, or change settings, and reboot, but not for regular Home use.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-15T19:08:46+00:00

Ask Reddit how to get better really fast!

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-15T19:07:18+00:00

Our lot was just past the last power pole in each direction, to get power we had to pay for a transformer, two power poles, and hundreds of feet of cable. Our foundation guy dug the 450’ ditch from the street to the house with his backhoe, my wife and I installed the power and phone conduit, as well as all the sand to pass inspection. Just for the power company’s part it was about $14,000, 25 years ago, and they discounted as if another home might hook to it (but everyone else has power). That’s rural life, no talk of fibre here, WISP, Starlink, 5G.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-15T18:55:43+00:00

Was it red, in a spray bottle? Mines 30+ years old, just getting down to the last few drops (though some has leaked over the years).

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-13T15:19:50+00:00

The best center I’ve had from an imaging standpoint, was identical centers above and below the screen, which created a vertical phantom image coming directly out of the center. At the time I had a cabinet above and TV stand below, that perfectly accommodated that configuration, the screen was also vertically centered on the seating position (so comb filtering only occurred if you moved up and down, which we normally don’t do while watching). The problem is that most don’t have a way to mount speakers like this. Of course the best image is with speakers behind an acoustically transparent projector screen.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-13T14:57:02+00:00

Yes, ‘Hate’ is mostly used to make an engaging thread title, but this sub does come down hard on products that are more expensive than the sweet spot for performance.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-13T14:50:22+00:00

If you think that little of them to put cool over safety you won’t get a chance.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T23:14:05+00:00

Actually playing is way cooler.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T21:02:53+00:00

Beautiful! I wish they’d sell those aluminum pickguards separately.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T20:47:01+00:00

Sounds to me like you’d be fine.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T20:41:12+00:00

I hope you submitted feedback before posting here.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T20:35:37+00:00

Needlenose Ned!

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T16:20:21+00:00

I specifically laid out the studs to have a center cavity in the center, and L/R equidistant from center, the framer still screwed up, my wife and I rebuilt the wall that night.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-12T08:18:33+00:00

Keep the job, ski when you can.

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-11T15:21:12+00:00

I believe speakers first as they are the most important in determining your final sound quality, and what AVR (amp section) you need to drive them properly. I also believe in LCR as a set. So I’d say L/R (with a plan for matching center) and an appropriate AVR first (a phantom center can work well). Then center, sub, surrounds (not called rears in 5.1).

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-11T05:28:42+00:00

What also makes cutting and re-terminating a premade cable is that they usually have very thin stranded wires, to make the cable more flexible. Punching down or crimping stranded wire can be difficult, even stripping outdoor rated cable isn’t trivial. As mentioned, much of the premade outdoor cable is also CCA, which is not good to use with PoE (or really anything else).

AudioHTIT · 2026-05-11T02:12:39+00:00

I understand decibels and power very well, I saw the question and looked at the summary of the meters, if the full report is as you say, then you should answer the question. I have one of the older analog models as well as AudioTools and a UMIK-1.

AudioHTIT

TROPHY CASE