Hi, I'm a new member to the Klipsch family and I have some sub questions. I purchased the THX Ultra2 system without the subs a few weeks ago and now I am ready to add one or two subs to the system. One or both subs will be placed in cabinetry with openings that are 23. The media room is 18' x 24' x 9. Do the THX Ultra2 Subs integrate with the rest of the Ultra2 system better than subs made by other manufacturers? The following subs are being considered along with the Klipsch THX Ultra2 Subs: SVS SB13-Ultra Funk Audio 18. I will be able to listen to the Paradigm 1000SW at a local dealer but not the other subs. THXUltra2Experience, Welcome to the forum. Otherwise, all of the mentioned subs would be fine in your room but you might have to go doubles with a couple of them SB13U and Prestige 1000SW. Some of the ones you mentioned do have nicer amps. Plus, well, 18's and stuff. But, they're sealed, and really need multiple units for great response down low, which gets expensive real quick. On a mild build you may be better off with the THX especially if it lets you afford more subs. Do the THX Ultra2 Subs integrate with the rest of the Ultra2 system better than subs made by other manufacturers? The THX would definitely would be real easy and would visually match nicely. Biggest issue with integration in my opinion is that the THX mains have to lean on the subs for midbass quite a bit, so you're not going to want to get something that only sounds great down pretty low but doesn't extend up high very well. The Seaton subs are too big to fit in the cabinetry but they are an interesting option. I will be able to listen to the Paradigm 1000SW at a local dealer but not the other subs. I have four Seaton F18 clones and three KL-650-THX's, come over and we'll see what they can do. It's the same amp, same DSP, programmed by the same guy, same subs, about same size box, and same stuffing. Edited March 29, 2016 by MetropolisLakeOutfitters I also agree that subs don't belong in cabinets. Wives and people interested in looks dream up these ideals. Subs go where they play best. As stated, some or many of the listed subs are to big for the cabinet. A false wall may be an option. Generally you don't want to put a sub inside an enclosure. Front firing sealed or front firing and front ported subs MAY work but it's situational. Welcome to the forum. I think the THX Ultra2 subs might be better suited for in-cabinet installation than the other subs due to the front firing woofer, front port and external amp. Some of the ones you mentioned do have nicer amps. Plus, well, 18's and stuff. But, they're sealed, and really need multiple units for great response down low, which gets expensive real quick. On a mild build you may be better off with the THX especially if it lets you afford more subs. Do the THX Ultra2 Subs integrate with the rest of the Ultra2 system better than subs made by other manufacturers? The THX would definitely would be real easy and would visually match nicely. Biggest issue with integration in my opinion is that the THX mains have to lean on the subs for midbass quite a bit, so you're not going to want to get something that only sounds great down pretty low but doesn't extend up high very well. The Seaton subs are too big to fit in the cabinetry but they are an interesting option. I will be able to listen to the Paradigm 1000SW at a local dealer but not the other subs. I have four Seaton F18 clones and three KL-650-THX's, come over and we'll see what they can do. It's the same amp, same DSP, programmed by the same guy, same subs, about same size box, and same stuffing. I can afford to buy a pair of SVS SB13-Ultra subs or a pair of Klipsch THX Ultra2 subs and matching THX amp right away and with the other subs I would have to buy one sub now and then add the second sub if necessary later in the year. Performance down low and extension up high is of concern so any sub I look at must meet or exceed THX spec. I believe the Paradigm 1000SW will be out in this regard. I also agree that subs don't belong in cabinets. Wives and people interested in looks dream up these ideals. Subs go where they play best. As stated, some or many of the listed subs are to big for the cabinet. A false wall may be an option. A false wall is in the plans and I will be ripping the cabinetry out when finances permit construction of a dedicated theater. I hate it but I have to live with it for the time being. Unless you are into furniture grade finishes a coupe DIY subs like the Stonehege or Stonehamer subs and call it a day. There are quit a few guys in Canada building them. They will have similar performance to the best subs on your list for a fraction of the cost. The Stonehammer is not small but and false wall or behind a projection screen would certainly work. There is HT and HT that rocks the seat and foundation. Edited March 30, 2016 by derrickdj1 I like those other subs but I'd really only look at some of them if you were getting four of them. So if you want to go all in, yeah, these new super subs are awesome. You'll pay for it too. I bet two of the THX's would surpass 1-2 of them from 20-25 hz though due to the ported design. The reference 15's can for sure. Edited March 30, 2016 by MetropolisLakeOutfitters Ive owned a lot of different subs and heard a ton of them as well. From your list I would say get the seaton and add a second when you can. Second choice would be the thx ultra 2 or JTR cap. The funks are nice but crazy expensive. I think the Svs is nice but will have less output than the thx subs. And the thx subs are really nice. I owned a pair when I had pb-13 ultras. Thought they didn't have the low end grunt but they had way more slam which was fun on action movies. The amp alone on some of these nicer subs is just a huge difference. American made SpeakerPower amp that can do 4,000 watts even at 5 hz, for 6 seconds straight, even at like 1. They're just a monster. JTR and Seaton both uses them, as does Deep Sea Sound which is another I'd consider if you were looking at higher end items, and I thought Funk was using them but I'm not sure. I've been doing some digging to find out more about the sub manufacturers and how they go about building their subs. The curved cabinets of the Funk subs look great but the prices are too high. It seems Funk Audio is a one or two man operation and their subs are built from the ground up with their own cabinets, drivers, and amps. However, for the money I'd feel more comfortable going with a more established brick-and-mortar or ID brand. I contacted Deep Sea Sound to inquire about the cabinet build and driver used in the Mariana 18S Sub. I wanted to find out if they were building the cabinets and drivers themselves. The SP1-4000 amp with 4,000 watts of continuous power is built in Santa Ana, California. We build the enclosures ourselves in Knoxville, TN and then put everything together and test thoroughly before shipping out. DSS is a new company and I would lean toward Seaton, Klipsch, etc. All SVS products shipped from our OH facility undergo a comprehensive QC and audio check by our factory technicians before being shipped to the customer. The Seaton SubMersive cabinets are CNC'd by WW Speaker Cabinets and I was not able to find info on the drivers and amps. Does anyone know if the drivers and amps are made by Seaton or purchased elsewhere? I don't recall seeing a photo of the driver used in the SubMersive HP+ or F18+. JTR uses Baltic Birch construction in their Captivator S1 and again I was not able to find info on the origins of the drivers and amps. I've cut the sub choices down to the THX Ultra2 Subs, SubMersive HP+, SubMersive F18+, JTR Captivator S1, and SVS SB13-Ultra. On a side note, it's always interesting to read about comparisons between these subs and the JL Audio Fathom, Velodyne DD+, and top-of-the-line Paradigm subs. Funk Audio is a one or two man operation and their subs are built from the ground up with their own cabinets, drivers, and amps. Seriously doubt that a single person or even him and his buddy is going to engineer and manufacture the amps, drivers, and enclosures. They're going to contract stuff out and rebrand it just like everybody else does. I contacted Deep Sea Sound to inquire about the cabinet build and driver used in the Mariana 18S Sub. I wanted to find out if they were building the cabinets and drivers themselves. The SP1-4000 amp with 4,000 watts of continuous power is built in Santa Ana, California. We build the enclosures ourselves in Knoxville, TN and then put everything together and test thoroughly before shipping out. DSS is a new company and I would lean toward Seaton, Klipsch, etc. I don't think you'll have any problem with the cabinet build. Yes the drivers are Stereo Integrity. The 24's also come from SI. The Seaton SubMersive cabinets are CNC'd by WW Speaker Cabinets and I was not able to find info on the drivers and amps. Does anyone know if the drivers and amps are made by Seaton or purchased elsewhere? I don't recall seeing a photo of the driver used in the SubMersive HP+ or F18+. The F18 is an Ultimax 18, and I'm pretty sure that the Submersive is made by Acoustic Elegance. The amps are SpeakerPower. As for that speaker cabinet company, I asked a VP straight up if they make those, he claimed they only made proof of concept type stuff. I know Seaton has an in-house cabinet shop, so I dunno. I spent some time reading through the Seaton forum and did not see any reference to an in-house cabinet shop. This is the only cabinet maker they mention: I assumed the cabinets were outsourced and Seaton installed the drivers and amps. There's no doubt they make a quality product. THX standard for which all these are designed is 3000 ft3. More air means more power if you want a true THX experience. The room is 3900 ft3. If I decide to go with the Klipsch THX Ultra2 I will probably order 2 THX amps and 2 THX subs and then use the Sub 1 and Sub 2 preout connectors on my Marantz AV7702mkII. Audyssey should calibrate the subs separately when they are connected to Sub 1 and Sub 2.
