What are the sonic differences between…


Paradigm Sub 1 (2012) and a Velodyne DD 18 (2007)?

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upacreekk
Krell_man, you may be thinking of the oft-repeated admonition that you shouldn't hear the sub as a separate entity. It should extend the bass of your speakers transparently, without calling attention to itself as a separate driver.

Or, perhaps, to the fact that few instruments have musical fundamentals below about 40 Hz, although some do, e.g., pipe organs go all the way down to 16 Hz.

In any case, you can hear the lowest frequencies a dynamic sub puts out, at least down to 14 Hz (the shibboleth about being able to hear only down to 20 Hz apparently isn't true). Also, depending on the installation, subs may be used through the entire deep bass range, e.g., crossing over at 80 Hz or even in the midbass. This is typically true when they're used to supplement small satellite-style speakers that are specifically designed for use with a sub.

Finally, subs produce a lot of out-of-bandwidth signal because the crossovers aren't completely sharp. Forex, if they cross over at 80 Hz, you'll still be hearing them at 160 Hz with a four-pole crossover or even higher.

Bottom line, they're very audible.
"I thought that you weren't supposed to hear a subwoofer"

It's not that you don't hear the subwoofer, you should not be able to localize it in the lower registers. Believe me I sure do hear the punch and impact of my Revel B15 in the 30 to 60Hz range.

As far as the Sub 1 and DD 18, I am sure both are top tier in punch, impact, and overall musicality.

Bill
Stealth Sub, cannot be heard, or seen on radar. I'd opt for the Velo. I have 3.
I kept my questions general because I wanted a full range of responses. (But, regardless of the forum involved, I get tired of the responses which begin with: “It depends…” or “I have not tried it, but… ”.) I already have an Infinity Intermezzo 1.2s. I have an opportunity to purchase a used Velodyne DD 18 (2007) for $1,700 or purchase a new Paradigm Sub 1 for about $2,200. This conundrum is a matter of opportunity.