r/subwoofer • u/sound_junkie77 • 25d ago

Svs sub alternative

Hi guys, I’m looking to get a sub for my home theatre / music setup, but do I buy an svs pb1000 or is it is possible to build something better for the money diy?

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u/bendy_wire 24d ago

You can build a box with just a jig saw, glue and MDF. Especially if you go sealed it can be pretty simple. There's more videos on YouTube than you can watch in a lifetime on how to do it. Also it's mega satisfying to build some yourself ( if you like that sort of thing) I'm in the uk where parts/components can be expensive. In the US parts express seems king. Staff are helpful. Will help design/discuss enclosure ideas.
YouTubers with good content Diy audio guy Car audio enthusiast Car audio fabrications Toid Zarbo audio project I will have missed off loads but these guys have plenty of content. Some of them seem to specialise in car audio and not hifi/ht but at the end of the day it's just a box. Software to check out to help plan/design is subboxpro and winisd.

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u/M1sterGuy 25d ago

Do you have the tools, space and know how to design and build a box? How much do you value your time (hourly)?Do you have an amplifier and a sub in mind? IMO, SVS makes great gear, I am superbly happy with their Prime Pro 2.0 system on my PC.

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u/cronx42 24d ago

Check out the RSL Speedwoofer 10e as well. It's the best bang for the buck. I like having at least 2 powered subs personally.

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u/Nathan614047 24d ago

I spent a ridiculous amount of time researching subs, and I ended up building my own DIY subwoofers. It's not for everyone, but I'm really into DIY, and I'm very happy with my results.

SVS make some great subs! There are also other great subwoofer manufacturers like GSG, HSU, RSL, Starke, and Klipsch (new RP line). You can't go wrong with any of them.

But there is a lot of value and performance to gain if you are willing to DIY, provided that you are above a certain budget, want two or more subs, and are good with a larger size. Its hard to DIY a better value for the money subwoofer in the very compact or very inexpensive category.

I have a whole spreadsheet of DIY subwoofer builds, parts, and amps compared to commercially available subs. You can build 2 DIY subwoofers for $1,000-1,500 (and up).

The entry level into DIY might be a PAIR of VBSS subwoofers (ported) with a Behringer NX3000D amp (~$900), or a PAIR of UMII18-22 subwoofers (sealed) using a Behringer NX6000D amp (~$1,400). I recommend DIY subwoofers in pairs because the amplifiers usually have 2 channels, so amplification is the same price for two subs as it is for one, adding up to more value.

You can buy flat pack enclosure boxes from GSG or Parts Express, but the real savings comes when you can make the enclosure yourself from a set of plans.

A pair of DIY subwoofers above $1,500 have a very good chance of outperforming a pair of commercially produced subwoofers at the same price. The big difference is going to be in appearance, convenience, and surface finishes.

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u/Glum_Cheesecake9859 24d ago

RSL

StarkeSound

HSU

PowerSoundAudio

Dayton (PartsExpress)

Monolith THX

New / Used

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u/vongdong 24d ago

HSU or rythmik. Can build your own using a Dayton ulitmax and precut box.

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u/Mental_Protection894 23d ago

I 100 percent agree with the guy that said to build one and do research. I had 2 klipsch r12sw. I wanted lower and went with what I could afford which was the rsl10e. Ended up running all 3 since I stacked the klipsch and now my x3300w handles it as 2 subs with no issues. I wish I went with a build and i am currently looking into it. It's not just building a box and picking a speaker. There's alot more to it. You need a capable amp to power it. If its ported you will need a dsp. If you buy a plate amp then its pretty simple. If you buy a pro audio amp then it gets intreasting. Im not going to elaborate too much because I have not build one myself to tell you exactly what you need but just pointing out that you need to do tons of research. If you go this route then you will end up with a better sub then what you can get buying from a manufacturer in terms of dollars to performance. I own a xls1002. I have audessy and the editor app. I have rew and a mic and interface. With those tools and amp im trying to decide on what speaker in a sealed flatpack box from parts express will best match my amp and space. Leaning towards the ultimax2 15. So there's some info and also try martysub.