Thread: Rythmik Audio FV15HP Direct Servo subwoofer

So, my quest to find my sub upgrade for Oct (audio calibration time) has led me to these guys.

In my reading, I keep coming back to the PB13 ultra, because it is a beast. Problem for me is the $2000, not that its too much, it's just that it's $2000 . The HSU VTF15h is another one on the radar, and has an excellent price. As far as durability, the woofer might not be the best, nor the amp, but it's a damn fine and reliable sub at $1000 shipped. Today, I stumbled upon the FV15H while looking over CEA 2010 numbers, and it falls right in between price wise, and performance wise is pretty damn awesome.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/FV15HP.html

The non piano black model is actually $1275, comes with the new 600w parametric EQ amp, and it appears these subs have a Q around 0.3, which would mean tight bass. The xtra adjustment built into the amps, as with the SVS, is also something I was wanting. The VTF can be tuned, but not much more than that. Lets also face the fact, the VTF produces great numbers from 30-80, but below 30 it gets beats by these other more pricey subs, even though it is the king for price/performance. I think at this point, Im looking less price and more performance.

This is the arrangement Im looking at:

FV15HP uses our new high power H600PEQ3 servo amplifier and DS1510 driver. DS1510 features anodized aluminum cone, a 3" voice coil, and 200 oz magnet. Its linear excursion range has increased to +/- 20mm (from +/-15mm of DS1500). The entire subwoofer is 12lbs heavier.

The standard amplifier is H600PEQ3 (600WRMS PEQ). The quickguide of the PEQ3 amplifier for vented subs can be found here . PEQ3 amps do not have high pass filter RCA output. The response curves with various extension frequency/damping combinations of both amplifiers can be found in our EQ page.

FV15HP black oak grain finish with H600PEQ3 amplifier and multi-tune $1274

Spike feet to match F15HP(4pcs) $45

Here are the CEA 2010 results, which would be the best way I know how to compare performance off paper:



CEA 2010 RMS @ 2 meters (ALL from Audioholics reviews)

Hz--VTF15--FV15HP--PB13U

20--103.9--107.5--110.6
25--109.8--113--113.5
32--113--117.8--115.5
40--115.7--120--117.5
50--115.7--119.9--117.8
63--115.6--119.7--116.6


Now, any of these compared to my VTF2, or even a VTF3, is putting out more, but you see where the Hsu (this goes for all their subs and is by Dr Hsu design) is beat below 30, period. To me the FV15HP is putting out SVS numbers, has plenty of power with a 600w RMS amp (15h is probably underpowered), and has a great price.

The guy doing my calibration concurred this is a nice sub, he still likes SVS because I think they are tops in build quality, but I can't find anything to say Rythmik isnt built well either.


Thanks for any input.

Driver DS1510 15" high excursion with custom sensing coil
Driver materials Black anodized aluminum with rubber surround
Cast aluminum basket
Copper flux modulation shorting rings
Amplifier 600 RMS class H patented servo controlled
Dimensions 18"(W) x 24" (H )x 24"(D) - (26" D with grille and heatsink)
Shipping Weight 120 lbs
Frequency Response 14 - 200 Hz (-2 dB @ 14 Hz) with LFE inputs
14 - 90 Hz (-2 dB @ 14 Hz) with LINE IN inputs
Multi-tune 18hz (2 port) and 12hz (1 port)
Crossover slope Selectable 12 or 24 dB / octave (PEQ)
Crossover range (Low pass) 25 - 100 Hz
Rumble Filter (High pass ) 18 Hz 18 dB / octave for two port tuning
Phase adjustment 0 - 180 degrees continuously variable
Bass damping factor settings high (Q=0.5), med (Q=0.7), and low (Q=1.1)
Finishes Available in honey oak vinyl or black oak vinyl
Warranty 5 years warranty on driver and 2 years on electronics
30 day satisfaction guarantee

All I can say is that everyone seems to rave about Rythmik. Seems the biggest praise they get is that they just sound great!! Your right about the PB13ultra, even if you got two grand burning a hole in your pocket, it is still 2g's on a sub, so I hear you there.

Looking at your graph I think you have found a sub that is right in the middle with both price and performance. I mean the SVS barley has an edge on the Rythmik IMO. If it were my money I would probably go with the Rythmik.

As far as build quality one might be better than the other, but ultimately all that matters is cabinet renascence on longevity, which I have never found to be an issue with any of the above subs. And while HSU drivers appear to be cheaper looking (and are), some of the oldest subs I have heard that are still kicking hard are the old shitty looking HSU's. Keep in mind those paper drivers usually tend to be quicker.

The Rythmic will put a very big grin on your face. Everything about the Rythmic, adjustability and ability to adjust the Q and porting options will gain you extension with output. I also like the big Hsu VTF 15 and its ability to plug a vent and get a lower extension without very much loss in output. The servo rage is there and clarity in bass is possible. Very good choices and what a problem to have...which to choose, Hsu or Rythmic...

I love my rythmik sub. Very musical, with fast, deep bass.

Jason I might have asked you this before, but have you considered the HSU ULS-15?? Or even selling the one you have and going ULS dual drive?? Also why not consider selling your HSU and going dual Epik Empires.. I know I have posted this vid a few times but, if you want to talk about build quality, here it is. There are not allot of subs that are capable of this from my experience.

Just thought I would throw that out there.

Damn, thats pretty cool!

I've heard good things about dual epics, I mean hey its 4 15's lol. Just looking at a singles CEA 2010 results, its several db (4-6) off the SVS and FV15,16hz up to 80hz (its 4db louder than the FV15 at 12hz), above 80 it's actually a little louder. Having dual epiks would prob be nice, I just wonder other than smoothing out, would the 2nd epic be enough to close that dB gap from 16-80hz? From 80 to 125hz, the epik is 4-6db's louder. I had looked at the Dual ULS once since they are wireless, which is real nice. Im just not sure on their performance, I also worry about sealed sub for 99.9% HT in such an open area. Dual epik empires are doable, only like $1500.

Good chart from audioholics:

Originally Posted by Jason Whiddon

Damn, thats pretty cool!

I've heard good things about dual epics, I mean hey its 4 15's lol. Just looking at a singles CEA 2010 results, its several db (4-6) off the SVS and FV15,16hz up to 80hz (its 4db louder than the FV15 at 12hz), above 80 it's actually a little louder. Having dual epiks would prob be nice, I just wonder other than smoothing out, would the 2nd epic be enough to close that dB gap from 16-80hz? From 80 to 125hz, the epik is 4-6db's louder. I had looked at the Dual ULS once since they are wireless, which is real nice. Im just not sure on their performance, I also worry about sealed sub for 99.9% HT in such an open area. Dual epik empires are doable, only like $1500.

I am not sure the Epik's will be louder especially under 20hz. However it is a legit option for you IMO, and would be cheaper since you could sell your current HSU and put some money back in your pocket. They will offer a nice advantage in smoothing out the response in your room. Dual subs if matched correctly and placed properly sound incredible! Now Epik is claiming there is usable output in room around 10hz. to 12hz. If true that is impressive. I mean these might not be as loud but they might dig deeper.

As for the HSU's don't let the fact that they are sealed hold you back from considering them. Generally sealed aren't preferred for HT use because of the fact that sealed subs don't dig as deep and offer the low,low bass that movie tracks contain, however HSU claims they are good down to 15hz. Also the Epik's are sealed, don't let sealed turn you off, just pay attention to what the low frequency extension is, that is really all that matters. Besides sealed subs have tighter bass anyway, so if you get a sealed sub that can hit really low you will be happy.

I had a guy tell me that the HSU dual drive smacked the SVS pb 13 ultra in the face. He moved from the SVS to the HSU dual drive and said the results were night and day difference, said it had that cave your chest in bass.

Originally Posted by Jason Whiddon

Good chart from audioholics:

Great chart, I think with dual Epik's you can count on adding 3db to all those numbers (roughly.) Plus nicer smoother sound, considering you would have two. Emire looks respectable at 12.5hz.

Again though that Rythmik looks fantastic IMO especialy considering the price. I just thought I would throw the idea of the Epik's out there.

Yeah man, its not an easy decision, especially because I want it to be my last for awhile. It seems no sub is necessarily best, depending on what you want. The empire has strong mid bass, and a lot of folks love them for it. The SVS and FV15HP have high output as well, but are better on the lower end than the Epik. The ULS have a great low end but lack the output of the others (people dont seem to crunch CEA numbers as much on Hsu subs). Everyone seems to think the PB13 and FV15HP are more similar than different, it's just the PB13 ultra will prob have a little less distortion and has a better amp/driver.

Dual Empires (with +3db) gets them closer from 16-50, then from 50 on they start to rule.

I'd say Im gonna drop out of the PB13/PC13 ultra race, as well as the ULS. Two choices now would by Dual Empires or 1 FV15HP. Decisions decisions.

I think it's safe to say any of these if prob gonna be quite a change from my VTF2.

Man that is a tough decision!!! I think your biggest difference is going to be S/Q going to the Epmires, do to the fact they will have that really tight bass, that sealed subs are capable of. Then output goes to the Rythmik, which will sound amazing too by the way!!

For me it would come down to whether or not I really needed the extra output that the Rythmik has. Either way you are going to be extremely happy, so you can't loose.

Well, and here is where Im in uncharted waters. At what point is the dB stuff overkill, if ever? Do you want more down low push for movies, or up high? Ported vs sealed? It's also been mentioned, and Ive read, that a lot of folks prefer to have a FF sub so the woofer is aimed at the listening position.

Dude you are getting way to technical. Excuse me but fuq a front firing sub, seriously that it just like one of those "myths" in the audio world IMHO. Don't get caught up on which direction the driver faces. I have listened to a ton of sub's and never thought one was better than the other due to the fact that the driver was facing forward or down.

You might be carried away with DB's a little but it is still valid nonetheless. IMO for movie's you want a sub you can tune flat down to 16hz. Many will dis agree but I don't feel there is much below that in a movie track anyway, and if there is you don't get to hear it all that often anyway's. Bottom line is sealed subs sound better, period!! They generally just lack the subsonic bass.

At this point I would talk to your calibrator guy and see what he thinks. I can tell you for me if I could calibrate a sealed sub flat down to 16hz. I would be extremely happy!!

He is no help, back when I talked to him originally, he recommended dual epiks or a Rythmik as a few of his choices LOL. He likes SVS and Seaton, but Seaton is out my range.

I guess I have this sealed sub for HT phobia I need to get over LOL. I mean the dual Empires really are intriguing.

Originally Posted by Jason Whiddon

He is no help, back when I talked to him originally, he recommended dual epiks or a Rythmik as a few of his choices LOL. He likes SVS and Seaton, but Seaton is out my range.

I guess I have this sealed sub for HT phobia I need to get over LOL. I mean the dual Empires really are intriguing.

Killing me. You know in 6 mos you will be looking for a new one...no matter what you buy today! LOL

Originally Posted by Jason Whiddon

He is no help, back when I talked to him originally, he recommended dual epiks or a Rythmik as a few of his choices LOL. He likes SVS and Seaton, but Seaton is out my range.

I guess I have this sealed sub for HT phobia I need to get over LOL. I mean the dual Empires really are intriguing.

Yes you do, trust me man all that matters is whether or not they can dig down low. I am not trying to turn you away from the Rythmik, I am just saying I have heard sealed subs in ht's and they sound great, it is just a matter of getting the low frequency extension out of them.

Ultimately you need to have the piece of mind when you buy, other wise you will wonder what you are missing.

Lets create a fake situation here, let's say that you get dual Epik's and lets just pretend that they are twice as loud and sound twice as good as the Rythmik. You won't be happy because if you have it stuck in your head that a front firing ported sub is what you need to have, you will always think you missed out.

LOL. Cmon! It only took me like three or 4 tries to find the right tv, 3 or 4 tries to find the right speakers, you think a sub would be any different LOL

Originally Posted by mytime

Killing me. You know in 6 mos you will be looking for a new one...no matter what you buy today! LOL

Originally Posted by caliberconst.

Yes you do, trust me man all that matters is whether or not they can dig down low. I am not trying to turn you away from the Rythmik, I am just saying I have heard sealed subs in ht's and they sound great, it is just a matter of getting the low frequency extension out of them.

Ultimately you need to have the piece of mind when you buy, other wise you will wonder what you are missing.

Lets create a fake situation here, let's say that you get dual Epik's and lets just pretend that they are twice as loud and sound twice as good as the Rythmik. You won't be happy because if you have it stuck in your head that a front firing ported sub is what you need to have, you will always think you missed out.

Gotcha. Well speaking on down low, at 16hz, two empires wouldbe 3-4db's behind a single SVS or rythmik. Is that a big deal, and/or is the smoothing of dual subs more/less important in HT performance?

Problem is the damn Epik and Rythmik are great subs and great prices, it makes it tough. Then there is the coolness factor of having TWO subs LMAO