Don't get us wrong -- we love
subwoofers -- but honestly we've been pretty satisfied with the formula that combines a driver, strong box and large amplifier into a more or less (we prefer
less) inconspicuous cube. Changing the physical design always looks kind of
strange, even when the results are great. Horses for courses, however, as
KEF has introduced its HTB2SE-W subwoofer that has us thinking of one George Jetson. That impression is only enhanced by the wireless connection (hey, it was futuristic a few years ago) that promises "CD-quality sound," which is probably more than sufficient for even lossless LFE tracks. If you don't like the flying saucer look, simply put the HTB2SE-W on its side -- the 10-inch driver and 250-Watt amp promise to deliver bass so non-directional that you won't be able to tell the difference. Available next month for $1,200 -- head below the fold for one more pic if you're not sure if this is the look for you.
posted Sep 24th 2009 9:31PM
that's hot!
-sun
But you ain't cool like me.
-Pluto
I'll sub her woof...
What? There's no Asian girl? Crap.
Someone should invent a subwoofer helmet.
You WOULD need a helmet.
Want.
10 inches? 250 watts? $1200 dollars? i'll take this one k thx http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=746
Yes, because that's wireless and looks just as nice, right?
It's not always about raw power and sound quality. Some people need the Wife Approval Factor to be fairly high.
I had this subwoofer - the non wireless version (HTB2) - and I gotta say it was pretty weak. Very nice looking, but totally not worth the price.
Hsu Research ULS-15 FTW
http://hsuresearch.com/products/uls15.html
I don't like it. At all. Something is just not right about round and glossy speakers. But especially the glossy part: Speakers are about drawing your ear's attention, not your eye's attention (which should be on your glossy TV).
Also, CD quality (which I assume means 16bit) is low quality, and wireless is not necessary for something that will be on the ground and near the receiver anyway.
Do not want.
All low-frequency (base) sound is non-directional to humans. So there is no magic there.
....yes, in an anechoic room. 99% of us don't have anechoic rooms, so placement IS a major concern
LF signals are not terribly affected by digital quantization, and their narrow frequency range makes it easier to accurately transmit them wirelessly. LF sounds, however, are not directional, making the subwoofer the speaker least in demand for wireless placement. One of those ironies of life. Thanks a lot, god.
"...deliver bass so non-directional that you won't be able to tell the difference."
Or where its coming from either. ;)
The look is not new. It has been around since KHT-3005. I love it.
looks to me like they nicked genelec's spiral enclosure concept.
http://www.genelec.com/products/subwoofers/7060b/
probaly also kicks kef's butt quite badly.
It's about $700 too much for a 250w 10" sub.
I have the wired version and it ROCKS (just ask my neighbors above and below)!
All your low frequency (base) are belong to us!