Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
SUB Nine
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Subwoofer Driver: 13 Inch Long-Throw Patented Foam Filling Paper Sandwich Woofer with Dual 3" Voice Coils in Patented Symmetrical Drive Motor-Driven Differentially
- Subwoofer Amplifier: 400-Watt Linear Amplifier with Switching Power Factor Corrected Regulated Power Supply
- Amplifier Power: 400 watts
- Frequency Response: -3dB @ 20Hz to 100Hz
- Contour Control: Continuously Adjustable form a Q = .5 to Q = 1
- Level Control: Continuously Adjustable for Speaker Sensitivity of 82 dB to 92 dB
- Input Terminals: (2) 5-Way binding posts that accept high-level input from power amplifier
- Dimensions (WHD): 17"w x 20"d x 21"H and 23"w X 29"d X 32.5"h packaged (each)
- Weight: 108 lbs. Net and 136 lbs Gross (each)
- Country of Manufacture: Made in the USA
Description
Although initially designed as the bass section for a new statement-level speaker, the SUB NINE proved to be an outstanding solution as a stand-alone stereo sub pair mated with the Model 7 statement floor-standing loudspeaker or any high-quality speaker.
Although initially designed as the bass section for a new statement-level speaker, the SUB NINE proved to be an outstanding solution as a stand-alone stereo sub pair mated with the Model 7 statement floor-standing loudspeaker or any high-quality speaker. Each sub enclosure features a 13" downward-firing, slot-loaded woofer with a patented cellulose-fiber/foam cone and 400-watt amplifier. These mono subs feature in-room-specific adjustments, including 11-bands of equalization and an adjustable Q. This adjustability means that your system is specific to the unique bass response of your listening room, and contour and level controls mean the subs can sit in a wide variety of locations within the listening space.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Vandersteen designs emphasize time and phase coherence through the use of first-order crossovers, which require drivers with exceptional linearity and bandwidth.
- They are known for their "form-follows-function" aesthetic, prioritizing sound quality over visual flash, often resulting in understated designs.
- Vandersteen loudspeakers often include user-adjustable controls, such as midrange and tweeter level adjustments or multi-band bass equalization, to optimize performance in different listening environments.
- They prioritize seamless driver integration, aiming to present a cohesive sonic presentation, rather than drawing attention to individual drivers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Model 1Ci+
- Positioning: The entry-level speaker in the Vandersteen lineup, offering a taste of the brand's sonic excellence at an affordable price.
- Description: Praised for its incredible value, providing a sample of the Model 2's sonic excellence in a smaller, easy-to-drive package. Unlike the more advanced models like the Treo CT, it lacks the powered-bass system but still delivers excellent sound quality with its dual-chamber alloy dome tweeter and mineral-filled polycone woofer, making it ideal for budget-conscious buyers or those with smaller rooms.
Model 3A Signature
- Positioning: Serves as a bridge between the entry-level and high-end models, offering high performance with advanced components.
- Description: Known for its big sound and detailed musicality, features a dual-chamber metal-alloy dome tweeter and a unique midrange driver that reduces internal diffraction. While it doesn't have the powered subwoofer of the Quatro Wood CT, it provides a cohesive and smooth sound.
Treo CT
- Positioning: A mid-range model that offers high-end features in a more compact and affordable package.
- Description: Features the patented Perfect-Piston Carbon Tweeter, providing exceptional air and space in sound reproduction. It shares the same driver complement as the Quatro Wood CT but lacks the powered-bass system.
Quatro Wood CT
- Positioning: A high-performance model that incorporates advanced technologies from Vandersteen's flagship speakers.
- Description: Features the Carbon Tweeter from the Model 5A Carbon, offering exceptional resolution and imaging. It includes a powered subwoofer section with dual 8" subwoofers, unlike the Treo CT, providing powerful bass performance.
KēNTO Carbon
- Positioning: A premium model, offering advanced features at a historic price point.
- Description: Combines elements from the Model Seven MK II and Quatro CT, including side-firing Counterforce pistonic bass drivers. It offers a level of adjustment and integration not found in the Quatro Wood CT.
Model Seven XTRM
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Vandersteen's speaker technology.
- Description: Features Perfect-Piston drivers and a recalibrated internal amplifier. Unlike the KēNTO Carbon, it offers the ultimate in time-and-phase correct audio reproduction.
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Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
72
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
95
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
18
Founding Year
1977
Our take on the brand
Vandersteen Audio is distinguished by its time and phase coherence in speaker design, where all drivers move in unison through their first-order crossover design and Perfect-Piston drivers made of carbon-fiber and balsa wood. The brand's speakers feature a minimum baffle approach to reduce reflections, while focusing on high-quality internal components over elaborate cabinet designs, with models like the Seven XTRM offering precise bass response customization through adjustable trim pots.
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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Used
Vandersteen
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What if you spend more?
McIntosh
PS1K
35000
35000
/
1
Reviews
Experience bass excellence with the McIntosh PS1K Powered Subwoofer. Expertly engineered with a passion for audio excellence, the PS1K enhances your home audio system by delivering deeper, more precise low frequencies. Design and construction of the PS1K subwoofer embodies a no-compromise approach. At its core are two 13" woofers (also referred to as drivers), equipped with powerful magnets. These drivers feature our proprietary Low Distortion High Performance (LD/HP®) Magnetic Circuit Design, which significantly reduces distortion while boosting power handling and efficiency.
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Two 13" drivers feature McIntosh's proprietary Low Distortion High Performance (LD/HP®) Magnetic Circuit Design, which reduces distortion and improves power handling
- Powered by two 500-watt Class D amplifiers for a total of 1,000 watts of output
- Designed to complement McIntosh speakers, but can be used with any high-end system
- Features McIntosh's Power Guard and Sentry Monitor to protect against overloading and short circuits
- Bass is tight and clear for both music and movies, filling large spaces with ease
Product Considerations
- Sheer size limits practicality, except in extremely large rooms
Takeaway: The PS1K offers undeniable performance with tight and clear bass for both music and movies. With protections against overloading, it ensures reliable, long-term performance for any high-end system
Video review
Our take on the brand
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
JL Audio
Gotham™ v2
25000
/
Released
The beauty of the Gotham® v2 extends well beyond its exotic design and exceptional craftsmanship, aiming right at the emotional core of musical and cinematic enjoyment. This is a subwoofer system with limits that exceed the needs of the typical home theater application, delivering a weight and integrity of reproduction that can only come from a system that is always in control. Its allure lies as much in its ability to convey subtleties as in its prodigious output capabilities. It is simply devastating.
JL Audio is a hifi brand known for its subwoofer technologies, including the Automatic Room Optimization system that minimizes room-induced bass peaks and the W-Cone unit-body cone-assembly for superior bass performance. The company manufactures many of its premium loudspeakers in the U.S. and includes advanced features like the CR-1 crossover for seamless integration between subwoofers and main speakers, while their VXi amplifiers use internal DSP for extensive sound customization.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers dynamic, detailed, and nuanced sound with incredible clarity and power
- Incorporates an Automatic Room Optimization (ARO) system to effectively remove room-induced bass response errors
- Impressive low-end extension, reaching down to 19Hz
Product Considerations
- Due to its huge weight (163 kg), placement requires careful consideration, and frequent relocation may not be feasible
- As a very large product, it is not recommended for smaller or medium-sized rooms
- To achieve ideal performance, it is necessary to pair it with speakers of the same power and category
Takeaway: The product provides exceptional clarity and powerful bass, making it a great choice for larger rooms where the best possible sound is desired. Its room optimization features also facilitate maximizing an audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
JL Audio is a hifi brand known for its subwoofer technologies, including the Automatic Room Optimization system that minimizes room-induced bass peaks and the W-Cone unit-body cone-assembly for superior bass performance. The company manufactures many of its premium loudspeakers in the U.S. and includes advanced features like the CR-1 crossover for seamless integration between subwoofers and main speakers, while their VXi amplifiers use internal DSP for extensive sound customization.
Product Page
Product Page
Wilson Audio
Submerge
29500
/
Released
2023
Found deep in the groves of your favorite LPs, and concealed in the soundtrack of the movies you can't wait to watch, is the critical low-frequency information that provides the the sense of space of the recorded music hall and the impact of the explosions the movie hero narrowly escapes. Submerge reveals the tension and sonic foundation below the surface of your audio experience.
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Enhances room pressurization and provides a sense of the recording's space
- Adds texture to both low-frequency and mid-range sounds, significantly enhancing the listening experience
- Improves deep bass and addresses room-related issues
- Flexibility helps to recover low octaves, ensuring the subwoofer matches the measured response
Product Considerations
- High price point
- The unit is very heavy, weighing just over 115 kilos (250 pounds)
- Requires careful setup involving the crossover, gain, and phase/delay to achieve perfect time alignment
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Builds on the success of the smaller Wilson Audio LōKē Powered Subwoofer
- Includes the same proprietary driver found in the Wilson Audio Subsonic Subwoofer
- Features a built-in crossover inspired by the Wilson ActivXO crossover
- Bigger than the Loke, with a larger cabinet and woofer, and increased amplifier power from 500 to 1,600 watts
- The WATCH Dog has a split port with a divider, but in the Submerge, the split is pushed back to improve airflow and quieten the cabinet
Takeaway: The Wilson Audio Submerge provides a more immersive listening experience by adding depth, texture, and improved bass response, making it a worthwhile addition for high-end hifi systems, especially when paired with Wilson Audio speakers. Its ability to address room acoustics and provide a balanced soundstage makes it a valuable addition.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wilson Audio is often considered the quintessential American high-end hi-fi brand, a staple in premium audio dealerships across the country. Many reviewers use Wilson speakers in their own home systems, reflecting their reputation for outstanding dynamics, bass depth, and the ability to reproduce classical music with remarkable realism. Wilson focuses on creating an uncolored sound, aiming to replicate the experience of live, unamplified performances.
Product Page
Product Page
YG Acoustics
Basis
26648
/
Released
Basis shatters the notion that soundstage-enriching, deep and authoritative sub-bass must come from a large cabinet. Basis performs with the precision of a scalpel and the power of a sledgehammer. As a true ultra-fidelity subwoofer, Basis has huge bandwidth.
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional bass precision and control
- Features a powerful 6kW RMS amplifier
- Has a sophisticated DSP crossover system
- Achieves bass extension below 16Hz with virtually no distortion
- Has high-quality BilletCore driver technology
Product Considerations
- Premium price point
- Substantial weight (70kg) may require professional installation
Takeaway: The YG Acoustics Basis Subwoofer redefines bass performance with exceptional precision and control. The flexibility of the DSP crossover makes it easy to integrate into existing systems.
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics makes speakers with unique DualCoherent crossover technology that ensures both perfect frequency response and phase coherence, while their BilletCore drivers are machined from solid aluminum billets for enhanced precision. Their modular design allows users to upgrade and expand their systems over time, and they use proprietary software that optimizes both frequency and phase response, capabilities not commonly found in other hifi brands.
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Product Page
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