Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature Reviewed
- By: Jerry Del Colliano
- - Reviewer's System
- Category:
- Audio Reviews, Equipment Reviews, Subwoofer Reviews
- Resources & Links:
- Subwoofers ,
- View Jerry Del Colliano's Reviews
- January 2, 2009
Sunfire's Bob Carver is the one person most credited for creating the small subwoofer market in the 1990s and, while the patent didn't hold up, the brand and category sure did. Sunfire's True Subwoofer EQ Signature at $2,195 might be a mouthful of words, but its 13-inches-squared size is a sight for sore eyes for people looking for big subwoofer sound from a relatively small box. The key to all of Bob Carver's subwoofer designs is his amazing tracking downcoverter amp that can coolly and cleanly (and reportedly) output peaks of 2700 watts of power, driving the living snot out of a 10-inch driver to levels that top 116 dB. Take it from me: that is really loud. While the woofer doesn't go a low as the gigantic woofers on the market, its 30 Hertz performance is pretty deep, considering just how loud it will play.
The latest version of Sunfire's top subwoofer comes complete with an auto-set-up configuration that helps the bass-freak consumer in all of us to get the most out of the woofer in each of our rooms. Room acoustics and room interaction is as big a factor in getting a successful low-end reproduction from your system as the woofer itself and Sunfire has made it easy for you to make all of the needed adjustments without a degree in acoustics.
High Points
- There is no question that the biggest strong point of the Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature is its diminutive size when compared to its beefy audio output.
- The Sunfire Signature EQ is more musical than you might expect and when used in pairs can sound even smoother in a room.
- The room correction software really adds value to the product over past offerings. Velodyne has it. Revel has it. Sunfire now has it, thankfully.
- I like the addition of a rosewood veneer to the lineup, as black subwoofers are so cliché.
Low Points
- The fit and finish are nothing better than okay. Other subs provide better-looking woofers for the same price and, considering how your sub reacts in a room, you can't say, "I am going to stick it in a corner over there" and just forget about it. It's possible the best performance could come from placing your woofer right in the middle of your listening room.
- When pushed to extremes, the Sunfire woofer can show signs of audio fatigue, compared to other woofers that are physically larger yet in the same price range.
Conclusion
This is a rock and roll subwoofer that can play loud and remain musical all the way along. Audiophiles will be surprised that this woofer can hang with $10,000 per pair speakers, and home theater enthusiasts will love the volume that this small subwoofer can create. Bass rules and the Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature just plain rocks.
Keywords
Sunfire subwoofer, Sunfire Signature EQ Subwoofer Review. Sunfire True subwoofer, Tracking downcoverter amp, Bob Carver, Digital amp, 2700 Watt amp, small subwoofer reviews
- Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series ...
- Definitive Technology Super Cub...
- Definitive Technology SuperCube...
- Definitive Technology SuperCube...
- Definitive Technology Trinity S...
- Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Review...
- Home Theater Review 2009 Best o...
- Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen ...
- Infinity PSW310W Wireless Subwo...
- JBL WEM-1 Wireless Expansion Mo...
- JL Audio Fathom f112 Subwoofer ...
- JL Audio Gotham Subwoofer Revie...
- MartinLogan Depth i Subwoofer R...
- MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer...
- MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer...
- Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer R...
- Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Subwoofer...
- Paradigm Servo 15v2 Subwoofer R...
- Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Revie...
- Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker...
- REL Acoustics Britannia B2 Subw...
- REL Acoustics T1 Subwoofer Revi...
- Revel Performa B15a Subwoofer R...
- Revel Ultima SUB 30 Subwoofer R...
- Subwoofer Reviews & Information...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Revie...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signa...
- Sunfire True Subwoofer Super Ju...
- Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In...
- Velodyne SMS-1 Subwoofer Proces...
- Wilson Audio Thor's Hammer Subw...
Featured Audio-Video News
Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation -
It isn't any news that the economy is in the dumps. Morphing your living room, garage or basement into the...
Latest Subwoofer Reviews
Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -
For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...
Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
A major problem in the past with small and compact subwoofers was their inability to deliver strong and deep low-end to the average soundstage. Outlaw Audio's design team was well aware of this challenge when they started developing the ECS-10... Click for more...
Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
Energy is an audio manufacturer that is fairly well known for developing quality speakers at a mid-range price and now they are slowly getting into producing a more high-end subwoofer product line starting with the ESW-V10. The list price for... Click for more...
Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Reviewed -
The Paradigm Signature SUB 25 is the biggest, baddest subwoofer in Paradigm's extensive product line-up. I recently reviewed Paradigm's Studio speakers with their Studio SUB 15 subwoofer. The Signature SUB 25 is outwardly similar to the Studio SUB 15, but... Click for more...
Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -
If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current, top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i, is similar to its predecessor in overall design but features significant... Click for more...
Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen Powered Subwoofer -
Infinity Cascade Series loudspeakers have a distinctively appealing design--sleek and thin with curved and tapered baffles. They're so pretty that it would be a shame to mate them with a boxy, clunky subwoofer. This fact is not lost on Infinity,... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i is similar to its predecessor in overall design, but features significant... Click for more...
Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker System Reviewed -
The Paradigm Studio v.5 series was introduced at CES 2009 as the fifth iteration of the Studio series. The Studio series was first introduced about a decade ago and, as the version number implies, it has been updated as new... Click for more...
Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series Loudspeakers Reviewed -
It didn't take me long to realize that this wasn't going to be your normal product review. Not because the product, Bowers & Wilkins' new CT 700 series loudspeaker, is either bad or wholly unique, but because, unlike other traditional... Click for more...
Latest Subwoofer Reviews
Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -
For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...
Outlaw Audio ECS-10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
A major problem in the past with small and compact subwoofers was their inability to deliver strong and deep low-end to the average soundstage. Outlaw Audio's design team was well aware of this challenge when they started developing the ECS-10... Click for more...
Energy ESW-V10 Subwoofer Reviewed -
Energy is an audio manufacturer that is fairly well known for developing quality speakers at a mid-range price and now they are slowly getting into producing a more high-end subwoofer product line starting with the ESW-V10. The list price for... Click for more...
Paradigm Signature SUB 25 Reviewed -
The Paradigm Signature SUB 25 is the biggest, baddest subwoofer in Paradigm's extensive product line-up. I recently reviewed Paradigm's Studio speakers with their Studio SUB 15 subwoofer. The Signature SUB 25 is outwardly similar to the Studio SUB 15, but... Click for more...
Totem Acoustic Tribe 12-Inch In-Wall Subwoofer -
If you asked me to think of a thin and flat audio/video product, the first thing that would come to mind would be a flat-panel TV. The last thing that would come to mind would be a subwoofer. That's why... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current, top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i, is similar to its predecessor in overall design but features significant... Click for more...
Infinity Cascade Model Fifteen Powered Subwoofer -
Infinity Cascade Series loudspeakers have a distinctively appealing design--sleek and thin with curved and tapered baffles. They're so pretty that it would be a shame to mate them with a boxy, clunky subwoofer. This fact is not lost on Infinity,... Click for more...
MartinLogan Descent i Subwoofer Reviewed -
MartinLogan's current top of the line subwoofer is the Descent i, which replaces the Descent. The new model retails at $2,995, $200 more than its predecessor. The Descent i is similar to its predecessor in overall design, but features significant... Click for more...
Paradigm Studio 100 5.1 Speaker System Reviewed -
The Paradigm Studio v.5 series was introduced at CES 2009 as the fifth iteration of the Studio series. The Studio series was first introduced about a decade ago and, as the version number implies, it has been updated as new... Click for more...
Bowers & Wilkins CT 700 Series Loudspeakers Reviewed -
It didn't take me long to realize that this wasn't going to be your normal product review. Not because the product, Bowers & Wilkins' new CT 700 series loudspeaker, is either bad or wholly unique, but because, unlike other traditional... Click for more...
Latest Equipment Reviews
Mapleshade Time-Correcting Maple Bedrock Speaker Stands Reviewed -
For ages the adage with bookshelf and/or monitor speakers has always been getting the tweeter or tweeter/midrange as close to ear height will yield the best results. Of course proper placement in a room as well as in relation to... Click for more...
Mapleshade Samson V.1 Equipment Rack Reviewed -
Seemingly everyone makes an equipment rack of some form or another these days with varying degrees of success, however for best results you're better off going with a third party or specialty equipment rack. The problem with going with an... Click for more...
Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition Universal Player Reviewed -
Oppo Digital's first Blu-ray player the BDP-83 entered the market in mid 2009 to numerous accolades. A mere half year later, Oppo Digital, not satisfied with the untapped performance potential of the player, released the BDP-83 Special Edition reviewed here.... Click for more...
Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -
Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...
Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -
Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...
Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -
Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...
OmniMount Link Series A/V Stands Reviewed -
As its name suggests, OmniMount's Link Series is a modular line of A/V stands that you can mix and match to craft the exact entertainment solution you need. You can also add on as your system grows. The Link Series,... Click for more...
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.5 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed -
I've been a fan of Paradigm for years, owning and enjoying seemingly every speaker in their product line from the awesome and affordable Atoms to their flagship Signature S8s. Over the years there have been two Paradigm speaker designs that... Click for more...
Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -
When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...
OmniMount VideoBasics TV Mounts Reviewed -
You've spent the extra money to buy an ultra-thin HDTV. The last thing you want to do is hinder the minimalist look by mating the TV with a bulky wall-mount. OmniMount designed the VideoBasics line of flat-panel TV mounts with... Click for more...





Comment on this article
1There is really nothing to say negative about Carver. It probably does not help, that I`m a big fan. And why not, this guy has been able to create real world, excellent audio products, that not only rival the big names, but at a price, most of us can afford. So, this new sub certainly continues on this theme. And quite frankly, especially during these economic times, companies like say Sunfire, Anthem, Adcom, just to name a few, may see a rise in overall sales due to this.
Who said you have to spend big dollars to get great sound.
Post a Comment