Seaton Sound Speakers Owners & Discussion Thread

[rocky500]

Does anyone know what is lowest and highest volume setting is?

By default it is set to 0db. Have not plugged it in yet.

[K1LL3M]

Looks like i may have recieved a dud xlr adapter, when connecting just the xlr adapter to the sub, it emits a loud hum, if i touch the adapter or the rca cable touches the carpet on the ground the hum stops, the hum also stops if i press the mute button. Have tried several different power points and connecting the rca end to my receiver, all with the same result (hum is still there) Will have to try to get my hands on a different adapter/cable and see if that fixes the problem...Any other suggestions?

Have just dismantled the adapter and it has 2 wires soldered to 2 of the pins (2 wires to each pin 2xblue to pin 3 2x white to pin 2) and nothing soldered to the 3rd

Have seen this before, where the amp doesn't use an earth. Something to do with our electricity standards, as Ventura mentioned grounding the amp should solve the problem. If this really is the case, there should be more reports of it very soon.

[SkItZo]

Does anyone know what is lowest and highest volume setting is?

By default it is set to 0db. Have not plugged it in yet.

From what i have read at AVS 0 is the highest

[Mark Seaton]

Does anyone know what is lowest and highest volume setting is?

By default it is set to 0db. Have not plugged it in yet.

Sorry for the confusion.

There is a PDF manual which I hope to have posted by next week, but the controls are quite simple. The volume control follows convention of clockwise being louder and counter clockwise being quieter. If you look at the markings, it is noted at negative (-) dB, starting at zero. This is the same as most receivers and pre-processors work where lower level is more negative. The control is a finer adjustment than many consumer subwoofers, as the need to match speaker level inputs and some stereo systems required huge ranges of gain. The -0dB to -40dB range of gain has thus far been plenty for most any system we've come across. I'd suggest starting at -10dB to -6dB to allow a little room for adjustment either way when setting the subwoofer level in your system.

[Mark Seaton]

Looks like i may have recieved a dud xlr adapter, when connecting just the xlr adapter to the sub, it emits a loud hum, if i touch the adapter or the rca cable touches the carpet on the ground the hum stops, the hum also stops if i press the mute button. Have tried several different power points and connecting the rca end to my receiver, all with the same result (hum is still there) Will have to try to get my hands on a different adapter/cable and see if that fixes the problem...Any other suggestions?

Have just dismantled the adapter and it has 2 wires soldered to 2 of the pins (2 wires to each pin 2xblue to pin 3 2x white to pin 2) and nothing soldered to the 3rd

The XLR connection generally allows less grounding problems than with other subwoofers that also use the safety ground on the amplifier. To allow for more common connection to receivers and the like, we purposely do not have the shield connected at the amplifier end on the adapter. This generally solves many simple grounding problems once connected, but does allow for some hum when the adapter is plugged into the amplifier with nothing plugged into the RCA end. Typically this goes away as soon as you plug the RCA connection to the source components. I suspect that either the safety ground is not connected at the wall or there is an additional ground in the system from something like a satellite cable. I am not as familiar with Australian home wiring practices, but I'm sure there is a solution. Ground loops are problems which exist in many systems as there is no standard for audio component wiring, and much of the common source or pre-amp products use unique grounding methods which set up the potential for such problems when connected to other products, even those which follow widely accepted and preferred wiring practices.

In the states we would probably check the source of the problem by "floating" the ground at the wall or check if it goes away with the disconnection of any incoming wires.

[GETREAL]

Well my Order has been paid for this morning so we're on the way! Exchange rate picked up overnight so timing was good.

Blade

Nice work Blade, are the speakers ready to go or does Mark have to assemble/test/pack them still??

The Courier just dropped mine off. Delivery was right on the date Fedex quoted 2nd Dec.

Congrats, look forward to your opinion...

Anyone feel like bringing their submersive to Yorac's place for the GTG this Saturday? PLZ!!!!!!!

Not sure how many are in Melbourne but I'd love to bring mine, only problem is I'm working.....

Looks like i may have recieved a dud xlr adapter, when connecting just the xlr adapter to the sub, it emits a loud hum, if i touch the adapter or the rca cable touches the carpet on the ground the hum stops, the hum also stops if i press the mute button. Have tried several different power points and connecting the rca end to my receiver, all with the same result (hum is still there) Will have to try to get my hands on a different adapter/cable and see if that fixes the problem...Any other suggestions?

Have just dismantled the adapter and it has 2 wires soldered to 2 of the pins (2 wires to each pin 2xblue to pin 3 2x white to pin 2) and nothing soldered to the 3rd

Sorry to hear Skitzo, mine did not have such problems, plugged it all in and blew me away!!!! Hope you sort it out soon.

[SkItZo]

The XLR connection generally allows less grounding problems than with other subwoofers that also use the safety ground on the amplifier. To allow for more common connection to receivers and the like, we purposely do not have the shield connected at the amplifier end on the adapter. This generally solves many simple grounding problems once connected, but does allow for some hum when the adapter is plugged into the amplifier with nothing plugged into the RCA end. Typically this goes away as soon as you plug the RCA connection to the source components. I suspect that either the safety ground is not connected at the wall or there is an additional ground in the system from something like a satellite cable. I am not as familiar with Australian home wiring practices, but I'm sure there is a solution. Ground loops are problems which exist in many systems as there is no standard for audio component wiring, and much of the common source or pre-amp products use unique grounding methods which set up the potential for such problems when connected to other products, even those which follow widely accepted and preferred wiring practices.

In the states we would probably check the source of the problem by "floating" the ground at the wall or check if it goes away with the disconnection of any incoming wires.

Turns out it was a grounding loop being created by the satellite in the main room, didnt think it would be able to effect me at the other end of the house.

Thanks for the help Mark, the sub sounds awesome for the few minutes that i have had it running

Will have to get it cranking when i have some more time to play with it

EDIT: Anyone want to make me a TV ground isolator or know where i can get a cheap one?

Edited December 2, 2009 by SkItZo

[BladeRnR]

Nice work Blade, are the speakers ready to go or does Mark have to assemble/test/pack them still??

Mark will have to assemble my order from scratch I'd imagine but then I'm sure he'd have units already prepared (Especially Submersives) to meet his lead times. As Mark has indicated his Production is now more efficient as he now has some help and has a new cabinet maker.

I'm not fussed about when I get them as I've waited this long and "All good things to those that wait" I say . I'm guessing something like 5-6 weeks including delivery.

> 360Kg's is certainly going to be a genuine WTF moment . I can just see my Wife's face now!

I'll be able to plug them in directly as I have all the power cables ready to go. Glad I got the dedicated circuits installed for peace of mind.

Cheers

Blade

[rocky500]

No hum here. I am using a XLR to XLR cable to a USP-1 PreAmp.

So a little different in the way it is wired to yours Skitzo.

There should be a warning label on this Subwoofer, something like be careful in houses over 20 years old! Lucky we had the ceilings restrapped recently.

Everything in my room is making weird noises.

My wooden door to the garage is vibrating like crazy.

My Ceiling is making massive rattling noises.

My windows are shaking.

A desk in the other room is ratling.

That is at a setting of 12 on sub and -20 on Pioneer. (Also -3db on amp)

I'm off to bunnings to buy some silastic, rubber, grommets and anything else I can get to help try and fix the room.

[Drizt]

No hum here. I am using a XLR to XLR cable to a USP-1 PreAmp.

So a little different in the way it is wired to yours Skitzo.

There should be a warning label on this Subwoofer, something like be careful in houses over 20 years old! Lucky we had the ceilings restrapped recently.

Everything in my room is making weird noises.

My wooden door to the garage is vibrating like crazy.

My Ceiling is making massive rattling noises.

My windows are shaking.

A desk in the other room is ratling.

That is at a setting of 12 on sub and -20 on Pioneer. (Also -3db on amp)

I'm off to bunnings to buy some silastic, rubber, grommets and anything else I can get to help try and fix the room.

lol good work

[GETREAL]

No hum here. I am using a XLR to XLR cable to a USP-1 PreAmp.

So a little different in the way it is wired to yours Skitzo.

There should be a warning label on this Subwoofer, something like be careful in houses over 20 years old! Lucky we had the ceilings restrapped recently.

Everything in my room is making weird noises.

My wooden door to the garage is vibrating like crazy.

My Ceiling is making massive rattling noises.

My windows are shaking.

A desk in the other room is ratling.

That is at a setting of 12 on sub and -20 on Pioneer. (Also -3db on amp)

I'm off to bunnings to buy some silastic, rubber, grommets and anything else I can get to help try and fix the room.

LOL, the submersive seems to find the weaknesses in a given room(s)!!!!

Glad to hear all is working well....

[GETREAL]

> 360Kg's is certainly going to be a genuine WTF moment . I can just see my Wife's face now!

LOL, seems like your going to need a forklift to get it off the delivery truck!!!

[BladeRnR]

No hum here. I am using a XLR to XLR cable to a USP-1 PreAmp.

So a little different in the way it is wired to yours Skitzo.

There should be a warning label on this Subwoofer, something like be careful in houses over 20 years old! Lucky we had the ceilings restrapped recently.

Everything in my room is making weird noises.

My wooden door to the garage is vibrating like crazy.

My Ceiling is making massive rattling noises.

My windows are shaking.

A desk in the other room is ratling.

That is at a setting of 12 on sub and -20 on Pioneer. (Also -3db on amp)

I'm off to bunnings to buy some silastic, rubber, grommets and anything else I can get to help try and fix the room.

All working beautifully then Rock

I am genuinely scared running 2 Submersives. My room is pretty well locked down but I'm betting I'll have to dial the -dB right down!

Blade

[Ventura]

The Courier just dropped mine off.

Courier dropped mine off about 10 mins ago.

Any chance you two fellas could let me know exactly how much you paid? The SubMersive is $1995 + $330 delivery, that's $2325US. At the current exchange rate of $0.9259, that works out at about $2512. Then you're looking at about $300ish for clearing customs.

Depending on the exchange rate then, the total cost will be around about $2800. That sound about right?

[GETREAL]

Any chance you two fellas could let me know exactly how much you paid? The SubMersive is $1995 + $330 delivery, that's $2325US. At the current exchange rate of $0.9259, that works out at about $2512. Then you're looking at about $300ish for clearing customs.

Depending on the exchange rate then, the total cost will be around about $2800. That sound about right?

Sounds about right, don't forget to add $100US for black oak finish....

Mine costed around $2950 to my door...

[Ventura]

Sounds about right, don't forget to add $100US for black oak finish....

Mine costed around $2950 to my door...

Ouch, yeah that's what I wasn't factoring in.

The product listing is actually a little misleading, it's not $1995 + shipping. They should say it's $2095 with the standard black oak finish or you're looking at + $200 for either the golden, red or espresso cherry finishes.

I'm still down for it though, come January, I just hope the Aussie dollar doesn't lose too much of it's value in the meantime, or I'm gonna be screwed.

[rocky500]

There is a original Black Submersive $1995. Then the options of Blackoak etc. were added

Paying the extra $100 for the Blackoak over the standard one seemed to be a No brainer for me.

1 Submersive is pretty scary, having 2 ....... you are super courageous BladeRnR in my book.

I have mine dialed down to -36db at the moment and I still have a few rattles.

Edited December 3, 2009 by rocky500

[SkItZo]

Just started watching Hot Fuzz....My GOD this sub moves some serious air. Im going to have to find something to strap my door shut with...

Nice work Mark....

Edited December 4, 2009 by SkItZo

[BladeRnR]

Mark has estimated the 3 Catalysts (LCR), 2 Sparks (Rears) and Dual-Submersives (Subwoofers) should be completed by the end of December (Although I asked him not to bust a gut trying to get them done given it's Xmas as everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the festive season).

Given this estimate I'll likely have the system by Mid-late January 2010 after Customs clears them.

A major review of all speakers will follow (With photos of course) from unpacking, initial setup through to calibration and listening tests.

I suggested Santa's sleigh may need an upgrade to carry the weight (Think JATO Rockets)

Cheers

Blade

Edited December 6, 2009 by BladeRnR

[Drizt]

AWESOME.

Can't wait to read your thoughts on them

[crabra]

Ok I will bring this back over here.

Here are a few pics of them hooked up.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

As you can see the set up is far from ideal. I just wanted to at least hear them before they get put away in storage.

We are probably going to make a move out of the city next year to a more suitable location where I can't disturb

anyone with a full Seaton set up, so they could be in storage for quite a while.

We have shitty neighbors that have already called the police before when I had 2 Velodyne DD-18's so as you can imagine with this set up what that will be capable of. Of course that was with a none treated or soundproofed room but I need to do an extension to fit 2 rows of seats in before I start so we thought we might as well sell up and move to the South Coast on a few acres and start a fresh from there.

Anyway back to the speakers. Well if your like you stuff loud and clear then these won't let you down.

I haven't heard a lot of so called high end speakers so I guess i can only go on what I'm hearing out of these.

With the right music they sound like you are at a concert or night club where you can feel the music as well as hear it.

I could also hear a lot more detail than I've heard before. This was only hooked up to my iPod so not exactly high quality stuff.

Anyway I'm 100% happy with them and I'm sure when they are set up properly with subs and surrounds in a dedicated theatre and with some great blu-ray sound tracks the system as a whole will be hard to beat in any price.

BladeRnR will do a proper review of them when he gets his full system up and running that will be far better than I can do at this stage.

Edited December 10, 2009 by crabra

[Drizt]

Thanks for the pics mate.

Damn, they look great.

I don't know if I could fit one of those as a centre.

Ok I will bring this back over here.

Here are a few pics of them hooked up.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

As you can see the set is far from ideal. I just wanted to at least hear them before they get put away in storage.

We are probably going to make a move out of the city next year to a more suitable location where I can't disturb

anyone with a full Seaton set up, so they could be in storage for quite a while.

We have shitty neighbors that have already called the police before when I had 2 Velodyne DD-18's so as you can imagine with this set up what that will be capable of. Of course that was with a none treated or soundproofed room but I need to do an extension to fit 2 rows of seats in before I start so we thought we might as well sell up and move to the South Coast on a few acres and start a fresh from there.

Anyway back to the speakers. Well if your like you stuff loud and clear then these won't let you down.

I haven't heard a lot of so called high end speakers so I guess i can only go on what I'm hearing out of these.

With the right music they sound like you are at a concert or night club where you can feel the music as well as hear it.

I could also hear a lot more detail than I've heard before. This was only hooked up to my iPod so not exactly high quality stuff.

Anyway I'm 100% happy with them and I'm sure when they are set up properly with subs and surrounds in a dedicated theatre and with some great blu-ray sound tracks the system as a whole will be hard to beat in any price.

BladeRnR will do a proper review of them when he gets his full system up and running that will be far better than I can do at this stage.

[crabra]

Thanks for the pics mate.

Damn, they look great.

I don't know if I could fit one of those as a centre.

They are big and fricken heavy.

[Ventura]

Anyway I'm 100% happy with them and I'm sure when they are set up properly with subs and surrounds in a dedicated theatre and with some great blu-ray sound tracks the system as a whole will be hard to beat in any price.

Very nice mate.

At $3,495US each, the Catalyst will for me only ever be an "if I win lotto" dream. Yes, they are sickly expensive, but they are also fantastic-looking speakers, and I would expect the sound quality be nothing short of breathtaking. I couldn't really imagine a better setup than to be covered in Mark Seaton speakers.

For the budget-minded folks, I'm wondering if you could quite effectively use Sparks as the fronts. I'm still saving for my SubMersive (ETA, 3 weeks and counting!), and then I'll be looking at a new receiver, but after that, who knows

[crabra]

Very nice mate.

At $3,495US each, the Catalyst will for me only ever be an "if I win lotto" dream. Yes, they are sickly expensive, but they are also fantastic-looking speakers, and I would expect the sound quality be nothing short of breathtaking. I couldn't really imagine a better setup than to be covered in Mark Seaton speakers.

For the budget-minded folks, I'm wondering if you could quite effectively use Sparks as the fronts. I'm still saving for my SubMersive (ETA, 3 weeks and counting!), and then I'll be looking at a new receiver, but after that, who knows

Most have said that the sparks are not that far behind the catalyst's as mains.

There was talk a one point of a Catalyst jnr or something like that so maybe hold of until next year.

If I wasn't going with Seaton speakers I would be going with JTR for a bit less money but then you would probably need a decent amp like a Emotiva or Elektra to drive them.