Hi everyone,

I've been browsing this forum for a couple months now, and must say I've learned a LOT! I began building my home theater right around New Years, starting with a Sony 55" RPTV & PS3. I have a receiver & set of small Klipsch speakers to use as the front, center & surrounds. I'm looking for a subwoofer to go into my townhouse that will be clean more so than loud. The room is the family room - 106695 Vaulted ceiling is approximately 16' at the peak, averaging around 12-13'.

What would be the best sub to get for under $400? I know that's a low price range, but I'm just not willing to spend any more right now being in a townhouse and not being able to crank the bass whenever I want. I do, however, want a clean sound that will work best with movies & my PS3. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sal

I think most will agree that you should buy bigger for the future and just turn the gain down. HSU, Epic, ED, SVS, av123 and a couple others are very well respected on this forum. You would not be dissapointed with any of their offerings.

Thanks for the brand advice - I have been researching some of those as I've sifted through various threads. Any recommendations on power output and/or woofer size to accommodate my room size? What would be the minimum I should be looking at as far as power/size?

Hi everyone,

I've been browsing this forum for a couple months now, and must say I've learned a LOT! I began building my home theater right around New Years, starting with a Sony 55" RPTV & PS3. I have a receiver & set of small Klipsch speakers to use as the front, center & surrounds. I'm looking for a subwoofer to go into my townhouse that will be clean more so than loud. The room is the family room - 106695 Vaulted ceiling is approximately 16' at the peak, averaging around 12-13'.

What would be the best sub to get for under $400? I know that's a low price range, but I'm just not willing to spend any more right now being in a townhouse and not being able to crank the bass whenever I want. I do, however, want a clean sound that will work best with movies & my PS3. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Sal

The SVS PB-10NSD is a great value. It is going to cost more than $400, however, it is powerful enough and can reach down to at least 19Hz. Highly recommended. Save up the extra ~$85 and get the SVS PB-10NSD, (assuming that your receiver has a built in crossover for the subwoofer).

Probably should have posted this, but the receiver I have is a Sony STR-DG720 (not the best but will have to do for now). Link (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665361526&langId=-1) Can't seem to find if it has a built-in crossover for the sub, but I'm assuming so...

If you can wait for 6-8 weeks, go for a2-300 (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407&osCsid=063195fed959f65ce6a64ea233e35bdf). It's roughly on level with pb10 and it's $375 shipped.

Current Sub (http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/rw-8.aspx)



My budget is the same as this guy.... roughly 400ish (hopefully)
I have the STR-DA5300ES and was looking to upgrade from my

Current Sub (http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/rw-8.aspx)


(yes I know its small..it was my first sub that I had in a little apt 6 or 7 years ago)


My current setup, which is in a pretty big livingroom (i dont know exact dimensions..but its bigger than avg). My other speakers sound good enough for me.. I just lack alot of base..which i knew when originally bought the sub.


Center Channel (http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rc-10.aspx)
Front Speakers (http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rf-10.aspx)
Rear Speakers (http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rb-51.aspx)
Current Sub (http://www.klipsch.com/products/discontinued/details/rw-8.aspx)


So my question is ---

SVS PB10-NSD seems to be highly recommended, and the price seems to be within my range would I notice a huge difference and would my reciever be able to power it enough ?

That PB10 would eat that Klipsch for breakfast. You'll get much cleaner, louder bass below the 30Hz mark where that Klipsch is going to start gasping for air. I really think it would make a significant difference.

The PB10 is a powered subwoofer- it has its own integrated amp, and does not use power from your receiver's amp. The only thing you need to run from receiver to sub is the cable to carry the signal, the PB10 does the rest.

Probably should have posted this, but the receiver I have is a Sony STR-DG720 (not the best but will have to do for now). Link (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665361526&langId=-1) Can't seem to find if it has a built-in crossover for the sub, but I'm assuming so...For the STR-DG720, you can set the crossover frequency anywhere from 40 Hz to 160 Hz in 10 Hz increments once you set your speakers to "Small".

That PB10 would eat that Klipsch for breakfast. You'll get much cleaner, louder bass below the 30Hz mark where that Klipsch is going to start gasping for air. I really think it would make a significant difference.

The PB10 is a powered subwoofer- it has its own integrated amp, and does not use power from your receiver's amp. The only thing you need to run from receiver to sub is the cable to carry the signal, the PB10 does the rest.

haha thanks for pushing me over the fence ! i think its time to upgrade

For the STR-DG720, you can set the crossover frequency anywhere from 40 Hz to 160 Hz in 10 Hz increments once you set your speakers to "Small".

Thanks for that info, I figured it would have that capability but just wanted to make sure!

Hello, i will get a Yamaha 1800 receiver. Will this work good with pb10?
not sure about the crossover capabilities of 1800. thanks.:)

Thanks for the information guys. From what I've been researching, my top choice right now is the PB10. Does anyone have this sub with it being used in a room size similar to my own?

To the others posting questions in this thread, wouldn't it make sense to post a new thread? People posting on this are responding to the initial question...

Thanks for the information guys. From what I've been researching, my top choice right now is the PB10. Does anyone have this sub with it being used in a room size similar to my own?

To the others posting questions in this thread, wouldn't it make sense to post a new thread? People posting on this are responding to the initial question...

The PB10-NSD is a very good subwoofer for the price, but your room will push it to its limits very easily. I suppose it depends on how loud you plan on listening. A PB10 will do ok at moderate volumes, but if you like listening loud, it'll probably end up disappointing you. It sounds like you just want something to fill in down low, and have no intention of shaking your house. If that is the case, a PB10 might work. I'm just looking at your space, and it seems to be around 7000 cubic feet (your living room is around 5000, and it opens to the dining room, which is another 2000 or so), which is WAY too big for a PB10 unless you're going to listen at moderate levels. I'm a PB10 owner, and can say that it's a capable sub, but it's meant for smaller rooms (probably 2500 cubic feet and under). Still, if your budget it capped at $400+ shipping, you won't do much better than the PB10.

The PB10-NSD is a very good subwoofer for the price, but your room will push it to its limits very easily. I suppose it depends on how loud you plan on listening. A PB10 will do ok at moderate volumes, but if you like listening loud, it'll probably end up disappointing you. It sounds like you just want something to fill in down low, and have no intention of shaking your house. If that is the case, a PB10 might work. I'm just looking at your space, and it seems to be around 7000 cubic feet (your living room is around 5000, and it opens to the dining room, which is another 2000 or so), which is WAY too big for a PB10 unless you're going to listen at moderate levels. I'm a PB10 owner, and can say that it's a capable sub, but it's meant for smaller rooms (probably 2500 cubic feet and under). Still, if your budget it capped at $400+ shipping, you won't do much better than the PB10.

I know, that's my fear is that the PB10 will be stretched when on the weekends I wanna crank the volume up a bit. I was actually looking at the 20-39PCi (or the PB12, prefer the looks of the cylinder), and that is also what Ed at SVS suggested. I guess I should just be willing to spend a couple hundred extra and be a little more safe for the future :)

I was going to recommend moving up to at least a PB12-NSD, but I know how frustrating it can be on these forums when people disregard your budget and start recommending stuff that costs far more than what you are willing to spend. So I exercised restraint :). Yes, I would think the PB12-NSD or 20-39 PCi would be better suited to your situation. Even they won't be able to send your house rumbling off its foundation, but they'll have significantly more compression-free output than a single PB10 will in your room. Good luck!

I appreciate the constraint lol. I would love to keep to the initial budget, but after all the research & suggestions in regards to my room size, it's obvious I need something bigger. I'd hate to try and save a couple hundred dollars only to be disappointed later on - then it was a complete waste of money no matter what the dollar amount. Thanks again for the help!

If you're willing to step into $600+ shipping territory, there are 3 subs that I would pick over pb12 : 1 (http://**********/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=178&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37), 2 (http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/KnightOverview.html), 3 (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=618&osCsid=a7b51392f9872ba8aa8ffa36c9975a26).

So i've pretty much decided on the SVS PB-10NSD. However to have a good placement of the sub.. i only have a small space to work with. How do the cylinder subs compare to that of the square typical ones... The cylinder ones would takeup alot less room it seems... would i still get a decent amount of base?


Talking about the SVS cylinders to be exact..


Thanks in advance!

SVS usually has a cylinder sub that corresponds with a certain box sub. This doesn't apply to all models, but they're usually relatively close in performance. The 20-39 PCi is similar to the PB12-NSD, the 20-39 PC-Plus is similar to the PB12-Plus, and the PC13 Ultra is close to the PB13 Ultra. The cylinders also have unique models in their PCi and PC-Plus lines that are tuned differently. However, to answer your question, yes, you'll get a very good level of bass from the cylinders. I'd recommend e-mailing SVS if you have any questions. They're extremely helpful and will truly help you find the best option for your room and listening needs.

SVS usually has a cylinder sub that corresponds with a certain box sub. This doesn't apply to all models, but they're usually relatively close in performance. The 20-39 PCi is similar to the PB12-NSD, the 20-39 PC-Plus is similar to the PB12-Plus, and the PC13 Ultra is close to the PB13 Ultra. The cylinders also have unique models in their PCi and PC-Plus lines that are tuned differently. However, to answer your question, yes, you'll get a very good level of bass from the cylinders. I'd recommend e-mailing SVS if you have any questions. They're extremely helpful and will truly help you find the best option for your room and listening needs.


god I love these forums !



thank you for your advice/suggestion/help =D

god I love these forums !



thank you for your advice/suggestion/help =D

Anytime. Best of luck in your subwoofer decision.

Ended up with the PB12-NSD, I'm loving it! :D Thanks for all the help guys!

Ended up with the PB12-NSD, I'm loving it! :D Thanks for all the help guys!

Glad to hear you're enjoying it. I think the PB12-NSD was a far better choice than the PB10-NSD in your situation. Have fun :D