hey,
9x12 roomspace. budget is 300 dollars shipped. My friend told me about a sony sw3000 sub that ive been fooling around with and it really doesnt sound good. I have the sony fronts and center ( thinking about going polk monitor soon) and need a sub that sounds nice. 80% movies 19% games and 1% rarely for music. Thanks

looked into the av123 x-sub and svs pb10-nsd and BIC H100. Are these both too much sub for movies? I think im going to go with the BIC. Will this be alright given my specs?

looked into the av123 x-sub and svs pb10-nsd and BIC H100. Are these both too much sub for movies? I think im going to go with the BIC. Will this be alright given my specs?

All three of those are well regarded and would perform well - although doesn't the SVS blow your budget?

Probably the only other one worth considering (but not available until June-ish) is th Scamp-10 from Tweak City Audio.

I would look at the subs mentioned as well as the eD A2-250 (325 shipped) which is slightly above your stated budget. If your room is small it may be more than you need. From what I've heard the X-sub is better for music and the Bic H-100 is better for movies, but they are both capable small subs. The Scamp is getting a lot of talk over here, because it's being made by Craigsub who's opinion is highly regarded.

One other sub you may want to throw into the mix is the Cadence CSX-12. It's $299 shipped and has received some love here on AVS.

looked into the av123 x-sub and svs pb10-nsd and BIC H100. Are these both too much sub for movies? I think im going to go with the BIC. Will this be alright given my specs?

If you want a sub now, the BIC H-100 would be my first choice for about $240 delivered, especially since you are mostly into movies.

I'm curious how and why you included the SVS PB10 with the subs your looking in a $300 budget. Hey if you can find it for that more power to you and snatch it up quick, it's in a league of it's in in comparison to the other $300 offering :).

If you're actually sticking with a $300 budget and you can't get the PB10 for that price the Bic H-100 is the best choice imo.

haha yeah the svs was stretching it a bit. But I never heard a good sub before...how much better can one thump be than another? This sony I have now just sounds boomy..its not in the corner or anything but I do have a reflective room. It vibrates the walls and floor and makes for an unpleasant listening experience. Is there something I can put under the subwoofer to get rid of this and will this be a problem even if I do upgrade to one of these mentioned subs. Im just wondering if this would be a considerable upgrade and worth the money.

imo it's a worthy upgrade, whether it's worth the price difference only you can decide. I can tell you from experience that upgradeitis sets in quick when you could have went the next step up. Either one is going to blow your Sony away, no contest, but if you choose something and could have went to the next step it'll leave you wondering what if? Even though you're getting the best quality out their at the price point.

Do you think it suits the room size or is it too much sub? I dont want something that thumps the tv off the wall but acts a nice compliment to the speakers.

Do you think it suits the room size or is it too much sub? I dont want something that thumps the tv off the wall but acts a nice compliment to the speakers.

I think as you read the threads in this topic more and more you will find there is no such thing as too much sub. Any sub can be dialed down to match or compliment any setup/room however if you go too small, you can only go so far with the subwoofer level before it either runs out of steam or sounds like utter crap.

what about an HSU?

I think as you read the threads in this topic more and more you will find there is no such thing as too much sub. Any sub can be dialed down to match or compliment any setup/room however if you go too small, you can only go so far with the subwoofer level before it either runs out of steam or sounds like utter crap.

True and it's not always about total output most any quality sub in that size room will overpower if not calibrated, that's what the volume and gain controls are for. Even it it's not run to it's limits a more capable sub with higher quality driver and amp is going to sound better at any volume level, at that point it's more about low extension capability, cleaner output and greater dynamics that more headroom will give.

Even it it's not run to it's limits a more capable sub with higher quality driver and amp is going to sound better at any volume level, at that point it's more about low extension capability, cleaner output and greater dynamics that more headroom will give.

I agree 100%.

most any quality sub in that size room will overpower if not calibrated, that's what the volume and gain controls are for.

Not sure about that. I had a PB10-NSD in a room that size and ended up "needing" a second to listen at the levels I want (at or near reference). The subs are properly calibrated (running level with my mains, EQ'd, with modest room treatment) and I don't think I'd want to go back to one. However, I do understand the point you're making that a decent sub in that room will usually provide more than enough output for most anyone but an active member of this forum :p. And as a preface to the above statement, I also agree with what you said :).

Thanks for all the advice. I just have one more question. The sub I have now just seems to shake the room almost like a muddy rumble. It doesnt sound like bass that im used to in a car or whatever. For example in Sunshine on bluray it just constantly has a rumble. It really takes away from the listening experience because im sure its supposed to be a little lfe to set the mood in the film. Is this the nature of the subwoofer and is there something I can put under the new sub ( going with the BIC) so that it doesnt just pass all the energy into the floor and walls but just creates a nice clean sound? This is really my main concern above all other things because it makes the movie unwatchable even when i turn the subwoofer down. Thanks again guys. edit : like this perhaps? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SubDude

Many are using the subdude and swear by the results. I've never used one. I'd probably diy my own-I'm cheap :). It will help a lot in keeping the sub isolated from the floor.

Just ran across one, post #11
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13788792#post13788792

I'm still a fan of the Mirage Omni S8. Just thought I'd add this one to the list of $200-$300 subs!

Okay im gonna get the BIC H 100 and a auralex GRAMMA to put under it. Thanks for all the help ill let you know what I think .

I received my BIC today and the gramma to put under it. WOW what a difference over that sony. Bass is actually a note not a HAOIFDAHNFOISANDFOI noise. and this sub was only 250. Thanks for the rec. everyone im very pleased.