I could use some help choosing an in-wall sub for our family room remodel. We have gutted the room down to the studs and need to find a good sub to hide in the wall. I can also consider mounting a sub under the floor since I have access from below.

The room is pretty big (about 530 sq. ft. with 9' ceiling) and has a lot of windows on three sides which leaves me with one side wall or the back wall in which to install a sub with a long backbox, or maybe below a window if I get one of the smaller units.

We're hanging a flat panel tv over the fireplace and have gotten Monitor Audio in-wall LCRs for the fronts and MA in ceiling speakers for the sides and rears.

The biggest problem shopping for an in-wall sub is finding one I can actually listen to. The only one I have auditioned installed in a room is the Artison RCC 600. I had high hopes for it because it is compact enough that I could have more options for where to install it in my room. Unfortunately, it didn't really rock my world, sonically speaking. Also, it seemed to occasionally call attention to its' location in the room.

I'm interested in the Velodyne SC-IW. It has a rather novel design that allows for a very small grill. It's a bit more expensive than I'd like at around $2k retail (including the separate amp). After all, the entire MA speaker package cost just a bit more than that amount.

I'm also considering the NHT iWS, mainly because its cheaper than the Velodyne. I know there are lots of others out there from companies like Polk, PSB, Triad, Atlantic Tech etc.

At this point I'd like to hear from anyone who has had personal experience with in-wall or in-floor subs, good or bad.

Thanks

I would also like some information regarding inwall sub mounting..I have a mid atlantic racksystem and it would be nice to mount a sub inside (it will have one side exposed.
I didnt this this was possible because it might shake the rack. I also though it might distort the bass...If three walls will make a sub "boomy" wont a inclosure make the sound worse?

I can't help you as far as listening to in-wall subs, but I have RBH SI-760 in-wall speakers so I am familiar with their products and performance. One thing to keep in mind it is hard to get great low end performance with an in-wall sub. I am not talking about IB. You can get great performance with an IB if you can do that. Here is one of the in-wall subs that RBH makes. It is passive.
www.rbhsound.com/si12.shtml

Have you thought about building your own in-wall subs? DIY in-wall subs (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=896435) Scroll down to John Janowitz first post #22.

A true IB sub would still be hidden but have much more output (louder and lower).

-Robert

Just thought I'd update this thread. I finally settled on the Polk Audio CSW 155 in wall sub and SA 500 sub amp. I won't know how well it performs for a while as my room is still under construction.

I'll post my impressions when the project is complete in a few weeks.

Anybody know if Bootstew is still posting around here? I would really like for him to post his impressions of the Polk in wall sub he purchased.