Hi all -

We finised our basement and are planning a room that is @ 29' deep x 12' wide for a media area. Our plan is to put a 60" flat panel in the front and have pre-wired to support a 7.1 system (actually, could do a 7.2 if feasible as we pre-wired for several placements throughout the room based on sound).

We have been looking at either an Integra 8.8 or Dennon AVR 4308 for the reciever (we have the the other 1/2 of the basement set up as a bar area and are using the 2nd zone to push several in-ceiling speakers for ambient sound).

For our main media area, what size sub woofer would you recommend? We have been looking at the AV123 X-Sub.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your reactions and suggestions.

-- Dave

Dave,
What is your budget?
the x-sub is a very good sub, but i think for a room as large as you are thinking, you may need more.

i have an epik castle and my room is 11x18, might be too much for some and too little for others, but it is just right for me. at least until i clear enough space to get a 2nd castle

I'd shave $500 off the receiver budget and go for the MFW-15 from AV-123. That little 8" sub is going to get swallowed in that room. The upgrade you'll get from bumping up in subs will be a religious experience while going from a $2000 receiver to a $1500 one will be largely transparent short of some extra connections.

Thanks for the early responses!

My budget is less than $800, preferably @ $500 or less (finishing the basement put a hit on the finances...).

In terms of the MFW-15, the dimensions seem too large for the space (because of the configuration with couch, door ways, and fireplace, the 23.94" x 22.44" x 18.125" component is just massive in the room). Is there something between the two you would recommend?

Thoughts?

that depends, there is going to be tradeoffs with a room that big and a budget around $500.
all the usual suspects in that price range are going to be at least as large as the mfw-15

epik valor: 22x16x21
ed a3-300: 20x18x20
svs pb12-nsd: 18x21x25

what size requirements are you working with, that might make things a bit easier

BTW - (in case you have not figured it out yet, I am a first time poster...). Just saw the sticky note. We plan to use the space for 60% HT / 40% music. Size does matter - we would prefer to find something with a relatively small footprint.

Thanks again.

If you are worried about footprints, then would the cylinder style subs from SVS be an option? If you keep an eye on the b-stock listings you'll find a 20-30 PC-Plus for under $800.

Also - consider the Outlaw LFM-Plus. You can get a b-stock with free shipping for $450.
https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

A bit smaller footprint than the MFW-15 and possibly better placement options, but not quite the output.

@ 16" - 18" W is preferable. Budget can be flexible if we can find the right sound / size.

Related, we saw the SVS Cylinders -- what do you think about those?

the svs cylinder subs would be great if that would solve your footprint issue, take a look at the 20-39 pci

Not trying to be critical but for the sake of the overal perfomrance of your system I have to ask. You say you have not decided on the reciever yet so what are the requirments for your system that would cause you to spend $1000 more on the reciver 4308 vs 3808 and basically "skimp" on the sub?

I certainly would understand if there was some critcal need but as a 3808 owner and looking at the 4308 I don't quite get it. The difference in what you hear given the same speakers with the 2 recivers should be maginal. The difference between a $500 and $1500 sub would be huge.

Not trying to be critical but for the sake of the overal perfomrance of your system I have to ask. You say you have not decided on the reciever yet so what are the requirments for your system that would cause you to spend $1000 more on the reciver 4308 vs 3808 and basically "skimp" on the sub?

I certainly would understand if there was some critcal need but as a 3808 owner and looking at the 4308 I don't quite get it. The difference in what you hear given the same speakers with the 2 recivers should be maginal. The difference between a $500 and $1500 sub would be huge.

^^What he said...............FWIW

Not trying to be critical but for the sake of the overal perfomrance of your system I have to ask. You say you have not decided on the reciever yet so what are the requirments for your system that would cause you to spend $1000 more on the reciver 4308 vs 3808 and basically "skimp" on the sub?

I certainly would understand if there was some critcal need but as a 3808 owner and looking at the 4308 I don't quite get it. The difference in what you hear given the same speakers with the 2 recivers should be maginal. The difference between a $500 and $1500 sub would be huge.

QFT