Room: approx. 10 x 12 (x 9h) with one standard-door-size opening
budget: originally $200, but will go higher after reading other posts
use: 70% HT; 30% Gaming
size: small footprint is a plus, but not a requirement

Here's what I've found so far:
bic v1020 - $180shipped
bic v1220 - $215 shipped
Famous Maker 10" 100W Powered Subwoofer (by Dr. Hsu) - $270 shipped
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=309-175
velodyne vx-10 - $185 shipped
Dayton SUB-100 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer - $150 shipped
<EDIT>
elemental designs a2-300 - $315 shipped
bic H-100 - $249 shipped
</edit>

Obviously, the a2-300 is quite a bit out of the pricerange I listed. But the Dr. Hsu 10" is something I can probably afford. Does anyone know anything about that sub and how it would compare with the a2-300?

Here's an idea! Pick out the best-sounding sub from the above list (feel free to add anything to the list that's in the same general pricerange). Assume that best sub on the list is a perfect 10. Then rank the other speakers along that same scale. This should give me an idea how bad the others are to the best I could afford so I can then weigh the cost/quality tradeoff.

Thanks!

The a2-300 is built by Elemental Designs.. The shipping is included in the price..

Might want to throw the Bic H-100 into the mix. It'll be around $250 shipped. From what I've read on AVS, the Bic H-100 is a much better sub than the other two Bic subs you listed. I haven't heard them so I couldn't tell you why that is, but the H-100 is the only Bic that usually gets recommended around here.

Thanks. Changes made to post.

Looked into Bic H-100 and it seems like I might have my answer.
Still looking for any input on the Dr. Hsu sub mentioned above though. Outside of the subwoofer forum, it seems to get high recommendations. But here, I haven't seen it mentioned . . . .

Thanks. Changes made to post.

Looked into Bic H-100 and it seems like I might have my answer.
Still looking for any input on the Dr. Hsu sub mentioned above though. Outside of the subwoofer forum, it seems to get high recommendations. But here, I haven't seen it mentioned . . . .

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.

That would be my choice as well. I just wanted to let the OP know that of the Bic subs, the H-100 has by far the best reputation. The A2-300 should represent a significant improvement over the H-100 for a rather small price premium.

If you go PE go with the 12" cheapie.

If you go PE go with the 12" cheapie.

Uh, what's PE? And what's the 12" cheapie? :o

PE = Parts Express. Probably talking about the Dayton Sub-120.

IMO, the eD A2-300 blows away every other sub listed. Then the Bic H-100 (I wouldn't even consider any other Bic sub), then probably the Velodyne.

Never heard the Famous Maker/Hsu one, although the Bic H-100 had Dr. Hsu's input, too, and I believe shares the amp with one of the smaller Hsu branded subs.

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.

Actually, it's not about saving up. I just didn't want to spend the $. About a month and a half ago, I was gonna buy an HTIB. Then I (thankfully) found this site. I got speakers, then receiver, and I'm over my original budget already. Oh, and then I had to buy mounts, wires, wallplates etc (another $120 at monoprice). So I'm trying to finish up as cheap as possible - if I need more/cleaner bass, I can upgrade next year or something.

If the a3-200 is the cheapest price at which I can get respectable bass (not looking to shake the walls, but need good "immersive" feeling during appropriate parts of movies), then so be it. Otherwise, how do these other subs rate compared to the a3-200? (and how big is that thing? - looks big in the picture)

PE = Parts Express. Probably talking about the Dayton Sub-120.

IMO, the eD A2-300 blows away every other sub listed. Then the Bic H-100 (I wouldn't even consider any other Bic sub), then probably the Velodyne.

Never heard the Famous Maker/Hsu one, although the Bic H-100 had Dr. Hsu's input, too, and I believe shares the amp with one of the smaller Hsu branded subs.

Thanks.

I've been told that the "famous maker" is Energy or Atlantic Technologies - can't remeber which. A batch was rejected with cosmetic blemishes and PE's selling them for that price.

. Otherwise, how do these other subs rate compared to the a3-200? (and how big is that thing? - looks big in the picture)

Dimensions : W - 18.00", H - 18.00", D - 21.5"

I think you'd be okay with either the Bic or the eD. I have the Bic and I've heard the eD in a similar room. At the price it's at now, the eD is a steal.

If you don't want to go over $250, the Bic is about the only option (now that the AV123 x-Sub is apparently discontinued.

70lbs! wow, am i reading that correctly?

That's kind of typical for a sub that size. The Outlaw LFM-1 Plus weighs about the same, and the HSU VTF-2 MK3 and the SVS PB12-NSD are slightly heavier. All are 12" subs with 250-350w RMS, although they vary in price.

I've been told that the "famous maker" is Energy or Atlantic Technologies - can't remeber which. A batch was rejected with cosmetic blemishes and PE's selling them for that price.

I got curious and looked, but it doesn't really resemble either Energy's or AT's subs, at least that I've seen. It looks more like an Outlaw or Hsu, but the back panel doesn't quite fit up with any that I looked at.

I found an old subwoofer for free. Is it totally useless, or can I get by with it for awhile? (it's like 11 years old, but very little use) Is it likely to be at least comparable to any of the cheap speakers listed above?

JBL TLX-PS12
12"
120 watts rms
claims to go to 23hz (-6db)
http://manuals.harman.com/JBL/HOM/Owner's%20Manual/TLXPS10%20om.pdf

Thanks!

I found an old subwoofer for free. Is it totally useless, or can I get by with it for awhile? (it's like 11 years old, but very little use) Is it likely to be at least comparable to any of the cheap speakers listed above?

JBL TLX-PS12
12"
120 watts rms
claims to go to 23hz (-6db)
http://manuals.harman.com/JBL/HOM/Owner's%20Manual/TLXPS10%20om.pdf

Thanks!


That's up to you. If it is free try it out, better than nothing.