Hey, guys....new to the sub forums. I used to hang out a lot in the DIY pj screen forum. I'm currently looking at adding a second sub to my system. I place a lot of importance on value as my budget is limited.

My HT setup consists of Energy XL:16 bookshelf speakers for the front and rear and an Energy XL-C for the center. I have the Energy XL-8 8" sub. My current receiver is a placeholder JVC.

My system is about 80% movie usage/20% music these days. I like all sorts of music....hiphop to jazz to classical to alternative.

My current sub is very musical. It perfectly matches the other speakers in the set, as it should. It has a nice, tight and smooth low end but it doesn't go down as far as I'd like; I think I want a sub that's a bit musical but mainly I want something that will rumble when the movie calls for it. I'm not too picky about the looks; all subs look more or less the same to me. I'd prefer a box, as opposed to a tube or some other funky design.

My HT room is in flux; I'm looking at finding a house with a basement I can convert. The room size will probably be about 15'x20' MAX w/ basement ceiling height.

My earlier inclination was to fish on ebay for the matching Energy XL 12" sub. I'm not opposed to buying a used sub, and the idea of buying a matching model, pointless though it is, held appeal to me.

My recent searches have me rethinking things a little. I have about a $450 budget, SO, my question is: Which manufacturer(s) are going to give me the most for that budget? So far, Hsu, Velodyne and Axiom are on my shortlist. Again, I'm looking for something that will hit hard and rumble low and heavy.

DYI, SVS, eD, AV123, HSU, Epik

Anything from Axiom below the EP350 should be avoided, as they are not worth the money, IMO, better subs are to be had from SVS, ed, epik, etc. in that price range. One I quite liked not from the previously mentioned is the Paradigm DSP3100 which should be about your price range as well.

But hit hard and rumble low and heavy in your price range is a matter of opinion, although most subs in that range from those companies already listed do a very good job.

DYI, SVS, eD, AV123, HSU, Epik

The OP has stated that his budget is <$450 so AV123, SVS and Epik are already out of the running in terms of recommended subs.

Your best bet is to look into the Hsu, DIY (Do it yourself) options, and Elemental Designs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the A2-300 from Elemental Designs as one of the best for your money. It's on sale for $315 shipped right now.

EDIT: To the OP, you do have QUITE a performance upgrade if your budget can increase $200-300, but sticking within your original budget guildelines you can't go wrong with the entry level Hsu or the A2-300 from eD.

Ed A2-300 for $315 = bang for the buck, plus good quality.

Also, you stated that your current 8 inch Energy sub is very musical. What people on this Forum figured out some time ago is that subs that roll off in the lower ranges tend to be called "musical". This "musicality" comes at the expense of low frequency extension and greater output, especially from 20H-30Hz.

If you want something that is down by 15-16 db at 25 Hz, that is available also.

You could get the A3-300 for 475 shipped if you stretch a hair

So velodyne doesn't make the cheap list, huh? Also, the DIY option has a lot of appeal to me......I suppose I'll be taking this to the DIY thread, but how complicated is it? Without knowing the details, I'd assume it's just a matter of building a box and mounting the various components. I'm an electrician so it seems like it would be right up my alley.

I hope I'm not breaking any rules but where can I go to get deals like you've described? A precursory search is giving me 400-575 pounds for the eD subs mentioned--last I looked, the exchange rate to dollars wasn't in my favor.

I hope I'm not breaking any rules but where can I go to get deals like you've described? A precursory search is giving me 400-575 pounds for the eD subs mentioned--last I looked, the exchange rate to dollars wasn't in my favor.

Here are the eD home theater subs all listed.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_41

in the market for a sub myself, how does the A2300 compare to a HSU vtf-2 in sound quality (not loudness) ? I have roughly 1850 cubic foot room roughly 14x13x10 with hardwood floors that opens to the computer room via a large arch (room is probably 800 cf)
--this is an apartment with landlord upstairs