Budget around $600
Area is 2880 CF HT area is open to our dining area
Waiting is not a problem
Size of the sub is not an issue
60 HT 40 Music
currently have no sub

Have a Denon AVR with Def Tech towers, center and surrounds

I seem to be down to the Epik Valor $617 delivered or the
eD A3-300 with upgraded driver and matte finish for $550 delivered

Since the Valor is sealed I am guessing it will be more musical and have sharper/tighter bass, since it is a 15" will it fill the room better than the eD or does the sealed factor limit the output?

I am also guessing the eD may be better for HT??

Any input or suggestions on these, I am ready to pull the trigger on something because I am driving myself crazy doing research.

I know I can get the MFW 15 or the Knight for more $$ but $600 is about my limit

Budget around $600
Area is 2880 CF HT area is open to our dining area
Waiting is not a problem
Size of the sub is not an issue
60 HT 40 Music
currently have no sub

Have a Denon AVR with Def Tech towers, center and surrounds

I seem to be down to the Epik Valor $617 delivered or the
eD A3-300 with upgraded driver and matte finish for $550 delivered

Since the Valor is sealed I am guessing it will be more musical and have sharper/tighter bass, since it is a 15" will it fill the room better than the eD or does the sealed factor limit the output?

I am also guessing the eD may be better for HT??

Any input or suggestions on these, I am ready to pull the trigger on something because I am driving myself crazy doing research.

I know I can get the MFW 15 or the Knight for more $$ but $600 is about my limit

Along those lines - looking at the A2-300, you're getting very similar performance to the A3-300 - at least on paper - and the price is very tempting.

Not sure what you get for the price difference between the A3-300 vs A2-300 except for more volume?

This match up is very intriguing Epik Valor vs eD A3-300 - I'm sure both are great subs - but it'll be interesting to see how the comments (if any) unfold here.... :p

Erik

Budget around $600
Area is 2880 CF HT area is open to our dining area
Waiting is not a problem
Size of the sub is not an issue
60 HT 40 Music
currently have no sub

Have a Denon AVR with Def Tech towers, center and surrounds

I seem to be down to the Epik Valor $617 delivered or the
eD A3-300 with upgraded driver and matte finish for $550 delivered

Since the Valor is sealed I am guessing it will be more musical and have sharper/tighter bass, since it is a 15" will it fill the room better than the eD or does the sealed factor limit the output?

I am also guessing the eD may be better for HT??

Any input or suggestions on these, I am ready to pull the trigger on something because I am driving myself crazy doing research.

I know I can get the MFW 15 or the Knight for more $$ but $600 is about my limit

A few things to note:

* It is a very "general" statement that sealed subs are better for music, but in my experience this tends to be true.
* Ported designs WILL give more output than sealed if given the same components. This is just physics.
* People tend to want more output for home theater, and tend to want less 'decay' or overhang for music.


Sounds like you already know the direction you should go, and only you can pull the trigger. If you're still stuck you could always view some of Craigsub's list and see what he and his panel thought. Have you already done this?

If I remember correctly the Valor recevied around 90 oints and the little brother to the A3 300, the A2 300 received about 84 points. The A2 300 can be purchased for $365 with matte finish and different feet. It has a 250 versus a 350 amp and a little different enclosure.

I guess I'm trying figure out if the sealed 15" can equal the output of a ported 12" sub. I think both have amps that are 350s.

The Epik:
Epik Valor: 91 points (44HT-47Music)

The A2-300:
Elemental Designs A2-300: 83 points (44HT-39Music)

I guess the difference in cost gets you 8 "points" for music performance if you take this to be 'gospel'.

Anyone want to testify and gimmee an 'amen'?? :D

If I remember correctly the Valor recevied around 90 oints and the little brother to the A3 300, the A2 300 received about 84 points. The A2 300 can be purchased for $365 with matte finish and different feet. It has a 250 versus a 350 amp and a little different enclosure.

I guess I'm trying figure out if the sealed 15" can equal the output of a ported 12" sub. I think both have amps that are 350s.

Really I think you already know what you want to do. You've done as much 'research' as you can viably do via the internet. Either go listen to both (seek out owners) or buy one ;)

Fwiw I don't have an ED but I have 2 PB10. If you compare a Pb10 to and ED A2-300 per Craigsub they were about par. The A3-300 probably would rate a little higher because of more power. But if the only change is the amp probably not much difference @ the Hsu Vtf-3 vs the Vtf-3 ho not much difference per Craigsub =1 point. Now just using his list as a reference I haven't heard the ED or compared the HSU. The Valor ime goes slightly louder in HT just sounds cleaner because it won't make port noise. Music is a lot better. 2880 ^3 probably a little big for the Valor imo but I like bass. For ht anyway. I porbally would get the Knight save $80 more. Or you could get the Valor and then get another later for headroom. I like Epik. You may want a ED it cost less I can't comment on the ED but the Valor is really good for music and I'm a HT gamer who finds himself listening to music not . Just my $0.02
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/ironmike86/setup/DSC06121.jpg