Hi all,

Last year, I recommended a co-worker a BIC H100 as a cost-effective option for his huge 30' x 30' x 18' family room. He bought it and loved it. It never occurred to me that it might work for me, but when I borrowed it this weekend, I loved it! So, with that experience, I want to explore what I can get with a bit more money...

Some of you know me from my other thread and that I bought an SVS SB12. It is great for HT, but for some reason, I didn't feel it provided the mid-bass punch in music - kick drums, deepest bass guitar notes - it sounded completely sterile. Then, imagine my shock when I brought in the H100, and some of that magic came back, even at low listening volumes.

My guess is that the H100 provided more "air cover" for the mid-bass than the SVS SB12. Maybe the H100 is not the tightest or accurate sub, but I enjoyed it, despite the cognitive dissonance of realizing this sub was this cheap! I know the H100 was partially designed by Hsu Research, so my guess is that, I should pursue this type of sound.

So my choices now:

BIC H100 - Go with what works for now.
BIC VK-12 / PL-200 - Don't know what they changed.
Hsu VTF-1 - I've never heard one, but if it's provides the "musical mid-bass" element of the H100, along with the "tightness" of the SB12, I'll should be a happy camper. Is that a good assumption?
Any others I should consider under $500 USD shipped, for comparable size, and preferably with some "furniture-grade" finishes (piano black, wood veneer)?

Thanks everybody, for your help, and for listening to me go on and on...!

Background: My listening room is 18' wide - 10' of which is completely open to kitchen (not door - by 12' deep, with 10' ceilings. My emphasis is all music - it's relatively easy to please me in HT! I run B&W CM7s with Rotel.

there is also..

Acoustic Audio hd-sub12 http://stores.channeladvisor.com/thedeepdiscount/items/item.aspx?sku=Acoustic%20Audio%20HDSUB12%20BLACK%20V1

Premier Audio PA120 http://www.premieracoustic.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=1222&crid=195&cat_name=Powered+Subwoofers

and

Elemental Designs a2-300 http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Thanks jae.

I think the PA option is similar to the other BIC options, no? I think the driver is shared or something with the BIC models.

The finish of the eD makes it slightly more difficult to place - I was hoping to stick with piano black or wood veneers.

Any thoughts on the VTF-1 vs. what I tested in-home?

man,,,, im in the same boat as you are... along with the ones i posted and the bic vk12.. im at a loss as to which to choose..

a buddy of mine is telling me to do a DIY... using a driver from diymobileaudio... supposed to be very good driver.. and only 100bux for one.. here is the link.. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/classifieds/26542-until-midnight-dec-24th-diyma-sub-sale.html

Yeah, it's a tough gig, because I realize that my needs may not match the objectives of a lot of sub manufacturers - in that they are looking at bottom-end extension into 20Hz territory, and I'm worried about musical performance from 50Hz on upward, and how it meshes with my mains...

But I am pretty sure I could be decently happy in the short term with the H100... Just wondering if the VTF-1 would be even better...!

The VTF-1 should be a big improvement over the H100 in all areas (frequency response linearity, max output capability, deep bass extension, finish quality, etc). I think you will like the VTF-1 in the max output mode!

have you considered the new BIC PL-200? it's the next generation of the H-100 with more power, also designed in conjunction with HSU

http://www.acoustechspeakers.com/images/acoustech/full/PL-200.jpg

http://www.acoustechspeakers.com/showpage.php?brand=1&type=8&spkrID=86

it's about half the "msrp" if you call the guys in nevada, or check their ebay stores.

how is the pl200 compared to the vk12

how is the pl200 compared to the vk12

The PL-200 looks to be the replacement for the VK-12? It has the same specs as the VK-12.

I think what you are looking for might be found in cheaper subs. My reason for saying this is a lot of cheaper solutions have lesser quality drivers that have trouble with the low low frequencies. Because of this the manufacturer sets the port tuning higher to put more emphasis on the areas where the woofer handles better.
Sounds like you may be running your sub a bit hot too. Have you matched levels with your mains using a spl meter?