1. My Budget: I would be happy spending around $200...I wouldn't spend more than $300. I am less concerned about budget however, because I'll be searching craigslist/fatwallet. (Yes I know, no warranty) Furthermore, if there's a really good deal on a sub for more than $300, I may be inclined to buy it if it's that good.

2. I have no real size constraints.

3. Room dimensions: roughly 16x16x8 (roughly 2048 cubic feet). The room has a half-wall into an adjacent hallway so it is an "open" room.

4. Usage: roughly 30% HT, 40% games, 30% music

5. Habits: I'd like to be able to do some shaking, but it needn't be excessive.

6. Aesthetics are definitely secondary, but this is a media room so between to roughly equal systems I'd take a sub that would blend in better.

7. Timeframe: Next two-three weeks.

Now from what I understand about subs, a closed-case sub will have a tighter sound, but won't be able to shake as well a similar sub that's ported. If there are no other real considerations between ported- and closed-cases, I'm leaning towards a closed-case.

Other notes that might be helpful:
-It is going to be handled by an Onkyo SR607 A/V receiver
-auto-on/off is almost a must
-I want to have enough controls to better switch between movie/music/game settings (I'm hoping that's possible)
-This will be the first subwoofer I've bought aside from my basic Logitech PC 5.1 setup, and it's going towards my first real media center.

I am currently intrigued by someone selling a NHT 12" 450 watt closed sub that's 6 months old (for around $250), but I'm not seeing it any similar model online. Should I consider this one/does anyone have any idea what model it is? If this seems like a decent fit I'll give the guy another call and see if I can get a model number.

Thank you very much for your help guys!!

With your budget at around $300, it would be hard to find a decent sealed sub. If you wind up getting a new sub, I'd suggest the ported eD A2-300 at $350, shipping included.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Thanks for the input mojo! It's funny you mention the A2-300 since I was just looking at it in both new and lightly used flavors. I could probably get it for ~250. Alternatively, I'm now seeing a KLIPSCH RW-12 that I could probably get for ~300. Of those two, any thoughts? Should I wait for a better deal?

Sealed subs out of question? Darn. How much does a decent entry level sealed sub cost retail?

Thanks for the input mojo! It's funny you mention the A2-300 since I was just looking at it in both new and lightly used flavors. I could probably get it for ~250. Alternatively, I'm now seeing a KLIPSCH RW-12 that I could probably get for ~300. Of those two, any thoughts? Should I wait for a better deal?

Sealed subs out of question? Darn. How much does a decent entry level sealed sub cost retail?

Between those I'd go with the A2-300. I don't think you'll find a better deal unless you luck up used. The price on it was recently raised to $400 but lowered again.

For a good quality sealed sub to come close in output and low end capability you're probably looking at least $600 and probably $700 and up and even then you'll still be giving up a little of both.

Good entry level sealed subs like the SVS SB12-Plus or the Epik Vanquish go for $650 to $700. The best route to a bargain sealed sub is probably to build it yourself.

The A2-300 for about $250 sounds like a good deal. I'd think The Klipsch would give comparable performance with maybe a bit more output.

you can check out the
Premier Acoustic PA120 230bux each http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=82738
or
Acoustic Audio HD-SUB12 198bux each http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=85212

buying duals will fill your space nicely and smooth out bass response.. you can purchase them weeks or months at a time.. that way it wouldnt hurt your wallet..

my space is much larger than yours.. and i have a loft that opens up the upstairs to the theater area.. and a high 23ft vaulted ceiling.. http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=jaejw1

im extremely happy with my choice.. couldnt ask for anything more.. and after viewing several movies from this list awell as music im completely happy..


but you can spend more for that lil extra gain,, either way.. make sure you research everything.. pros/cons..

So at this point, I get the feeling it's going to come down to one or two AA HD12s or the ED A2-300. Any thoughts?

Would I be correct in assuming the order would go 2x HD12s > A2-300 > 1x HD12?

So I wasn't planning on reposting in this thread until my new A2-300 arrived (hopefully to tell you all how much I love it), but other dilemmas have come to my attention. The proposed setup for my home theater at this point is to have in-ceiling left and surround-left speakers matched by two old Acoustic Research speakers (somewhere between bookshelf and tower in size) for right and surround-right. The center channel is probably going to be a polk CS1 (unless you guys have another suggestion).

The real question, however, is what to do about the in-ceiling speakers. Are they just a horrible idea? Can I get some angled ones that will work well? If so does anyone have any suggestions? My current thought for in-ceiling speakers is a pair of polk rc80i, which have aimable tweeters.

Secondary question: the center channel speaker should be one designed for a center channel, correct? As in, I shouldn't use a standard L/R speaker and stick it in the center?

I know this is technically the subwoofer section, but I'm hoping/guessing you guys could still help me. Thanks!

The real question, however, is what to do about the in-ceiling speakers. Are they just a horrible idea? Can I get some angled ones that will work well? If so does anyone have any suggestions? My current thought for in-ceiling speakers is a pair of polk rc80i, which have aimable tweeters.

No it's not a horrible idea, you can get some very good quality in-ceiling speakers, especially considering they are surrounds and your going with adjustable tweeters.

Secondary question: the center channel speaker should be one designed for a center channel, correct? As in, I shouldn't use a standard L/R speaker and stick it in the center?
Many people use the same speaker model for the front three and prefer it. In theory it is best, if you don't mind the height for the center channel then I would recommend it.