I'm setting up a dedicated theatre in a small, enclosed room. Approx. 12' x 14' with 7.5' ceilings. Dual sub configuration with an absolute maximum budget of $2500 for the TWO subwoofers and a preference to keep the cost under $2000 if at all possible (willing to go over $2000 if a substantial performance boost can be gained).

Due to the small room size and the fact that it is enclosed, I have no requirement for massively loud output. I do, however, require competent extension down to 20Hz and I definitely require physically small size.

Based upon this collection of requirements, my current front-runners are a pair of SVSound SB-12Plus. But I would gladly entertain any suggestions if people here know of any subs that are considerably better.

Thank you!

Jon

The SB12-Plus is a great looking, great sounding little subwoofer with decent output and extension. It isn't widely regarded as an excellent HT subwoofer simply because it doesn't have a whole lot of output down deep compared to its larger brethren.

For a similar price I'd take a look at the Epik Vanquish.
http://epiksubwoofers.com/sealedvanquish.html
It's about the same size and should have a bit more power down deep than the SB12-Plus, though it won't be a subsonic powerhouse either.

I think a pair of either sub would be good, but the Vanquish pair would probably edge out the SVS's for HT.

BTW, while I haven't heard either of these products in particular, I have owned products from both SVS and Epik and highly recommend both companies. Overall, I'd give SVS the nod in terms of superior customer service and aesthetic options, while Epik's products tend to represent a slightly higher bang for the buck. It's hard to go wrong either way.

I've owned the SB12+ previously in a 16x12 room. It's a good little sub and going multiples in your room should have enough output for your needs however it won't have a flat response down to 20hz where ht effects ofter are found. Due to it being a small sealed design it's lower end roll off will begin in the mid to upper 20s. The Epik Vanquish is another good small sealed design and should get you closer to a 20hz response but not with the output of a ported design like the Sentinel.

If your wanting to stay small with a flat response down to 20hz or a little below I"d recommend the Epic Sentinel. It's footprint isn't much larger than the SB12+. It's a ported sub and the response will fall off faster below it's tuning point but will have a much flatter response to that point and more output across it's range.

I've had mine for a few weeks and am very happy with it and 2 are well within your budget. If you're wanting to stay in that general smallish size footprint I don't think you'll find a better choice. If you can go bigger while still not huge the Phoenix will get you lower into the teens with flat extension and more output while being slightly above your initial budget. You can get more information on both in the Epik thread.

Maybe look at dual Rythmik F12's which should have much better extension down low. Or, if you want a significant upgrade over the SVS and Rythmik combo's, look at the HSU ULS-15 dual drive package. The ULS-15's will run very close to your upper budget, but should provide a substantial increase in output and extension.

I am running a ULS 15 dual drive in a small room very similar to yours. The subs aren't that big, but they put out a enormous but very articulate sound. This system has fooled people in other rooms in the house that there was a thunderstorm outside. For a room like that with your budget, I would go with the ULS dual drive for scary deep bass. If you find that is more bass than you need, I would go with Rythmik 15 or 12, the 12 would not eat up as much space but will still sound very good. The Epik Vanquish and Dragon would also be really cool, but I believe they have a somewhat larger footprint.

Something else to consider would be theElemental Designs P7-650. (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?t=3&products_id=682) It is two very tall subs that would have a very small footprint, almost ideal for your situation. And that frequency response chart looks great.

You can't go wrong with any of these, really.

Are you looking at the Sealed Box 12+ (SB12+) or the Ported Box + (PB12+) which would alot closer to the price range you are talking about....

2 of the Ported subs would absolutely slaughter in a room that size and would hit the mid and upper teens with ease, as well as offer great SQ from the reviews it has gotten.

The smaller sealed boxes are great for music and pretty darn powerful, I have one that i bought for my son, and was constantly asking him to turn it down... It pounds and sounds really nice.. but doesn't offer extremely powerful bass below 25 hz... it rolls off quite quickly.

Another thought would be to look at a single Seaton Submersive for that room... unbelievable clean potent output - at $2K with Dual Opposed 15" sealed drivers... Trust me when I say it has a wow factor. I was very impressed with that sub.... It will be more then you need for that size room...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=759877

What size subs are you looking for?

Two of these should meet your needs (2x eD A5 350):
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=618

If you buy 2 you get them for $700 apiece (shipped) for both. That would allow you to pickup one of these as well:
http://hsuresearch.com/products/mbm-12.html

And you would never have to worry about bass again :)

But these may be too big. The eD A7-650 mentioned above could meet your needs. But if you are looking for low extension with some authority (ie under 20hz), you will probably need to buy a bigger sized sub that can achieve this.

Two Epik Phoenix subs would kill in this room as well, but they are not small subs.

Guys,

The op said he requires "physically small size". And, considering the size of his room, and the fact that he's looking at a dual sub configuration, he simply doesen't need go with a large ported/sealed enclosure. Just my two cents...

the room is only 12x14. Since one of my bedrooms is that size, I know it well. I find it weird that people are recommending subs like the eD 350, or two PB12's.

Two Rythmiks would surely be a good match for that room size, and offer solid sub-20Hz extension especially with room gain

the room is only 12x14. Since one of my bedrooms is that size, I know it well. I find it weird that people are recommending subs like the eD 350, or two PB12's.

Two Rythmiks would surely be a good match for that room size, and offer solid sub-20Hz extension especially with room gain

Agreed, as said above I had the SB12 in my 16x12 and was happy with the overall output, I just wanted more down low. Multiple smaller sealed subs like the Rythmik F12, or imo even one F15 or ported Sentinel which would get him strong output just below 20 would do the job and he'd still be able to add another later and be below budget. Personally I would go with one F15 or Sentinel right now and see what he thought and and add another later if needed.

the room is only 12x14. Since one of my bedrooms is that size, I know it well. I find it weird that people are recommending subs like the eD 350, or two PB12's.

Two Rythmiks would surely be a good match for that room size, and offer solid sub-20Hz extension especially with room gain

I only mentioned the eD 350 because the OP mentioned that he wa considering dual PB12+ subs. And I did mention that they might be too big, but the OP is looking for sub 20hz extension with authority smaller subs may struggle.

I think he said he was looking at dual SB12-Plus subs, not PB12-Plus subs. At any rate, the OP has been given some good alternatives to the SB12's and I think unless he has more specific questions we probably can't provide much more help than we already have.

I also thought of the p7-650 setup the moment i read this.

The question is does he need a small sub, or a small footprint, cus if he can afford the vertical space, i don't see how he could do better than the P7-650.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/gallery/550_large.gif

As you can see, easily does 16hz with no issues whatsoever.

2x: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_plus.cfm

Might be another thing to consider also.

Many thanks, all!

To answer some of the questions - I'm really looking to keep the physical size to around a 15" cube or smaller. Believe me, I share the sentiment of looking to ever larger and more powerful subs (it's like a bit of an addiction, isn't it? Just a little bigger...just a little more...lol), but the room is what it is and something the size of a 15" cube or smaller is really what I am after.

While dual HSU ULS-15 would no doubt fullfil my bass fantasies, they are honestly physically larger than my target. Placement dictates that the height (when seated on top of a Auralex SubDude) cannot be taller than 19", which means about a 16" maximum height - again, around a 15" cube or smaller is ideal.

So...the SB12-Plus (and yes, I mean the SB Sealed Box, not the PB) and the Epik Vanquish are definitely the sort of physical size for which I am looking.

The eD subs are all larger than my target, as are all of HSU's subs. The Rythmik F12 is very close in size - if it were taller rather than deeper, it might work, but that 17" depth - yes, it's only 2 inches - but I've got things planned out pretty darn tight and unless I'm literally pressing the back against the wall, those 2 inches, unfortunately, make a difference.

Bottom line, I think it's going to be between the dual SB12-Plus or dual Epik Vanquish. And I thank you because I had not looked at Epik's product line in a while and I did not know about the Vanquish!

I'll be blending the subs with some Focal Monitors at 75Hz cross-over. My goal, really, is just to have very articulate, high quality, FLAT frequency response and I'm going to the trouble of bass-trapping and equalizing as well.

So really, the subs' job will be to handle the 20Hz - 80Hz range with articulation, clarity and accuracy. If the Vanquish can match or exceed the quality of bass of the SB12-Plus while also extending a bit closer to 20Hz, then that should be a winner!

Any final thoughts? Or does that sound like a plan? :)

I'll be blending the subs with some Focal Monitors at 75Hz cross-over. My goal, really, is just to have very articulate, high quality, FLAT frequency response and I'm going to the trouble of bass-trapping and equalizing as well.

The Rythmik f12/f15 will do that for you.

If you're going to be using EQ and want to stick with the small cubes I'd definitely recommend duals no question for the most headroom.

In my initial response I didn't realize your size requirements were absolutely restricted especially in height. In view of that I'd recommend the Vanquish. It's a newer release than the SB12plus so you likely won't find as much feedback on it but there are a few floating around. From the specs you should get a little lower in the frequency range before it starts to roll off in comparison. Room gain should also help down low in that size room. I have Sentinel which is a slightly larger ported model that uses the same driver and amp as the Vanquish and very happy with it. I can't speak for any sound quality differences as I haven't heard the Vanquish but it's excellent with my Sentinel. It blends in amazingly well, better than any previous sub I've had, doesn't bring attention to itself until called upon then really shows what it's made of.

May be you should look at rythmik audio. A clear winner