I am pretty new to home theater audio equipment, but have a basic understanding of audio electronics. I just recently bought a Yamaha RX-V659 receiver to power the built in MTX speakers that came with my house preinstalled in the walls.
Basically I am looking for a subwoofer that will be close to high end but hopefully not cost what the high end units fetch. I would like to keep my price range within 600-800$
The location of the sub is in the center of my house, which is literally a open space as it has a ceiling going up to the roof level(2 stories) and also shares the exposed/open kitchen and front hall.
I am thinking because of the sheer size I am dealing with a 12” will be needed?
I will be replacing the MTX speakers with better ones when I have the money, unless you guys believe the pre-existing speakers to be acceptable with my current receiver. I will try to get the specific model of the speakers soon, it is hard to get the face plate off as there is drywall around it and I do not wish to damage that. my basic use for the sub will be movies, music,, and music videos. i would say i will use it for all 3 about equaly.
Any advice is greatly appreciated,
thanks

Cliffs
Need a powered sub for home theater
-very large open room
-600-800$ price range
-audio noob


since im a new account i can not post pix i will after i get 5 posts..

I have been told that SVC and HUS are two very good brands to consider and that the price range i have is the lower portion of "high end" subwofers.
annyone have a recent purchase within this price range that they are pleased with?

The best subs in this price range imo are:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9689467#post9689467

Any of these subs will give you the type of performance you are looking for without the high end price tag. The ACI force may be too small though.

I have been told that SVC and HUS are two very good brands to consider and that the price range i have is the lower portion of "high end" subwofers.
annyone have a recent purchase within this price range that they are pleased with?

I think you meant SVS and HSU.

I purchased the new HSU VTF-3 MK3 ($699) and it is an amazing performer - very high output levels when required even in my 6800 c.f. room, and also extremely musical. This model is receiving rave reviews from pros and hobbyists alike and I don't think you will find a better value right now in this price range. I also own an SVS PB12-NSD ($599) and according to my own listening tests it falls short of the performance of the VTF-3 MK3 in every respect.

i like the looks of the VTF-3
the only question i have is, is the VTF-3 HO worth the 200$ more than the VTF-3 MK3?
its RMS wattage is 500 compared to 350 for the MK3.
Im just worried that the HO will be too powerful or booming... i suppose that could be tuned down though

You can't have too much quality subwooferage, you will just have that much more headroom to work with.

The VTF3.3 has more midbass output that the HO, the HO plays the lower (<20 Hz) frequencies cleaner with less distortion.

So you have to choose what is more important to you.

by midbass do you mean a more punching kind of bass, where as the HO is capable of hitting the lower low's such as say an explosion in a movie?
please excuse my severe ignorance in thee matter, i am working with some information/misinformation that i picked up from my car audio friends.

Im looking for a comparison between the VTF-3 MK3, VTF-3 MK3 turbo, and VTF-3 HO
I have a very large exposed TV room that is open to all of upstairs via a balcony that runns to each bedroom/room upstairs. in adition to this, the kitchen and foyer are also copmleteley open to the TV room.
what benefits do the "turbos" on the subs have?

They will help in attaining Lower Freq. extention...

In my large room I went with svs Pb12-plus /2

But I had more money to spend...

Everyone at HSU has said numorous times that the VTF3.3 is the better value for the $$ over the HO. You basically get 98% of the performance for $200 less.

Both subs will produce explosions well, but the 3.3 has the edge in the midbass (punch you in the chest) according to HSU. Whatever the differences are, they are slight, and I would save the money and go with the MK3.

The turbo charger adds more port area to increase the SPL capability of the sub. My understanding of it is very basic. Call HSU or email them, and I'm sure Dr. Hsu can explain it to you better than I can. They have great customer service.

hmmm, i guess i was looking too much into the RMS value as it is 200 wats more for the HO vs the VTF 3.
if this is the case that the two are fairly comperable i will opt for the VTF 3.

I have been told that SVC and HUS are two very good brands to consider and that the price range i have is the lower portion of "high end" subwofers.
annyone have a recent purchase within this price range that they are pleased with?

i just recieved my SVS 20-39PCi this afternoon...

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow2.cfm

so far, i'm very please with how the subs performing with dvd material. with careful tweaking, i'm positive i'll be thrilled. just loving it right now.