I work as a tech for event services at my college, and I am in charge of picking out and setting up a 5.1 system for a "sunken lounge" area in our commons building. I was initially told I had no budget cap, so I got excited and picked out a Paradigm/SVS/Onkyo system. Then when I showed it to my boss he told me my budget should stay around $500...for everything! You can imagine how disappointed I was. So I have a Primus 140 speaker pack picked out. I heard that the Primus speakers are generally bright, so I figure they should suit this area well...people won't have to crank it to hear it. And I am considering a Pioneer receiver, the VSX-516-K. But I am having a hard time finding a sub. I know I am not going to be able to stay under $500 total. So for the sub I'm looking at $200...max. Anyone have any advice? I was looking at the Polk SW10, Infinity PS-8, and...I hate to even mention it...the Sony SAWM500. The problem is that this area is pretty big...probably 35' from one end to the other...20 feet wide...no wall on one side...and a ceiling of about 10 feet. Yeah, pretty dang big. I want a 12" sub, but they said that would have too much sound and bother the offices around it. I say screw the offices. But it's not my decision. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

You will not find anything for 200 dollars that will work (at all) in a room that size.

So don't waste your money.

Whatever you buy, figure out a way to permanently anchor it in place. Subwoofers tend to grow legs and walk away in public places. It'll sound better in a dorm room, anyway...

Yeah, I was very disappointed when I was told the budget...I mean, I have a 12" sealed 300 watt sub that my dad and I built in my dorm room. It goes to 20 hz flat...I expected to be able to get something comparable for a room that size.