Would appreciate your suggestions for a sub to be used in a SMALL HT room of only 13' x 15' and with somewhat live acoustics too. Would downward firing be better? Would like to keep power under 500 watts as electricity is mega expensive in Mexico where this sub will be used.

Sub will be used with a Yamaha YSP1100. Basically 100 percent usage for watching movies as opposed to listening to music.

Thanks! :)

Is this room completely closed off? I was very happy running Hsu STF-1 in a 12x15x8 room (with small openings to other areas). Onix X-sub is another good good choice. You have not mentioned what your budget is.

Also, not sure if these ID companies will ship to Mexico and if it'll make financial sense, unless you're going to buy it in the US and then take it with you there.

Budget not a big consideration, getting a sub that can make the best of a bad situation is. I will be taking it to Mexico from here. Room has two doors.

I agree with Pete7874 recommendations. I would get the HSU STF-1 for a small
room such as yours. I've own(ed) 2 HSU subs (VTF-2, and now VTF-3 MK3) so I'm bias,
but they are great subs IMO....vardo

Link:

http://hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

What is that "bad situation" you're referring to? The power consumption is a non-issue, IMO. Whatever sub you get, it'll consume similar amounts of power to generate the same level of bass. With a bigger, more powerful sub, you will keep the volume knob lower, so it won't be using any more electricity than a small sub running at full volume. But the benefit of a bigger sub is that you will not have to crank it up so much so the bass will be cleaner.

If money is no object, I would say check out SVS PB10. Not to overkill, but to provide more headroom, which is always better than less headroom. :)

SVS SB12

Small, powerful, sealed, and has a one band EQ, and room compensation setting to allow it to integrate perfectly in a room of that size. A small room like yours is likely going to have a lot of room gain with a large peak. So the extra electronics in the SB12 will really be useful. Of course, it cost $800, but for your situation, a sub like the SB12 was practically designed for your needs. It's well worth the extra cost over the other suggestions so far.

I would go with a Gotham. It would do wonders in such a room. :P

I think the HSU's would be the better choice. Digs deeper, more headroom, etc.

Or do what I did and buy an HSU VTF3 MK3 w/ Turbo ,My room is even smaller than yours but theres no such thing as having "to much subwoofer" The MK3 w/ Turbo will easily dig down to 15hz which is great for movies. Plus HSU's bass quality is excellent.. Very clean without a hint of boominess.

My room is 12'x13' and went with the SVS SB12. It's perfect. Sounds powerful, hits hard, and is great with music too.

EQ it with a BFD and REW, will help with small room peaks.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Think I'll go the SVS PB10 route.

Dan

I just put the SVS PB-10 in my entertainment center. It is one heck of a sub! They are also reasonably priced used.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Think I'll go the SVS PB10 route.

Dan

Make sure you want a big box in your room. That's why I suggested the SB12, it's less of an eyesore (the PB10 is a pretty BIG plain looking box) The SB12 is very compact and comes in nice finishes. I can't emphasize the usefulness of the SB12's EQ circuits and room switch (I guarantee it will sound better in your small room). In your small room I guarantee you'll have peaks and anamolies that the circuits will help tame.

I had considered the PB10 before, but when I found out how deep and big it was, I started looking for smaller subs.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Think I'll go the SVS PB10 route.

Dan

Good choice, just be aware that it isn't the smallest box in the world. :)

I just got my 1110 yesterday and paired it with a svs 22-31 and it rocks.

The Definitive Technology Super Cube Reference is the best subwoofer on the planet; Bar none! Any questions?

PB10NSD Size: 15" wide x 19" high x 21" deep

That seems a lot smaller than many. The 12NSD is Size: 18" wide x 21" high x 25" deep.

Considerably bigger.

SB12 Size: Approx. 15” deep x 14" wide x 14 " high Yup, a lot smaller. But can it hit those really low frequencies?

You have no idea how many subs I auditioned before I bought this one. Trust me on this---this one is the best regardless of price!

Dan,

I have a room about the same size as yours. If fact, it's even a bit smaller.

I had a VTF-3 Turbo in the room and it's size was overpowering. It did a marvelous job, but truly kept things so very close I felt like I was surrounded by equipment.

Even though I measured the Hsu and thought it would be fine, it was far to big. In the end due to it's size, looks and output, the JL F-113 was exactly what was needed. You mention no budget restrictions, so that is why I am suggesting the JL product.

I know it's easy to suggest that someone purchase what they own. However, I am not a fanboy by any means. Yet for a small room and if one has the budget, it's a great addition to any system. It's truly not overkill with rooms our size.

Much luck,
Charles

By the way----The other super cubes are great, too. So if size and money are a issue, look at the smaller ones.

PB10NSD Size: 15" wide x 19" high x 21" deep

That seems a lot smaller than many. The 12NSD is Size: 18" wide x 21" high x 25" deep.

Considerably bigger.

SB12 Size: Approx. 15” deep x 14" wide x 14 " high Yup, a lot smaller. But can it hit those really low frequencies?

It's solid down to about 22Hz. It's a real 22Hz, not the "wishful thinking" 22Hz unlike some other speaker spec sheets.

The thing about bass is that most of the bass in movies that you really do notice is 25Hz and up. So a speaker that does that properly is going to be very impressive.

Lastly, a small room has a phenomenon known as "room gain". That adds an extra 3-5 Hz to the measured specs. And also it also boosts certain frequencies due to the way sound waves reflect back and forth inside the same space. So you actually might end up with WAY too much bass in the 30-40Hz range. For movies that actually works out in your favour because you may get a huge boost around 40Hz for examplke. That's why the SB12 has a knob called room compensation setting. It actually helps reduce the bass somewhat for smaller rooms such as yours. But if you want to impress the neighbours, then leave it "off".

For your size room for any normal situation, the SB12 will be quite impressive. If your goal is to shake the foundation only by cranking it up way beyond normal, then the SB12 may fall a bit short, so I'd suggest getting the larger PB12 or Hsu VTF3. The SB12 will sound better (due to its adjustability) and still hit hard when it counts, over the PB10. The SB12 is just going to be more versatile in everything it does.