I am looking for a sub that I can buy locally for under $300. I want to be able to try these in my home without having to risk paying expensive shipping costs. So that rules out e.g. av123, hsu, and svs.

My primary interests for this sub are for movies and games, and I want to be able to feel the bass more than hear it in e.g. explosions, and at the same time I want it to sound sharp. Stores local to me include Fry's electronics, best buy, circuit city, ultimate electronics, tweeter, and Spencer TV and appliances.

So far I am looking at the Velodyne VX-10, and the Boston Acoustics XB4 subs. Which would probably be better of these two? And does anybody have any other suggestions?

FWIW I am driving this with an Onkyo TX-SR605, and pairing it with four Polk Audio Monitor 30's and a Polk CS1.

Have you ever thought about getting the bass shakers? They help with the feel affect you are looking for.

Polk PSW12bk can bt had for 300 at CC...pretty good sub imo

It's a shame your restricting yourself to brick and mortar stores for your sub needs.....I'd say you'd get soo much more out of your money going eD or HSU and would blow away what you'd get in those stores for the same money. I do understand the worries some have about buying online, but as many can attest here on this forum, you won't be dissapointed with either of these companies offerings in that price range. The store bought won't be able to reach as deep (25-18hz) as these online subs. When you cut out the middle man, your really jumping into a whole other level for the money. I had a buddy buy the klipsch 12" sub from BB, and could hear how he was missing a big part of the experience in scenes like the U571 depth charge, and Master and Commander ship battle scenes. It was quite one note like, and boomy. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Good luck, and I hope you find something that pleases you!

You are forgetting that you will have to pay sales tax in the state that you live in. Many states are currently at (some higher) 6%, on a $300 subwoofer the sales tax is $24. Internet sales out of the state that you purchase from is tax free.

As an example a Hsu STF-1 currently sells for $254 and shipping is $20 for a total of $274. The Hsu STF-1 will cream any B&M $300 + tax subs.

What state do you live in and what is the sales tax?

And some, Like eD ship for free......no tax, and free shipping....

I have to agree with the others, particularly in this price range, you are really limiting yourself and missing out on some fantastic entry level performance quality subs. I can almost guarantee that if you bought any one of the eD subs in the $300-$350 (shipped) range you won't want to send it back. I recently bought an a2-300 and its more impressive than any similarly priced sub I've ever heard. The same more than likely applies to the Hsu which I haven't heard.

The eD replaced a Polk which I thought was pretty sub-standard, but it was also ~10 years old.

Have you ever thought about getting the bass shakers? They help with the feel affect you are looking for.

I am thinking about trying one of those small buttkickers for your chair. They can be had for around $50 to $150 (they go on sale now and then.) I still want a regular subwoofer though, and have the buttkicker merely complement it for the sub 25hz inaudible tones.

And some, Like eD ship for free......no tax, and free shipping....

What is eD? Don't think I have heard of them. If they do ship for free I might have a look at them.

What state do you live in and what is the sales tax?

I live in AZ, and it varies a little depending on the city you buy it in (and I'll buy it from one of four cities.) Anywhere from 7% to 8%.

I live in AZ, and it varies a little depending on the city you buy it in (and I'll buy it from one of four cities.) Anywhere from 7% to 8%.

Cities in AZ can have different sales taxes? WTF is that about?

Cities in AZ can have different sales taxes? WTF is that about?

AZ has a federal sales tax of 5.6%, each city, actually each county has it's own sales tax that they add on top of the state tax. So the sales tax in Tucson, where I live, can range from 5.6-8.1% just by going to a store a few miles away.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

What is eD? Don't think I have heard of them. If they do ship for free I might have a look at them.


Elemental Designs.

"Ship for free" means the shipping cost is built into the product price. It isn't "free".

Even if it is but into the price of the sub its still a smoking deal for any of their subs compared to what you'd pay and get at a retail store.

alphawolf, if you just look at some of the threads on here, you will see plenty on eD subs. some of the model's are a2-300, or A5-350's.
here is a shortcut to their website: http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php?cPath=2_41

Elemental Designs.

"Ship for free" means the shipping cost is built into the product price. It isn't "free".

But at least you get that back if it is returned though, correct?

AZ has a federal sales tax of 5.6%, each city, actually each county has it's own sales tax that they add on top of the state tax. So the sales tax in Tucson, where I live, can range from 5.6-8.1% just by going to a store a few miles away.

I thought all states were this way. State tax + county tax + city tax = total sales tax.

I know California's is at least similar in basic concept, only a hell of a lot more convoluted.