I am shopping for a sub. $400-$500 would be nice but I can swing $600. My HT is in an unfinished basement, roughly 1000 sq ft. The basement is full of stuff, and there is carpet, but no walls. There is about a 50/50 shot that I'll close in the HT with walls down the road.

I have an Onkyo TX-SR804B 7.1 receiver. I use my HT for a mix of listening to music, watching movies, and video games. I've been reading about the elemental designs A5-350 and thought I had made up my mind. However, I am by far a guru on this stuff and figured I'd post this to see what you guys think. From what I read this is one of the best subs out for the price. I just didn't want to order it then find a $500 velodyne or something in a couple months that would of been a better choice. THANKS for any thoughts and help :D

I am shopping for a sub. $400-$500 would be nice but I can swing $600. My HT is in an unfinished basement, roughly 1000 sq ft. The basement is full of stuff, and there is carpet, but no walls. There is about a 50/50 shot that I'll close in the HT with walls down the road.

I have an Onkyo TX-SR804B 7.1 receiver. I use my HT for a mix of listening to music, watching movies, and video games. I've been reading about the elemental designs A5-350 and thought I had made up my mind. However, I am by far a guru on this stuff and figured I'd post this to see what you guys think. From what I read this is one of the best subs out for the price. I just didn't want to order it then find a $500 velodyne or something in a couple months that would of been a better choice. THANKS for any thoughts and help :D

First off, with that amount of space to fill in square footage, 500 bucks is going to be tough to fill the size.... I have a 3.3 with turbo and I have the 7.1 black onkyo as well, and that thing slams. I recommend calibrating to 75 db instead of 85, you can avoid most of the hum problems. Spring an extra 100 and get the pb-12 or one of the tubes. They sound great. I have heard almost all of their subs in person as I visited their showroom. The 3.3 with turbo is a big budget jump, but it definitely hits very hard as well. The dollars spent now, will be saved later when you buy another one later :-)

I think your choice of the ED is the best bet at that price for right now...its performance and quiality are the best bang in this price range. They really have some great products (ED) you wont be dissapointed... :)

I am currently using the A5-350 in fairly open space:

Living room is small, and half a level up is both the dining room and kitchen. Celings are at least 20' tall at my listening position, open to the back of the room also.

It has no problem pressurizing the entire area.

:)

I would probably agree that your not gonna find a better bang for the buck. And really if its an unfinished basement you can easily take care of the biggest gripes people have about the sub which are A. Size and B. Its not the prettiest thing. Figure out where it sounds the best at and build a hidden area for it, hide it behind some grill cloth.

I have my theater in an unfinished basement as well, and just received my A5-350 last week. So far it's terrific, very clean, very deep, and very big.
Don't worry about filling the space too much, with the level at about 60% when I played a below 35Hz test signal I could feel the room pressurize in my ears! Very impressive. Check out my pics below of the room, before the eD, I put it in the same place as my old Mirage.

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate them.

Ikari Warrior: I checked out your pictures.. What kind of screen is that you have? What kind of Projector?

It's an Optoma HD72 with a 106" DaLite High Power screen.
I just put those black sheets up last month from a recommendation from someone on here, I works really well to make it feel like more of an actual "room".

I have my theater in an unfinished basement as well, and just received my A5-350 last week. So far it's terrific, very clean, very deep, and very big.
Don't worry about filling the space too much, with the level at about 60% when I played a below 35Hz test signal I could feel the room pressurize in my ears! Very impressive. Check out my pics below of the room, before the eD, I put it in the same place as my old Mirage.

If you dont mind me asking what "old Mirage" sub are you referring to? Also, how is the A5-350 with music listening? There is no doubt that it will knock your socks off so to speak with ht BUT how good is it with music in terms of tightness, punchiness, articulation, and etc.?????? Congrats on your purchase?

I had a Mirage FXr-S15 300 watt powered sub that was getting older and after I bought my set of KEF iQs I figured I was ready to upgrade.

So far the 350 has been great so far. It's plenty deep, with alot of impact. I haven't listened to a ton of music with it, mostly games and a few movies. One thing that was most impressive to me was the ability for it to reproduce some finer sounds that I had never heard before. For example in Crackdown on the 360, when you land after jumping off a high building, there used to be a solid "thud" with the Mirage. With the eD, you hear the initial 'thud", then a cool sound of the shockwave spreading out from the impact. Also on "Survivor", the drum beats in the backgrounds were fantastic, the 350 really makes thing I never really heard or thought about stand out and impress.

I had a Mirage FXr-S15 300 watt powered sub that was getting older and after I bought my set of KEF iQs I figured I was ready to upgrade.

So far the 350 has been great so far. It's plenty deep, with alot of impact. I haven't listened to a ton of music with it, mostly games and a few movies. One thing that was most impressive to me was the ability for it to reproduce some finer sounds that I had never heard before. For example in Crackdown on the 360, when you land after jumping off a high building, there used to be a solid "thud" with the Mirage. With the eD, you hear the initial 'thud", then a cool sound of the shockwave spreading out from the impact. Also on "Survivor", the drum beats in the backgrounds were fantastic, the 350 really makes thing I never really heard or thought about stand out and impress.
Thanks Ikari for the info. Care to perhaps elaborate a bit more on the musicality of the 350? More specifically, is it fast and tight???? Is it articulate with lots of definition and not sounding thick and one notish??? In other words, can you hear individual bass notes with good separation or does it kinda run it all together muddying up the LFE?????

Thanks Ikari for the info. Care to perhaps elaborate a bit more on the musicality of the 350? More specifically, is it fast and tight???? Is it articulate with lots of definition and not sounding thick and one notish??? In other words, can you hear individual bass notes with good separation or does it kinda run it all together muddying up the LFE?????

I wouldn't design anything that couldn't play This Binary Universe (http://www.amazon.com/This-Binary-Universe-BT/dp/B000G8OZ16) satisfactorily ;)

Subscribing to this thread

I'm getting the 350 next month..I got to tell ya the sub sucks for any potential buyer other than me!

I wouldn't design anything that couldn't play This Binary Universe (http://www.amazon.com/This-Binary-Universe-BT/dp/B000G8OZ16) satisfactorily ;)
Hi Chris, glad you posted here. Have talked to you a few times at eD via email. I am very much interested in the 350 as it sure is a huge bang for your buck. However, my preference has been AND always will be on music. There is no doubt that the 350 would be awesome for ht BUT trying to ascertain how good it would be with music. Also, once a 350 is ordered how long does it take to get one? BTW, have any idea how long it will be before I could get an eQ.2 as well??? Is there by any chance of getting a discount for repeat customers OR perhaps a combo deal of some kind? Thanks for your time.

Hi Chris, glad you posted here. Have talked to you a few times at eD via email. I am very much interested in the 350 as it sure is a huge bang for your buck. However, my preference has been AND always will be on music. There is no doubt that the 350 would be awesome for ht BUT trying to ascertain how good it is with music. Once a 350 is ordered how long does it take to get one? Also, have any idea how long it will be before I could get an eQ.2 as well??? Is there by any chance of getting a discount for repeat customers OR perhaps a combo deal of some kind? Thanks for your time.

echoing. :)

echoing. :)
Hey Mike, just looked at your profile here-did not realize you were Mike from the Phillipines......right? This is speakerman39 from over at audioholics. Have spoken with you via posts on many occasions..........LOL!!!!!! Just wanted to say hello. :):)

yes, I know you speakerman :) ... how's the upgrades going? :D

i don't remember how I connected speakerman to audiofreak, but I know ... must be the age :) soon you will be subwooferguy41 :eek:

Hi Chris, glad you posted here. Have talked to you a few times at eD via email. I am very much interested in the 350 as it sure is a huge bang for your buck. However, my preference has been AND always will be on music. There is no doubt that the 350 would be awesome for ht BUT trying to ascertain how good it would be with music. Also, once a 350 is ordered how long does it take to get one? BTW, have any idea how long it will be before I could get an eQ.2 as well??? Is there by any chance of getting a discount for repeat customers OR perhaps a combo deal of some kind? Thanks for your time.

While I won't claim to have the ear of some, I can say that to me an A5-350 has played any music I've thrown at it admirably. I may not be into Jazz but I listen to some rather random and odd electronic music, rock, various rap etc. Most people will look at rock and rap and scoff, but a large percentage of the electronic music I listen to is very demanding of a sub stage and needs something that'll play back accurately or else it'll start sounding horrible.

Take for instance the link I posted above to This Binary Universe. The artist, BT, is A) phenomenal and B) likes to chop bass into very short bursts. The A5-350 made me sit in the listening room and listen to the entire 5.1 mix on the DVD the day we built the first prototype. IMO, out of all the HT subs we offer, if I took one home it'd be the A5-350.

The eQ.2, when available, may be an add on for current subs. I might have already written the code online and just have to turn it on when they're shipping ;) It is very likely they will be offered with a discount with sub purchases and, since they could ship in the same box, would not require a separate shipping charge. I'd estimate they'll be shipping in the next 1~2 months.

Time frames on subs, PM or e-mail or hop on live support. I'd rather not have a reference posted that'll be totally wrong in 4 days :)

IMO, out of all the HT subs we offer, if I took one home it'd be the A5-350.

why not the big ones? :)

why not the big ones? :)

I have no need for them.

I'm all bassed out from having a car doing 140+

I just want proper reproduction of what I'm listening to now, at levels that don't cause damage.

That and I was speaking strictly based on things we sell normally. When I get a house, I'll likely custom build something.

What's an eQ.2? :)

yes, I know you speakerman :) ... how's the upgrades going? :D

i don't remember how I connected speakerman to audiofreak, but I know ... must be the age :) soon you will be subwooferguy41 :eek:

Righty, but until then I will enjoy my 40th if you know what I mean.........LOL!!!! The upgrades are slow but am in no hurry really. Nobody to please but me. :eek::eek: How you been?

While I won't claim to have the ear of some, I can say that to me an A5-350 has played any music I've thrown at it admirably. I may not be into Jazz but I listen to some rather random and odd electronic music, rock, various rap etc. Most people will look at rock and rap and scoff, but a large percentage of the electronic music I listen to is very demanding of a sub stage and needs something that'll play back accurately or else it'll start sounding horrible.

Take for instance the link I posted above to This Binary Universe. The artist, BT, is A) phenomenal and B) likes to chop bass into very short bursts. The A5-350 made me sit in the listening room and listen to the entire 5.1 mix on the DVD the day we built the first prototype. IMO, out of all the HT subs we offer, if I took one home it'd be the A5-350.

The eQ.2, when available, may be an add on for current subs. I might have already written the code online and just have to turn it on when they're shipping ;) It is very likely they will be offered with a discount with sub purchases and, since they could ship in the same box, would not require a separate shipping charge. I'd estimate they'll be shipping in the next 1~2 months.

Time frames on subs, PM or e-mail or hop on live support. I'd rather not have a reference posted that'll be totally wrong in 4 days :)
That is a deal Chris. I will be in touch as I plan to buy a new sub very soon. Just narrowing things down a bit in order to get the "best" deal I can. Thanks for the info. Have a great day.

What's an eQ.2? :)

It is the new (2) band PEQ w/adjustable subsonic filter from Elemental Designs. Very nice product and I will get one as soon as they are available.

Righty, but until then I will enjoy my 40th if you know what I mean.........LOL!!!! The upgrades are slow but am in no hurry really. Nobody to please but me. :eek::eek: How you been?

the upgrade climb has been an expensive one. but I'm nowhere near my goal. I feel like I made circles trying to get bass nirvana.

other than that ... it's fun for the heart (but not for the pocket)

i'm considering eD myself ... what are you looking at?

the upgrade climb has been an expensive one. but I'm nowhere near my goal. I feel like I made circles trying to get bass nirvana.

other than that ... it's fun for the heart (but not for the pocket)

i'm considering eD myself ... what are you looking at?
LOL!!!! I hear ya as I am always broke from spending money on my ht. I am looking at the 350 myself. There is no doubt about the ht capabilities but more concerned with musical performance. Have not been too happy with the SVS PB10 NSD or the SVS PB12-NSD with repsect to musical performance. They both were great, however, with ht. My preference though is on music and I need something that can deliver that is within my budget. I may just save up for an Ultra as I am sure it would be stellar. How about you?

I'm auctioning my DIY TCsounds dual system consisting of two 15" 2000 woofers and two 18" radiators (one array in each cabinet) if you're interested. Pretty sure it will fill your room nicely with a good amp like a behringer or something similar:)

LOL!!!! I hear ya as I am always broke from spending money on my ht. I am looking at the 350 myself. There is no doubt about the ht capabilities but more concerned with musical performance. Have not been too happy with the SVS PB10 NSD or the SVS PB12-NSD with repsect to musical performance. They both were great, however, with ht. My preference though is on music and I need something that can deliver that is within my budget. I may just save up for an Ultra as I am sure it would be stellar. How about you?

i wanted the ultras ... but Ron of SVS has stopped replying to my queries on when they will be available in 220v.

guess I'm choosing one or two of the eD's if it's the last thing I do. :)

i on the other hand am looking for mind numbing bass and don't care for music performance. you want to buy a 220v DD18? :rolleyes:

It is the new (2) band PEQ w/adjustable subsonic filter from Elemental Designs. Very nice product and I will get one as soon as they are available.
IF you're gonna get an Eq why not wait before getting another sub?? Maybe the eq can help the mid range you are looking for? Just a thought. Unless eq's don't help in that way only with dips?? Dunno

Originally Posted by Chris Schempp
"IMO, out of all the HT subs we offer, if I took one home it'd be the A5-350. I just want proper reproduction of what I'm listening to now, at levels that don't cause damage.

That and I was speaking strictly based on things we sell normally. When I get a house, I'll likely custom build something."

With those requirements I am surprised that you did not say the A7S-450, or is that sub not considered offered yet.

i wanted the ultras ... but Ron of SVS has stopped replying to my queries on when they will be available in 220v.

guess I'm choosing one or two of the eD's if it's the last thing I do. :)

i on the other hand am looking for mind numbing bass and don't care for music performance. you want to buy a 220v DD18? :rolleyes:
Hmmmmm........interesting. No thanks on the Velo dd-18 as I could not afford it anyways. To be honest, not really sure which way I plan to go BUT it must have excellent musical performance. Personally, I could care less if it doesn't play down to 20 Hz and beyond. Getting into the high 20's would be plentty low enough for me. I wish I could afford the likes of the Ultra 13 or JL Fathom
or Velo dd-12. So, I am looking at all other posibilities. Have any suggestions?

IF you're gonna get an Eq why not wait before getting another sub?? Maybe the eq can help the mid range you are looking for? Just a thought. Unless eq's don't help in that way only with dips?? Dunno
Yeah Mike a PEQ would have helped BUT I am making a sub change regardless. Just taking my time in order to make a well informed decision so to speak. I also will be getting a PEQ from eD as soon as it is available.

Well, I pulled the trigger on the eD :)

Well, I pulled the trigger on the eD :)

I'll have to make a trip over and check it out, I'm not ready for a sub yet....... :cool:

When I get a house, I'll likely custom build something.

Boy have I got the build for you...

Hmmmmm........interesting. No thanks on the Velo dd-18 as I could not afford it anyways. To be honest, not really sure which way I plan to go BUT it must have excellent musical performance. Personally, I could care less if it doesn't play down to 20 Hz and beyond. Getting into the high 20's would be plentty low enough for me. I wish I could afford the likes of the Ultra 13 or JL Fathom
or Velo dd-12. So, I am looking at all other posibilities. Have any suggestions?

you have cheaper alternatives (to the DD) in the Velodyne SPL-R or SC series ...
but then you should just save for the ultra :)
or
the sealed eD subwoofer A7s-450

or
the sealed eD subwoofer A7s-450

now that i've ordered one, there will be no talk of any eD subs better than the 350 allowed in my thread :p

now that i've ordered one, there will be no talk of any eD subs better than the 350 allowed in my thread :p

Not necessarily better, more different.

The reason I'd personally rock the 350 over the 450 is that it provides all the output I'd need on pretty much everything I've thrown at it. There's isn't enough stuff out there w/ sub 20Hz info that I feel the need for the sealed cabinet over the vented one.

you have cheaper alternatives (to the DD) in the Velodyne SPL-R or SC series ...
but then you should just save for the ultra :)
or
the sealed eD subwoofer A7s-450
Thanks Mike for the recommendations. Chris sent me back an email and recommended the A7s-450 as well. I will look into it. Do you think an 18" driver would be okay with musical applications? Btw, my PB12-NSD is gone!!!!!!!

Not necessarily better, more different.

The reason I'd personally rock the 350 over the 450 is that it provides all the output I'd need on pretty much everything I've thrown at it. There's isn't enough stuff out there w/ sub 20Hz info that I feel the need for the sealed cabinet over the vented one.
Chris what advantages will the sealed cabinet give with an 18" driver musically speaking? How much is the 450 and how soon will it be available?? BTW, I sent you another email at eD. :):)

Bump..I'm interested in this question also.
dd

How much is the 450 and how soon will it be available?? BTW, I sent you another email at eD. :):)

now that i've ordered one, there will be no talk of any eD subs better than the 350 allowed in my thread

so I can't announce I ordered dual A7-450's? (not the sealed version) :D

With the A7s-450 (sealed), is this a ported box? And price?

so I can't announce I ordered dual A7-450's? (not the sealed version) :D

Shame on you for spilling the beans.(I ordered one also:D)

Shame on you for spilling the beans.(I ordered one also:D)

I told him about said beans.

Wait.

I shouldn't acknowledge this existing.

With the A7s-450 (sealed), is this a ported box? And price?


The a7s-450 is a sealed cabinet, the A7-450 is a vented version.

Both not online yet, but we we have a few being built.

I guess if we are talking about spilt beans, then I will confess to having a slightly modified A7S-450 (1300 amp) in the construction phase. I am getting antsy though, it has been in "box under construction" for three days now. I keep checking to see if it has made it to the paint room. I was hoping that I would get it next week, but now I doubt that it will happen. :)

I am not complaining, just anxious.

Chris what advantages will the sealed cabinet give with an 18" driver musically speaking? How much is the 450 and how soon will it be available?? BTW, I sent you another email at eD. :):)

Sealed and vented cabinets sound different, due to their roll-off characteristics, peaks created by the enclosure size, and a few other factors, some people prefer sealed, some vented, its really a preference thing.

The sealed enclosure will less roll off in the lower frequencies, Think 20hz and down, when compared to a vented enclosure.

With a sealed enclosure you can typically use an eQ to boost the low end as well.

Sealed and vented cabinets sound different, due to their roll-off characteristics, peaks created by the enclosure size, and a few other factors, some people prefer sealed, some vented, its really a preference thing.

The sealed enclosure will less roll off in the lower frequencies, Think 20hz and down, when compared to a vented enclosure.

With a sealed enclosure you can typically use an eQ to boost the low end as well.
Thanks for the reply. I also understand that a sealed box will yield a smoother roll-off as compared to a vented enclosure. Furthermore, sealed enclosures usually result in a more detailed sound at the cost of extension. My question is though how will an 18" driver sound musically given that an 18" driver will typically have a greater recovery time as compared to a smaller 10" or 12" driver???? In other words, will an 18" driver have a lot of overhang??? Not implying just asking because I truly no nothing about the specific 18" driver you are employing in this new sealed design.

Shame on you for spilling the beans.(I ordered one also:D)

so you're the other guy on the email Chris sent ...

there can be only one ... :cool: prepare to battle!

seriously though, looks like you'll get it before I do (a full month before I do)
please share your comments and pictures!

btw, let's bother Chris to take some pictures as they're getting built!

so you're the other guy on the email Chris sent ...

there can be only one ... :cool: prepare to battle!

seriously though, looks like you'll get it before I do (a full month before I do)
please share your comments and pictures!

btw, let's bother Chris to take some pictures as they're getting built!

:D.. I'd say he will, I can't wait for it!!

:D.. I'd say he will, I can't wait for it!!

let's make our own thread, Dradius might get fidgety and change his A5-350 order. :eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12105267#post12105267

let's make our own thread, Dradius might get fidgety and change his A5-350 order. :eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12105267#post12105267

lol. who me? that's ridiculous. it's not like i just asked somebody at ED how much the a7-450 costs :p i really hope they say $5,000 so i can feel at ease

Thanks for the reply. I also understand that a sealed box will yield a smoother roll-off as compared to a vented enclosure. Furthermore, sealed enclosures usually result in a more detailed sound at the cost of extension. My question is though how will an 18" driver sound musically given that an 18" driver will typically have a greater recovery time as compared to a smaller 10" or 12" driver???? In other words, will an 18" driver have a lot of overhang??? Not implying just asking because I truly no nothing about the specific 18" driver you are employing in this new sealed design.

I know that it is a different design, but the A7-900 uses two of the 18" drivers and Craig rated it as the best sub tested to date musically. Craig gave it a 53. The SVS PB13 Ultra received a 52 and the highly aclaimed JL Audio Fathom 113 received a 50. I would think a sealed sub using the same 18" driver would do well for music.

I know that it is a different design, but the A7-900 uses two of the 18" drivers and Craig rated it as the best sub tested to date musically. Craig gave it a 53. The SVS PB13 Ultra received a 52 and the highly aclaimed JL Audio Fathom 113 received a 50. I would think a sealed sub using the same 18" driver would do well for music.

Wow, that is a very good point there. Is the A7-900 sealed or vented? That thing is huge but looks to be built like a tank. I will say I am carefully looking at the 450 sealed myself. Big driver (18") and a lot of power at 1300 watts rms. That would have to be awesome. Are you planning on getting the eQ.2?

The A7-900 is ported. My AVR has Audyssey, so I am going to see how the A7S-450 sounds using it first. If I am not happy with the result then I will look into a parametric equalizer. The www.behringer.com/DSP1124P/ does more than the eQ.2 and costs the same, but it is harder to use. Take a look at it.

The A7-900 is ported. My AVR has Audyssey, so I am going to see how the A7S-450 sounds using it first. If I am not happy with the result then I will look into a parametric equalizer. The www.behringer.com/DSP1124P/ does more than the eQ.2 and costs the same, but it is harder to use. Take a look at it.

Yeah, I am familiar with the Behringer offerings. But, I also like simplicity and as such will be buying the eQ.2 just as soon as it is available. My receiver has MCACC but sure wished it had Audyssey. Let us know how it sounds once you get it. Do you know how long it will be before you get it?

I was hoping that it would be the end of this week, but now I think it will be the end of next week. I ordered on 10-13-07.

I was hoping that it would be the end of this week, but now I think it will be the end of next week. I ordered on 10-13-07.
Still not a bad wait time. I could live with that. Still narrowing things down as we speak.