Looking for my first subwoofer trying to complete my home theatre system!

Currently running new Yamaha RX-V661 7.1 channel with B&W 602 fronts that I've had for a while. I am looking to add the B&W LCR60 or LCR600 center channel to match the 602s. Need some advice on the subwoofer, then I will deal with the rear surrounds last.

MY ROOM: 20x14 w/ vaulted ceiling 20ft at one end and 10ft at the other. I guess that would be approx 4200cu ft. The room is open on one end to the kichen w/ 8 ft ceilings 28 x 15.

I need a sub that will match well will my B&Ws and have no prob being driven by my Yammy, and will be enough to rock the room without breakin the bank!! What SUB will give me the most bang for my buck without having muddy base based on the above info on my room dim and equip???

my budget is $200-300.

Based on what i have read in this forum, some possibilities would be the BIC H-100, Prem Acous PA-12w, HSU STF-2, new Dayton HSU subs, or SVS PB-10????? Velodyne also have many to choose from!
Looks like ED(Elemental Design) performed well in the most recent craigsub rankings. He tested the ED A5-350 and it was very impressive next to subs 3-4 x the cost of ED. Should I consider a smalled ED like the A2-250, or A3-300???

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!!!

My use will be 80% movie 20% music!

Thanks
Paul:D

Your budget is too small. The SVS pb-10 is 429+50 shipping. 200-300 is too small a budget for what you're using already.

The BEST advice? Run away, quickly. You don't wanted to get sucked into this. :eek:

The next best advice? Double your budget. Really. It will open up alot of possibilities for great bass.

To directly answer your question though, with a max budget of $300, the eD A2-250 is likely your best option.

p.s. never give a budget range around here. All we need is the maximum since we're always going to spend all of it anyway.:D


Tim

Paul, as others have mentioned for what you are looking to do ("rock the room") in your fairly sizeable room, you need to up the budget.

The A5-350 at $600 shipped should do what you want. If you can't swing it, perhaps do a smaller eD now with a second added later.

Paul, as others have mentioned for what you are looking to do ("rock the room") in your fairly sizeable room, you need to up the budget.

The A5-350 at $600 shipped should do what you want. If you can't swing it, perhaps do a smaller eD now with a second added later.

I am going to have to disagree and say that you can find a stellar sub in the $300 price range. The Dayton HSU12 12" sub is now on sale at Parts Express now for $389 (no tax, free shipping). This sub ROCKS!! I'll put it up against 12" sub under a $800 and i'll bet dollars to donuts that it will equal or better them both in music and home theater application. It has a 250 watt RMS amp and a frequency response of 20-180 Hz and the cabinet is 20" H x 15" W x 22" D.

The Dayton HSU12 is virtually identical to HSU Research VTF-2 MK 3:
Amp Power (RMS) 250
Frequency Response (maxiumum extension mode) 18 Hz
Frequency Response (maxiumum output mode) 25 Hz
Woofer Size 12 Inches
Crossover Bypassable 24 dB/Oct, continuously variable 30 - 90 Hz low pass filter
Phase 0/180°
Dimensions 22"(h) X 15" (w) X 23" (d)

The VTF-2 MK3 lists for $500 (and is currently on sale at HSU for $450). The only difference I can find is that the Dayton has slightly different cabinet dimensions, but the specs look to be about the same. HSU subs in this class also have an excursion switch and port cover to allow the sub to get hit lows under 18 Hz. I don't believe the Daytons have this feature. I should also point out that the Dayton HSU12 has a one year warranty, while the HSU has a seven year warranty. I would probably spend the extra $60 and go for the HSU, however if price is paramount, the Dayton HSU120 is a bargain at $389. If you're willing to go to $300, you may as well go up to the $389 for the HSU120 and get $800 worth of sub for a bargain price.

I just bought a Dayton Sub-120 and am thrilled with the build quality, power and musicality for a mere $140 shipped. Dayton has a great formula going. My buddy just built a Dayton 15" Titanic MK III for just north of $550. I have auditioned the entire line of Velodyne, a slew of Axiom, Definitive, Paradigm, Mirage etc and not one of them beats the Titanic 15" in terms of sheer power. The US Military should ship them to Iraq to knock down buildings and kill Al Queda insurgents. My personal preference would be to buy two Titanic 10" subs and daisy chain them: better for music and a ton of power for under $800.... just fantasizing here. :D

Those are good subs no question, but some folks (like me) have different ideas of what "rock the room" means. You can talk figuratively or you can border on a more literal meaning. ;)

Sometimes I like to actually frighten myself with bass. :eek:

The key to rock the room bass is compression and room gain. A space that large with vaulted ceilings is going to need a sub or subs that can produce a ton of bass along the entire bandwidth. Even twice that budget probably won't cover it.

Ian

I am going to have to disagree and say that you can find a stellar sub in the $300 price range. The Dayton HSU12 12" sub is now on sale at Parts Express now for $389 (no tax, free shipping). This sub ROCKS!! I'll put it up against 12" sub under a $800 and i'll bet dollars to donuts that it will equal or better them both in music and home theater application.
Umm, you'll lose that bet.


Regardless though, you're over the budget maximum in this situation.


Tim

What folks don't sometimes realize until they are more familiar with it is that impressive bass is not just about achieving certain spl numbers, but is about how effortlessly the system is able to produce the spl. Think headroom. This is why big IB systems with multiple drivers can sound so impressive. This too is probably why Craig's A7-900 can produce such strong results.

The key to rock the room bass is compression and room gain. A space that large with vaulted ceilings is going to need a sub or subs that can produce a ton of bass along the entire bandwidth. Even twice that budget probably won't cover it.

Ian

Ian, you're probably right. However, you could daisy chain two Dayton Sub-120's for under $300 or even your setup, 2 velo vx-10's, and you could fill the space with ample bass and get decent bang for the buck. If you're creative and willing to play around, you can talk to the guys over at parts express and they'll hook you up with the right flairs and fixes to really make even entry level subs sound pretty damn good. If the HSU won't give him the power he needs, this alternative probably would and still stay in the range. I am in no way comparing this route to going with a Fathom 113 or Velo DD-18, but things have changed a lot in the last 10 years and you can get some pretty decent subs at the bottom end. If money wasn't an issue, go for the DD-18, which I thought was an insanely great sounding sub, but I would have to hit the lottery before I would cough up that kind of money. For under $1000 bucks, I think the HSU subs (whether you get it badged from HSU, Dayton, Outlaw etc) give you the best bang for the buck. I wish they fell into my budget, but my wife wants landscaping in the spring. :D

[Edit]

The 15" Titanic MkIII, in addition to being insanely powerful, is actually a pretty impressive sounding sub and is far more musical than the sound cannon the specs make it look to be. Although, I would take two 12" mkIII for music, I really liked the 15" for the money--- as an added bonus you can use it as a coffee table. ;)

I got the Bic H100 for $210 shipped from overstock (20% cash back from paypall, free shipping, and 10% off using a coupon I found on fatwallet.) Now sure how it would fill that big room of yours though.