Help needed in selecting a sub

How small are you looking to keep it, and how much are you willing to spend?

+1. "Budget no problem" will get you lots of recommendations for >$1,000 subs. Judging from the rest of the setup, I'd be surprised if you wanted to drop $2k on a sub. You might want to actually set a target budget and size limitations so you get some useful suggestions.

SVS PB10-NSD probably as good or better than any sub at it's price or less.

Check out the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX, on sale for $519 with free ground shipping. You will seriously not do better than that.

That sounds reasonable. As shadyj mentioned, the LFM-1 EX is a great choice at only $519 with free shipping (it's usually $649 + >$60 for shipping). I'd recommend spending the extra $19 and grabbing one. The sale is only good through September 30, so snag one before it's too late. You won't believe the difference a quality subwoofer will make in the sound of your system. The LFM-1 EX will make your setup much better than "entry level" when it comes to bass.

The LFM-1 EX is a tremendous value at $519. If you want to go lower in price, the LFM-1 Plus is also a really good value at $439 (on sale until 9/30).

You can always adjust the level your SW plays at. I have mine at -5 dB with my mains and center at 0 dB and my surrounds at +4 dB.

Current 5.1 setup: Acoustech HT-75 (mains - floor standing towers), HT-65 (center), Klipsch Synergy SS.5 Surrounds, and Outlaw LFM-1 EX.

The EX has taken the sound of my system to a whole other level. As far as overpowering your system, you can always fine tune it. If you decide to upgrade later, you can play the EX louder. Or just go with the Plus. Even the Compact will be a great addition to your system. It all depends on what you want to spend, if size or WAF (Wife Approval Factor) matters, amount of output, and how low you want to go. The plus and EX reach subsonic levels. When something quakes on the screen, you'll be quaking along with it in your room

I'd say not valid. No need to worry about a sub overpowering the rest of your system. The Outlaw at $519, as recommended above, is probably a good choice.

Better to have headroom than not enough...

Think of it in automobile terms. You have a car that will do 60 max. Which is fine if you only drive 55 and on level ground. Once you start up a incline the max speed is going drop, the steeper the incline the slower it will be and the harder the engine has to work to compensate possibly causing damage. A car capable of 90 max will help insure you get over those inclines at 55 without stressing the engine as much. You can always go lighter on the gas pedal (volume or gain) but once you've got it to the floor and the engine wound tight, that's it.

I would go for the Outlaw LFM-1 Ex. It has a tuning mode which lets you decide where it's output strength should be, it has a slightly more powerful amplifier, and it has two ports which can help more to minimize the chances of chuffing. Plus, its convenient shape can let it easily double as a endtable next to a couch. It's just a really good deal while it's on sale right now.

ShadyJ, how would the LFM-1 EX compare to an eD a3-300, any idea?

Thanks

I think I can give you a fair assessment of that. I have a A3-300 and a Hsu VTF3.3, and have compared them directly. The LFM-1 EX is really just a downward-firing version of VTF3, everything else is almost exactly the same on the sub, the dimensions, the amp, the dual-ported design and tuning modes; it's a cloned design.

The A3-300 is a terrific sub, especially for how inexpensive it is, however the VTF3 is certainly a more capable sub, as well is should be, seeing how it's a bit more expensive. It's has a larger enclosure, two ports, variable tuning, and a more powerful amp. I have run bass test CDs, and the A3 will definitely chuff at 16 hertz and 18 hertz at volumes the VTF3 will have no problem with. Another thing I noticed is that the VTF3's cabinet is steadier, the A3's seem to vibrate a little bit above a certain amount of output. I suspect that the VTF3 could get louder with less problem overall, but I haven't pushed either sub to its maximum capability.

If the choice is between the A3 and the LFM-1 EX, you should go with the LFM-1 EX. Don't get me wrong, I really like the A3, but Outlaw's sale price on the LFM currently make it the very best deal in it's price class, in my opinion.

Thanks ShadyJ, appreciate your comparison.

Coulda picked up 2 PA-120's for < $400.

But the Outlaw is better in everyway.

Do it right the first time.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages.../subs/f15.html

For dual subs, it's better to go with two of the same. Easier to get them placed and configured properly in the room.

You could also get a Hsu VTF3, it is so similar to the Outlaw that they will play well together. Another Outlaw is the ideal though.