what is best subwoofer under $500 ?

I was looking into this about 6 months ago for someone, and Elemental Designs approximately $500 offerings kept coming up. I haven't heard them, but just repeating what kept coming up as great bang-for-buck by those who supposedly have heard them.

You could do worse than starting there and seeing if it fits your budget and room size.

Stay away from the MFW 15 from av1123 - that company is sinking fast (ceo is on trial for charity fraud ans all kinds of crazy stuff, and far too many folks have spent money there, but have yet to receive product, even 1-2 years after paying).

My room is 20' x 13' x 7.5' and I just ordered an ED A2-300. I'm probably looking at 85% movies/video and the rest music. I was interested in good low-end (18 Hz) and can recreate the small details, not just boom distortion.

From what I read this sub is exactly what I want...but a 6+ week wait time is dissappointing. I figure I may as well order it because 6 weeks from now I still won't have found a suitable competitor.

I like HSU myself, but SVS and eD are excellent choices as well.

In the range $390-415 (includes shipping) individuals in this forum like the Hsu STF-2 and the eD A2-300. The eD will play lower but the STF-2 is considered more musical.

You should be able to get a BIC PL-200 for less than $329. Check how individuals have been ordering it. Individuals who have had the F12 and PL-200 consider the PL-200 superior. There have been no direct comparisons of the Hsu STF-2, eD A2-300, and PL-200. Many individuals have upgraded from the F12 to the STF-2 or A2-300.

I would love to get a fresh perspective on this. I am currently thinking about getting a SVS PB1000 for my HT maybe VTF-1 MK2. Does anyone know of a sub for around 500 that could beat this?

Also, I would be using this for 50 music 50 HT. I am thinking of and probably will get the Polk LSi15s as my fronts, LSi7 as my surrounds and the LSiC as my center. The room I will be in is a large open room

Post #244. That may help you out a little.

 

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1425179/the-subwoofer-recommendation-by-pricepoint-thread/240

 

Tough choice.

XStanleyX, you are way too helpful. I owe you one man!

Like I've said before, I just enjoy spending other people money when I ain't got any. The higher spl's is what you may want in your room. Probably another down the road as your budget allows.

 

You may still get more opinions.

Edited by XStanleyX - 1/22/13 at 5:28pm

I saw for the 500 price point it would be Premier Acoustic PA-150. I wonder if that will be enough to fill a large room. I might have to ask

Nope, you'll want to add one or more subs down the road in your room. Two might do if positioned properly for your listening position.

How large is the room it will be in and the space it is open to? To calculate total square footage you want to multiple length x width x height. You will want to do that to all rooms the sub will be open to and then add all the rooms together.

Picking audio gear is like licking honey off a thorn. You'll get to the honey eventually.

Its actually about a 780 sq ft room with 9ft ceilings so that would be about 6750 cubic ft. Would the Premier Acoustic PA-150 work for that room?

Haha, nice one

For a room like that for a single sub under 500, yeah I would go with the PA-150. If there is a Klipsch sale going on, you may even think about getting two Klipsch RW-12Ds instead, although that would be $600. That room is just too big for any single $500 sub to tackle. Another sub to consider is the Hsu VTF2 mk4, right now on sale for under $600 shipped. You might want one of those with the intention of adding a second one later. That will give you some deep bass that the PA-150 wouldn't and still have some decent output level.

Would the single HSU VTF2 MK4 do a better job solo than the PA-150? I can't get two right now and didnt want to spend 600. However, if the difference is significant enough, i would consider it.

Yeah, the RW-12d is a great sub for the money. I was happy with the one I had. I just went with the Rythmik since I had the funds available. If I had not had the funds I would have ordered a 2nd one and called it good. If you think about getting one now and one later be aware they are a discontinued model and who know when they will dry up. You already know how that story goes. Of course the other options of adding a 2nd later are better. Just more money in the end but at least you can get a 2nd one when funds are available.

I own a PA 150 sub and my room is roughly 21x19x10 in an open concept style home. The Premier Acoustic PA 150 rocks the house. I have it paired with Klipsch RF 7 system. For more even bass response in the room I also have an Epik Legend. With room modes this thing easily goes into the upper teens with authority so that you can feel the rumble and feel the pressure. This is a sleeper sub for the price and is an output monster. It has a nice clean sound with music also. I am more amazed with this sub because I did not expect it to be as good as the Epik, but is is every bit as good!
Edited by derrickdj1 - 1/22/13 at 6:59pm

Saying it's as good as the Epic Legend is quite an endorsement.

I concur, maybe I will give i a whirl. At minimum I could sell it and upgrade eventually

The VTF2 will have much better deep bass output, but not nearly as much upper bass output. It will sound more even, and it also has some features with which you can shape its response. Between the two I would rather have the VTF2, but the PA-150 might be more appropriate for you in your very large room. I think If you are using bookshelf speaker fronts, go for the PA-150, its upper bass output will be a lot more useful compliment to bookshelf speakers, but if you have tower fronts, go for the VTF2, its deeper bass extension will make a greater difference since the towers will already have a grab on the upper bass.

Another option is to wait until outlaw has the lfm-1 plus on sale. About a month ago you could get one for $499 delivered. They typically have it on sale a couple of times a year. It's comparable to the hsu vtf-2.

Interesting... I have a friend who let me try his out, while its a great sub it didnt seem to even touch anything below about 23,24 hz. I believe its rated down to 25, correct me if i'm wrong. In my opinion the empire is on a whole new level all especially in the teens.

See Josh Ricci database on the Premiere Acoustic P! 150. This sub had and output over 120 db. It may not have has strong of a low end has an Rythmik 15 or seaton submersive but they are 2-3x more expensive.