AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › best sub under 400
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

best sub under 400

post #1 of 23
4/19/10 at 9:18am
Thread Starter 
I need to buy the best sub that I can get for 400 or less. Mostly for blu rays.

I have a 1019 Pio Receiver
Pro monitor 800 (definitive Technology) for fronts.
Pro center 1000 (definitive Technology) for Center
HDT HD r65 for Surrounds.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 23
4/19/10 at 6:09pm
Elemental Designs has several nice subwoofers in the $400 and under range and I believe the shipping is free. HSU also has the STF series which can be had for sub-$400.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 23
4/20/10 at 7:14am
eD and HSU are your best bet.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 23
4/20/10 at 7:49am
Cambridge Soundworks P300HD. Tri-oppose designed woofers (6-6.5 woofers).
It rated at 25-200Hz. CNET says it sounds as good as the Bowers & Wilkins PV1.

$399 + Free shipping; additional $50 off with coupon SPTAKE50.

http://store.cambridgesoundworks.com...B00345HIHQ.htm
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 23
4/20/10 at 2:03pm
The Hsu STF-2 is ~$391 (includes shipping).
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 23
4/20/10 at 2:06pm
I use the HSU STF-1 in an 1800 cu.ft. room and it is great, plenty of power for the room size. I use the 1019 also.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 23
4/21/10 at 9:55am
Would anyone put the Acoustech pl-200 in this category
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 23
4/21/10 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artman22 View Post

Would anyone put the Acoustech pl-200 in this category

It might be the best under $300.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 23
4/21/10 at 8:10pm
How much better would the stf-2 be compared to the pl-200? I know musicaly it's better, but overall?
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 23
4/22/10 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artman22 View Post

How much better would the stf-2 be compared to the pl-200? I know musicaly it's better, but overall?

Other than Music I don't know that it is better and I can't really say the music would be better either. The PL-200 has a lower bass response level and more power overall plus a 12" speaker which has its advantages. Just looking at specs I'd say the PL-200 is the winner, looking at every thing I've read I'd say they are pretty even but the PL-200 should be cheaper.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 23
4/22/10 at 7:12am
Thread Starter 
After going back and forward I have come to the conclusion that eD might be the best bang for the buck. So the A2-300 would be the choice. Now my question is if I can increase my budget from 400 to 600 would the A3-300 would be that much better over the A2-300? Or is there any other sub in the 600 that is that much better than the A2-300?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 23
4/22/10 at 8:58am
I would say Ed-A3-300 or SVS PB NSD 12... Both have similar specs and great reputations.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 23
4/22/10 at 9:09am
SVS is well over his budget with shipping. eD if you can stand the wait. Shop used?
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 23
4/23/10 at 7:31am
Thread Starter 
Is the VTF-2 MK 3 in the same league with these two.
Is the HSU VTF-2 MK 3 better than the A3-300??
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 23
4/23/10 at 7:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alejopelaez View Post

After going back and forward I have come to the conclusion that eD might be the best bang for the buck. So the A2-300 would be the choice. Now my question is if I can increase my budget from 400 to 600 would the A3-300 would be that much better over the A2-300? Or is there any other sub in the 600 that is that much better than the A2-300?

If you:
1. have tools (jigsaw, router) or borrow from neighbor(s).
2. have $600 budget
3. have free time to kick air
4. D.I.Y.
a. Build a Rythmik CI for accurate bass.
b. Build a Elegance Acoustics 15" + 2-18" PR for monster SPL.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 23
4/23/10 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alejopelaez View Post

After going back and forward I have come to the conclusion that eD might be the best bang for the buck. So the A2-300 would be the choice. Now my question is if I can increase my budget from 400 to 600 would the A3-300 would be that much better over the A2-300? Or is there any other sub in the 600 that is that much better than the A2-300?

$400-$600, I'd look at the SVS PB12-NSD. They have one B-Stock right now. Solid sub, solid company, should be able to satisfy most people for years. Just so long as you don't mind it being black.

The other option I'd look at would be the Hsu VTF 2 MKIII in black. Hsu's are solid, good sounding products and could keep you happy for years as well.

Toss a coin.

I'd lean towards the SVS, but mainly due to familiarity with the company and product.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 23
4/23/10 at 8:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alejopelaez View Post

Is the VTF-2 MK 3 in the same league with these two.
Is the HSU VTF-2 MK 3 better than the A3-300??

Absolutely in the same league as those two and arguably better depending on listening habits and preferences. The coolest aspect of the VTF-2 is the ability to go between tuning the sub towards music, or lower extension.

Not sure what the warranty is on the e.d. but the HSU comes with a 7 year warranty on the driver. The VTF-2 MK 3 is also $40 off right now, approx $510 (w/o shipping). The biggest reason I am getting one though, is the fact that their shop is 5 minutes from my house. The weights a lot!

There are just so many factors to weight when getting one... oh and if you go with the A2-300 which is a VERY well respected sub, you will have to weight approx. a month or so to get it since it's made to order.

craigsubs ranking:
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($510 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($415 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)

So "technically" most would rank it a little higher but the cost per performance if going by craigsubs metric is $5 a point for the A2-300 versus $5.90 for the VTF-2

A lot would argue that the A2-300 is a better bang for the buck, a lot would argue the VTF-2 is better all around... confusing indeed!
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 23
4/23/10 at 8:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmanick View Post

$400-$600, I'd look at the SVS PB12-NSD. They have one B-Stock right now. Solid sub, solid company, should be able to satisfy most people for years. Just so long as you don't mind it being black.

The other option I'd look at would be the Hsu VTF 2 MKIII in black. Hsu's are solid, good sounding products and could keep you happy for years as well.

SVS is a GREAT sub too, but if you factor in shipping you are going to go over that $600 mark easily. Great sub though too!
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 23
4/23/10 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stryprod View Post

SVS is a GREAT sub too, but if you factor in shipping you are going to go over that $600 mark easily. Great sub though too!

Depends on location. As mentioned, one available as b-stock right now, running their shipping estimator to my address it came out right at the $600 mark. Outside of the b-stock, then yes, the sub itself is $599 MSRP + shipping.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 23
4/23/10 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stryprod View Post

Absolutely in the same league as those two and arguably better depending on listening habits and preferences. The coolest aspect of the VTF-2 is the ability to go between tuning the sub towards music, or lower extension.

Not sure what the warranty is on the e.d. but the HSU comes with a 7 year warranty on the driver. The VTF-2 MK 3 is also $40 off right now, approx $510 (w/o shipping). The biggest reason I am getting one though, is the fact that their shop is 5 minutes from my house. The weights a lot!

There are just so many factors to weight when getting one... oh and if you go with the A2-300 which is a VERY well respected sub, you will have to weight approx. a month or so to get it since it's made to order.

craigsubs ranking:
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($510 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($415 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)

So "technically" most would rank it a little higher but the cost per performance if going by craigsubs metric is $5 a point for the A2-300 versus $5.90 for the VTF-2

A lot would argue that the A2-300 is a better bang for the buck, a lot would argue the VTF-2 is better all around... confusing indeed!

Maybe I asked the question wrong? I was trying to compare the HSU VTF-2 to the A3-300 not the A2-300. Which one is better or more bang for the buck. I'm 85% movies 15% music
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 23
4/23/10 at 9:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alejopelaez View Post

Maybe I asked the question wrong? I was trying to compare the HSU VTF-2 to the A3-300 not the A2-300. Which one is better or more bang for the buck. I'm 85% movies 15% music

Both are excellent. In general, I find HSU subs a hair more articulate and eD subs will have a hair more authority down low.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 23
4/23/10 at 9:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnatalli View Post

Both are excellent. In general, I find HSU subs a hair more articulate and eD subs will have a hair more authority down low.

How low can the VTF-2 MK 3 go?
I believe the eD A2-300 is 18Hz.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 23
4/23/10 at 11:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JChin View Post

How low can the VTF-2 MK 3 go?
I believe the eD A2-300 is 18Hz.

Click on the Hsu advertised link at top of page and then select the VTF-2 April Special. The Specs are listed.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › best sub under 400