Sorry for another "help me pick a sub!" post. I'm a college student trying to slowly build up a sound system. I bought front L/R (Aperion Intimus 4T) and an Onkyo TX-SR307 last year (I know the receiver is a little underpowered but I got it for a steal open box).
I'm looking to spend no more than $500 on a sub. Ideally I'd like to spend less so I can put some money towards a computer/hard drive dedicated for the sound system. That being said, I'd be willing to pay a little more for the sub if there was a really convincing reason why I should.
I don't really have any size requirements or limits.
The common room of my suite for next year is just under 2000 cubic feet (12.5ish by 16ish and the ceiling is "normal" - probably 9ish feet). I doubt I'll be living in something much larger than 2500 cubic feet and (hopefully) nothing much smaller than 1500 cubic feet for the next 5 or 6 years.
I plan on using it for 80% music 20% HT.
In terms of listening habits, the music will primarily be rock, jazz, and classical. I care a lot more about having clean and accurate bass than making the room shake. I'd like something that I can turn up decently loud for parties but not so loud the cops come to my dorm. Because I'm in a dorm I assume a down firing sub would be a bad idea.
I have no appearance requirements.
Anything I can get within a month or two is fine.
I wouldn't trust myself putting together a DIY sub.
I've spent a few days looking at forums and reviews and it seems like Hsu, SVS, and eD are the companies that had the best subs in my price range. The subs that seemed to make the most sense are, in order:
eD A3S-250 - I'd prefer a sealed enclosure because I will primarily be using my speakers for music. Also, it's really cheap. I'm nervous about whether it will be powerful enough and because I've seen a number of posts complaining about eD's amps being bad.
Hsu STF-2 - It seems to be the most popular sub in this price range. I've read a number of posts suggesting it's more "musical" than the PB10-NSD
SVS PB10-NSD - Then again, I've read a number of posts saying it's better than the STF-2.
My sense is that any one of those 3 would be fine.
Hsu VTF-1 - According to Hsu's website it has a better driver than the STF-1, but I think the variable tuning would be a waste of money for me. It seemed like most people who bought the sub primarily for music just left it in the lower extension mode.
And some things a little outside my price range:
Fancier Hsu VTFs - there are some at pretty good discounts in their clearance section, but I assume these would all have more power than I need.
SB12-NSD
A5S-300
Dynamo 700
two cheaper subs (like STF-1s or A2-250s)
Shopping around for a clearance/open box/used older sub (like the original Dynamo or the ML Grotto on ebay for $600) and hoping that it works when I get it.
Sorry this post is so long. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
I'm looking to spend no more than $500 on a sub. Ideally I'd like to spend less so I can put some money towards a computer/hard drive dedicated for the sound system. That being said, I'd be willing to pay a little more for the sub if there was a really convincing reason why I should.
I don't really have any size requirements or limits.
The common room of my suite for next year is just under 2000 cubic feet (12.5ish by 16ish and the ceiling is "normal" - probably 9ish feet). I doubt I'll be living in something much larger than 2500 cubic feet and (hopefully) nothing much smaller than 1500 cubic feet for the next 5 or 6 years.
I plan on using it for 80% music 20% HT.
In terms of listening habits, the music will primarily be rock, jazz, and classical. I care a lot more about having clean and accurate bass than making the room shake. I'd like something that I can turn up decently loud for parties but not so loud the cops come to my dorm. Because I'm in a dorm I assume a down firing sub would be a bad idea.
I have no appearance requirements.
Anything I can get within a month or two is fine.
I wouldn't trust myself putting together a DIY sub.
I've spent a few days looking at forums and reviews and it seems like Hsu, SVS, and eD are the companies that had the best subs in my price range. The subs that seemed to make the most sense are, in order:
eD A3S-250 - I'd prefer a sealed enclosure because I will primarily be using my speakers for music. Also, it's really cheap. I'm nervous about whether it will be powerful enough and because I've seen a number of posts complaining about eD's amps being bad.
Hsu STF-2 - It seems to be the most popular sub in this price range. I've read a number of posts suggesting it's more "musical" than the PB10-NSD
SVS PB10-NSD - Then again, I've read a number of posts saying it's better than the STF-2.
My sense is that any one of those 3 would be fine.
Hsu VTF-1 - According to Hsu's website it has a better driver than the STF-1, but I think the variable tuning would be a waste of money for me. It seemed like most people who bought the sub primarily for music just left it in the lower extension mode.
And some things a little outside my price range:
Fancier Hsu VTFs - there are some at pretty good discounts in their clearance section, but I assume these would all have more power than I need.
SB12-NSD
A5S-300
Dynamo 700
two cheaper subs (like STF-1s or A2-250s)
Shopping around for a clearance/open box/used older sub (like the original Dynamo or the ML Grotto on ebay for $600) and hoping that it works when I get it.
Sorry this post is so long. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
