Need musical sub recs, ~$150, $200 max

There is good reason for this.

It is easier to make a cheap sub that goes boom reasonably loud for home theater than it is to make a sub that is accurate. With that budget you won't have much luck finding a tight musical subwoofer. I don't know what your expectations are though...maybe you'll like it. I didn't so I dropped $1200 on a Rythmik instead.

You can check out the LAVA LSP8 $197 before 15% AVS discount:

http://www.lavasubs.com/8_inch/power...subwoofer.html

Some have said that Lava subs do well with music considering the price. I plan on picking up two 12" subs for my bother's new system

You can save up a little bit more and check out these:

HSU STF-1 $269 + s/h
http://hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

Outlaw Audio M8 (on sale right now for $224 shipped

You best bet is the Emotiva Ultra 10 for 329 shipped:

http://emotiva.com/ultra_sub10.shtm

I would suspect the BIC subs to play deeper and a bit louder at the expense of some SQ with music. Can you spring for the 10" at $209 after discount? That way you get better extension and impact when you watch the occasional movie

hmmm...this thread is interesting for me as well. When I decide to go searching for Subs, my budget will likely be around $200 maximum as well. Although I'm not expecting a sub that is capable with both movies and music, mainly I will be getting it for enhanced movie sound effects etc.

I have both, dual BIC F12s and dual Lava LSP10s. Its true the F12s are more geared for HT and go deeper, they give you a bigger boom but they are a little limited when it comes to music. The Lavas are more of a musical sub, they don't go as deep as the BICs but they are smoother and punchier when it comes to music. Other than that, your pickings are kind of slim when it comes to a $200 max budget.

enhanced movie sound effects
I would go for the BIC F12 over the Lavas for HT use.

I'm not sure if you know this, but they will give you a generous 15% discount if you email Lava and tell them you are a member here at AVS. They will give you a unique code and this will bring down the price on their subs a little more for you. They are a friendly group and got good customer service, so email them and say hi.

The output of the LSP10 should be deeper, louder and better able to handle a larger room. I personally would only use the 8" in a bedroom setup.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Lava recommends the 10" for music

Give Lava a call and see what they say. I would still go with the 10 as you will less likely have to upgrade later. Either way you should be happy.

The Lava's are not what I'd call a musical sub. They are fun for HT but they aren't going to be all that great with music. The cheapest musical sub that's been suggested is the Emotiva Ultra 10". That will be your best bet. Stay away from ported subs for music. In that price range they're going to be one note wonders.

It's going to be really hard to find a musical sub at that price. At your budget I think your mostly going to get boomy, flabby sounding subs. Perhaps you could wait a while and save up a bit more cash?

Have you read the Audioholics review on the 12" model?

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...sp12-subwoofer

perhaps this will help you decide

No I meant to read it as source to help give you an idea of what you can expect from the LSP10

I you can spend no more than around $200 then the Lava will probably give you the best music SQ for the money Is the Emotiva a better sub? YES. However if the review of the LSP12 is to be believed, you would be hard pressed to find a sub with descent music SQ and "midbass punch" at your price point other than the Lava. I say go for it. If you don't like it then Lava has a generous return policy.

Otherwise you can stretch a bit more and get the Oulaw M8 at $224 though I am unsure of how much better (if any) it is over the Lava.