Best Sub For around $250 Range

Those are the three most recommended subs.

At < $300, the BIC PL-200 is a step up from the three. You need to check the PL-200 set of comments on how to get the best price.

If you are seriously considering the Polk 505 you should also look at the LAVA 12. You may be able to get a 15% discount by mentioning AVS. Both of these subs have more output centered between 40-50 Hz.

IIRC, the Premier and BIC have a flatter frequency response.

Bic f12!

plus 1. I have dual Lavas. $288 shipped to my door (each). Very clean LFE, down to 24-25hz (yes I know about the 35hz "roll off"). Absolutely zero issues except for awesome movie watching.

Assuming that the F12 is similar to the PL-200, and the PA-120 to the PA-150, to me, "flatter" doesn't seem a good way to compare the frequency response of any of these 4 subs:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...er-4-2005.html
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...2-measurements
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...4#post20756324
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...4#post20752674

If your point is that none of these 4 are close to being flat, then the one with the most clean output would seem to be the logical choice. With a good size (20 X 20) square room the OP may have room problems anyway. So, I would give the nod to the LAVA 12 which despite its FR gets very good owner reviews. If the OP had a smaller room I would recommend the Energy S10.3, but it might not have as much output as the LAVA 12.

Hello jjudd050, I thought I may add some advise is all. I had the Bic Pl-200 (... 2 of them) as they were a very good HT performer for the $. I would give out any price but heres a link as you can click on "best offer" button as Mike will get you his best price w/ shipping ( I bet you can REAL close to what you are asking )
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1555&sc=28

If youre room is 20x20 then you may want to think about dual's. I would first run just one sub and go from there, then you can deceide if you want/need another to fill in the room better. Dont expect "double bass" but rather as in bass fillment" per say.... adds to the voided areas to equal out the bass in the room.

I'm pretty sure you would be satisfied with either the Pa-120 Bic Pl, F-12, Lava or Polk. If you choice Bic I would suggest the Pl over the F-12 is all.

I sold the Bic Pl's as I replaced them with a PA-150 and love it. THe 150 is out of the $250 range so thats prob not an option. I can say that PA seems to be a "better" quality construction over the Bics if I had to chhose a bad/good comaprasion.

Good luck
Jeff

I would get the Polk PSW505, I just got one to add to my setup which includes a Paradigm PW 2200... the original beast that shakes everything down to 17hz or less. Anyway, this 505 can't be beat for the money and it does keep up with many that are much more expensive. I know because I have compared it with some others which friends have in their current setup..

Good luck.

Agreed.

It seems that all of the popular <$400 budget 12" and 15" ported subs (add the Cadence subs to that list, too) have that peak at around 50hz or higher and then have a steep slope down to the <20hz range. I wonder if there is a budget 12" sub out there that has fairly flat response down to 40hz before falling off, and yet has similar output and levels of distortion? It would seem such a sub would be a real winner.

That's a valid concern, quite frankly. I don't really see how any of the listed subs will provide much in a room that size. If those are the ones you're contemplating you'll more then likely need duals. How high are your ceilings?

That's 3200 CF, which also "flows into the entryway and dining room". I would imagine all of those sub's will struggle in a room that size, unless you opt for duals.

The MBM-12 is a mid-bass module that is meant to be used with another sub; at around $500, the right choice would be the Rythmik FV12, Epik Legend, HSU VTF-2 MK4, or Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus.

Otherwise, get one BIC PL-200, see how it does, and add another down the road if you need more bass.

That's a tough one quite honestly; two inexpensive subs or one good sub. The former would potentially give you more output, while the latter would probably give better extension.

If it were me I'd opt for the better sub though, and hope it provided sufficient output. My own proclivity is towards quality over quantity, but not everyone feels that way. Buying a better sub would also mean if you did ultimately need to pick up a second the combined ability of the two would probably be able to satisfy any bass need you had.

One other potential candidate might be the Earthquake FF12. It's not terribly expensive.

I've been very curious about that sub. Did some searching on AVS, and I could only find one person that has had one (but they didn't describe it). It's even hard to find much on the Internet at all about it. Have you had a chance to hear one?

No, that one I haven't had the opportunity to hear.

Like you, I've seen/read little about the Earthquake subs. They don't seem to have much exposure, or very many owners for that matter. I imagine at least a portion of that is due to their prices which, to me anyway, don't appear to be very realistic. Well, except for the FF12 - that one's at least affordable.

My brother has some big Earthquake sub that he bought used in storage (he doesn't know the model). I hope he gets it setup before I visit him next. But I'd love to hear more about the FF12. Perhaps it's the budget 12" sub that won't have a tuning point at 50hz (lol)