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7.1 or .2 sub or subs recommendation ?

post #1 of 43
3/28/12 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
i am trying to decide whether or not to do 1 sub or 2 was looking at something like 2 Polk audio PSW110 10" subs but would like your guys advice So i dont end up regretting what i buy or missing out on something alot better for my price range i dont know about.

My price range is $300-$400 for 1 or both subs. dont really care how big it is but dont need some huge mass next to the tv lol.

The room is less than 2000 cubic feet and the reason i say it like that is that part of the room has a slanted ceiling and i dont want to do that much math right now but the part of the room i really want to fill with sound is less than 1200 cubic feet i believe.

Will be used for about 40% games 40% movies and tv and 20% music but need it to sound as good as possible for all than great for one and crap for another. i dont need earth shattering bass but when i am playing shooters i want explosions to feel like they are happening if possible in this price range and when monsters are stomping around i want to look around like AHHHHH lol, but want it to be nice and smooth and tight for music without port noise and whatnot and also would like it to go to down to 20hz at least if possible, and dont want it to over power the speakers will be running 6 polk audio monitor 40 series 2 and 1 polk audio CS1 series 2 speakers with a Denon AVR-2112CI reviever.

Appearance wise i dont need it to look like art but dont want it to stand out and be really ugly simple sleek and modern would be great in grey or black no weird colors and would like to stay away from wood finishes if possible but if the sub sounds great i can handle a wood finish.

time frame could be this month maybe next or sooner but would like something i can grab up any time if possible

thanks ahead of time for any and all help
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post #2 of 43
3/28/12 at 7:05pm
your "wants" and your "budget" are not in alignment...
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post #3 of 43
3/28/12 at 7:39pm
Thread Starter 
>.< they never are, still any good subs to recommend for the price range or sub
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post #4 of 43
3/28/12 at 8:14pm
Chris is correct, I don't know of any subs that will get you into usable 20Hz for <$500. If your budget is fixed, check out this thread with actual measurements of some of the more popular budget subs and a review by a knowledgeable AVS member:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1391243

For $450, this sub will get you close:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html

For $500 or so, these subs will get you into usable 20Hz or very close:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

(^^^its on sale right now)

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html


If you can swing it, either of the last two subs would be a huge upgrade, IMO, over anything you can get for $450 or less.
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post #5 of 43
3/28/12 at 8:23pm
Oh, and I am in the camp that you ought to get the best single sub you can, and if you still need two, save up and buy a second one later.
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post #6 of 43
3/28/12 at 8:24pm
Wait until this summer to buy, and the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus has previously gone on sale for under $500 shipped. Or you can get one right now for $499 shipped on b-stock.
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post #7 of 43
3/28/12 at 9:07pm
^^^ Another good $500 option.
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post #8 of 43
3/28/12 at 9:24pm
Consider also the Epik Legend, dual driven opposed 12" sealed sub for $499 plus shipping is hard to beat IMHO with claimed usable sub-20hz performance in room (no experience, have an Empire, it's bigger 15" sibling). http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html. More than your budget, but then again sometimes you have to save for something worth buying.
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post #9 of 43
3/29/12 at 4:40am
Yeah a sub that will hit 20hz with any kind of athority you are looking in the $500 range. I would vote for LFM-1 Plus, I have 2 of them paid $499 each delivered to my house. My second vote would be for the Rythmik FV12, I have never heard it but all reviews on it are really good.
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post #10 of 43
3/29/12 at 6:06am
Thread Starter 
The 20hz comment was more of a wish than an actual need since I know that is the supposed bottom end of our hearing spectrum I will gladly go up on hz nothing over 35hz as the minimum though. Also of all the subs mentioned about my price range what's is the most recommended ? If I can I would like to stay in my price ranged or I might never get a sub lol
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post #11 of 43
3/29/12 at 6:12am
If you have to stay in that price range look at the BIC Acoustech PL-200 http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/c...pid=1555&sc=28 you can probably get it for under $300 delivered to you. This is a 12" sub that is highly recommended for those on a smaller budget. I wouldn't go with a sub with less than a 12" driver.

However there is a huge difference in a $300 sub compared to a $500 sub. If you can I would save and get a "good" sub. Cuz if you buy a $300 sub and are disappointed there is $300 down the drain and then you would have to drop $500 to do better.
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post #12 of 43
3/29/12 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 
that looks pretty sweet says it goes down to 22hz which is close enough. if i do decided and am able to spend 500 on a sub which comes most recommended? and how big of a difference would it be over the one you just linked and in what ways would it be better ? thanks for all the help guys
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post #13 of 43
3/29/12 at 7:31am
See my above post about what I recommend, and another user or 2 also made some recommendations.

As to how much better I would say a ton better.

The bicamerica web site doesn't state the +/- db for the freq resp for the PL-200, but I think the 22hz is -3db and the highest output you will get is 110db at 30hz its amp is 250 watts rms continuous and 1,000 watts dynamic peak. It weighs 52lbs. This sub is said to be pretty good at movies but a lil sloppy for music leaving more to be desired.

The Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus has variable port tuning with one port plugged in max extension its freq resp is 18hz-180hz +/-2db and it can hit up to 115db. Its amp is 350 watts rms continuous and 1,300 watts dynamic peak and it weighs 70lbs. Its an all downfiring design so very kid and pet friendly and it looks like a piece of furniture. This sub is excellent for movies and makes you hear and feel bass like you problably never did before. It is pretty accurate too making it good for music as well. I have 2 of these one in the front corner of the room and one beside the couch as an end table and both have one port plugged running in max extension mode and its amazing in my 11' X 23' X7.5' living room. http://outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html
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post #14 of 43
3/29/12 at 10:17am
Thread Starter 
ok so what in the world is variable port tuning i have never come across that before? also my friend got a Polk audio psw505 a while back and its sounded pretty good to me though i have never had anything to compare it to, how would that BIC Acoustech PL-200 compare to it?
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post #15 of 43
3/29/12 at 10:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sureshot1234 View Post

ok so what in the world is variable port tuning i have never come across that before?

Larger subs have more than one port. You can plug these ports for a sealed sub (not many recomemd sealing them) or you can plug one or more of X amount of ports (typically no more than 3). For instance my outlaw lfm-1ex has two ports. With both ports open it can play down to ~25hz. With one port closed it can play down to ~20 hz but doesnt have the spl as with both ports open.
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post #16 of 43
3/29/12 at 10:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubicon_Joey View Post

Larger subs have more than one port. You can plug these ports for a sealed sub (not many recomemd sealing them) or you can plug one or more of X amount of ports (typically no more than 3). For instance my outlaw lfm-1ex has two ports. With both ports open it can play down to ~25hz. With one port closed it can play down to ~20 hz but doesnt have the spl as with both ports open.

Your EX can do better than that... 22hz -2db with both ports open and 16hz -2db with 1 port plugged. The I have the Plus is rated at 25hz -2db with both ports open and 18hz -2db with 1 port plugged. I haven't measured my in-room response but I know with both my Pluses in M.E. mode I'm getting usable output in the upper teens.
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post #17 of 43
3/29/12 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 
Oh ok I get it thanks
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post #18 of 43
3/29/12 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
So how would the BIC Acoustech PL-200 compare to a Polk audio psw505 ? Alot better ?
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post #19 of 43
3/29/12 at 4:47pm
Thread Starter 
are they in the same performance group ?
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post #20 of 43
3/29/12 at 4:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by flickhtguru View Post

However there is a huge difference in a $300 sub compared to a $500 sub. If you can I would save and get a "good" sub. Cuz if you buy a $300 sub and are disappointed there is $300 down the drain and then you would have to drop $500 to do better.

truer words have never been spoken... the op would be much better off waiting a short bit and saving a bit more...

@the op... trust me... i am altogether too familiar with the "i want it now" feeling... but in this case, you need to contain your impulse and wait... you will not regret the wait...
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post #21 of 43
3/29/12 at 5:33pm
Another thought for the OP is to look used, but if no patience to save up another $100 or $200 then that might not be an option even if living in a major metro area where used audio gear regularly is available...
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post #22 of 43
3/29/12 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
I am just tight on money so 500 over 300 could take a while and I don't like to get used stuff I am weird about that
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post #23 of 43
3/29/12 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sureshot1234 View Post

I am just tight on money so 500 over 300 could take a while and I don't like to get used stuff I am weird about that

I'm not a huge fan of used, but for speakers can save you quite a bit. I just got a used set of Ascend Sierra-1s for a decent price (would have liked a bit less but they don't come up often from what I've seen as most keep them around). If the speaker is functioning well, is in good physical shape (not the cabinet particularly, but the cone and surround, any switches and controls on powered speakers) then it is likely to remain so for a while. Perhaps you give up a bit of newness but how often do you really just sit and look at a sub? Shipping used subs can often kill a deal, so sometimes you can get a nice discount simply by being near enough to save the bother of the seller of packing and shipping a sub.

Maybe something like this once it comes back in stock (there's that patience thing again, tho ):
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-770

Just take the advice of many here who've learned the harder way by buying stuff in the long run doesn't work as well as simply buying smarter in the first place. Personally 500 is the bare minimum, 1000 is more like it and 2000+ for the better choices even among ID choices.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-770
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post #24 of 43
3/29/12 at 7:59pm
Thread Starter 
With my money 2000 will never happen and 1000 is a huge long shot 500 is the max I might be able to get within 6 month if that puts it in perspective. that's why I has keep asking about stuff around $300, months without a sub won't be any fun
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post #25 of 43
3/30/12 at 4:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sureshot1234 View Post

With my money 2000 will never happen and 1000 is a huge long shot 500 is the max I might be able to get within 6 month if that puts it in perspective that's why I has keep asking about stuff around 300 months without a sub won't be any fun

Yeah only you know your financial situation.... If $300 is the most you want to spend I don't think you will go wrong with the PL-200. For me to save an wait wasn't as much of an issue, cuz I did have 2 subs from an Onkyo HTIB that I was using so I didn't have to go with out a sub. If you don't have one at all I understand why you wanna get one sooner than later.

We are not trying to make you spend a lot of money, we are just giving you options and pointing out what we see happening all too often.
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post #26 of 43
3/30/12 at 6:17am
Thread Starter 
Ya I know I and do understand increase in price the quality and would wait of I had a sub to get by on and if the money situation changes I will wait or get a cheapy like the psw110 for like 150 to get by on and when I get the other it will be that much more impressive in comparison
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post #27 of 43
3/30/12 at 7:04am
The PSW-10 is totally hopeless in that it only plays down to 40 Hz and is not very loud. I was given one that I use in a small bedroom with a very small surround system. The PSW-10 fills in frequencies between 40 Hz and 100 Hz because the little surround speakers do not go lower.

The PL-200 is typically highly recommended over the Polk PSW 505. The PL-200 will play to 25-28 Hz (check excellent review by Josh Ricci at www.data-bass.com). My son has the PL-200. I have a PSW 505 which I use for near-field supplementing of a larger subwoofer in a very large room. The PL-200 is better than the PSW 505.

The Hsu STF-2 (at less than $400 with shipping) is a very good starter subwoofer.

When on sale for $299 the Klipsch RW-12D is very well regarded. At the normal price of $499, individuals suggest purchasing alternatives. Check the review by Archea of two Klipsch RW-12Ds
(http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1390563).
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post #28 of 43
3/30/12 at 7:06am
I`m not sure of your credit history, but if you can get approved for a credit card Chase has a Chase Freedom card that they have been offering $300 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months. That would make a $500 sub cost you $200 and then you could just cancel that card as the interest rate on it is terrible. Just a thought.
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post #29 of 43
3/30/12 at 8:08am
You might want to surf classifieds for a while looking for a used deal.

I got a used Chase 18.1 and a pro amp for $500. The amp is good enough to power two of these, so eventually I'll pick up another 18.1 for 550 new or 300-400 used. Can't do better for the money. I bet even one of those would probably get you 20hz in your room.
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post #30 of 43
3/30/12 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 
Ya I can't get a credit card tried and failed from medical bills and my attempt of college (I hate school even more now lol) otherwise I would be in good shape and just get the $500 sub and be set and pay it off in a few months or so.

I was talking about the Polk audio PSW "110" not the PSW "10" it's supposed to be the step up with 50 watts more rms, the other option would be the PSW 125 but for a 12 inch woofer with the same 100 watt rms as the 10 inch seems like it would be underpowered in comparison

How does the pl-200 compare to the hsu stf-2 sub ?
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