Energy 10.3 vs Polk PSW505

1) You do NOT have to go with an Energy subwoofer.
2) Between the Energy S10.3 vs. Polk PSW505 the Energy shoul have an advantage below ~35Hz, while the Polk should have the advantage >~35Hz.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/e...-labs-measures

The Energy has an enviable frequency response. In the graph above the subwoofer is the blue line...

The deal maker may be your room size.

You don't have to match your sub to your speakers, so feel free to choose any brand.

I'm not familiar with the 505, although I've read that it's a decent sub, but am familiar with the S10.3 (from a few years ago) and, IMO, it's an impressive performer for its size (and, at $200, for the money).

How big is your room? Dual S10.3s should work well in a small to medium-sized room. In a large room - especially one with a concrete floor - performance may be somewhat compromised.

What are your expectations and what is your high end budget? I would certainly take the Polk 505 over the other. If you can stretch your budget, I think I read the Klipsch RW-12d was on sale at the egg for $299, not sure for how long or if it is in stock. The Bic F12 is another decent sub to look at in the $200 range.

Why not get one really good sub vs two mediocre ones?

Not a theory. In professional testing the Energy digs deeper (below 35Hz), than the Polk, again below 35Hz, however, the Polk should be a little louder above 35Hz.

It is ashame you missed the Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sale of $499 + free shipping, it would have been a good sub to jump on. I got one to pair with my EX and happily it just showed up about an hour ago. Outlaw is having a secret door sale next week. You have to register for the sale, but maybe they may put the plus or the EX on sale again.

You have a fairly large room. My room is a bit bigger, and one EX was not enough, I added a BIC to fill the gap till I could pair up with another outlaw. Plenty of good subs in the $500 range. Just keep looking through the threads here and see what will fit your needs. Rythmik, Outlaw, SVS, EPik and HSU are all good subs. If you can wait a week and register for the Outlaw sale, something may come up.

Where do you see the price for the energy at $200? I still see $299

I currently have a single psw505 in my living room (18X15) that is open to the 12X11 dining room, 9X10 breakfast room, kitchen, stairs and upstairs. The living room ceiling height is basically the roofline (2 story house). For the price and my room size, i dont think anything can touch it. I couldnt be happier with my $200 purchase...key point is $200.

The psw505 is not something i would use for a dedicated theater, but for the price it makes a nice addition to an everyday TV watching/music listening set-up, and movie watching if you don't need to feel every sub-25Hz note at reference levels. Im sure you have noticed from the other replies in this thread, you really are going to get what you pay for. I paid for a $200 sub, and to me/visitors to the house, i got way more than what i paid for.