What sub(s) for <2K?...or talk me into spending more.

2 x HSU VTF-15H ($879/ea. + shipping)

With your lack of size and appearance restrictions (not that they have to be big and ugly) I'd highly recommend looking into DIY.

I would.

Dual Epik Empires and ditch the Paradigm or put it in the bedroom or something....

What about pseudo-DIY with Danley's DTS-10 kit? Looks like they are still offering it, unless their web site is just wrong. I don't know the current kit price. The old one was around $1000 IIRC. With amp and EQ, could be good for a space that size within budget.
Edited by vraxoin - 11/11/12 at 7:55pm

3 Power Sound XS15s, 2 Rythimk 15HPs.

2 FV15hps are nice but they are about $2700

Okay, and based on your threads title, the answer to your question is; it depends on what you want and how much "WOW!" factor are you personally willing to hit the hip to get? In ascending order, based upon your stated "WOW!" factor, using our personal environment and your stated specification, the simplified road of choice is:

A pair of SVS, PB12-NSD's.

A pair of Hsu, ULS15's.

A single SubMersive HP or F2; second one to be added later.

In our case, due to financial constraints, a second SubMersive HP wil be added later as we recover from the purchase of the first one. Currently, the wife has been informed, in the case of subwoofers, the SubMersive HP has won my heart. Well, actually, for sexiness, the F2 won but due to size constraints, the HP is the chosen runner-up.

Again, in the case of subs, if you're in it for the "WOW!" factor or smile factor, the above choices, for technical reasons (depth of frequency, accuracy of delivery, flat FR curve, the amount of energy delivered in the lower end (-3 to -6 dB in the 16Hz - 20Hz range), evenness of the mid-bass range (30Hz - 120Hz) and the ability to reach THX reference levels in a >3,500 cuft room) these are my recommended choices. At the risk of once again ticking off the entire online audio world, there are no other choices which I see that meets our personal requirements. For various reasons, all other choices, fail.

All three of the above choices come dripping with "WOW!" It's just a matter of money and the more "WOW!" one want's, the more it's going cost. It's really that simple.

In addition to my above, in all seriousness, a room your stated size, with your stated budget, one should consider three or four each of the above recommendations. You stated a flexible budget. For a venue of ~4,100 cuft, including ever so important technicals in which to achieve proper "WOW!" factor SPL's, my minimum beginning recommendation would be three Hsu, ULS-15's. Included benefits of the Hsu, ULS-15 is the wireless feature which aids with ever so important subwoofer placement issues and the good looks of it's Rosenut cabinet veneer comes with high WAF.

In the final, your 4,100cuft home theater venue couple with your stated flexible budget, for many and various technical reasons, personally, I'd go with one of the three choices below and no others:

Four SVS, PB12-NSD's.

Three Hsu, ULS15's.

And for the biggest "WOW!" factor and the most smiles per visitor, a pair or two of either of Seaton's, SubMersive HP or the ever so sexy SubMersive F2's. In my not so humble opinion, anything more or anything less and you're either short changing the "WOW! factor or spending money, simply to spend money. It's your budget, so it's your call. Hope the above helps.

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Edited by BeeMan458 - 11/12/12 at 7:08am

I agree with this recommendation for several reasons. The Hsu VTF-15 excel above 25hz which is where the majority of the subwoofer wow factor resides. Dual subwoofers will also increase the likelihood of achieving a flat frequency response across multiple listening positions. You will also have money left over to buy some sort of EQ device, but this may be unnecessary if you have a receiver with Audessey Multi xt32.

Agree on vtf15h. It definitely wow me. Very very capable and yet reasonably priced. Fills the room very well and the sub is easily felt. Dual of this will put a smile on most people's face.

With that size room a ported sub is probably a good idea for extension with authority. I have a large room as well and am currently running a single VTF-15H and plan on adding a second. One nice thing about the VTf-15H is the tuning capabilities

That said I would wait to see the upcoming review of the PSA XV15 from Audioholics.

For a few hundred more and bang for the buck, PSA. Dual XV30's or XS30's.

If you could possibly swing another 1k, a JTR S2 would definitely WOW your visitors.

Well he did say in the thread title ".....or talk me into spending more"

I'm not really qualified to recommend one sub over another as I only have experience with my current Rythmik FV15HP and the HSU sub it replaced. I will say that the FV15HP once it loosens up is far and away better than the old HSU in my 5700cu/ft room. They spec it down to 12.5 hz and I can attest to that as it does show quite a bit of activity on my spl meter down around there.

Someday in the not too distant future I will probably get a second FV15HP for all the reasons mentioned in this forum. But until then, I'm happy as can be with one FV15HP.

Hmm. He already has a FV15HP and is considering a second, so I'm curious to understand why you would advocate PSA subs when the OPs current sub will outperform both under ~30Hz?

My recommendation to the OP is to spend some time measuring the response of where your the FV currently is so you can see what you're actually hearing at the LP and to try to optimize its position until you get another.

Correct, I missed the post that he already had a FV15HP. A second one would definitely be my next upgrade.