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Best use of $400

post #1 of 8
2/6/13 at 1:38pm
Thread Starter 
Please see a list of my equipment and specs below. Just trying to figure out what the best use of $400 is to upgrade my system is. The non brand matching Def Tech Center Channel is due to space requirements in media center so do not say that please wink.gif


Amp to power under powered Polk TSI400's - Emotiva UPA-200 Stereo Power Amplifier $349
  • 125 watts
  • 8ohms
  • 2 channels


Replace sub with Definitive ProSub 800 $399
  • 8in sub
  • 300 Watt amplifier
  • 20 Hz - 150 Hz


Receiver- Marantz - NR1403 - 50w x 5
Front's - Polk - Tsi400 - 20-200w - 44hz-22khz - 91db
Center - Definitive Technology - Procenter 1000 - 10-200w - 47hz-30khz - 90db
Rear's - Polk - M10 - 20-100w - 60hz-24khz - 90db
Sub - Polk -RM6880 (part of the HTIB package) - 130w dynamic / 65w average - 32-180hz
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post #2 of 8
2/6/13 at 2:40pm
Those Polks seem pretty efficient. Depending on where you have them crossed at (80-120hz) and how loud you typically listen, you could get away with less power as a good sub will handle the bass.

That brings me to the sub. Any reason you chose the Def Tech Pro sub as you could do better for $400?
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post #3 of 8
2/6/13 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kesando View Post

Those Polks seem pretty efficient. Depending on where you have them crossed at (80-120hz) and how loud you typically listen, you could get away with less power as a good sub will handle the bass.

That brings me to the sub. Any reason you chose the Def Tech Pro sub as you could do better for $400?

I am sure the Polk speakers are great. I guess they just lack the overall dynamic I thought that they would carry. I hope that makes sense. Missing mids and lows. I do not have to max out the volume.

My speakers are set to large on my receiver and it is setup with audyssey. I should check my crossover setting I guess. I think it is set to 60hz..

My room is 20x20 but open concept on the rear facing wall that extends another 15ft. with a half wall divider.

I am open to other recommendations on a sub. WAF played in my decision as the sub is in a visible area. I like the def tec speaker i have and at least the subs are compact.
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post #4 of 8
2/7/13 at 6:34am
Try setting your speakers to small with the cross over set to 80hz. This will enable bass management in your AVR in addition to freeing up some headroom on your AVR. In addition to reducing the load on your AVR, a good sub will add greatly to the dynamics of your system. A sub with at least a 10 or 12 inch driver is preferred in a space that large.

How large of a sub can you go with due to WAF?
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post #5 of 8
2/7/13 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kesando View Post

Try setting your speakers to small with the cross over set to 80hz. This will enable bass management in your AVR in addition to freeing up some headroom on your AVR. In addition to reducing the load on your AVR, a good sub will add greatly to the dynamics of your system. A sub with at least a 10 or 12 inch driver is preferred in a space that large.

How large of a sub can you go with due to WAF?

I can get away with a 12in if the cabinet is not huge. i have been considering the polk psw 505

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0


This is my current setup. Thanks for the advice!





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post #6 of 8
2/7/13 at 5:01pm
For $400 I would look at the HSU STF-2 or even better choice would be the Cadence CSX-12 Mark II Subwoofer

It got a decent review here
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/review-cadence-csx-12-mark-ii-subwoofer

Definitely subwoofer over the amp
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post #7 of 8
2/7/13 at 5:26pm
Nice Place smile.gif The Polk is a decent sub for the money but perhaps the best current value under your budget is the Klipsch RW12d. It is normally on sale for $299 shipped from newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882780078

Here is a thread dedicated to this sub:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1442829/klipsch-rw-12d-on-sale-for-299-at-newegg-com-again-today

Another Great, musical sub under $400 is the HSU STF-2
http://hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

If you willing to up your budget to around $500, there are some great Internet Direct offerings that will give better performance overall:

SVS PB1000
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000

HSU VTF1 Mk4
http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html

Rythmik LV12R
http://rythmikaudio.com/LV12R.html
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post #8 of 8
2/26/13 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the input guys. I ended up using my $150 amazon gift car to to pick up a bic f12 for $189 shipped on amazon.

Then was able to sell my marantz 1403 for $320 that i paid $250 for and get a good deal on a new marantz sr 6007 $899 (currently still selling form $1,199 at most places) the receiver gives me a decent bump in power from 50w to 110w per channel 2 channels driven however that $550 would have been better spent on an amp.
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