Small sub recommendation - SVS, HSU, CSW???

DO NOT GET THE P1000!

I've talked about this in multiple threads already. The P1000 is EXTREMELY overpriced. While it's SQ is decent, SPL wise you could do MUCH better.

The P1000 new is about $1000. I had two low end subs (under $300), a MTX and a Cerwin Vega and the MTX sounded similar to the P1000 in terms of output and the Cerwin Vega actually played louder AND lower (although not as accurate). I have NEVER been impressed with Cambridge Soundworks subs... and I'm not hating on Cambridge Soundworks at all; I have three MC500's and four S300 surrounds in my 7.1 setup and think CS makes great speakers (not subs) for the money.

Tough size restriction, Jimmy

Although I am a happy SB12-Plus owner, I would tend to rec. a ported sub if you can find one that fits. I think you should get compares between the VTF2-Mk2 and the Axiom EP350: http://www.axiomaudio.com/ep350_main.html

In your list the SVS cube sub is the best bet.

And like was stated keep far far away from the Cambridge Soundworks,yes it has good sound quality.Now the bad part,very bad part...output is MEDIOCRE down deep.

Any D series Sunfire will sound better and for $700 and ...less you get a D12 that will put the Cambridge to near shame. This said the SVS is still a better buy.

Sorry I can't help you out, Jimmy -- I've only heard the SB12-Plus.

My rec was not for the Axiom specifically, but to urge you to consider a ported sub for the additional output and to get comparative recs from others on the following (and I'll include the SB12-Plus)

SVS SB12-Plus
Axiom EP350
Hsu VTF-2 Mk2
Mirage S-12

The Mirage stretches your dims just a bit but is often rec'd here -- search this forum for info. Price and best source varies, and other Energy/API models may be similar.

You can sometimes buy the CSW p1000 as a refurb off ebay for $625 (direct from CSW/same warranty) and you're in the right range. In that size room, you should be fine with this. Don't give up on SQ for SPL unless you really want to be slugged by your sub. If you're using this for music, then go for the SQ. Don't forget that ALL is different when it's actually in your own room which is the only place that counts. Your room. Your ears.

CSW is a bad choice for home audio. I will say that my CSW SoundWorks Amplified Multimedia/Computer Speaker System is awesome for under $100, but totally disposable. If you are considering this equipment for your home audio you must question a company that has products made for such a low end user.

DN

If you need really small, take a look at the Earthquake Mini-Me sub. It is a real surprise.

Well wait...what are your listening habits???

The SVS SB12+ is a sealed unit and will give you some great response from 22hz and up...plus it is not that big at all, so placement will be a breeze...

I'm not a believer in the music/HT debate because bass is bass....the 40hz boom of an explosion and a 40hz beat of a loud drum are still a 40hz tune...but thats my 2cents...

IF you are looking to dig deeper than 22hz, you might want to look at a ported model...

Fortunately the price is right!

Here are a couple of reviews of the SB12.

From Home Theater Shack:
SVS SB12-Plus: The Mouse that Roars

From Audioholics:
SVS SB12-Plus Subwoofer System Review

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

I think that you are confused somewhat by their product offerings. The Newton series speakers that they sell Internet direct are totally different animals than their mass-market multimedia speakers. While the multimedia speakers are really good at what they do, they have no where near the technology that goes into the Newton brand (which offers everything from satellite to bookshelf, towers, and subs). Hence, the hundreds of dollars price difference. ( Full disclosure - I use their Newton speakers and love them )
As for the subwoofer discussion - I don't have any experience with the P1000, but I do own the P500 (similar design to the P1000) as well as the P200 that has a single 10" driver. The short is that I found the P500 better for music and the P200 better for movies. If you're in a smaller room, either one will be more than enough. I've found the P500 especially good with electronic, IDM, dance music etc. where the bass is very important. It is very tight and accurate sounding.

I have been using one P1000 along with CSW Newton MC300 inwalls and four S300 surrounds since 2004. We bought the P1000 and the surrounds at a significant discount. While one could always pay more, certainly far more, for 12 Hz Richter scale bass, we have found that the P1000 and its companion speakers do quite well for both music and home theater. Copland's Symphony No. 1 for organ impressively commands attention. The bass singer of the a capella Persuasions in Steal Away does likewise. Surprisingly even an old 1949 Columbia monaural LP, Richard Tucker singing Cantorial Jewels, is satisfyingly rich in bass. The bass strings of Anna Lelke's (Der Zauber der Harfe) and Andreas Wollenweider's (White Winds) harp playing astound in their depth and clarity (and this last one from an LP to CD transfer!). The natural intensity of clean-sounding lows can be heard in Joy Denalane's Geh jetzt. This morning I watched the 1939 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame; the old sonics with its seventy-year old bass came across quite well. Conveying a convincing soundfield even from such old film sources says much for the P1000. Alfred Newman's score along with the achingly beautiful Ave Maria by Tomás Luis de la Victoria, though not up to date sonics, sounded wonderfully supported by the P1000. Modern surround sound films certainly test the mettle of any sub. The P1000 is no exception. It is loud when called for, but its overload indicator has yet to show the merest edge of an overload. Also its utter lack of hum makes it special among subs. We think we got a fair and audibly satisfying deal for our CSW Newton P1000 sub.

Regards.

Anyone wanna sell their P1000s? Im in the market. PM me!

But subs are not made to simply reproduce 40Hz only.

I've used my 2 P-1000s for some time now, and they are actually quite good. Of course, not for $1000 each! I was thinking of selling mine, now that I have an Outlaw LFM-1EX. I'm experimenting with using the P-1000s as mid bass modules, to keep the quickness, and letting the Outlaw do the really low stuff. If it doesn't work I'd consider selling them for $500 for the pair, plus shipping of course. I'll keep you posted....!

The 1800 cu. ft. is the size of my room with an SB12 (replaces a Sunfire True Subwoofer). The Sunfire could stomp on it for sheer subsonic output no problems. It shook the room and everything in it, the SVS just sort of jiggles things a bit. (A Sunfire EQ would be great if you want to rattle the room with a WAF friendly sub but it costs quite a lot more). If your receiver can tame room gain go for a used Sunfire True Subwoofer or Signature, they are bulletproof if you don't try to mess with the RCA jacks while it is on.

That being said the SB12 stomps on my old sub for everything other than subsonic LFE, music sounds way better because I could kill a 10 db gain in the 40 to 50 Hz. range with the PEQ and because there is less undesired room interaction from a sealed sub versus a ported or passive radiator design (not cool in a small room).

Real world distortion is noticeably lower, every note over 40 Hertz is clearly delineated and clean, under 40 is clean to our ears but output is capped at about 95 decibels at 20 Hertz with room gain. It doesn't do anything bad if you try to go over it, it just gets compressed at the lower frequencies (this is what you want, no drivers bottoming no clacking noises or grunts). WAF acceptance is high (but not as high as my Sunfire's was).