[oliver828]

1. Budget - $500 shipped.


2. Size requirements - None. It can be as big as need be.


3. Room dimensions - 20 foot by 17 foot living room, which opens up into a kitchen which is about 12 feet by 12 feet. Ceilings are probably about nine feet high.


4. Primary uses - My primary purpose is to add a lot of low end to music. Of course, I'd also like it to perform reasonably well while watching movies.



5. Listening habits - I want to be able to play music loud at parties. I typically listen to movies at pretty normal volumes most of the time.


6. Appearance requirements - None.


7. Timeframe - I want the sub to arrive by March 5 (ten days from now).


What I've been considering...


Bic V1220

ED A2-300

ED A3S-250

ED A2-250

ED A3-250

PA-120

Cadence CSX-15

MFW-15 (B-stock)

HSU VTF-1


The Bic is appealing because it seems to be a great value. I made a spreadsheet and it offers lowest dollar per RMS watt.


Elemental Designs, Premiere Acoustic, and HSU seem to be reccomended a lot, so I figured I would consider those.


Cadence CXS-15 seems like a great value at $399 shipped for a 15 inch subwoofer.


MFW-15 also seems to be a good value. Some people rave about it, while some people seem to think it's too risky.


Which would be best given my circumstances?

 

[shadyJ]

The MFW-15 will have the most output by a long shot, it just doesn't have the record of reliability that the others have. It's probably your best bet. Are you a gambling man?


Your lowest dollar per RMS watt ratio is not a good way to go about purchasing a sub, I would throw that out right now.


Some of the Elemental Design subs have longer lead times than the date you need the sub by. I believe there is something like a three or four week wait on the A2-300. You will have to get in contact with them for more certain information about that though.


If it was me, I would bump the budget up by $50 and get the Hsu VTF2. It will be better than all the ones you listed there, except it won't best the MFW for sheer output. It is not far behind in that dept though, and it probably leads all of them in sound quality.


If you don't like the idea of exceeding your budget, than I would look at the BIC Acoustech PL-200 . I think that will rock harder than most of the subs you listed.

 

[head_unit]

I cannot claim to be familiar with each and every one of those designs.


I would just say that Hsu has a very long and consistent record of well respected designs, so "you can't go wrong"-plus he is a very nice guy to boot. And has been in business for quite a while, which is important.


For subs, you can't really look at watts or driver size as a guide to output. They just have to be measured, so look for reviews online.


I'm not familiar with BIC lately, but they used to be a brand of cheaply made stuff and so that doesn't turn me on at all. Cadence I know as a C-tier car sub manufacturer.

 

[Noubourne]

Of those, I'd probably say A2-300.


For $50 more, Satin Black VTF2-Mk3.


And I own a working MFW... not worth the risk IMO given the recent QC issues.

 

[natemu06]

If you are into DIY I upgraded from an MFW-15 to a THT....costs about $400 bucks and it DESTROYS my MFW-15. Just a thought

 

[putox1051]

20 inch by 17 inch living room




WTF? You're a knome?????

 

[oliver828]



Quote:
20 inch by 17 inch living room

I fixed that...sorry.

Quote:
I'm not familiar with BIC lately, but they used to be a brand of cheaply made stuff and so that doesn't turn me on at all. Cadence I know as a C-tier car sub manufacturer.

When you say BIC is cheaply made stuff, do you mean that the subs tend to not last very long? Sound quality is lacking?


Do other people think that Cadence and BIC are bad ways to go as well?

 

[rnatalli]

I like HSU myself; for that room, the VTF-2 would be better. SVS and eD are excellent choices as well, but I wouldn't go with a sealed model unless you're willing to spend more.

 

[socwrkr]



Quote:
Originally Posted by putox1051 /forum/post/18196368

20 inch by 17 inch living room




WTF? You're a knome?????

WTF? what's a knome?????



Did you mean gnome?

 

[putox1051]



Quote:
Originally Posted by socwrkr /forum/post/18198709


WTF? what's a knome?????



Did you mean gnome?

Duuuuhhhh, yes!

 

[michwill36]

What about the empire 800 bucks 1500 watts 2 15s wouldnt that blow em all out?

 

[dondino]



Quote:
Originally Posted by michwill36 /forum/post/18198763


What about the empire 800 bucks 1500 watts 2 15s wouldnt that blow em all out?

His budget is $500 shipped. A single empire is almost twice what he's willing to pay. Shipping on the Empire is $120 each. Or you pay tax + gas if you pick one up. Either way it's $900+. However if by some miracle you *can* swing $900, an Empire will destroy what you listed.

 

[moore_power]

Between the


ED A2-300

&

HSU VTF-1


FYI - the wait time on the ED A2-300 is 4-6 weeks.


I just ordered the VTF-1 today ($424 shipped), there is a sale on HSU subs right now. Just thought this might be helpful if your looking to buy right away.

 

[mischmat]

Damn, I had my decision down to the VTF-2 Mk3 but now seeing the ED A2-300 I'm torn again.

 

[calnbs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by natemu06 /forum/post/18196324


If you are into DIY I upgraded from an MFW-15 to a THT....costs about $400 bucks and it DESTROYS my MFW-15. Just a thought

+1. I am a believer with DIY subs. OP, if you can build it or if you don't know, have someone build you an enclosure and go DIY. Check craigslist, in my area, I found a few guys who builds enclosures for cheap and pretty good quaility as well.


I too have MFW 15 and good for the money I paid for a retail product. It is NOTHING compare to my DIY subwoofers. It is NIGHT and DAY differences. Like driving a Pinto to a Lexus. Definately, check out the DIY forum to get ideas.

 

[oliver828]

I'm assuming that since there are no comments in regards to the PA-120 that it's not really worth considering?

 

[xceebeex]



Quote:
Originally Posted by oliver828 /forum/post/18204326


I'm assuming that since there are no comments in regards to the PA-120 that it's not really worth considering?

Well I wouldn't say that, but I think the general opinion of most people on this board is that if your budget is $350 or higher, the lowest end sub you want to consider is the eD A2-300. The PA-120 is probably the best value sub (outside of DIY) for under $250.

 

[oliver828]

I came across a BIC VK-12 for $214 shipped. As of now, that seems to be the beset bang for my buck. What do you all think?