Suggestions - most bang for around 800 bucks or less

[Bamadude]

Hi all,

Looking to finally upgrade and could use some help deciding which HT sub might be the best for around $800 or less. Below are a few I've found but if you know of others (or a better price) please feel free to chime in with any comments. Thanks!

Outlaw LFM-1 EX $650
Epik Empire $800
Elemental Designs A5-350 $800
HSU VTF-3 MK3 $800
Velodyne DEQ-15R $800

PS - So far to me it seems the Epik Empire would be the most sub for the money with dual drivers at 600W RMS.

[Polkie2009]

All those are good, have to ask what size cu. ft. room you are going to use it in and if the room is open to other parts of the house. I ask that because the cu.ft. can increase considerably, sucking the bass right out of the listening room. I'm partial to the Empires,but know others here are very happy with the others subs you listed.

[Bamadude]

Thanks!

Let me just say my layout SUCKS for containing bass. The den is open to a kitchen and also two doorways to a dinning room.

17x 20 den
10 x 17 kitchen
10 x 20 dinning room
EDIT: 8ft ceilings

To be honest I'm just reaching for the most sub I can for the money because I probably need to be in the $1500 range or a serious DIY to adequately push this volume. Unfortunately that will be another upgrade another day.

[thsmith]

You do have problems with just one of those subs. You may have to put it near field .

I think any are pretty good choices but not in your room, maybe any 2 of them.

[Polkie2009]

Yep, just adding a door on the kitchen and 2 doors to the dining room will definitely help downsize the cu.ft. Don't feel alone Bama, a lot of us here have had to deal with these open floor space designed homes.

[phocion]

For around $800, you could always go with 4x PSW505's ;)

[codyc1ark]

I'd vote for the Empire, they seem to have rave reviews, good CS, and most agree that they are very musical, which is always a plus! Good luck, subwoofer choice is never fun. You could always look in that ~$400.00 range and do duals with a room that size.

[Bamadude]

Well guess I'll have to either buy one now (giving at least some level of immediate satisfaction) and another one later. Or just save up and buy a huge sub which would save space. Thanks for the input guys!

[theabbot]

I am in the same boat. I own a 350 in a room that slightly smaller than yours. Opens up to a kitchen. The LFE sounds great but is not uniform. I've been considering either an EQ, or a 2nd sub.

[Bamadude]

Ok two votes for the Empire. Definitely at the top of the list.

My next home will absolutely be laid out better or have a dedicated room that's sized appropriately.

[Bamadude]

Ok, how did I miss the Elemental Designs A7S-450??? Am I missing something or is it a pretty big step up for just $50 more? Also free shipping to boot which comes out cheaper than the other brands anyway.

18" Single driver @ 1300W RMS

[theabbot]

If you have the space and $$, defintely go for the 450.

[leroyjr1]

Also look at the Rythmik F15.

[Bamadude]

The Rythmik is definitely nice and looks to be a notch up in accuracy and maybe more musical. Right now I'm still swayed toward the ED 450 based on my goal for HT use. I'm kind of stunned actually with its specs at this price point until someone knowledgeable chimes in with "don't believe the specs hype".

[leroyjr1]

This should help.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176

[Bamadude]

Awesome! Thanks!

[B Run]

This should help.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176

That's a great link to have, thanks.

[Polkie2009]

I've read on a forum that the ED subs are very nice looking if that might sway you some. I always thought the bigger SVS subs looked really nice too. If you only get one sub for now, look around for nice used antimode 8033C unit,they're a nice,reasonably priced sub eq that's EZ-PZ to set up. Maybe you can find one around around 200-250 dollars.

[Bamadude]

The AVS forum review is by far one of the best I've seen anywhere. I'm feeling better and better about the ED 450. Might go ahead and pull the trigger.

Cool, thanks Polkie, I'll check out the antimode as well.

[Bamadude]

Just ordered the ED 450 :)

[leroyjr1]

Just ordered the ED 450 :)

Congrats!!

[Bamadude]

I'm being told 3 weeks for delivery. Plenty of time to sell the cerwin vega.

[Polkie2009]

Congrats bama, that thing is going to be a BEAST! From the pics I've seen before, i's huge. One thing about ED, sometimes it takes them a little longer( supply and demand of parts, I think it happens to all of the smaller sub companies) to get the sub to the buyer. Hopefully, yours will arrive in 3 weeks,keep us updated and let us know if you have more questions.

[Bamadude]

I have a tracking number. Should be here tomorrow evening... feeling all tingly and stuff :)