Best subs in the $450-800 category

[dane_peterson]

I'm sorry, but I'm simply not going to spend over $1000 on a subwoofer, so the SVS Plus/Ultras are out of the question. Maybe several years down the road, but our listening area is relatively small, and I don't want to piss off the neighbors more than I already do. :P

So what would you recommend? I've read good things about HSU VTF-2/3s, the SVS SB12-Plus, Rocket UFW-12s... What would you pick?

[RuSsMaN]

I can put you in a Paradigm Servo 15 for $800+ ship.

[AndyGwis]

If you want to stay on the lowest end of that, try to find an Mirage Omni S-12. It's an $800 sub that was on closeout at Tweeter long ago for around $400. Not many better (and better looking) subs available for $400.

[pearsall001]

Take a look at the ACI Force XL. It's in your price range & gets rave reviews.
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/forcexl/forcexl.htm

[flr057]

My only Polk presently is a PSW-505 and I'm very happy with it. At 300w RMS, I keep the volume on 4.5 for my 12' x 24' HT room. Any more is too much.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000092TT0/interactiveda289-20

[dane_peterson]

Anyone have comments on the Sunfire True Subwoofer? There seem to be several different versions... the EQ, the Signature, and just the regular one. I've found a few lately within my pricerange.

[GV#27]

Here is a nice sealed box unit from SVS. http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm
I have a strong preference for the tight detailed bass of properly designed sealed box subwoofers like this one.

[Ron Temple]

If Russ is serious about the Servo 15...snap it up...now.

[DaveMuell]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260090064004&fromMakeTrack=true

These look familiar? Looks like he's selling off stuff to get Russ's sub.

Dane, what will you be going with?

[AndyGwis]

Dane, giving up on the 9's already? What about the trade for the T-20 Euros?!?!? Did you forget about me already?

I may put a bid in to get your started on moving the LSi9s. Do you think $50 will be enough to take them home :)

[kingkip]

IB baby... IB

The culthttp://www.ibsubwoofers.proboards51.com

[dane_peterson]

Oh shoot, the Euros!? How could that have slipped my mind...

Yes, the 9's are up for sale. Early today I got an excellent deal on a brand new, warrantied pair of ebony LSi9s. I will honor a $50 discount if the high bidder is a ClubPolk member... just for all the help you guys have brought.

[DaveMuell]

I'm the high bidder at $37.50. I think I will win. Will you credit the $50.00 towards shipping if I do?

[dane_peterson]

You bet. :P

[MikDrago]

I have an SVS PCi 25-31 and it is amazing. The PCi 20-39 is only 599. I think it has plenty of power. Sub amp gain set at about a third of the way up and reciever at about -5. I calibrate my sub at about +2 over my mains.
I don't know how the HSU sound but I love my SVS. I would have went with the 20-39 but the WAF would not allow the taller sub. Plus, SVS gives you 45 days to try it out. I am sure others here would recommend SVS.

[dane_peterson]

Many would and do, but the cylinder-style is out of the question due to WAF.

[jakelm]

So what would you recommend? I've read good things about HSU VTF-2/3s, the SVS SB12-Plus, Rocket UFW-12s... What would you pick?

The SVS will be just fine.

[goingganzo]

i say go ib here is mine
http://www.geocities.com/theirishgonzo/sono.html?1026404988079

i say go with 4 of these and a $200 pro amp
http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/

[Bill Ayotte]

What about a used Sunfire Super Junior? I have a pretty small room and it has more power on tap than I could possibly use. Watching top gun usually gets the neighbors to visit....Hehehe.

[hearingimpared]

......

[dane_peterson]

/////

[crd2002]

I have a velodyne DLS4000 for 499.00 and I'm very happy 20x20 room

[bms]

My svs pb10-isd (now nsd) does nicely in my 21' x 13' x 8' family room - hits hard and digs real deep - I love it. It's only $429, and the plus series starts at only $699. Other companies make really good subs, but I'd go with svs for performance/price.
bms

[jakelm]

I couldnt decide so I built my own.:D :p

[Ricardo]

Just some info based on my own experience; I had the SVS PB10-ISD and I thought it did a fine job on my 20x25 room, until I upgraded to the PCI 20-39+. HUGE difference.
Go with the baddest SVS you can afford.

[dane_peterson]

Here's my dilemma now... I want PIANO black if I go with SVS. But I simply can't afford it.
HSU's VTF-3 MK2's are clearanced to $559. If I jump on that, I'd still have enough to get a pair of LSi7s for surrounds. Then my 5.1 would be complete, and I could upgrade when I get a larger place. Right now the room we're in is like 14' x 18', so I don't need all that much. It seems there's a decent HSU following on here... thoughts?

[Ron Temple]

Here's my dilemma now... I want PIANO black if I go with SVS. But I simply can't afford it.
HSU's VTF-3 MK2's are clearanced to $559. If I jump on that, I'd still have enough to get a pair of LSi7s for surrounds. Then my 5.1 would be complete, and I could upgrade when I get a larger place. Right now the room we're in is like 14' x 18', so I don't need all that much. It seems there's a decent HSU following on here... thoughts?A buddy of mine has the 3.2. It's an amazing performer. Many prefer it to SVS. It's certainly equivalent or within a nat's ass of a PB12. Go for it.

[jdhdiggs]

No brainer with your requirements: VTF-3 MK2

[dane_peterson]

Just pulled the trigger on the HSU VTF-3 MK2. For just over $600 shipped, it's pretty hard to match that price/performance IMO. Thanks for the help guys!

[mldennison]

please let me know how you like it. i will be in the market for a new sub sometime soon and hsu is definately on my list.

[slush]

I am going to jump on an HSU here in the next week. I couldn't decided on the VTF-3 MK3 or the HO, now the HO is out of stock and I think that is the one I want :(

[dane_peterson]

Holy mother! This HSU VTF-3 is ridiculously loud and has amazing depth. NOTHING like the PSW10 I had before it. lol
It's at maybe 5% right now, and still punches incredibly low. I love this hobby.

[Ron Temple]

Holy mother! This HSU VTF-3 is ridiculously loud and has amazing depth. NOTHING like the PSW10 I had before it. lol
It's at maybe 5% right now, and still punches incredibly low. I love this hobby.Have fun re-watching all your bass heavy movies...and brokering deals with your neighbors so you can turn it up.

Bass is now at Dane's place...:)

[dane_peterson]

Right now I'm watching The Eagles: HFO DVD. Definitely a new experience, but probably will notice more differences in movies. So exciting. :)

[MrNightly]

Holy mother! This HSU VTF-3 is ridiculously loud and has amazing depth. NOTHING like the PSW10 I had before it. lol
It's at maybe 5% right now, and still punches incredibly low. I love this hobby.

Worth the money paid for the upgrade?!? I've got the little PSW10, and keep looking longing at the SVS +2... for around 899...



I need a raise :D

[slush]

Holy mother! This HSU VTF-3 is ridiculously loud and has amazing depth. NOTHING like the PSW10 I had before it. lol
It's at maybe 5% right now, and still punches incredibly low. I love this hobby.

Maybe I will just pull the trigger on that MK3. Glad to hear you like it!

[bms]

Right now I'm watching The Eagles: HFO DVD. Definitely a new experience, but probably will notice more differences in movies. So exciting. :)
I highly recommend "Darla" from Fining Nemo. Just tie down the dishes & glasses first.:eek:

bms

[ncmarine]

I have been debating over the HSU HO w/turbo or the SVS 20-39 PC Plus, but I have been completely torn between the two. Has anyone ever heard both of these subs. My room is pretty large at 22x22x15, so I'm sure SVS would recommend the PB 12 Plus/2, but I'm not sure if I could justify spending $1400 on a subwoofer.

I only have the Polk PSW 505 right now and I really cannot comprehend the improvement everyone is talking about when going to SVS or HSU. Could anyone explain?

[Ron Temple]

I have been debating over the HSU HO w/turbo or the SVS 20-39 PC Plus, but I have been completely torn between the two. Has anyone ever heard both of these subs. My room is pretty large at 22x22x15, so I'm sure SVS would recommend the PB 12 Plus/2, but I'm not sure if I could justify spending $1400 on a subwoofer.

I only have the Polk PSW 505 right now and I really cannot comprehend the improvement everyone is talking about when going to SVS or HSU. Could anyone explain?I have the 20-39+ in a 2000 cube room that opens into another 5000+ cube room. It does the job for me, but with your 15' ceilings it might be strained in your room.

I haven't heard the HO/turbo, but I have compared the SVS to the VTF3.2 and a Velo DD15. All 3 are very capable with differing strengths. For music, it's pretty much a pickem decision, you might slightly prefer the sound of one over the other. I liked the Velo best. For movies nothing delivers the visceral impact of the SVS. Corner loaded, I get peaks in the 115db range without bottoming.

If it's price that drives your decision, then on paper, the Hsu HO/turbo combo is probably slightly better than the single Plus (though I'm not totally convinced...forums...agendas, etc....I'd like to hear it though), but if you can swing the Plus/2, it's probably the best solution for your room.

I've heard all the Polk subs except the PSW1000 in a terrible demo room at Frys. I doubt they were as bad as they sounded there, but there's simply no comparison to any of the 3 subs I mentioned above. I preferred the Velo DPS10 to the 505 in SQ. I found it extremely boomy (again this could have been setup). The bass from SVS/HSU/Velo is very clean, no mid bass hump or boom with tremendous output and extention down to at least 16hz in room.

[ncmarine]

Well, from what I read on the reactions of everyone who upgrades to a HSU or SVS, I can tell that there has to be something special that I'm missing. My 505 sounded terrible until I got it situated in a good spot, but to me it's not that bad. Although, it definitely doesn't provide the excitement factor in movies that everyone else speaks about.

I should get promoted in the next couple of months, so maybe I'll just wait and get the Plus/2. Then I can do it right the first time and not regret any decisions I make now. When I get the SVS, do you think I should keep the 505 for some 40-80 Hz coverage?

Sounds like Dane really likes his HSU, so congratulations to him.

[McLoki]

When I get the SVS, do you think I should keep the 505 for some 40-80 Hz coverage?
Sell it or keep it for another system. Once you hear the SVS (or HSU) you won't want anything else to muddy up the bass.....

Michael

[dane_peterson]

I just got finished watching Casino Royale on BD. Had some guests over for St. Patty's, so we got a little generous on the volume. The building-crashing scene towards the end of the film has TONS of bass. If you need a good demo scene to show off your sub, this is definitely a good choice. I was tempted to turn it down, but was enjoying it too much. :D