Help choosing new sub for apartment.

[Patrick_Wolf]

First let me say I'm not too concerned about my neighbors as the insulation in my walls seems pretty good and I won't be cranking this thing up. Usage being 90% movies/games, 10% music. I'd really like to keep it under $350.

There is an apartment below me, but I'm not even sure if anyone lives there... though I'm wondering if a down-firing sub would potentially be worse than front-firing if someone was down there? Floor is carpet w/ wood underneath (probably).

Room dimensions: 18Lx12Wx7H. Pics. I know it's a disaster. I'm mostly looking for something that would be a significant improvement over my Klipsch Promedia 5.1 sub. It would also be nice if I could get it on ebay so I can use my 8% off coupon.

This is a list of contenders I've compiled so far:
Premier Acoustic PA-120 - $229 shipped (ebay)
TSC T250 - $250 shipped
BIC Acoustech H-100 - $279 shipped (ebay)
BIC Acoustech VK-12 - $329 shipped (ebay) - Upgraded version of the H-100.
eD A2 - 250 - $325 shipped - Big and heavy, looks like it's also possible to use as a front-firing sub?
HSU STF-2 - $388 shipped - Could this also be used on it's side for front-fire?

I see HSU and eD mentioned a lot around here so if they offer notably better quality over the others than I guess it'd be worth it.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ΦBentBrotherΦ]

I like the H-100 ..not a bad price. But either way..if you crank it, everyone is gunna hear you. Good luck... Do you have a really good set of H phones.?

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

I keep the whole system (especially the sub) at a very reasonable volume during the day and use my ATH-A700 for quiet times. Been 3 years now, no complaints. Plus I'm right next to main street... vehicles driving by all freakin day. And the train track a little further out from main street.

I actually found another sub similiar to the VK-12 that I can get for the same price. Slightly better frequency response.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=220379278766

Probably the one I'll just go with as no one here seems too eager to respond to another "which budget sub?" thread. I can't really blame them either.

Reguardless, anyone of those subs should be a significant improvement in SQ over my current one.

 

[thisonekidmongo]

If you're considering eD, why not the a2-300 over the a2-250? It's only $25 more for what looks to be a lot more sub. Keep in mind this is only from reading other people's impressions, but it seems to be pretty well regarded as a "bang for the buck" sub. I bet it would beat everything else on your list in extension and output.

Here's a (short) thread comparing the Hsu STF-2 and the eD A2-300: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45326

 

[speakerman39]

If you're considering eD, why not the a2-300 over the a2-250? It's only $25 more for what looks to be a lot more sub. Keep in mind this is only from reading other people's impressions, but it seems to be pretty well regarded as a "bang for the buck" sub. I bet it would beat everything else on your list in extension and output.

Here's a (short) thread comparing the Hsu STF-2 and the eD A2-300: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45326

Very good suggestion here. Looks like you have been doing your homework so to speak. Keep up the good work! If the OP could up his budget a bit, I would opt for a B-stock SVS PB10-NSD myself. It packs quite a wallop for only being a 10" sub. However, it is big but an excellent performer-especially for ht.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[lsiberian]

First let me say I'm not too concerned about my neighbors as the insulation in my walls seems pretty good and I won't be cranking this thing up. Usage being 90% movies/games, 10% music. I'd really like to keep it under $350.

There is an apartment below me, but I'm not even sure if anyone lives there... though I'm wondering if a down-firing sub would potentially be worse than front-firing if someone was down there? Floor is carpet w/ wood underneath (probably).

Room dimensions: 18Lx12Wx7H. Pics. I know it's a disaster. I'm mostly looking for something that would be a significant improvement over my Klipsch Promedia 5.1 sub. It would also be nice if I could get it on ebay so I can use my 8% off coupon.

This is a list of contenders I've compiled so far:
Premier Acoustic PA-120 - $229 shipped (ebay)
TSC T250 - $250 shipped
BIC Acoustech H-100 - $279 shipped (ebay)
BIC Acoustech VK-12 - $329 shipped (ebay) - Upgraded version of the H-100.
eD A2 - 250 - $325 shipped - Big and heavy, looks like it's also possible to use as a front-firing sub?
HSU STF-2 - $388 shipped - Could this also be used on it's side for front-fire?

I see HSU and eD mentioned a lot around here so if they offer notably better quality over the others than I guess it'd be worth it.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Of the list HSU makes the best subs.

But I would buy dual Dayton 12"s on that budget for a theater setup. You get even room response and when you get real cash you can spend it on a super low sub and keep the Dayton's doing the 50 - 100hz work.

Ok I lie. I would pick up a 300w Bash amp. Build a nice MDF box, get a driver and make a sub that beats all those easily.

But I have the tools so take that into consideration.

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

Very good suggestion here. Looks like you have been doing your homework so to speak. Keep up the good work! If the OP could up his budget a bit, I would opt for a B-stock SVS PB10-NSD myself. It packs quite a wallop for only being a 10" sub. However, it is big but an excellent performer-especially for ht.

Cheers,

Phil

My only concern was the weight of the A2-300, but I have a 65lb CRT I'm still able to lug around and it's nearly the same size as the A2-300 so I could handle it afterall.

I was very interested in the PB10-NSD, but the price swayed me. B-Stock would be nice, anyone know how much they usually go for?

My main concern in reguards to the A2-300, STF-2, and P10-NSD would be wasted potential. Would it really be worth the money if I keep the sub at a relatively low volume 99% of the time? Or am I also paying for overall better LFE at any volume? Also taking room acoustics into consideration, my room is not exactly ideal.

 

[fast1]

i think you got good prices for the items you wanted, but have yo checked out the seller? legit?

 

[speakerman39]

My only concern was the weight of the A2-300, but I have a 65lb CRT I'm still able to lug around and it's nearly the same size as the A2-300 so I could handle it afterall.

I was very interested in the PB10-NSD, but the price swayed me. B-Stock would be nice, anyone know how much they usually go for?

My main concern in reguards to the A2-300, STF-2, and P10-NSD would be wasted potential. Would it really be worth the money if I keep the sub at a relatively low volume 99% of the time? Or am I also paying for overall better LFE at any volume? Also taking room acoustics into consideration, my room is not exactly ideal.

My PB10-NSD was a B-stock unit and it looked and performed just like a brand new one. They go for like $400 plus some for shipping which is very reasonable.

As far as the PB10-NSD being wasted due to you keeping the volume down. Well, my take is you can NOT EVER have too much power or sub for that matter. Keeping the gain down just allows the sub to run cooler with less distortion resulting in great SQ. Therefore, no it would NOT be a waste imho. Personally, I would save up a bit longer until you have enough money to order a B-stock PB10-NSD. It is worth the wait I assure you that.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[tn001d]

SVS PB-10 NSD was going for $369 on B-stock 3 weeks ago

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

My PB10-NSD was a B-stock unit and it looked and performed just like a brand new one. They go for like $400 plus some for shipping which is very reasonable.

As far as the PB10-NSD being wasted due to you keeping the volume down. Well, my take is you can NOT EVER have too much power or sub for that matter. Keeping the gain down just allows the sub to run cooler with less distortion resulting in great SQ. Therefore, no it would NOT be a waste imho. Personally, I would save up a bit longer until you have enough money to order a B-stock PB10-NSD. It is worth the wait I assure you that.

Cheers,

Phil

Dammit. Something tells me you're right. I did really like that sub when I first came across it. It takes me a long time to make a decision on big purchases, but I'll strongly consider holding out a bit longer for B-Stock.

 

[speakerman39]

Dammit. Something tells me you're right. I did really like that sub when I first came across it. It takes me a long time to make a decision on big purchases, but I'll strongly consider holding out a bit longer for B-Stock.

Nothing wrong with taking a long time before buying such as a sub. In fact, I highly recommend it so that you make a well informed decision. Thus, one shoe does NOT fit all or otherwise we all would we wearing the same shoes. That, would make for a boring day. You have to decide what works for your needs. FWIW, I would not be afraid to order another B-stock PB10-NSD if I were in the need of a new sub. That should tell you something. Good luck in your final decision.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jaejw1]

it took me a long time to make my purchase aswell.. went from choosing the hsu stf-2,, the eD a2-300 ,, the pb 10-nsd to choocing something more affordable and that made more sense.. so i started looking at the h100,, acoustic audio hd sub12 and the premier acoustic pa120.... i even looked briefly at the sasquatch-10 but there is no know date of its production


i live in a townhome with one home sharing the wall here my tv is on and another behind my seating area , sharing the wall with my kitchen..

from the uper end of subs i decided i was going to go with the stf-2 since i could just drive there within 30 minutes and pick it up.. then i started to look more at my finances since i want to eventually run dual subs.. which would be most cost affective..

enter the budget subs
started looking heavily at the acoustic audio and the premier acoustic.. i settled on the pa120 due to its finish and build quality..

i have had my sub for less than a week and i love it.. i know for a fact that i will never truly see what its full potential is.. but while demoing music.. test cd's .. competition cd's and movies,,, im glad i made this purchase.. and saved myself some money.. get what you can afford to live with.. and just because its a prsche doesnt mean you have to buy it if all your using it for is for grocery shopping... now if i had a dedicated theater room,, fully insulated and padded with all the bells and whistles.. then i may consider something that can handle very loud levels.. but i still wouldnt rule out the budgets.. im actually pleased with mine..

here are my pics.. http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=jaejw1