Need help buying a HT sub

[paulyd04]

Ok so I've been researching until I'm about blue in the face and feel like I've only opened up more options and not eliminated others. Just today I was just going to pull the trigger on a BIC F12 and noticed they are all backordered for a couple of weeks :-( . Well this got me looking more and I'm not sure I want to wait. Here is my setup...

Denon AVR 790
Klipsch Quintet SL
No sub at the moment
Room- 15 x 20 open to kitchen
Use- 95% Directv and/or Movies 5% Music

The main thing is that I'm on a tight budget just because I have to stop myself somewhere or else I'll just keep justifying bumps till I end up with a Paradigm or something... My budget is $250 or less.

Here's what I've been looking at so far- all 12" which I'm pretty set on having.

PA 120... $250
BIC F12.. $185
BIC VK-12 $250

I don't consider myself an audiophile but like to get the best bang for my buck whatever I buy. So my question is that should I be looking at any others for $250 or under? Should I just wait for the F12 since it's considerably cheaper because I've heard the F12 and PA 120 are very similar in sound quality and they are in specs.

I NEED HELP!

Thanks guys.

 

[sholling]

My advice is to contact SVS, Hsu Research, and eD and have them size a sub for you. But one thing to keep in mind is the sub sees the entire space and not just your listening area which means you'll probably need a whole lot more sub than you thought. Have the total area size in cubic feet ready for them.

Or if you must stay under $300 consider a couple of $150 Dayton subs from Parts express.

 

[Patrukas777]

IMO subs are important. I would not buy a $250.00 sub (unless it was a used good one ;p). I would save up until I could afford a good sub or two. If you buy a low end sub, I'm pretty sure you will get what you pay for and regret it down the road. I also think you should call svs, hsu etc.. and see what they would recommend for your room. That way you will know about how big/powerful of a sub you will need in that size room. That or you could build your own sub...it would be a lot cheaper; however, I don't know how much time you want to invest in it. There are many audiophiles on here that could walk you through the process. Thats probably your best chance at getting a good sub at a cheap price. You could go with a couple of Daytons....a lot of guys on here recommend that. Just dont settle for something because you will be unhappy in the end.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[njedpx3]

+1

My advice is to contact SVS, Hsu Research, and eD and have them size a sub for you. But one thing to keep in mind is the sub sees the entire space and not just your listening area which means you'll probably need a whole lot more sub than you thought. Have the total area size in cubic feet ready for them.

Or if you must stay under $300 consider a couple of $150 Dayton subs from Parts express.

OP, Very good advice from sholling i completley agree. Also, keep in mind a lot of the major companies, such as SVS have b-stock. b-stock is cosmetically flawed (slightly) but acoustically perfect inventory or returned equipment that they substantially discounted. If you can wait or are lucky and find what you are looking for WooLah Here is SVS's B-stock link https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12

Good Luck and Good BASS,

Forest Man

 

[paulyd04]

ok maybe i should make a couple of things known...

1. I want a subwoofer and am going to buy one. I know most of you think it isn't worth it unless you spend a grand but I've got a lot of hobbies plus I'm in college so until I graduate I'm not going to put more than $250 in a sub. I know that even with a garbage sub my system would sound better and that's what I'm after. (not a garbage sub but one that would make an incremental improvement while being financially feasible)

2. I do not want to build my own even if it might sound a little better.

3. I do not want some B stock item that is beat up because where i'm putting my sub everyone is going to see it and not only am I picky, but if i got something with cosmetic flaws my girlfriend would not be happy either.

4. I checked out SVS but it looks like it's out of my price range. Like I said, I have to draw the line somewhere.

So with that said, is there anything else I could buy for $250 (or VERY near) or less that I should be checking out or am I on the right track? Is the VK12 worth the extra money or should i just wait for the F12 to come back in stock?

Thanks so far for the responses guys!

 

[paulyd04]

Oh and also multiple subs are 100% out of the question. I have a townhouse with neighbors and unless I want the 5-0 visiting my house every night and want to invest waaaay too much money, I'm not doing it.

 

[chris357]

then just get one of the parts express daytons.. they seem to get pretty favorable reviews on here and are pretty inexpensive.. probably better money spent since when budget and living situation changes you will want more. I also think that you can buy the dayton assembled.

although I do live in a townhouse as well and went with the epik empire screw my neighbors

 

[njedpx3]

ok maybe i should make a couple of things known...

1. I want a subwoofer and am going to buy one. I know most of you think it isn't worth it unless you spend a grand but I've got a lot of hobbies plus I'm in college so until I graduate I'm not going to put more than $250 in a sub. I know that even with a garbage sub my system would sound better and that's what I'm after. (not a garbage sub but one that would make an incremental improvement while being financially feasible)

2. I do not want to build my own even if it might sound a little better.

3. I do not want some B stock item that is beat up because where i'm putting my sub everyone is going to see it and not only am I picky, but if i got something with cosmetic flaws my girlfriend would not be happy either.

4. I checked out SVS but it looks like it's out of my price range. Like I said, I have to draw the line somewhere.

So with that said, is there anything else I could buy for $250 (or VERY near) or less that I should be checking out or am I on the right track? Is the VK12 worth the extra money or should i just wait for the F12 to come back in stock?

Thanks so far for the responses guys!

There is nothing wrong with the Dayton sub Sholling mentioned. look at the Dayton SUB 120-HT for only $155.
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SUB-120-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000C9NV78



Later, when you graduate and are makning the big $$$ you can look at SVS


Later, Peace and Good Bass,

Forest Man

P.S. - You might be surprised at SVS B-Stock not always used and definitely not beat-up. SVS has great customer service

 

[KEW]

3. I do not want some B stock item that is beat up because where i'm putting my sub everyone is going to see it and not only am I picky, but if i got something with cosmetic flaws my girlfriend would not be happy either.

The B-stock sub I got from SVS looks like new. If you call them, they may tell you any details, but I don't think they would sell anything that was "beat up" without describing the problem in more detail and giving a really big discount.
Call them and talk to them. They are one of few companies that will shoot straight (a large part of why they are so beloved).

Also check out Hsu's B-stock. SVS is probably better for HT and HSU better for music, but Hsu's has models more in line price wise. How large is your room? This is an important factor in choosing a sub.

 

[JoshK]

As long as you keep your expectations in line with your budget, you'll be fine.

 

[Matt34]

The PA-120 is a very good sub (22hz and above performance) for $229 shipped, plus it looks nice. I've had one for awhile and will be using it again in my main system.

 

[Matt34]

FYI- there is a black used one on ebay for $190 + shipping.

 

[paulyd04]

There is nothing wrong with the Dayton sub Sholling mentioned. look at the Dayton SUB 120-HT for only $155.
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SUB-120-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000C9NV78



Later, when you graduate and are makning the big $$$ you can look at SVS


Later, Peace and Good Bass,

Forest Man

P.S. - You might be surprised at SVS B-Stock not always used and definitely not beat-up. SVS has great customer service

That's the plan for sure. When I graduate (i'm in law school) I plan on going BIIGGG- Paradigm Reference, SVS, Mcintosh, etc... it will be like a little kid and grandpa just gave me a 100 dollar bill hahaha...

 

[Patrukas777]

That's the plan for sure. When I graduate (i'm in law school) I plan on going BIIGGG- Paradigm Reference, SVS, Mcintosh, etc... it will be like a little kid and grandpa just gave me a 100 dollar bill hahaha...

So have you purchased a sub yet?

 

[paulyd04]

So have you purchased a sub yet?

no i have not, i was waiting for the bic f12 to be available from a few websites that offer it for 180 shipped.

 

[Patrukas777]

no i have not, i was waiting for the bic f12 to be available from a few websites that offer it for 180 shipped.

Cool, tell us what you think about the sub when you get it.