Sub placement behind listening position?

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timmay8612

Audioholic
As I continue to search for a new sub, the WAF dictates that it must either be on the small side, or must hide behind our love seat in a corner. Will I be able to place a sub back there? Pros and cons of doing so?

Also, kinda wondering what size sub I need based on my room size. I've attached some pictures so you all can get the idea, but I'd say my living room is about 12x14 or so, but its completely open to the rest of the house. I took the pics of the ceiling/stairs laying on my back in the living room, it opens up into a loft area.

Thanks all! (sorry for all the junk in the pics)





 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
That isn't a bad place to put a sub at all. I don't even think you will need a powerful sub because you are seated nearby the sub, and better yet, against a wall, where bass tends to be the strongest. So don't let anyone tell you you need a 15" sub, you really don't (of course, it doesn't hurt though). If I were you, I would take some measurements to see what can fit there, and then look at the offerings from Outlaw Audio, Hsu Research, and SVS. Maybe also Elemental Designs if you are not in a hurry for the sub. Also Epik subwoofers if you want massive overkill. Don't worry, despite the openings, you are not in a bad position for a sub.
 
gmichael

gmichael

Audioholic Spartan
Looks like a fair place to try it. It may sound great there. As far as needing a 15 incher, doesn't everyone? H'll, I just moved up to an 18 incher.:D
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
I have a PB12 Plus/2 behind my sofa. :D

I'd stick a SVS cylinder sub behind the love seat. Or move the sofa out 18" and put two of these skinny eD A2-250s behind it. Or replace an end table with a SVS PB12-NSD. Or put this bad boy behind the love seat. It only has a 16 x 16 footprint. :D

Seriously an SVS cylinder or a pair of eD A2-250s are probably your best bet.
 
walter duque

walter duque

Audioholic Samurai
I would replace that little table inbetween the two couches with a downfiring sub. I used to use mine as a rear end table in my old place.

 
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timmay8612

Audioholic
I would replace that little table inbetween the two couches with a downfiring sub. I used to use mine as a rear end table in my old place.

Definitely something I've considered, but it doesn't leave me much in the way of dimensions to work with. Its just a TV tray, and is only about 14" wide x 16-18" long, and thats all the space I have there. I can't move the furniture either, as it disrupts the primary viewing angle, so whatever I get, would likely have to go behind the love seat. The couch isn't moving either, as it would eat a lot of space in the already small living room, the wife would never have it either
 
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timmay8612

Audioholic
That is a super cool idea. Not gonna fit behind or under my couch (its really low to the ground) but a great idea! I could stick that behind the loveseat and hardly know its there until the movie starts :)

Edit: Ouch, as dimensionally perfect as your sub is, its like triple my price range.
 
walter duque

walter duque

Audioholic Samurai
That is a super cool idea. Not gonna fit behind or under my couch (its really low to the ground) but a great idea! I could stick that behind the loveseat and hardly know its there until the movie starts :)

Edit: Ouch, as dimensionally perfect as your sub is, its like triple my price range.
I like the drivers they use. Not the one on the right..

 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
For your dimensions and budget, I might go with one of SVS's cylinder subs, that will have a lot of output for a minimum of floorspace. If you need something a bit more endtable -esque, try out Hsu's VTF1, they have a B-stock one on clearance over there for a bit over 400. You might also look at Emotiva's new sub, the Ultra 12- might as well get a couple of those at it's current price, that's my advice. You might also look at the BIC Acoustech pl-200, that ought to fit in there and give you some nice bass.
 
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timmay8612

Audioholic
I know it isn't ideal, but it is cheap. Any comments on how an HSU STF-2 would do in my room? There is one available used locally, $250, a rare occurrence.
 
walter duque

walter duque

Audioholic Samurai
I just think you're better off with a downfiring sub for that location.
 
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timmay8612

Audioholic
The STF-2 is downfiring, at least I'm pretty sure based on the pics? Think it'll fill the room enough?

Based on what I'm reading I think I'd really enjoy a cylinder sub from SVS, but the wife is NOT on the bandwagon for any sub bigger than the pathetic piece of junk I already have.
 
gmichael

gmichael

Audioholic Spartan
the wife is NOT on the bandwagon for any sub bigger than the pathetic piece of junk I already have.
Isn't there something she wants that you have said no to in the past? Maybe it's time to negotiate a compromise.
 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
The STF2 is a solid sub for the price. I used to have one myself. That price is not bad for a used one, if it is good shape and is not too old. I sold mine for 260 on ebay a while ago. It isn't going to do gut shaking thunder bass, but it will give you a solid, defined bass. I would go for the sub, to see how well it does, because honestly the dimension requirements of the size of the sub is so strict, you can't really do better unless you are willing to shell out for a JL Audio sub (those are $2k+). But, like I said before, you are seated against a wall, so getting a good bass sound there should be easy, so you don't really need a monster subwoofer.
 
just-some-guy

just-some-guy

Audioholic Field Marshall
i have a dayton sub120 right behind my chair. firing right into the back of the chair. it works great there !(when its working :eek:) .

something i noticed. my chair ROCKS ! my wifes chair does not.

ymmv
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
The STF-2 is downfiring, at least I'm pretty sure based on the pics? Think it'll fill the room enough?

Based on what I'm reading I think I'd really enjoy a cylinder sub from SVS, but the wife is NOT on the bandwagon for any sub bigger than the pathetic piece of junk I already have.
Check the Hsu site. Hsu rates their subs by room size.
 
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