Need help on deciding about subwoofer

[nycop80]

I just hooked up new 7.1 speakers system with denon 1910 receiver, 6 jbl control now speakers. Also using JBL LC1 center channel. I am using Polk DSW 500 and it does seem to kick in well for movies but seems much weaker than i expected it to be. My friend has some no name subwoofer i think 150 watt from like 10 years ago that seems to pack a bigger punch playing music. I am interested in suggestions for an awesome subwoofer that wont break my wallet. First my set up is in a fairly large are because the living room has an open kitchen behind it and dining room area to the left. Basically, I am looking for a sub that will pack a good punch. Please give me some recommendations. I have read a bit on Velodyne SPL-1200R. It seems that sub is rated well and is $1000. I would like to spend like $1200 or less on this. The polk sub was given to me as a gift so i did not spend any money on it. I listen to music and watch many movies. Also play extensive ps3 and xbox 360. I would love a volume knob more than just moss code blue light but i can deal with that if the sub is awesome. If there are other details you need, ill try my best to get em to you. I am not sure of exact size of room but id say medium sized with all the openess, one sliding glass door way to outside and to the right of the speakers and tv is a hallway. Thanks.

 

[sholling]

You'll need to start with doing a bit of homework and calculate the total cubic footage for the entire space including any spaces that are open to it. Once you do that I'd contact Elemental Designs, Epik, Hsu Research, and SVSounds and have them each make a recommendation. They all make great products and because they sell direct you'll usually get much better bang for the buck than the retail showroom brands.

 

[nycop80]

measurements coming

 

[nycop80]

size of room

room is aproximately 2772 cubic feet. 7 X 22 X 18 Feet

 

[sholling]

room is aproximately 2772 cubic feet. 7 X 22 X 18 Feet

7 feet?
My master bedroom is roughly 3000cuft and I'm using a Hsu ULS-15 and it does the job pretty well and in b-stock is about $1100 although it's more of a music sub. A pair of eD A5s-300 for $1000 shipped should fill 3000cuft nicely, or they have the A5-350 on sale for $715 shipped. Honestly there are so many good choices I'd contact each of the internet direct sub builders and have them size it generously.

 

[nycop80]

L X W X H, should have put 22 X 18 X 7 cubic feet

 

[nycop80]

i prefer not to use anything wireless.

 

[sholling]

i prefer not to use anything wireless.

I don't blame you. I'm not sure how well it works but my ULS-15 came with wireless and someday I'll probably give it a try someday. For now I'm running it wired.

With your budget and only 2800cuft I'd go with subwoofer overkill. Something like two eD sealed or ported subs or see if you can get deal on two SVS PB12-NSD or PC12-NSD. Again just tell them to size you a sub(s) generously. Or if you have time to wait a pair of the upcoming Epic Legends.

 

[Ares]

I Know if you buy 2 PC-12's you get an additional 5% off the total, but they don't say anything about the PB-12 You can contact Jack over at SVS and ask him.

jackg@svsound.com

 

[SJTrance]

I don't see how you would need something more than the ULS-15. If I had that much to spend, I would do that in B-Stock and call it a day. You'll be happy.

 

[j_garcia]

Epik Empire will be just under $1k shipped and will have no problem with that size room. My room is ~14x23 with high vaulted ceiling and open to the kitchen and dining room via a hallway. It easily fills everything.

 

[nycop80]

The PB12-plus seems amazing. I have already contacted Jack. Thanks.

 

[j_garcia]

The PB-12+ is a very good sub, and compared to the Polk, it will be like night and day.

 

[nycop80]

how does the epik empire compare to the PB12-plus ??

 

[shadyJ]

For 1200 shipped you could also get a Elemental Designs A7-350, in raw power I'm guessing that would knock out the PB12 plus or Epik Empire easily. I think the only sub that can approach that price/performance ratio would be Tweakcity Audio's new CS 18.2. There are some insane yet inexpensive subs out there now, you really don't have to spend a fortune for a home theater that will obliterate most commercial theaters.

 

[j_garcia]

how does the epik empire compare to the PB12-plus ??

The Empire will be cleaner with music because it is sealed and it will easily have more output with the dual 15" drivers. I had a Plus based sub in the same room before and it won't compare in terms of output. The PB-12+ will likely give you more rumble at the bottom though, due to the ported design and you can tune it to suit your taste and room. Since you are looking for music from the sub, I would say this is a good choice. They also have a dual 12" coming out soon: Legend.

 

[nycop80]

So now what is the idea about Epik legend or empire vs svs PB12-plus

 

[j_garcia]

Nobody has heard the Legend because it isn't available yet, so I don't think that comparison can really be made yet.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No way man, I don’t believe in “music subs” or “HT subs” – rather I believe simply in “accurate subs”, which faithfully reproduce the source material.A sealed or a ported can be accurate.

The Empire will be cleaner with music because it is sealed.

 

[j_garcia]

No way man, I don’t believe in “music subs” or “HT subs” – rather I believe simply in “accurate subs”, which faithfully reproduce the source material.A sealed or a ported can be accurate.

This is true, however sealed subs do tend to have a slightly different sound compared to most vented. I am not saying that vented subs can't sound accurate, but sealed subs in my experience (including the ones I've built) tend to have less overhang and more kick, though it comes at the expense of good rumble down low. IMO, the Ultra comes really close to giving the best of both worlds