Recommendation

[_Jon_]

Hello,

I am putting together a 5.1 setup for my family room. The room is 17x22 with a ceiling that slopes from 8-11 feet. The back of the room is completely open, connecting to my kitchen/dining area, which is a total space of about 12x22 with an 8 foot ceiling. I had a local audio guy in to take a look, and told him my budget for the whole system. For the subwoofer, he recommended a Sunfire HRS-8 for $650. My suspicion is that he is recommending this unit because of his markup more so than it's merits as a sub. I know that many on this forum have strong feelings about Sunfire subs, so I figured that I would ask for other recommendations on this forum. Can anybody recommend a better sub in this price range ($600-$700) for the size of the room that I described? It will be used mostly for home theater, but some music. Thanks!

Jon

 

[Slee_Stack]

There's a world of options in that price range. And plenty with larger drivers than an 8". SVS, epik, eD, earthquake, NHT, Velodyne, etc, etc, etc.

If you don't care about size or finish, probably go with an epik.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The best idea is to call SVS, HSU, eD, Empire and have them size subwoofer for you; However as Slee_Stack mentioned going with Empire Epik - would be very high value in both sq and output

 

[sholling]

There is no $600 sub that will properly fill a 6000cuft space. Realistically I suspect that you'll need to more than double your budget. I agree with BSA - call SVSound, Epik, and Hsu Research and have them size you a sub or two.

 

[GranteedEV]

Ready made, an Epik Empire will be your best bet in that rough price range. It's about 800 dollars though, just ever so slightly above your budget. I recommend saving up for a pair (1400 dollars) because that will do your huge room much more justice.

Alternatively, Doing It Yourself, a tempest X2 would probably be a good choice.

 

[_Jon_]

Recommendations

Thanks for the recommendations. I will call Epik on Monday and see what they have to say. Interesting comment about the 6000cuft room, though. I can see on Hsu's web site that they rate the VTF-3 MK 3 ($629) for rooms up to 6000 cuft. Do you think one of these will not be enough? I don't necessarily need to shake the foundation.

Jon

 

[GranteedEV]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will call Epik on Monday and see what they have to say. Interesting comment about the 6000cuft room, though. I can see on Hsu's web site that they rate the VTF-3 MK 3 ($629) for rooms up to 6000 cuft. Do you think one of these will not be enough? I don't necessarily need to shake the foundation.

Jon

When it comes to subwoofers, "enough" is never enough!
Until you've got four Maelstroms 21s! >_>;

 

[_Jon_]

I see

I understand that many in this forum feel that way. I guess I will not be able to fill the entire space with bone rattling bass, but I'm after the best & most sound that I can get for $600-700. If I go with the Empire, that's $950 including shipping. Is it fair to compare a $950 sub with a $650 sub? I certainly wish that I could buy 2 Empries, to the tune of $1600. I'm looking for apples-apples here, not apples-4 course meal. Of course I should expect more if I pay 2-3 times as much.

Back to my original question, would it be safe to assume that any name batted around this forum would give me more & better bass than the Sunfire for the same $$. Considering that these are all mail-order only, the only fair comparison would be to compare it with $500 subs because of shipping charges.

Jon

 

[AVRat]

Well, even the Epik Legend would eat the Sunfire as an appetizer!!

 

[Chitown2477]

I personally think an Elemental Designs A3-300 (or A5-350) will be good choices.
That or the Epik Empire Single; you can always by another later. Both of these subs go as low as 20hz with even lower extension, compared to 22hz for the Sunfire HRS-8. Beyond the simple math, you are getting much more for a 12" or 15" woofer vs. an 8" woofer. So yes, any ONE of the three I mentioned should clearly out perform the Sunfire.

You should also consider bass traps and treatments. DIY is a great option for bass traps. Also try to figure out a way to separate the two rooms - from a thick curtain to literally building a wall.

 

[rnatalli]

Don't waste your money on the sunfire. The $650 options from SVS, eD, HSU, and Epik will put it to shame. With such a large room, I'd probably go with a ported design from SVS and eD as they'll get a little higher in SPL. Or, something like the Legend is nice too with the assumption you'll add another sub later which you'll probably have to do with anything.

 

[_Jon_]

Thanks

I'm leaning towards the Legend. The Empire doesn't look very wife friendly, but it's still under negotiation. Two Empires is definitely out of the question. Yes, it's a 6000 cuft space, but only half of it is the family room. In the same price range, it looks like the Epik Legend vs. Hsu VTF-2 MK3 vs. SVS SB12-NSD. From the sounds of things, these will all be underpowered, though.

 

[GranteedEV]

The Empire doesn't look very wife friendly, but it's still under negotiation.

NEGOTIATE!

"It'll make a nice ottoman if we put a pilly on top?"?
"It'll make a nice end table"?
"It'll make a nice stand for plants"?
"But people on the internet's wives let them!"
"puleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaase?"

 

[sholling]

I'm leaning towards the Legend. The Empire doesn't look very wife friendly, but it's still under negotiation. Two Empires is definitely out of the question. Yes, it's a 6000 cuft space, but only half of it is the family room. In the same price range, it looks like the Epik Legend vs. Hsu VTF-2 MK3 vs. SVS SB12-NSD. From the sounds of things, these will all be underpowered, though.

6000cuft is 6000cuft even if only half of it is family room because it effects the sub's ability to bring you deep visceral bass. However if you are practically sitting on a sub that can help a bit. As for Hsu's room size ratings, well I find them a bit optimistic. That said Hsu makes great sounding subs and you could start with a single VTF-3 and then add a second down the road.

 

[dalumberjack]

6000cuft is 6000cuft even if only half of it is family room because it effects the sub's ability to bring you deep visceral bass. However if you are practically sitting on a sub that can help a bit. As for Hsu's room size ratings, well I find them a bit optimistic. That said Hsu makes great sounding subs and you could start with a single VTF-3 and then add a second down the road.

I second this. My room opens up into the kitchen, adjoining room, and a hallway. What really helped was that the VTF3.3 is side firing. So I have one on either end of the couch, facing the couch which gives me the chest pounding bass everyone craves!

 

[shadyJ]

I'm leaning towards the Legend. The Empire doesn't look very wife friendly, but it's still under negotiation. Two Empires is definitely out of the question. Yes, it's a 6000 cuft space, but only half of it is the family room. In the same price range, it looks like the Epik Legend vs. Hsu VTF-2 MK3 vs. SVS SB12-NSD. From the sounds of things, these will all be underpowered, though.

If you can't get a Empire, in that bunch the VTF2 will have the most output, and you need as much as you can get for that room. Try to talk the wife into getting a Hsu VTF15H which was just released on Saturday, that supposedly has a massive amount of output and also great sound quality.

 

[shadyJ]

I second this. My room opens up into the kitchen, adjoining room, and a hallway. What really helped was that the VTF3.3 is side firing. So I have one on either end of the couch, facing the couch which gives me the chest pounding bass everyone craves!

Dalumberjack, this setup is exactly what I have too! It is a beautiful thing to feel the bass almost as well as it can be heard! I recently added two Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EXs (got them used but mint condition for an totally killer deal) to the front corners behind my front speakers, and I am in bass heaven right now! I have no desire for another sub, none of these subs are turned past 1/4 up the gain, and they are absolutely kicking my ***!

 

[warchant]

I'm looking at upgrading now. Always get more than what you need it may seem like a lot now, but it will save you money down the road. That new HSU sub looks like a killer at a great price

 

[_Jon_]

Hmmm

The VTF15H is about the same size (and price) as the Empire...actually a little bigger.

 

[Pyrrho]

Hello,

I am putting together a 5.1 setup for my family room. The room is 17x22 with a ceiling that slopes from 8-11 feet. The back of the room is completely open, connecting to my kitchen/dining area, which is a total space of about 12x22 with an 8 foot ceiling. I had a local audio guy in to take a look, and told him my budget for the whole system. For the subwoofer, he recommended a Sunfire HRS-8 for $650. My suspicion is that he is recommending this unit because of his markup more so than it's merits as a sub. I know that many on this forum have strong feelings about Sunfire subs, so I figured that I would ask for other recommendations on this forum. Can anybody recommend a better sub in this price range ($600-$700) for the size of the room that I described? It will be used mostly for home theater, but some music. Thanks!

Jon

Sunfire is known for making very small subwoofers that produce a lot of bass for their size. If you need a tiny subwoofer, then they are worth considering. But if a larger size is not a problem, then a tiny subwoofer is going to be a bad value, because it is difficult to get a lot of bass out of a small subwoofer. I would look at SVS (and go ahead and read the lists that others provide) if space is not an issue. And if floor space is an issue, but height is not a problem, then the cylinder subwoofers from SVS would be what I would consider first.