Need a sub to fill 3,000 cubic feet on a budget of less than $500

[alumiu90]

I need a sub to fill 3,000 cubic feet on a budget. I am a novice on the home theater equipment and I had a budget of $350 for a subwoofer, but unfortunately after reviewing several forums I realize that I just will not be able to fill 3,000 cubic feet with a sub costing less than $350. Thus I am seeking advice from forum members if I should purchase two subs in the $250 range or take and kill the budget and try to scrap together enough funds for a sub that is capable of filling 3,000 cubic feet. Maybe take it up to $500.

The subs I was looking at under $350 were as follows:

NXG NX-BAS-500 and BIC PL-200 and also the PA-150 (stretch it out a little)

Based on forum posts on the Outlaw I know it would be the right move, but I cannot afford a $600 sub.
Or does anyone know of some great sub or have experience with a sub that may be able to satisfy my HT requirements in the under $500 range. If anyone has any experience with either of these subs I would love to hear about it. B Stock is ok with me.

System is:
AVR – Yamaha rx-v673
L/R – Pioneer FS52’s (not purchased yet)
Center – Pioneer CP22 (not purchased yet)
Surrounds – NHT Superzero 2.0

 

[anamorphic96]

SVS PB-1000 should do the trick for you. HSU Research STF-2 or VTF-1 would work as well but will not go quite as deep. The NXG sub is supposed to be quite good for the money as well.

 

[shadyJ]

In a large room at that price point, the PA-150 is your best bet. Make an offer for it at acousticsounddesign, they will give it to you for a bit less than $500. At 30 Hz and above, it will beat every other 500 dollar sub out there, and not just by a little. This is trade off you want to make for a good sized room on a modest budget.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My family room is 18' x 20' x 12' & open to 3 sides.

Even the lowly $275 PL-200 will shake all the walls like a rag doll.

I don't know if it's "musical" or "tight" and all that. Probably not for $275. But it really "filled" my 4,000 CF room.

But of course, there are nicer subs from SVS, HSU, etc.

 

[alumiu90]

Do you use the Bic PL-200 for mainly HT or Music?

Anyone on the forum own either and compared the PA-150 to the Bic PL-200?

I keep reading that the feeling that the Bic will go lower than the PA-150 and you want that for HT, but I am a novice at this HT stuff.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Do you use the Bic PL-200 for mainly HT or Music?

Anyone on the forum own either and compared the PA-150 to the Bic PL-200?

I keep reading that the feeling that the Bic will go lower than the PA-150 and you want that for HT, but I am a novice at this HT stuff.

I sold it to some guy for $150 via Craigslist. But the PL200 was in my family room for movies and music.

 

[shadyJ]

Do you use the Bic PL-200 for mainly HT or Music?

Anyone on the forum own either and compared the PA-150 to the Bic PL-200?

I keep reading that the feeling that the Bic will go lower than the PA-150 and you want that for HT, but I am a novice at this HT stuff.

Fortunately for you there is no need to rely on anyone's subjective impression, as both subs have been measured in a way whereby they can be compared directly here. At no point does the PL-200 outperform the PA-150. In fact, as far as deep bass goes, at 20 Hz the PA-150 is fully three times as powerful as the PL-200. Above that, from 25 to 50 Hz, it does not quite have that extreme of a performance difference, but it does have a healthy lead, until you go above 50 hz where the output gaps widens enormously again in the PA-150's favor. From 60 to 100 Hz, it actually has more output than SVS's flagship $2k PB13 Ultra sub, and about matches the Rythmik's powerhouse FV15HP. Remember there is a lot more bass in soundtracks in this region in both movies and especially music than there is in deep frequencies below 30 Hz.

 

[alumiu90]

Updating with Pictures of the space.

 

[fuzz092888]

Great looking space, although that chair looks a little lonely

 

[alumiu90]

The whole space is a little lonely - Made the mistake and put all the funds in the physical structure. Wife advised when we were finished that furniture would have to come down from upstairs because their was no money left for theater seats. I said but wait you got your $3,800 worth of cabinets for the bar and now I have no furniture nor speaker money.

Reason I have given so much thought to the Pioneers is because the budget is shot and I am thinking of going cheap on L/C/R so I can get a half way decent sub in this space. It is actually large than 3,000 cubic feet because of the way it opens up. I will just have to make do with what I can until some more funds become available. I relocate a lot for my employer so the other thing that we always have to think about is whether whatever we buy will be used in the next home. A previous HT speaker setup I had set in two unfinished basements for the past 9 years and ended up getting sold at a garage sale because we never had another space to use them in that was prewired, etc.

 

[fuzz092888]

What kind of budget are you thinking for the subwoofer area? Depending on aesthetics, budget, ability/friends going DIY can really maximize your performance/dollar. However,there is a price point where it's simply not worth it over buying commercial, just like there is a point where the performance of commercial offerings jumps significantly.

 

[alumiu90]

At first I was trying to stay under $300 for the sub, but that was not realistic given the space. Thus I have raised the budget to under $600. Sound Distributors recommended going with two BIC PL-200's. I have been leaning towards the Rythmik LV12R based on input from Jim W. If I purchase in the price range of $600 then only one sub will ever be purchased.

 

[afterlife2]

If I were you I'd get 2 subs and do a 3.2 for now and get the rest for the holidays or bday. PA-150(15" drivers) all the way. Like shady said call them up and ask for a deal for both. Beautiful space there holy moly, congrats.

 

[fuzz092888]

At first I was trying to stay under $300 for the sub, but that was not realistic given the space. Thus I have raised the budget to under $600. Sound Distributors recommended going with two BIC PL-200's. I have been leaning towards the Rythmik LV12R based on input from Jim W. If I purchase in the price range of $600 then only one sub will ever be purchased.

If it were me I'd rather go with 2 Hsu STF 1/2 or possibly a VTF model. Just a thought.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If it were me I'd rather go with 2 Hsu STF 1/2 or possibly a VTF model. Just a thought.

Yeah, I share the sentiments here. I'd get dual HSU STF-1 subs. I wonder if they give 10% discounts if you buy 2 subs?

Actually, I would get the Infinity P163 for $85 each and put my money towards dual LV12 for $1060, if that is within budget.

 

[alumiu90]

Thoughts on these 4 subwoofers in this space or 2 cheaper HSU units like you recommend? Placement of two might be difficult as one would go in right front corner and other would only have two places left to go that would keep it out of the way (left front of screen which would be open to other area or right sidewall to the right of the center seating area).

PSA VV15
HSU VTF-3
HSU VTF-2
Rythmik LV12R

I am catching the AV bug and my wallet is going to pay for it. As of yesterday I was limiting myself to $600, but after reading some more reviews I may just have to scrape together some more funds.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thoughts on these 4 subwoofers in this space or 2 cheaper HSU units like you recommend? Placement of two might be difficult as one would go in right front corner and other would only have two places left to go that would keep it out of the way (left front of screen which would be open to other area or right sidewall to the right of the center seating area).

PSA VV15
HSU VTF-3
HSU VTF-2
Rythmik LV12R

I am catching the AV bug and my wallet is going to pay for it. As of yesterday I was limiting myself to $600, but after reading some more reviews I may just have to scrape together some more funds.

2 subs are better, but sometimes you just have to compromise. So I think a single LV12R will do.

 

[j_garcia]

This one should do it:

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Powered Subwoofer

http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/lfm-1-ex-review/lfm-1-ex-conclusion

Audioholics large room certified. Which also means the VTF-3 should be fine as well since it is essentially an older version of the VTF-3. The PSA XV15 no doubt will handle it also.

 

[shadyJ]

My vote goes for the VTF3 in that bunch. I think it has the best balance of sound quality, output, and features.

 

[alumiu90]

Two more questions related to my space.

Do I need to be concerned about what specifications the floorstanding speakers have in a space this large?

If I went with the Outlaw LFM - 1 EX or the Rythmik LV12R could I get by with bookshelf speakers for my fronts or is the space to large? If I could get by with bookshelves what would be recommended in the range of $300-500 for the all three, L/C/R?

Thanks everyone