2 budget subs vs 1 quality sub

[Hookedup12]

I'm in the process of building my first projector based home theater while my house is being built, luckily I found this forum in time, I was wondering what the most efficient (bang for buck) choice was. My old kilpsch sub was ruined in storage but I paid for unit insurance and they finally gave me a check which is roughly the amount of either of the two options. Listed below. Old theater room was 10x12 new one is 22x16 and I know I'll need more bass I wanted to know whether it was better to go with 2 bic 12s or 2 Dayton 15s or even like 1 pb-1000.

 

[ski2xblack]

And HERE you go.

I would think a pair of the 15" Dayton subs would be the bare minimum or starting point for a room that large, but I really don't know how those others compare. Some true bassaholics should be by shortly to help you out with more specific answers.

 

[j_garcia]

IMO, at the price point you are talking about, I'd put it all toward one better sub. At the >$1k point, maybe two slightly lesser ones would benefit but when we're talking about subs where one probably won't do it, two of the same won't fully solve the issue. For a 22x16 room, you'll need decently capable sub and I'd likely steer you toward the HSU VTF-2 Mk5 which got a large room rating here at AH and is around this price range.

https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-2-mk5

 

[jcparks]

Completely agree with J. Garcia here... The VTF 2 is only slightly more expensive then the other options on this list but has the energy you need to fill this room. Likely you are the person most concerned about sound in you theater as most family members usually don't share in our obsession, so having two subs to get even bass response across all of the seats isn't as important. Either way the VTF 2 MK5 is a new model and will likely be around so you can add a second one later on after you financially recover from the shock of buying a new house. Welcome to the forums btw.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

Not to hijack this thread, but what about a pair of HSU VTF-1 MK3's for a room 23x15x9? They would replace a pair of Definitive Technology ProSub 800's.

 

[shadyJ]

Not to hijack this thread, but what about a pair of HSU VTF-1 MK3's for a room 23x15x9? They would replace a pair of Definitive Technology ProSub 800's.

I think the VTF-1 MK3s would likely be an upgrade over the ProSub 800s, but I think VTF-2 mk5s would be a more significant uprgade. The VTF-1 mk3s do great down to 40 Hz, and good down to 25 Hz. If you are watching movies with deep bass at loud levels, the VTF-1 mk3s might be limiting in a room of that size, but a pair of VTF-2 mk5s would be able to handle that easy. But if this system is for music only, the VTF-1 mk3s are killer and can actually handle a good size room.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

I think the VTF-1 MK3s would likely be an upgrade over the ProSub 800s, but I think VTF-2 mk5s would be a more significant uprgade. The VTF-1 mk3s do great down to 40 Hz, and good down to 25 Hz. If you are watching movies with deep bass at loud levels, the VTF-1 mk3s might be limiting in a room of that size, but a pair of VTF-2 mk5s would be able to handle that easy. But if this system is for music only, the VTF-1 mk3s are killer and can actually handle a good size room.

If I go for the HSU they will be mostly music, I don't watch many 'slam bam action' movies (mostly dialog, comedy, etc).

 

[shadyJ]

If I go for the HSU they will be mostly music, I don't watch many 'slam bam action' movies (mostly dialog, comedy, etc).

If that is the case, a couple VTF-1 mk3s running with all ports open could give you a lot of punch, 110 dB at 40 Hz and above, which is output you would normally expect from a decent 12".

 

[Hookedup12]

IMO, at the price point you are talking about, I'd put it all toward one better sub. At the >$1k point, maybe two slightly lesser ones would benefit but when we're talking about subs where one probably won't do it, two of the same won't fully solve the issue. For a 22x16 room, you'll need decently capable sub and I'd likely steer you toward the HSU VTF-2 Mk5 which got a large room rating here at AH and is around this price range.

https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-2-mk5

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'm gonna start out with the mk5 with the possibility to add a second one later. Although I did have one guys say the acoustech h-100ii would work good, but I have no experience with the brand but hear a lot of praise. Wish they put more specs online of the bic subs like xmax, what the port is tuned to, surround material, are the leads stitched, is the surround glued or stitched? It's pretty vague.

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think I'm gonna start out with the mk5 with the possibility to add a second one later. Although I did have one guys say the acoustech h-100ii would work good, but I have no experience with the brand but hear a lot of praise. Wish they put more specs online of the bic subs like xmax, what the port is tuned to, surround material, are the leads stitched, is the surround glued or stitched? It's pretty vague.

The BIC subs are going to cut manufacturing costs where ever they can. That isn't to say they are bad subs though. Really good engineering is about squeezing the most performance out of modest components as possible. A well engineered sub made from cheap parts is going to be a lot better than a so-so engineered sub made from expensive parts.