Advice

[Superdave]

Hello all

I am setting up a new theater system and need help with the sub.

I have a Onkyo TX-SR707 to start out with and currently in the process of getting two fronts and a sub. A buddy of mine recommended Yamaha's for the fronts (forget the model) but he is at a loss for the sub. I am designing the system to give me the best range in frequency specifically for electronic/techno music. Given that my house is very open he suggested a 12" sub. Any recommendations on this or suggestions on which route i should take and which brand/model i should go with?

Thanks.

 

[bread29]

Although it heavily depends on your budget, I always say you can't go wrong with Hsu. I own a VTF-3 MK3 and have no complaints. Of course there are other great brands out there as well....SVS, Epik, Emotiva. Give us your $ range and we'll have a better idea where to start.

 

[Superdave]

I would say i could go up to $400 for the sub, not looking to overspend but at the same time i would like good quality ..

 

[shadyJ]

Depending on how open your floor is, and how much cubic feet you have to pressurize, 400 may be a bit lean for a sub that can do the job. Your going to want as much SPL as you can get for the dollar. I recommend looking at Elemental Designs' subwoofers. For raw output for the dollar, they are the guys to beat. If you get one and it isn't all that you were hoping for, get another, because multiple subs add up and help erase bass nulls and dead spots in your room. Hsu's VTF subs would be good too, if they weren't over your budget, because you can tune them for more output at higher frequencies. This makes sense for electronic music, because it rarely takes advantage of subsonic frequencies which many of these home theater subs are geared for.

 

[KEW]

ShadyJ gives good advice.
I just wanted to add that you should avoid the A3S-250 (or any other Elemental Design model with an S in the number). These are sealed subs and will not produce as much output or go as low as a ported model in the same price range (don't let the power spec mislead you!).

For your semi-difficult room and $400 budget, you'll want a ported model.

As a general rule (as always there are some exceptions), sealed subs are better suited to provide music performance in a compact form factor (in smaller rooms).