Another "What sub should I buy" question

[beefyk]

I am trying to decide on a sub to go along with my Klipsch r5800w inwall fronts and cdt 3650 in ceiling rears. I will be using the system for 60% movies/tv, 30% music, and 10% XBOX. I plan on putting the sub in the corner. The great room is 16x16 with 11 foot ceilings, however the only thing separating it from the kitchen/eating area is a subtle arch across the ceiling. So the room is actually 16x35. I bought an Onkyo SR605 to run my front 7 speakers. I've already blown my budget on this system and was only planning on spending $450 or so on a sub, but I can't find anything you guys suggest for that cheap. Seth=L dissuaded me from a Klipsch RW12d ($440). (BTW thanks for being the only one to respond to my first question). I have found a few other speakers in the same price range of your beloved HSU and SVS subs and was hoping I could get some opinions. Infinity SW12 ($500), JBL L8400p ($600), PSB Subsonic 6i--factory blem ($530), Sunfire Super Junior ($650), Anthony Gallo MPS ($600), Earthquake FF12 ($485), Earthquake s-12 ($585). I see the PSB and SVS 20-39 did well on Tom Nousaine's list.
Also what are your thoughts on plasmas. I was thinking about buying the 720p Panny professional model or Pioneer 5070 for around $1500. Or should I wait for the 1080p's to come down in price. I will be sitting about 12 feet away. Overstock.com has refurb Hitachi 55HDT79's for a little over $1500 shipped with their 10% coupon.
One last thing. I am going to put all my components (cable box, Onkyo 650, and XBOX) in the closet. Will the Universal RF20/RF receiver bundle do the trick for a little under $100, or should I go with the Harmony 890 w/ receiver that will be twice that.

All your opinions are much appreciated. Have a great day.

 

[avaserfi]

I can't help you too much with the subwoofer but I would say email SVS and HSU telling them your roomsize situation and they will help you out rather well. For the plasma you should just get a 720p. The distances you will be sitting at will most likely make the difference between 1080 and 720 negligable. For more info on the resolution aspect look here: http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/1080p-and-the-acuity-of-human-vision?searchterm=1080p+acut

 

[patnshan]

I was looking for a sub in your exact price range (less than $600). I ended up going with an $850 sub given my room size and expectations of the sub. I spent time conversing by e-mail with Hsu, SVS, and AV123. I looked at everything local as well including martin logan, PSB, Velodyne, Klipsch, JBL, Polk. I ended up going with the SVS tube sub because it afforded my the most performance for the least cost, and it looks really cool

In your price range for that large of a room, I'd look at the 20-39. I went with the 25-31+ as my wife didn't like the height of the 20. I am very happy with my choice.
Good luck,
Pat

 

[j_garcia]

None of those subs is really going to cut the mustard in a room that size IMHO. I'd actually probably look at an SVS 25-31PCi, which is $550 as it has very good output and I've heard one in a room that size before and it did surprisingly well.

 

[patnshan]

None of those subs is really going to cut the mustard in a room that size IMHO. I'd actually probably look at an SVS 25-31PCi, which is $550 as it has very good output and I've heard one in a room that size before and it did surprisingly well.

That's why I upped my budget. My room is 14' x 40'. The folks at SVS also urged my to step up the the "plus" line. I am glad I did. It is quite rewarding in the space for me.

Pat

 

[beefyk]

I'm sure the 25-31+ is a great woofer, but for that amount I could buy two of several of the others I listed. Anyone here ever make their own sub? I know Seth=L wants someone to buy that Dayton kit to do a review, but I mean use completely unrelated components to build one. Here's an idea that everyone will probably shoot down. I have heard a JL 13w7 car sub. It is a monster. It requires a sealed box that is a little over 4 cubic feet. I found a Crown XTi-1000 that would send about 700 watts to each voice coil on the JL. It is listed as a PA amp, but I seem to remember one of the testers in one of the magazines using a Crown amp on everthing he tested. I think I could find a good used 13w7 online for $400, and a B stock Crown runs $350 with 3 year warrenty. Just a thought.

 

[jvm051]

I'm sure the 25-31+ is a great woofer, but for that amount I could buy two of several of the others I listed. Anyone here ever make their own sub? I know Seth=L wants someone to buy that Dayton kit to do a review, but I mean use completely unrelated components to build one. Here's an idea that everyone will probably shoot down. I have heard a JL 13w7 car sub. It is a monster. It requires a sealed box that is a little over 4 cubic feet. I found a Crown XTi-1000 that would send about 700 watts to each voice coil on the JL. It is listed as a PA amp, but I seem to remember one of the testers in one of the magazines using a Crown amp on everthing he tested. I think I could find a good used 13w7 online for $400, and a B stock Crown runs $350 with 3 year warrenty. Just a thought.

Just because you can buy 2 for the price of 1, does not mean that 2 are better. I am biased because I own a SVS and love it. Not to mention they have great Customer Service. Another thing to think about if going the DIY route, is that the JL 13w7 is designed for car applications. I have heard of people having good results with them, in a home environment, but I think that has more to do with the design of the enclosure. So figure like you said a used JL for $400, the amp for $350, and enclosure materials, or if you pay somebody to make it 200-300 dollars, and you are at about a grand. That can buy you a few quality subs. The building of the sub would be fun though. I am in the market for a new sub, but am seriously thinking of going the IB route with 4 18's in the attic.

 

[Tomorrow]

I have a huge great room that an Hsu STF-3 filled more than admirably. I never had to turn up the gain more than 1/4 power and was thoroughly cheered by ample bass. (I now have two VTF-3 Mk2's, but that's more for equalization issues. However, the headroom is nice to have.) My room is 24'x27'x10'!

You probably could get some good advice from the manufacturers of these subs on what their model recommendations would be for your room-size. But I'd guess an Hsu VTF3-Mk3 would easily be adequate for your area. (Two VTF-2 Mk3's would be killer!!)

Happy sub hunting.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You just cant skimp on the sub. Call SVS and HSU and see what they say you need for your room size. Do not try to save money here as the sub is just about the most important piece for movies. Save up your money until you can get the one you need. Believe me; I tried to use the Klipsch sub12 and it didnt even touch my 8000cubic/ft room. I returned after 2 or 3 days and increased my sub budget by 3 fold. I guess you didnt see my review of the sub-12. I will post it down below.

Klipsch sub12 review- "CUTE"

 

[Peter Marcks]

Good evening beefyk,

Do you mind making a quick sketch of your room and posting on this forum?

You have a large room for sure, especially considering the opening. However, your room is also nice and deep, which is nice for nearfield placement. I would put a VTF-3 Mk3 behind your couch, running in maximum output mode with woofer firing into the couch, about 1-2" of space in between the woofer and couch.

Sincerely,

 

[beefyk]

Since it looks like I won't be able to find anything decent on my original budget, how does the Velo SPL 1500R stack up against these other subs?

 

[jcPanny]

Av123 Mfw-15

AV123 will have a 15" ported sub, the MFW-15, out soon for $600. It might be a good option for your large open area.

I have seen one of the PE sub kits recommended a few times. I don't have any experience with it, but a couple of those 15" woofers would definately move some air:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-770

 

[Daniel331]

Wait for the MFW-15 if you can. It will be a good one. The PE sub kits are decent but I beleive the sound quality of Mark Seaton's MFW-15 will be better. You could always go DIY of course.