H/T Subwoofer Advice needed, done tons of Googling but everyone situation is unique

[Doinworqson]

Hi All,

Building my HT and made some purchases this past Black Friday. I believe my media room to be small compared to most media's, 10 x 13 with 8 foot ceiling. After using it a bit, its given me the bug to upgrade already lol.... Looking for opinions/advice on sub's. I've been on google for a while looking through tons of threads about the topic. Its tough to find one that can directly relate to my set up & restrictions/flexibility. This will be 100% HT set up. Music would be a rare occasion.
I'm wanting to get the best bang for buck Sub in the $500 -$700 range. I've read tons of threads relating to the SVS PB1000, HSU VTF-2 MK5, Rythmic LV12F & Monolith by Monoprice 10in.

My question is, which sub out of the ones listed is the best? Which is the best bang for buck if I was to not go for the max of my budget, and also if there are subs I should maybe consider that I have not listed? All y'alls advice will be greatly appreciated.
Set up purchased Black Friday were

Denon AVR-X6700H
3x sets of R-51M's for L/R, Mids and rears
R-52C
R-120SW..

I've recently just purchased

1 set RP-160M's (to replace the front L/R) ---- > will be selling 1 set of the R51m's most likely locally.
RP-450C (replace the Center)

wanting a good sub to pair with this set up. I will be moving the R-52C to the living room to pair with HTD in wall Speakers. Will also be getting 4 HDX-R65AIM ceiling speakers for Atmos in the Media. (I'm sure most will say Overkill for the mall room? but oh well).. Down stairs will also be getting a pair of the HDX-R65 Ceilings.

Any feedback/experience with the HTD Ceiling speakers is welcome as well. There is little to no reviews or discussions about these ceilings, I'm open to better options available that I may not be aware of.

Media is a 7.1.4
Living is a 5.1.2

I'm new to all this and been doing a bunch of learning at Google University lol. So please forgive any ignorance I have shown on this HT subject lol

 

[ryanosaur]

In short, I like the Hsu VTF-2 for future proofing your situation. It is the best bang for the buck and you will be able to use it for 10+ years, even in a larger room than you are now. If you could step up to the Monolith 12" Ported, that would be a great option.

 

[Pogre]

In short, I like the Hsu VTF-2 for future proofing your situation. It is the best bang for the buck and you will be able to use it for 10+ years, even in a larger room than you are now. If you could step up to the Monolith 12" Ported, that would be a great option.

I second this! HSU is about your best bang for buck. If considering a Monolith I agree going with the 12" is the better choice.

 

[Doinworqson]

In short, I like the Hsu VTF-2 for future proofing your situation. It is the best bang for the buck and you will be able to use it for 10+ years, even in a larger room than you are now. If you could step up to the Monolith 12" Ported, that would be a great option.

So I'm thinking the hierarchy of these listed subs goes as follows Based on all I've read and feedback from here and Reddit

1.) HSU VTF-2 MK5
2.) Rythmic LV12F
3.) SVS PB1000
4.) Monoprice 10in ( cause of the warranty QC issues I've been reading)

 

[TankTop5]

So I'm thinking the hierarchy of these listed subs goes as follows Based on all I've read and feedback from here and Reddit

1.) HSU VTF-2 MK5
2.) Rythmic LV12F
3.) SVS PB1000
4.) Monoprice 10in ( cause of the warranty QC issues I've been reading)

I own the PB1000, while it’s better than anything cheaper you should cross it off your list. See if you can find a deal on the recently discontinued PB2000 instead.

 

[Pogre]

The VTF-2 would be my choice still. I will say tho, you've narrowed it down to where there aren't any bad choices.

 

[MDK210]

Am I crazy or did you spend more money on a receiver than all of your speakers/sub combined for this system?

 

[Pogre]

Am I crazy or did you spend more money on a receiver than all of your speakers/sub combined for this system?

Yeah... I wasn't gonna say anything tho, lol.

In general, when budgeting for a system we recommend 65-70% of the budget (if not more) go to speakers and subs and the rest for receiver and interconnects. I think a 3700 would be plenty for you and the extra cash saved would be better spent on speakers and subs.

 

[MDK210]

Yeah... I wasn't gonna say anything tho, lol.

In general, when budgeting for a system we recommend 65-70% of the budget (if not more) go to speakers and subs and the rest for receiver and interconnects. I think a 3700 would be plenty for you and the extra cash saved would be better spent on speakers and subs.

I hear ya but I think it needs to be said in order to help people. Definitely not trying to hurt people's feelings but the OP should have sent the Denon back and put the money into speakers. Giving advice to people who buy expensive receivers only to ask for the cheapest speakers/sub recommendations is an uphill battle. Their priorities were obvious and if they did any research at all they would have known this is the worst decision you can make. Those individuals setups will undoubtedly sound terrible and they'll get themselves into massive debt upgrading speakers with money they don't have when buying a $500 receiver was the answer all along.

 

[mx416]

Agreed with MDK210 & Pogre.

IMO, if you are going to spend $2500 on the receiver, spend 150$ more above your budget and get the VTF-3 MK5 HP. A legit long term Sub you will not have to second guess.

 

[Doinworqson]

Yeah... I wasn't gonna say anything tho, lol.

In general, when budgeting for a system we recommend 65-70% of the budget (if not more) go to speakers and subs and the rest for receiver and interconnects. I think a 3700 would be plenty for you and the extra cash saved would be better spent on speakers and subs.

I'm would I have been able to run a 7.2.4 on the 3700 without an Amp? again I've done all my learning scouring forums and threats in attempt to not repeat questions and avoid trigger people. gave up at this point and figured I'd just ask what I want to know directly pertaining to my specific situations vs the reading through the various needs and diff situations of others...

But my thought process was to get an receiver that would not require me to get an amp and that could last me a long while and allow me to upgrade speakers throughout ownership. My plan was never to stick with the R-51m's and I'm not an Audiophile and have no interest at the moment in using my set up for music. Current sub and Center was always going to be moved to the living room. That set up will be powered by a Yamaha I got at Costco on the low. The Denon wasn't full price either, got it through Accessories4Less.

I could of completely overlooked something in my research through Google Univ lol. So I guess for the goal of 7.2.4 the 3700h would of worked? sucks if so lol... I guess let it be a lesson to those looking to accomplish similar.

amp restriction is from the wife. She don't want a bunch of BS in our Entertainment center... so on so forth, I been negotiating as best I can lol

 

[Doinworqson]

Agreed with MDK210 & Pogre.

IMO, if you are going to spend $2500 on the receiver, spend 150$ more above your budget and get the VTF-3 MK5 HP. A legit long term Sub you will not have to second guess.

This has just caught my eye tbh, had no clue it existed at its price point till I ran across a forum article. very tempted to go this direction. If I did this, would you say there would be no need for a second down the line? I was limiting my self to the $500-$700 price line with intentions of adding a second down the line, but if this would be the better route and save $$$ that'd be dope.

 

[lovinthehd]

Hopefully you didn't pay $2500 for it either... but am wondering what other avr you have for the second room. Why is the small media room using a 7ch bed layer is a question I had too....

Another Hsu vote here in any case. Second sub would be more about smoothing room modes than output....

 

[mx416]

I always vote dual subs. .

I have read it here multiple times. “spend your max budget on the best sub you can buy ’Right’Now’. Next step save for a second”.


Out of curiosity, is this 10x13 room the final room this setup will ever live in? Or could there be house changes in the future?

 

[Doinworqson]

Hopefully you didn't pay $2500 for it either... but am wondering what other avr you have for the second room. Why is the small media room using a 7ch bed layer is a question I had too....

Another Hsu vote here in any case. Second sub would be more about smoothing room modes than output....

No didn't pay 2500 for it lol, but the living room has a Yamaha TSR - 700, got it on sale at Costco. My living room is not really intended for heavy movie watching, and I feel like would be an acoustic nightmare.. The wiring was thrown in free from my builder so I'm really just taking advantage of what they gave. The TV speakers suck..

EDIT***
Also same goes for upstairs, Normaly the builder throws in a 5.1 in wall wiring, I talked them into not giving me anything up front and moving the center and sub to the ceiling, also ended up getting two extra thrown in upstairs by chatting with the guy, which is how I ended up with the 7.x.4 in that little room..

I made those decisions on a whim and new very little about surround sound, when they started offering things, I was just looking to maximize as best I could with out having the wife protesting it looking Ugly AF lol. She allowed me to sacrifice the media's looks and do what I want, the living room was later convincing after it was thrown in.

 

[lovinthehd]

No didn't pay 2500 for it lol, but the living room has a Yamaha TSR - 700, got it on sale at Costco. My living room is not really intended for heavy movie watching, and I feel like would be an acoustic nightmare.. The wiring was thrown in free from my builder so I'm really just taking advantage of what they gave. The TV speakers suck..

How's the seating in the media room to accommodate a 7ch bed layer tho? I have a room that size I've only found 5ch viable in personally....but depends where your listening position is, too....mine's towards the back wall in that one.

 

[Doinworqson]

How's the seating in the media room to accommodate a 7ch bed layer tho? I have a room that size I've only found 5ch viable in personally....but depends where your listening position is, too....mine's towards the back wall in that one.

Well, Luckily that room is mine to play with lol, so my seating is dead center of my side speakers. A bit closer to the rears but there is a lot of space between the current couch and the wall. (going to replace the couch with something intended for H/T) I did the best to place the seating in the middle of my intended sound stage. Again all these decisions were to the best of my ability through online research lol.

 

[Doinworqson]

I always vote dual subs. .

I have read it here multiple times. “spend your max budget on the best sub you can buy ’Right’Now’. Next step save for a second”.


Out of curiosity, is this 10x13 room the final room this setup will ever live in? Or could there be house changes in the future?

The could most def be house changes in the future. But, I'm trying to do the best with what I have now while keeping it some what versatile. I look at it as I can always sell speakers and upgrade down the line as situations change. But I'm trina do the best I can with the current room situation while keeping it in a decent budget. I feel like Sound systems dont change much over time, unlike other technology (PC's, TV's etc).

 

[WMalinak]

Doinworqson,
Congrats on your new room!

I consider myself one of the lucky ones, in that my Monolith 10in works *AND* is more than enough for my smallest HT room (little larger than yours, but also 10 foot ceiling). 5.1.2 using Yamaha TSR-700.
Hindsight, and I would have gotten the HSU for that room.

I am also a believer in sub pairs. (Our main HT room has a pair of SVS PB2000pro, with a 3rd in a smaller "just music" room; even our Xbox gaming room has smaller pair, too).
But, does everybody believe he needs a pair in a room where he has perfect seating?
Or, are you trying to help with future-proofing?

The older/discontinued SVS PB2000 (non-pro) series might be nice, but aren't they about gone now? Seems SVS moved a lot of old & outlet gear last week.

Be Safe.

 

[Kingnoob]

Am I crazy or did you spend more money on a receiver than all of your speakers/sub combined for this system?

Op is living the dream my amp was like $700
Denon AVR-X6700H 8K Ultra HD 11.2 Channel (140Watt X 11) AV Receiver 2020 Model - 3D Audio & Video with IMAX Enhanced, Built for Gaming, Music Streaming, Alexa + HEOS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q25DRT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_PCPY5CB8A9G0M91DRMDK
That’s a Beast amplifier/ avr . All his choices are good !!! Wonder what hsu charges to ship ?? Is it a lot