Help me choose a $500 sub for 25x17x11 area

[maverick22]

I am new to everything audio. I am setting up a budget ($1000 roughly) 5.1 system. People in another thread convinced me to increase my budget for the sub. I was thinking about the Dayton 1200, but those may not sound great with the 3 HVL-1s I plan on purchasing. I am looking to spend no more than $500 on a sub.

I will mainly be using this to watch blu-rays and TV.

Please look at the pic of my area. Here are my thoughts (open to suggestions of course)

2-12" Daytons
SVS 1000 (would the 10" fill my area though)?
Rhythmik LV12R ($569 is slightly over what I'd want to spend but if it's the best I will take it)
Hsu STF-2

From the TV to the sofa it's about 12 feet, and from the back of the sofa to the back wall there is about 13 feet (~25 feet total). I'm not worried about the sub filling the area in behind the sofa. Also, I want something that will fill the listening area (couch & forward) as best as possible without "overpowering" the HVL-1s. Please don't recommend a DIY.

Am I just out of luck here? Pondering not even worrying about doing all of this.

Thanks in advance!

 

[maverick22]

What about the PSA XS15? http://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/subwoofers/products/xs15

 

[KEW]

What about the PSA XS15? http://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/subwoofers/products/xs15

If you can swing the $600 shipped, I'd go with the PSA XS15. That is a very good price, But buyer beware, I am suggesting this sub based on the stellar impulse response of the XS15se. These3e are great deals since they are on sale!:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/93241-powersound-audio-xs15se-subwoofer-review.html

 

[maverick22]

Thank you very much, Kurt. I keep going up and up on my price. Before you know it I'll be at $1000. I'd rather try the $600 at least first since it is risk-free. Who knows, my ears may fall in love with it haha.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

another option: http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/ultra.html
I expect for July 4th it would go on sale for about $580 [probably shipping included.]

 

[theJman]

I actually did try the HVL-1's with the Dayton sub. If you're interested you can read about it at this link (scroll down toward the end of the Impressions section for what my assessment of that pairing was).

Maverick's idea is a good one; the XS15 would definitely be a better match, and with a room that's over 4600 ft^3 you're going to need more than the SUB-1200 can provide.

 

[maverick22]

I actually did try the HVL-1's with the Dayton sub. If you're interested you can read about it at this link (scroll down toward the end of the Impressions section for what my assessment of that pairing was).

Maverick's idea is a good one; the XS15 would definitely be a better match, and with a room that's over 4600 ft^3 you're going to need more than the SUB-1200 can provide.

Nice to hear from you, Jim. I actually read that review before my purchase. After many suggested the Dayton sub at first, I did some research and ran into your review. It seemed like you thought although the HVL1s and the Dayton sub are both "budget," the HVL1s in a way sounded better than what the Dayton sub did. After reading that I decided I will look for another sub.

 

[theJman]

Nice to hear from you, Jim. I actually read that review before my purchase. After many suggested the Dayton sub at first, I did some research and ran into your review. It seemed like you thought although the HVL1s and the Dayton sub are both "budget," the HVL1s in a way sounded better than what the Dayton sub did. After reading that I decided I will look for another sub.

I'm glad my review proved helpful to you. It's always nice to hear that one of my evals was beneficial to someone.

 

[maverick22]

Another question, I ordered 14 awg speaker cable. After that I received the recommendation for blue jean cable. What do you all use?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I use cheapest 12 awg i could find. I used monoprice banana plugs, but won't recommend them

 

[KEW]

Thank you very much, Kurt. I keep going up and up on my price. Before you know it I'll be at $1000. I'd rather try the $600 at least first since it is risk-free. Who knows, my ears may fall in love with it haha.

The XS15 is the better value and they should sound very close until you start cranking it up.
So...see how hard you are pushing the XS15's.
I'm glad you spotted the PSA sale and upped your budget!

BTW, don't read the review of the XS15se I linked above if you are planning to buy the XS15

 

[maverick22]

The XS15 is the better value and they should sound very close until you start cranking it up.
So...see how hard you are pushing the XS15's.
I'm glad you spotted the PSA sale and upped your budget!

BTW, don't read the review of the XS15se I linked above if you are planning to buy the XS15

Thanks for the info. Glad I saw the sale too!

I didn't...sorry...I knew it was out of my budget by far haha.

 

[maverick22]

Any tips on getting good longevity from subs? Prevent blowing it? Thanks

 

[agarwalro]

Don't let it bottom out or if it sounds distorted. You'll know right away. If it does, lunge for the remote, like your life depends on it, hit mute.

 

[maverick22]

Don't let it bottom out or if it sounds distorted. You'll know right away. If it does, lunge for the remote, like your life depends on it, hit mute.

Haha thanks for the advice!

 

[KEW]

If you are getting the PSA (or any other brand Internet Direct subwoofer recommended here) talk to the vendor.
They will know if and how the sub would fail if over driven. Generally, subs are safer than speakers because the designer is specifying the electronics as well as the drivers.

 

[maverick22]

Thanks, KEW