Help/Opinions on choosing a sub for my system

[corysmith01]

Since finding Audioholics, I've made two upgrades to my home system; I've bought a new receiver (Onkyo TX-SR602) and most recently, a pair of front speakers (B&W DM601 s3). My center is chosen (B&W LCR60), though I have to wait til the end of the month to pick it up. So now, I turn to people with more knowledge/insight than myself for help with a sub.

After reading reviews, I've narrowed it down to the following:

Velodyne DPS-10 (~$280)
Velodyne DPS-12 (~$380)
Axiom EP125 ($400)
Hsu Research STF-1 or STF-2 ($299/$399)
Rocket ELT-1 SW-12se ($349)
Rocket ULW-10 ($399)

As you can see, I clearly have to stay within a budget. That budget is $400. Preferably lower, but I could go up to $400 and that's it. Any more and the woman is choppin' my head off. The Velodyne prices probably look low. That's b/c my brother works at Circuit City and can get them for me at his employee price. The others are prices taken directly from the manufacturers website. Now, considering the equipment I've listed above, can anyone help point me in a direction with any of these subs? Is there a clear "winner" in the list above that I should get? I'm still fairly new to all of this and really value the input I've received from this site.

If it matters, I go about 60/40 music to movies. My living room is on the medium to large size, however, I move often and the size constantly changes so hopefully I can find a sub that's adaptive (that's what the volume control is for right?)

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaxvon]

I'd narrow your choices down to the DPS-12, the STF-2, and the ULW-10. All of these subwoofers offer the best (lowest). The DPS-12 has some digital controls, but like the similar settings on some recievers, they seem kinda cheesy. I find the STF-2 and ULW-10 most attractive. We already know Hsu makes good subwoofers, so you can rest assured that you're going to get tight, deep response out of it. BUT, the ULW-10 offers parametric EQ with a microphone, so it can do some of the acoustics work for you.

Personally, I'd go for the Hsu or the Rocket. If appearance is important, then the Rocket wins.

 

[Leprkon]

I've got the Velodyne VRP-1000 ($220, 110 watts). It's ok but isn't going to rock your world. Even the DPS-12 only gets you 185 watts. I'd go better than that one if I were you. People on other websites have historically not been kind to Axiom's lower end subs, generally replacing the ones in kits with an HSU or Outlaw.

 

[dloweman]

The Hsu sub is great, I have the VTF2-mk2 which is basically the same as the stf 2, but it has 2 ports. Definately go Hsu.