I know this isn't going to be what you want to hear, but in the interest of just trying to offer the best advice - and to maybe sway any folks who are just reading this thread - do not ever skimp on the subwoofer(s) in your system just to hit a budget. The subwoofer is what makes it FEEL like you are "at the movies" or listening to a live concert instead of just a recording. That part of the audio experience is so important.
I completely understand the desire to get a subwoofer right away, even when you can't really afford one that will properly handle your room size. The thinking goes something like, "better to have SOME kind of subwoofer than no subwoofer at all!" I would imagine. But in truth, that's not really the case. In the long run, you are better off just using your Front Left & Right speakers for the time being, saving up your money, and then purchasing a truly great subwoofer that will really perform the way you need and want in your given room size.
Spending $200 or so dollars now just puts you that much further behind and that much further away from being able to afford the $500 - $2000 subwoofer that you really need. And once you get that $500 - $2000 subwoofer, you're just going to wind up selling or junking that $200 unit, and wondering why you forced yourself to live with its less than satisfactory performance for several months, when you could have just been listening to decent sound from your Front Left & Right speakers, and been able to afford a really good subwoofer that much sooner!
There's no "magic" in subwoofers and bass reproduction, I'm afraid. Companies come along and make all kinds of claims about output, extension and quality for lower than expected prices, but the story always ends up the same - something's gotta give!
If you're in a smaller room, "pretty good" bass starts at around the $200 mark with the
Energy S10.3
HSU's STF-2 at $320 is, IMO, a bit better, though somewhat tough to really call "$120 better" than the S10.3 since we're talking about the lowest price points possible for "good" bass.
The least expensive subwoofer that I consider capable of "doing it all" - by which I mean genuine extension down to 20Hz, with very capable output for rooms up to about 3000 cubic feet in air volume and very high bass quality - currently starts at about $550 with
HSU's VTF-2 MK4
If you want to fill a room with a volume up to about 4000 cubic feet, step up to
SVSound's PB12-NSD or
PC12-NSD cylinder at $770 or $750, respectively (these prices include shipping. The previous Energy and HSU subs have shipping charges on top of the prices listed).
SVSound's NSD subs are the fist on this list that are truly "unbreakable", and the first to maintain very flat frequency response at all output levels, right down to 20Hz. With the DSP protected "Sledge" amplifier in SVSound's subs, you can literally turn the volume knob up as high is it will go with zero worries. SVSound's subs will simply play as loud as they possibly can, and then politely refuse to play any louder. They will never "bottom out", never go into high distortion, and never waver from their very accurate, flat frequency response.
Beyond that price point, you get into a whole range of excellent, very high output subwoofers at ever increasing price points. If you stick with HSU, Rythmik, or SVSound though, you really cannot go "wrong". HSU's VTF-15H is one of the least expensive subwoofers to offer extremely high output capabilities. Rythmik's FV15HP cannot be beat for sheer output under $1500. And SVSound's "Ultra" subwoofers are literally the best subwoofers I've heard to date.
And above the $2000 SVSound PB13-Ultra, there are subwoofers that can play even louder, though, in my personal opinion, they do not sound "better", though there are plenty of folks who might disagree with me
For my own money, I would prefer to get multiple SVSound PC13-Ultra cylinder subwoofers, which, at $1700 shipped, are the best deal in superb bass reproduction, IMO. But there ARE options to go even louder from a single subwoofer, including the likes of Seaton and JTR.
If you simply cannot stand the thought of no subwoofer at all, but you cannot afford a "proper" $550 subwoofer right away, personally, I think the best thing to do is to spend as little as possible for a VERY inexpensive subwoofer that still sound surprisingly good for its small size and minimal price. For that, keep an eye out over at accessories4less.com for the
Onkyo SKW-204 for $90. They're sold out at the moment I'm writing this, but stock frequently fluctuates, and new units come into stock at A4L all the time - though they quickly sell out again as soon as they do!
So that's my subwoofer advice
If you're gonna skimp, then REALLY skimp and spend less than $100 so that you'll be that much closer to being able to purchase a proper subwoofer! If you're in a small room, the Energy S10.3 or HSU STF-2 are fine. But in this case, the OP's said he's got a large room, and there's no sense trying to get a small, output limited subwoofer to drive itself into distortion or destruction just to stay on a tight budget. Save up until you have at least $550 for the HSU VTF-2 MK4. In a large room though, the truly unbreakable SVSound NSD subs would be a better choice. And beyond that, your choices really open up
Again, I realize this is probably not what you wanted to hear. But it's the advice
I would have liked to have been given if I were in your position, and it's what years and years of experience has taught me. Do NOT skimp on the subwoofer. It's SO worth it to get a good one. And so NOT worth it to get a cheap sub, just to say you have one.
You clearly spent a good chunk o' change to get yourself a huge, beautiful 80" TV! Don't cheap out on the audio side of things. People often do. I sort of understand it. But it doesn't take long at all before you realize that audio really is 50% of the movie or TV experience. And the subwoofer is a HUGE part of that 50%. So I hope you'll read this post in the spirit in which it's intended
I get where you're coming from. I'm not knocking you for trying to stay on budget and still get something that will work for your room size. That's commendable and understandable. But if you want the best VALUE, if you want to know what us home theater nuts with lots of experienced have learned over the years from trial and error and far too much wasted money spent, and if you want the QUALITY and performance that you really DESERVE - I hope you'll be open to this advice, and I hope you'll be willing to endure and engage in a little delayed gratification so that you can spend the least money necessary in order to get the quality of product that you really need, want, and deserve
