Looking for New Subwoofer at a budget Price HSU STF-1 or BIC F12

[SOUNDMANFORD]

So this is my first post on this forum but I am no newbie to the Audio world. I Have spent years in recording studios and on tour with large scale speaker systems and distributed installed systems. However with all my experience I have always been the "BIG BOX" Home theater purchaser. That was up en till a few weeks ago.

A Back ground on the room. It is 16x24 with 14 foot vaulter ceilings. My old setup was a set of JBL's Pre packaged system linked here Standard Rectangle room, split in two by sofas so the "listening area is 16x16 roughly. Sub would be placed in a corner

I was recently paid for a job with a set up JM Lab Cobalt 815's which can be viewed here in action. I quickly have since replaced my receiver with a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS. I am currently replacing the center channel and rears with a set of Energy's to hold me over. But pressing is a sub. The current is the JBL which sounds worse and worse every day. I never noticed how bad is was till it was placed next to the cobalt's and they have better bass than it does. I have tried to use the system with out a sub but as good as the cobalt's are they can't get all the way down there for movies. I am looking at a few entry level subs and just not sure which one to go for. I have mulled it down between the HSU STF-1 or STF-2 (not sure about a 8) or a BIC F12. I am leaning more towards the HSU because of there higher quality products. I would love to find a JM Labs sub to match the cobalt's but used the cheapest i Could find is $700 on ebay and I"m not wanting to spend that much in this room. Your help and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

a) You have rather big space - this room alone is over 4500 cu ft. (not counting if any rooms/spaces open to this room - sub will "see" everything) ether sub in your budget would NOT be able to fill the space
b) You now have very nice mains - Focal/JM Lab produces some very fine speakers. Such a cheap sub would not compliment these mains, but distract and provide nothing meaningful
c) HSU is not bad way to go, but you have to go to VTF-3 MK4 or it's evil twin - Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Powered Subwoofer

Watch for sales on ether of these ...

ps: Brand matching subwoofer is not needed, but matching center is. It is highly recommended to match center/main with same brand and model line

 

[j_garcia]

I wouldn't even bother with the Energy center, just get the surrounds and go without a center. What exactly IS the budget then? Your room is pretty decent size so you aren't going to get away with a bottom basement sub. The STF-2 will likely give you plenty of output even in that room, but it is not going to extend super deep and give you that silly grin with movies. While it will definitely sound better than the JBL, it probably won't go much lower than the current one.

 

[SOUNDMANFORD]

A large space to me is 20,000 + seating! Never thought of my room as large I will re measure when I get home those were just guesses. The other issue with the jbl is the plate amp is going out. Would two stf-2s work? I could always grab a jbl vtek 18 from the back up rig, I would just have to hardwire the power amp to the breaker box! There's a guy locally with a emp dual 10 sub for $350 I am considering. His room is about the same size as mine and it sounds pretty good

 

[SOUNDMANFORD]

And as far as a budget the wife said $300 but I can spring for $600. I'm wanting a real nice set if rears. I didn't want to get into that bc this is the sub section but I was thinking $250$350 for a set of rears. The energy center I got for $ 100 demo from a closing best buy

 

[j_garcia]

Get the EMP!

You room isn't HUGE, but it is good size for the average under $400 sub. Just over $600 I would go with the LFM1-EX mentioned earlier, or possibly the slightly less powerful LFM-1 Plus.

 

[SOUNDMANFORD]

Are the emp's known to hold up ? It defiantly has a wow factor with it! Of much rather spend 300-400 than 600

 

[j_garcia]

They have a good reputation around this forum, so I would say it is a good choice.

 

[shadyJ]

The Outlaw LFM-1 Plus will have more output and a lot deeper bass extension than the EMP, however it will come in a bit over $600 when you include shipping. One other suggestion I will throw out there is the Premier Acoustics PA-150. It is $425 shipped, so its easier on your budget, and it has some big time mid and upper bass, although it won't have the deep bass of the Outlaw subs. It will have a more than the EMP, STF2, and BIC subs. For the price it has great performance measurements.

 

[SOUNDMANFORD]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I spent the night watching some of the bible on history and after doing the pioneer auto tune crap it got close. I had to go in manually and adjust the sub and rear levels to get it to sound right. Even tho the jbl is audible it just has that feeling that its struggling to keep up with the receiver and the mains. I will prbly try the pa 150 but the emp is tempting, it's just a little big!

 

[Jeff R.]

Not to jack your thread by anymeans......but used is going to be your best bet at a bang for the buck solution. If you are interested in either 1 or 2 used Elemental Designs A2-300's with custom isolation risers send me a PM. I live in Charlotte and could meet you half way. I will sell either 1 or 2 depending on how much bass you want.

 

[SOUNDMANFORD]

Found a sub. Not sure what it is though. Link to thread here