Looking for Subwoofer in the $250-$350 range

[NJTitan]

Hello Everyone!

I am looking for a good subwoofer for a 15' x 20' family room with a 20' cathedral ceiling.

I will be setting this up with the following equipment as a home theater as well as listening to music.

Yamaha RX-V659 A/V receiver

Infinity SM122 floor speakers (quite old but excellent condition)

Infinity US1 rear speakers mounted on the wall about 6 1/2' up behind couch.

Infinity Beta C250 center

I was thinking of going with the Infinity PS-12, but have been reading about the Athena P6000.

Any good suggestions in the $250-$350 range?
or perhaps I've hit the mark?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Seth=L]

I would say the HSU STF-2 would be an excellent choice. I had a Athena sub once, and it was a chuff master 2000. It had more port noise than Steve Balmer.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Check out the Dayton Titanic series. They are available from partse*press. I had to leave out the x. The old censor is at work here.

 

[j_garcia]

The currently discounted STF-2 mentioned by Seth is likely one of your best choices. www.hsuresearch.com

 

[NJTitan]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice.
This is harder than I thought. I can not listen to the HSU STF-2 because there are no local dealers. I would really like to hear it before I spend $350, but I do trust the recommendations from the Audioholics group.

What do you think of the Boston Acoustics PV900?

I've heard the Boston Acoustics XB4 sub and it sounded very good, but that is a front firing sub and the PV900 is a down firing.

I have carpeting so it may not matter, but what is the big difference in sound between a front vs. a down firing sub?

Is one better than the other?

Thanks Again.

 

[jcPanny]

Sub options

Thats a big room that will be difficult for a single 10" or 12" sub. Look for a used or b-stock SVS PB-10 in your budget.

 

[j_garcia]

That room will still be tough for the PB-10, or keep saving and step up to something like the 25-31PCi.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for the advice.
This is harder than I thought. I can not listen to the HSU STF-2 because there are no local dealers. I would really like to hear it before I spend $350, but I do trust the recommendations from the Audioholics group.

What do you think of the Boston Acoustics PV900?

I've heard the Boston Acoustics XB4 sub and it sounded very good, but that is a front firing sub and the PV900 is a down firing.

I have carpeting so it may not matter, but what is the big difference in sound between a front vs. a down firing sub?

Is one better than the other?

Thanks Again.

They have a thirty day return policy cash back exempt shipping.

 

[bjmsdrum00]

does that $250-350 include the subwoofer amplifier?

and yes, a 12in or 15in sub would generally be better for a room that size

 

[Seth=L]

does that $250-350 include the subwoofer amplifier?

and yes, a 12in or 15in sub would generally be better for a room that size

The subs we are talking about are active subwoofers.

 

[NJTitan]

does that $250-350 include the subwoofer amplifier?

and yes, a 12in or 15in sub would generally be better for a room that size

YES, unless I convince my business partner (my wife) to spend a little more for a bigger sub. I believe it would be wise to purchase a smaller "good" sub rather than a larger "bad" sub.

What will have a bigger bass impact; Front firing vs. Down firing?
Remember the room is carpeted.

Thanks!

 

[NJTitan]

3 sub choices

Which one would you choose and why?

1) HSU STF-3 (12") for $533 delivered (HSU direct)
2) Velodyne DPS 12 (12") for $372 delivered (internet store)
3) SVS PB12 NDS (12") for $657 delivered (SVS direct)

All subs are brand new.

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

PB-12. There's a comparison of the STF-3 vs the PB-12 and the PB-12 proved better - that was before the NSD driver update. Velo makes good subs, but IMO, in the price range, the SVSs are still better. Front vs down will have only a small impact on the overall sound, should not affect output.

 

[no. 5]

What will have a bigger bass impact; Front firing vs. Down firing?
Remember the room is carpeted.

I don't think that there is a audible defrence between front or down firing, ferquencys below 120Hz, and in particular below 60Hz are omnidirectional, so it would'nt seem to matter.

as far as carpet; any sound the sub makes will not be affected by carpet.

 

[majorloser]

New HSU Subs

Check out this link: http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2381

HSU just dropped a bombshell and released a whole new line of three different VTF subs, the new Mk3's.

(Just in time to confuse the issue and make you spend more money)

 

[txsc 1880]

I have a similar budget. I was also looking at the JBL Venue Series Sub12 - Any comments on that sub? It seems to have similar specs, but I can get it for $250.

 

[zumbo]

I have a similar budget. I was also looking at the JBL Venue Series Sub12 - Any comments on that sub? It seems to have similar specs, but I can get it for $250.

Don't do it!

 

[natejax]

Bic H-100

Best sub you can buy for under $300.

http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=1062&sc=32&t=226

and don't buy an Athena (see my thread)

 

[Robo]

Which one would you choose and why?

1) HSU STF-3 (12") for $533 delivered (HSU direct)
2) Velodyne DPS 12 (12") for $372 delivered (internet store)
3) SVS PB12 NDS (12") for $657 delivered (SVS direct)

You really cannot go wrong with any of those IMO. It will depend on what you prefer, from what I have read the HSU's are more musical while the SVS are more movie oriented. I have an SVS PB10, my living room is slightly smaller than yours with valted ceilings and my SVS is more than enough.

 

[RockRover]

Don't do it!

Care to elaborate? I've heard this sub in a small room and thought it was nice...Good value too.