Need some help with sub pairing and what to do with the 5.1 rears

[Emdubz]

So, to start, two months ago I bought a Polk LSiM 704c center speaker cause I was running a 5.1 system on an old JVC receiver without a center and, before I knew it, it snowballed on me. After a few impulse buys I’m now rolling with a Yamaha RX-V685, the 704c, and two (receiver bi-amped) LSiM 705’s. Since I’ve upgraded my fronts I could use some advise of what sub I should get. A buddy of mine who owns a mini-fridge (SVS SB16-ultra) and knows I don’t want a sub that price and size mentioned HSU. The ULS- 15 MKII looks like a pretty solid sub but, to be honest, I don’t recognize a lot of brands that are making subs these days so I could use some help.
Budget – Probably less than $1k cause I can’t justify spending more than that
Use – About 50/50 music and tv/movies
Room size – Small. Like 12x12 but I’ll be getting something much bigger when my lease ends

The other question I have is what should I use as my rear speakers now that the 705s are dominating the front? Currently I’m running my old college Sony SSB-3000’s that are connected to a Sony SA-W2500 (the 2500 isn’t connected to the receiver LFE) but I also own an old pair of inherited of Acoustic Research 5’s that are older than me. I kinda want to fix up the AR5s but I dunno if it’d be worth it so your thoughts?

 

[NINaudio]

Hsu makes solid subs, you'll be fine with just about any of their offerings, the ported designs will give you a bit more low end extension for movies.

Is your budget listed for both sub and surrounds?

As for surrounds, are you unhappy with what you currently have? Are there any constraints such as you'd like something small and wall mountable or that doesn't matter?

 

[zieglj01]

Surrounds ... DCM TP160s .... a real good price
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pack-6-5-Bookshelf-Home-Theater-Speakers-100W-RMS-TP160S-CH-DCM-by-MTX-Audio/193084846113

Sub ... HSU is a good choice
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk5HP.html

 

[Pogre]

Sub ... HSU is a good choice
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk5HP.html

I have a pair of these and they pound. Very good performing subs.

 

[Pogre]

The other question I have is what should I use as my rear speakers now that the 705s are dominating the front? Currently I’m running my old college Sony SSB-3000’s that are connected to a Sony SA-W2500 (the 2500 isn’t connected to the receiver LFE) but I also own an old pair of inherited of Acoustic Research 5’s that are older than me. I kinda want to fix up the AR5s but I dunno if it’d be worth it so your thoughts?

The 705s will only "dominate" if you set things up that way. Surround speakers don't get nearly as much play as the front 3 for movies and for stereo or 2.1 music they don't play at all. That's in your front 2 and subwoofer. If you want to save a few bucks the surround speakers aren't a bad place to do it.

 

[Emdubz]

Everyone seems pretty fine with me going with an HSU. I’m just unfamiliar with the brand. Are there other comparable ones or is HSU basically the way to go for my price range?

And yeah, the budget was strictly for the sub. As Pogre mentioned, the surrounds don’t get as much use as the front. Getting new rears will be a bit down the road if I’m looking for smaller size (or I’m making more money). The question about the rears was if I should use the Sony’s or the AR5s?

Also just wanna thank everyone for their input, I definitely appreciate it!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Everyone seems pretty fine with me going with an HSU. I’m just unfamiliar with the brand. Are there other comparable ones or is HSU basically the way to go for my price range?

And yeah, the budget was strictly for the sub. As Pogre mentioned, the surrounds don’t get as much use as the front. Getting new rears will be a bit down the road if I’m looking for smaller size (or I’m making more money). The question about the rears was if I should use the Sony’s or the AR5s?

Also just wanna thank everyone for their input, I definitely appreciate it!

I think the ar5’s would generally be better, but if you have to repair them it might not be worth it. IMO, it’s worth having matching front and back speakers, at least within the same line. And even if they’re lower in the list, don’t forget to eventually use good surround speakers. Modern tracks are very busy, and sound travels throughout so IMO, use good surrounds too. But first things first..
HSU offers great value, but there’s also Rythmik and monoprice/monolith, and as you already mentioned, SVS. The room is tiny so maybe a pair of rsl speedwoofers for 800 bucks. Two would go a long way to combat being in a square room too, and they’re smallish.
Also, RSL has exemplary customer service.

 

[Pogre]

Everyone seems pretty fine with me going with an HSU. I’m just unfamiliar with the brand. Are there other comparable ones or is HSU basically the way to go for my price range?

SVS make very good subs that are smaller (some of them) and they look a lot nicer (imo) than Hsu. They also have a really generous return policy where they'll refund your money and pay to have them shipped back if you're unsatisfied. I'm sure there's some cost built into the products to cover that as well.

The performance of a Hsu sub is right up there with SVS and aren't too hard on the eyes themselves, but you can see where some of the extra cost for a SVS sub goes as far as aesthetics. If you want to take a look at a couple others there's also Rhythmic, Funk, PSA and... I know I'm forgetting a couple. Anyway, bang for your dollar I'd say Hsu still has it unless you want to try diy. Even then Hsu is still pretty close. I have a pair of VTF 3 MK5s and they rattle the doors down the hall. I have them in a big living room that's open to other rooms.

 

[Pogre]

I think the ar5’s would generally be better, but if you have to repair them it might not be worth it. IMO, it’s worth having matching front and back speakers, at least within the same line. And even if they’re lower in the list, don’t forget to eventually use good surround speakers. Modern tracks are very busy, and sound travels throughout so IMO, use good surrounds too. But first things first..
HSU offers great value, but there’s also Rythmik and monoprice/monolith, and as you already mentioned, SVS. The room is tiny so maybe a pair of rsl speedwoofers for 800 bucks. Two would go a long way to combat being in a square room too, and they’re smallish.
Also, RSL has exemplary customer service.

Monoprice! I knew I was forgetting some.

 

[Emdubz]

I think the ar5’s would generally be better, but if you have to repair them it might not be worth it. IMO, it’s worth having matching front and back speakers, at least within the same line. And even if they’re lower in the list, don’t forget to eventually use good surround speakers

I think my dad replaced the mid on one of them at some point but they seem fine. He got them in the 70s so he can't even tell me what he has done to them. Honestly I've been using them as a rear for so long I should plug them into the front and just listen to check their quality.

The performance of a Hsu sub is right up there with SVS and aren't too hard on the eyes themselves, but you can see where some of the extra cost for a SVS sub goes as far as aesthetics. If you want to take a look at a couple others there's also Rhythmic, Funk, PSA and... I know I'm forgetting a couple. Anyway, bang for your dollar I'd say Hsu still has it unless you want to try diy.

Looking like it’ll probably be HSU but imma definitely check the others out. As far as DIY I was kinda thinking going that route to beef up AR5s but that’s a topic for another day and I need a hell of a lot more knowledge about it than I currently have and it'll depend on my next living space.

once again guys thanks for the advise