New sub

[Sgratien]

I'm looking for a new sub, 90 percent ht/tv use. Approx. 3000 ft/cu. budget around $500. I'm not against a DIY project, but it would have to be an over the top value. Any suggestions?

 

[Steve81]

I'm looking for a new sub, 90 percent ht/tv use. Approx. 3000 ft/cu. budget around $500. I'm not against a DIY project, but it would have to be an over the top value. Any suggestions?

DIY definitely has the potential to squeeze the most dB for your dollar. Things like this can make it more achievable as well:

Subwoofer Flat Packs DIY Sound Group

However, as far as commercially available subwoofers go, the Hsu VTF-1 and SVS PB1000 would be good places to start looking.

Do you have any particular output goals in mind?

 

[Sgratien]

I guess I'm just looking for a sub that won't struggle filling the space. Sub 20hz at 100db is nice, but not necessary. But, If it fits the budget, why not! Aesthetics count, gotta keep the wife happy. If I had to choose, I prefer my bass on the tighter side. I guess that's it.

 

[Steve81]

I'll stand by my original choices in that case as being a good blend of output capability, sound quality, and aesthetics. They won't dominate a 3000 cubic foot space, but they won't embarrass themselves by any stretch of the imagination either.

For a little bit more coin though, it would be worth looking at something like the Hsu VTF 2.4 or Outlaw LFM-1 Plus. Depends on how flexible your budget is though.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd probably lean toward spending a little more (if it is possible) for something a bit better able to handle a space like that as well. While a lesser sub will still provide you bass, and since you are already concerned/aware about performance in a room that size, something that is able to adequately handle it would be money well spent.

You might consider a single sub that will get you close that cost a little less and then adding a second of the same one down the road.

 

[Sgratien]

I'm I the process of rebuilding my living room set up with components from my basement- mainly my speakers and sub. I've got some replacement speakers, just need the sub for now. The budget for the sub is co-dependent with a new tv and receiver for my living room. If it were up to me, I'd have about a 10-15k budget for my changes. The wife disagrees. I could stretch my sub budget a little in the end- I always do, haha

 

[Jeff R.]

So you are saying you can spend closer to $750 to get a better unit.....

 

[Transmaniacon]

So you are saying you can spend closer to $750 to get a better unit.....

I am thinking the SVS PB12-NSD would make a great addition

 

[Sgratien]

I could probably do $750 all in. If I'm going to do that, would I be better off with 2 lesser subs. Or maybe 2 diy's. or even one massive DIY?

 

[Steve81]

If I'm going to do that, would I be better off with 2 lesser subs.

Multiple subs are largely useful for getting even response across a wide listening area. However, if you're mostly concerned with getting good response at one seat, a single sub can certainly get the job done. Also in this price bracket, I'd expect a single sub would have an advantage in output capability and extension over two lesser subs. As an example, a member was recently advised by Outlaw Audio that a single LFM-1 EX ($650) would dig deeper and deliver an average of 4dB more output than a LFM-1 Plus ($550). To put that into perspective, adding a second subwoofer and stacking it on top of the first yields 6dB of extra output. Not too shabby for $100 more.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/928296-post10.html

 

[Sgratien]

I should have put a little more thought into that one before I posted. Now the decision becomes build or buy. What can I build for $700.

 

[Steve81]

I should have put a little more thought into that one before I posted. Now the decision becomes build or buy. What can I build for $700.

Obviously there are a lot of possibilities out there as far as builds go. One reasonably simple option would be a this puppy:

Data-Bass

Driver:
Dayton Audio RSS460HO-4 18" Reference HO Subwoofer 4 ohm 295-472

add in a pro amp like so (rated for 1100 watts into 4 ohms, bridged):
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/crown-xls1000-drivecore-series-power-amp

And you're in for ~$550. Another few bucks for materials, and you've got yourself a darned good sub.

 

[theJman]

I could probably do $750 all in. If I'm going to do that, would I be better off with 2 lesser subs. Or maybe 2 diy's. or even one massive DIY?

For $750 the PSA XS15 and Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX are two that should probably be on your short list.

 

[Sgratien]

when i told my wife i was planning on "upgrading" my sub with a bigger/better one, i got a nasty look. if i build something like that beast, i'll end up in divorce court for sure. the lfm-1ex is only a little bigger than the 12" that goes with my ba9500 micro system. she probably wouldn't notice too much of a difference in size. now i just have to hope for a sale!

 

[shadyJ]

For $750 the PSA XS15 and Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX are two that should probably be on your short list.

Since the Hsu VTF3 is on sale, just forget the LFM-1 EX. The VTF3 mk4 is like a upgraded and updated version of the EX. When the EX is on sale for 600 shipped, yeah that is something to consider, but equally priced with the VTF3, no way.

 

[theJman]

Since the Hsu VTF3 is on sale, just forget the LFM-1 EX. The VTF3 mk4 is like a upgraded and updated version of the EX. When the EX is on sale for 600 shipped, yeah that is something to consider, but equally priced with the VTF3, no way.

That's a pretty bold statement. I assume you've had the opportunity to directly compare the two of them? During your evaluation what did you find so lacking on the LFM-1 EX?

What sale are you referring to? I go to the website and it's not showing any discount.

 

[Steve81]

What sale are you referring to? I go to the website and it's not showing any discount.

I see it for $649 as a holiday sale for the satin black finish.

With respect to the VTF 3.4 vs the LFM-1 EX, it's hard to say how much difference there is; we've got hard numbers courtesy of Josh on the LFM-1 EX, but the data on the Hsu is older and from different testers.

Shady and I have talked about this before, so without getting into too deep, I'm not sure its correct to assume that the LFM-1 EX hasn't seen any improvements over the years, or that it is, aside from some cosmetic differences, a total clone of the VTF 3.2. I'd agree that the additional port area of the VTF could be an advantage in max extension mode, but how much of an advantage is unknown. In any event, there's a lot to like about the LFM-1 as per Josh's review of it. Is the VTF better? Possibly. Is it something I'd spend nights worrying about? Probably not. If you left it down to a coin flip, you'd end up with a killer sub either way.

 

[theJman]

A buddy was looking for a sub and I convinced him to get an EX during the black friday sale, so that's the first time I've had any direct exposure to an Outlaw sub. And I gotta say it surprised me; for a single 12" driver it hits hard and deep. Certainly seems worth the 6 bills he paid for it, that's for sure. Now I just have to hear the HSU...

 

[shadyJ]

That's a pretty bold statement. I assume you've had the opportunity to directly compare the two of them? During your evaluation what did you find so lacking on the LFM-1 EX?

What sale are you referring to? I go to the website and it's not showing any discount.

I have compared the EX to the VTF3 mk3, I own two of each. The performance is close, but the VTF3 does tackle deep bass better. The VTF3 mk4, with the addition of its Q control, is just going to be that much better. Reportedly there have been some driver enhancements with the mk4 as well. I really like the EX, but if they are the same price, there is no reason not to go with the VTF3.

The sales I am referring to are the occasional ones like the black friday one where they had it up for $600 shipped. That is a terrific bargain at that price.

 

[Sgratien]

Finding a way to listen to either of them is hard enough. Being able to compare the two together is going to be impossible. Flipping a coin sounds scientific enough to me. C'mon sale!