Newbie needs help to choose subwofer in $ 500-800 price range

[karapuz]

I'm a newbie in this field. Just upgraded the AVR and "front line" of my 7.1 HT. Got Yamaha RX-A2010 and changed fronts to Energy Veritas V-6.3 and center to,V-5.2 Now I'm looking for a subwoofer within $ 500-800 price range. Which sub will you suggest to get with my setup?
I watch movies 40%, listen to music 50%, play games 10%. Room size is 14' x 25' x 8'. HT is positioned by the long wall. Listening area is in the middle of the room in front of the HT and is about 15'x10'. The sub might stay next to HT or at the corner (if sub is larger than W15'xD18'xD18'').
Form factor is the killer. Smaller size and footprint are important (ex. would love to have Outlaw LFX-1 EX, but it's too big for my room).

Also, I live in an apartment building so I am not planning to crank my speakers up and most of the time will be playing music and mUovies at low to medium volumes - hi volume output is not that important and I don't want to pay for something I'm not going to use. However, good low frequencies and room filling would be good to have. I need more sound quality than quantity. A good look helps too. Choosing between two finishes I would prefer piano gloss finish that will match my speakers and furniture without compromising of the sound quality.

The more I research the more choices I have. I might raise the price range to $ 800ish if there's anything with the small footprint which would compliment my setup.
I really need you opinions on the following subs (all of them I can buy new within $ 500-800 range):

SVS PB12- NSD Matte or SB12-NSD Matte/Gloss
Rhythmic FV12 Matte or F12 Matte/Gloss
HSU VTF-2 MK4 Matte
Outlaw LFX-1 Plus Matte
Emotive X-Ref 12 Gloss
Elemental Designs A3-300 Gloss
Definitive Technology Super Cube 6000 Gloss
BIC PL-200 Gloss
Premier Acoustic PA-200 Gloss
Epic Legend Matte
Cadence CSX12 Mark II or CSX15 Mark II Gloss/Matte

Please help to choose. Thanks for your time.

 

[jonnythan]

For HT my choice would be the PB12-NSD, or the FV12 to save a few dollars for similar output. The PB12 is just a beast.

For as much music as you listen to I'd recommend the SB12 though

 

[FirstReflection]

Honestly, my vote (and what I would choose to buy if it were my money) in this particular situation is for the HSU VTF-2 MK4. Here's why:

- First up, the VTF-2 MK4's output capabilities are appropriate for that room size.

- 2nd, you've basically said you use your system for about 50% music and 50% movies/games. So you really want a "do it all" sub. One that can dig deep and deliver tactile impact for movies, but also one that has very tight transient response and high accuracy for music. The VTF-2 MK4 does a good job of finding that balance, plus, if you want to, you can alter its low end extension and maximum output by using the port blocks and tuning - although I think using 1 port block and the associated 18Hz tuning at all times will strike a good balance for your purposes

- 3rd, the VTF-2 MK4 is highly adjustable on the low end with the filters provided. In an apartment setting, this is important because you can basically EQ the low end with those filter options so that you do not get a large resonance or a huge room gain boost, which would undoubtedly end up disturbing the neighbors!

There are certainly some other, very good choices in this price range. The Rythmik FV12 remains my favorite $550 sub overall, but it is currently out of stock as Rythmik waits for more units to arrive from overseas. The VTF-2 MK4 also offers the option to run it in a high output 25Hz tuned mode with two ports open, or you can run it with one port in 18Hz tuning, or you can run it as a sealed sub now, which is a new option for HSU. That's some real flexibility from the VTF-2 MK4 that you won't find with other subs in this price range. Plus, the VTF-2 MK4 is just a good-sounding sub all around

The SVSound PB or PC12-NSD ported subs are tremendous for movies and deliver 20Hz extension and high output that is pretty much unmatched for its price point. But the NSD ported subs are not as adjustable. You can't run them sealed and you can't adjust their low end performance in any way. There's just the one 20Hz port tuning and that's it.

So the VTF-2 MK4 stands out in this particular case for me - mainly because you can adjust it so much. Rather than choosing a small, sealed sub that might not have enough output or 20Hz extension for you movie watching, or choosing a ported sub that might result in too much low end room gain or not have tight enough transient response for your music playback, I say to get a sub that can be adjusted to go either way and offers a terrific set of adjustable tuning options, port options and low end filters that will let you EQ the sub to your room and taste

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think you should wait for the Rythmik FV12.

 

[theJman]

I think you should wait for the Rythmik FV12.

The FV12? I'm not familiar with that one. Is this something new?

 

[j_garcia]

The FV12? I'm not familiar with that one. Is this something new?

No, it isn't new. Probably just been out of stock. It is the least expensive built version from Rythmik and is vented, thus the V in the name.

 

[theJman]

No, it isn't new. Probably just been out of stock. It is the least expensive built version from Rythmik and is vented, thus the V in the name.

Well, that's a bug 'duh' on me. I was thinking something totally different. Guess it's time for me to log off now...

 

[karapuz]

Thank you for your responds. Based on them looks like I should go for SVS, Rythmik, HSU or Outlaw. Is there anything good about other brands? Again, taking into the account that i live in the apartment building and loudnes is not as important as sound quality, size and WAF factor. Thank you.

 

[timoteo]

I wouldn't limit myself to a sub that barely performs it's best in the room it's in. In other words, its much better to have a sub that is capable of producing more bass than will actually be used. If you had, say the VTF-2, which is capable of some pretty mean bass, but you only used 50%-75% of its max output, thats a good thing!!! Why?...1. If you don't push a sub to its limits, you get very clean & accurate bass because it will have low distortion...2. If you ever move homes & end up with a larger room then you won't be as likely to need a new sub. It's normally recommended to have a sub that is capable of more output than will be used.

HSU is known for making very clean sounding, musical subs. A well designed ported sub can be accurate & yet have the b@lls needed when it comes to the dynamics of an action movie. I have personally sat & listened to each sub that HSU makes & have been very impressed with each one for its price. Thats the reason I bought 2 of them.

 

[karapuz]

Thank you for respond. Agreed 100%. It is definitely not going to be a purchase for a couple of month and i am not buying another sub moving to a different house or apartment. I like their performances however sizes are killing me. Appearance is important as well. I understand that I will compromise the performance having smaller sub. But the question is how much will I lose moving to a smaller sub and which smaller would you suggest in case I would have to go with it. Thanks.

 

[jonnythan]

The SB12 and Epik Legend are pretty compact.