Powered Subwoofer Advice

[BillyBob427]

New to the forum with the same question old as time. I have a NAD T-763 Receiver running Klipsch F-20 fronts, Klipsch C-20 center, and Klipsch S-20 surrounds. Blu-Ray is Panasonic BD-85K i think (with the 7.1 analog audio out). I currently have a sony 12" 100-ish watt powered subwoofer. Room size is roughly 14'x24' with one 4' wide door opening into the kitchen. TV and A/V Equipment is on the long wall with the door opening on the far right. I am in the market for a new powered sub since the one I have is the weakest link in my system. It does ok, but I would like to see what a "real" powered subwoofer sounds like. My budget is around $500 max. I would like to hear some considerations for a good mid level subwoofer in that price range. I mostly watch Blu-Rays with some music too. Advie is greatly appreciated.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I'll let the sub experts hook you up with advice. I just wanted to let you know that AH is having a contest this month to win a free Velodyne sub. Just go to the thread here and answer some questions. It's a random drawing (I believe), so everyone has the same shot at it.

 

[shadyJ]

For $500, I would go straight for the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, which is on sale here for $499 shipped until the 20th. It will get loud and go deep while still sounding real clean. Other good subs for roughly 500 are the Rythmik FV12 and Epik Legend, however shipping puts them a bit over 500.

 

[j_garcia]

For $500, I would go straight for the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, which is on sale here for $499 shipped until the 20th. It will get loud and go deep while still sounding real clean. Other good subs for roughly 500 are the Rythmik FV12 and Epik Legend, however shipping puts them a bit over 500.

+1 These are an excellent place to start looking.

 

[CadenceSound]

Cadence CSX MKII 15" subwoofer.
On sale for $399 SHIPPED(12" is $299 shipped)

Review
Review: Cadence CSX-12 Mark II Subwoofer | Sound and Vision Magazine

Truthfully, anything will be an upgrade to the sub you have now, But im sure you will be more than happy with either the 12 or 15"

The 15 is a bit on the bigger size, however its not an eye sore to the room. Very attractive housing, and performance to match.

 

[j_garcia]

Wow, the sale prices for the Cadence subs are really good! I reviewed that 12" and at that price, that's a no brainier. I still haven't had a chance to hear the 15", but with the improvements to the 12", no doubt it is a solid sub at that price.

 

[CadenceSound]

Thanks Garcia!

Im sure you will be more than happy with the 15" especially if you were pleased with the 12"

PM me if you are considering the 15@garcia!

 

[FirstReflection]

Well, anyone who's seen my other posts knows that for $500, I'm a big fan of the Rythmik FV12. IMO, it's the best $500 sub out there and a true taste of "good" bass all around. Below that price point, there are subwoofers that certainly aren't bad, but they clearly compromise in one or more areas. The FV12 is the least expensive sub that I consider to be good all around with no obvious weaknesses.

That said, I'd be a little bit concerned about its output capabilities in your setup. If your theater room were closed, I would say it's no problem. But with an opening to another room, you have to consider the entire space. Then again, for $500, you won't find a lot of subwoofers that can play a whole lot louder without distortion than the FV12 anyway. One very nice thing about the FV12 is that it is very well engineered, with limiters and filters that make it all but impossible to damage it. So you can push it as loud as you want. It might not be able to deliver the loudness that you're asking for, but at least it won't damage itself and it won't go into crazy distortion. Its design prevents bad things from happening

The HSU VTF-2 MK4 and the Outlaw LFM-1 Plus are like sister models. They are good alternative choices to the FV12. I personally like the FV12 just a little bit better, but it's really close. And any of those three is an enormous step up over your Sony!

I honestly know nothing about the Cadence subs that have been mentioned. I'll have to look into those! Can't offer any input on them though. Sorry

If you go with a Rythmik FV12 or an HSU VTF-2 MK4/Outlaw LFM-1 Plus, you'll get a genuinely good sub and a taste of "real" bass. As I say, with that opening to the kitchen, I'd be a little concerned about maximum output. But if you think your Sony is ok, you'll be blown away by any of those three You might want to add a second sub or upgrade to an even more capable sub one day. But for right now, my opinion and recommendation is that $500 for the Rythmik FV12 is about the best you can do.

Best of luck with your upgrade!

 

[BillyBob427]

Thanks for all the input. I am sure any of these are waaaay better than the sony. My roommates will think I am crazy for getting a new sub, but then again they are oblivious to the home audio scene and think an LG "1000 watt" HTIB all in one package sounds "good". I don't believe I have heard anything in this spectrum as far as subs. The most expensive sub I have messed with was a Klipsch Sub-10 (bought it for a friend), which sounded much nicer than my sony. Keep the info coming and I will hafta pull the trigger sooner than later. I enjoy buying and trying new audio gear.

 

[timoteo]

Well with your $500 budget, the previous posts are pretty much the whole story. The 3 recommended are your best bets. HSU, Rythmik, Outlaw....

Any of those will slap a huge smile on your face & will introduce your roomates to actual quality audio. They need some teaching if a HTIB sounds good to them haha

If you have the money, look into each of the mentioned subs online. Check the sizes of them so you know what your getting & if it will fit where you want. I have even mocked one up out of cardboard to get an idea of a subs size. A good sub is often larger then expected but the quality of their bass is great! Then see if one fits the look you want & then just buy one. No sense in waiting any longer than needed.

Keep us informed on your buy & POST PICS!!!