Recommendation

[BillCinLR]

"Yes, it's a 6000 cuft space, but only half of it is the family room."

Speakers (ESPECIALLY SUBWOOFERS) will see and try to interact with ALL of a room's volume plus any adjoining rooms and areas volumes, so don't kid yourself into thinking that a small sub will fill your needs. Increase your budget and thoughts about what will fill the bill.

Bill C

 

[_Jon_]

Thanks to all who replied. It is very difficult to decide on a sub without ever hearing it in my space, but from the sounds of things, all of the names batted around here would be good choices. Space IS a concern because the room is only 16-17 feet from front to back, but I convinced the wife that the Empire can hide in the corner behind a chair. I wouldn't exactly say "hide in the corner" as much as "own the corner", but maybe we can use it like an end-table. I doubt I'll ever sell her on a second one. However, now that I've decided to "up the ante", I'm going to wait to hear what my local dealer would recommend in the same price range (~$900+). If he just says "a bigger Sunfire" then I will pull the trigger on the Empire. Thanks again!

Jon

 

[_Jon_]

Okay, this is silly. I thought I finally had a decision, but now I'm waffling. My primary use is home theater (some music, though). I am wondering if the new Hsu VTF-15H would be a better choice for movies than the Empire due to it's ported design, or if the Empire be a better choice simply for output?

 

[Warpdrv]

Okay, this is silly. I thought I finally had a decision, but now I'm waffling. My primary use is home theater (some music, though). I am wondering if the new Hsu VTF-15H would be a better choice for movies than the Empire due to it's ported design, or if the Empire be a better choice simply for output?

Bingo - that sub will be the absolutely best choice for the money. Sealed will not give you the output you need down low in that large space, your room Will offer little to no room gain which you need for sealed subs to help with the natural roll off from sealed subs. The empire wont offer enough excursion or amp power to do that room justice. A submersive HP is a good start but still likely not enough for decent impactfull HT output in that room.

I'd buy the 15" hsu and add another down the line if necessary. Trust me wham I tell you I know about sealed subs in a very large room, don't try to follow me in this adventure.

Plus its a very nice looking product IMO.... and there is some great discussion going on about it over at the DIY section of AVS... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1288812