Sub buying advice-->One large sub or 2 smaller subs?

[cyprusrom]

Hello everyone...
I need some help on making a subwoofer purchase.
I have rather large room, 28'x22'x8'. I was going to buy maybe 2 Polk Audio PSW505, or buy a single "better" sub. For the "better" sub, I kinda set my eyes on the Outlaw LFM-1 EX.
I am thinking, if I had 2 subs, I would have to use a splitter. Would then the receiver (HT-RC270)see the 2 subs individually, or would it see them as one single unit? If it sees them as a single unit,would the receiver(Audyssey) properly calibrate/set the distance and all that if the subs not placed equidistant from the receiver?
Too many questions for "never owned a sub newbie..." Thanks for any input!

 

[j_garcia]

Sorry, but two Polk subs isn't an upgrade over a single good sub. The LFM-1EX isn't going to give you twice the output of two 505s though, AFAIK. You'd need to look at something more substantial than that, however between those choices, I'd go with the Outlaw.

Audessy measures output, so it doesn't know there are two of them, only how much output there is. Your receiver doesn't know or care that there are two either.

 

[bikdav]

That is a BIG room. Go to HSU Research and take a look at their new VTF-15H.

 

[GranteedEV]

Two smaller subs is normally prefered, but the assumption would be that they're decent. The polks wouldn't cut it.

I would recommend a pair of Epik Legends or something.

Actually, consider DIY.

 

[lsiberian]

I think it's better to get one big sub with consumer subs.

 

[cyprusrom]

Thanks everyone for input...
Well, then how about if i stretch and go for two LFM-1 EX?
You think that might cover a room that size? I was looking also at Rythmik and Elemental Design subs, but somehow i like the LFM-1 EX style.
When talking about hooking up 2 bigger subs, is there a limitation on how much the receiver can drive, is it possible it wouldn't be able to handle them? Not sure how it all works, would be my first HT set-up...
Thanks again!

 

[j_garcia]

One Epik Empire would cost less and have no problem with that room size. My room is a little larger than yours due to a 20' cathedral ceiling and the Empire has no problem activating the whole room.

 

[bread29]

I had an Hsu VTF3-MK3 in a 22x20x10 room and it did a decent job pressurizing the room. However, if the funds are there, I would go with 2 large vented subs. Like daddy used to say, two are always better than 1... and when the funds become available again, four is better than two. As far as the receiver is concerned, it does not matter how many subs you have hooked up because each subwoofer is independently powered by their own amp. Happy Hunting!

 

[bikdav]

One Epik Empire would cost less and have no problem with that room size. My room is a little larger than yours due to a 20' cathedral ceiling and the Empire has no problem activating the whole room.

Yep. I forgot about the Epik Empire.

 

[gwhiz]

I have the Outlaw LFM-1 EX in my great room. It's 18 x18 with 14' ceilings and multiple openings to other rooms. The Outlaw sub handles that space extremely well. Outlaw just had a sale for the EX for $552 shipped. At that price it was a bargain. I would call Outlaw and try and make a deal on 2 of them. You have a large room and 2 good subs will balance out the space.

 

[cyprusrom]

Well, I missed the Outlaw sale, and contacting them to make a deal on 2x LFM-1 EX did not yield any results at all.
Now I am debating on buying a VTF-15H or 2xVTF-2 MK3. The cost would be pretty similar, the VTF-2 MK3 being on sale right now. Hard choice though, I am having a hard time deciding. Any thoughts? Can't afford trial and error, those beasts weigh a ton, shipping them back would be not so profitable...

 

[its phillip]

I would get 1 VTF-15H for now, and buy another when I had more money available

 

[bread29]

I second that motion! Pull the trigger on the 15.....

 

[cyprusrom]

Well, I went and ordered it...now I have to face my wife when the thing shows up at my door!
Anyone recommends a good/inexpensive(no Monster hype) subwoof cable? I would need a 35 foot or so if I want to have it near the listening position...if I put it next to the TV in a corner, probably get away with a 15'.
Thanks for the input!

 

[its phillip]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=3976&seq=1&format=2

 

[cyprusrom]

^^^
Thanks, just ordered one of those too...
My floor is concrete, carpeted...do you guys think is necessary to buy one of those pads to put under the sub? Does it usually make a noticeable difference?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

^^^
Thanks, just ordered one of those too...
My floor is concrete, carpeted...do you guys think is necessary to buy one of those pads to put under the sub? Does it usually make a noticeable difference?

Do you have neighbors ?

 

[njedpx3]

Budget ?

You didn't say how much your budget is, but two Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofers only cost about $500. $500 is a pretty low budget for such a large room. I would recommend a good SVS sub, but even what I would consider minimum for that size room, a SVS PB12 Plus, is $1199. Two of those would do wonders or one SVS PB13- Ultra $1,799

A really good low cost sub is the Dayton Sub-120 HT for only $160. Four (4) of these, one in each corner would cost only $640 and would sound very good.

If you get more than one subwoofer, you best bet no matter what you choose, is to get two exactly alike.


Forest Man

 

[cyprusrom]

I already pulled the trigger and got a VTF-15H.
I don't have any "close" neighbors.

 

[bikdav]

True

I would get 1 VTF-15H for now, and buy another when I had more money available

You scored again. I forgot about that one.