Suggestion needed for subwoofer

[oscar6036]

Current system is Yamaha RXV-1500 receiver, 4 BIC America DV62-si bookshelves, BIC America DV62CLR-S center channel and a 53-inch DLP television. Looking for something with tight bass and good musical response. Wanting to use it primarily for music listening as I'm not a real big video person per se. On a college student budget, well college student with high hopes. Was thinking something possibly from SVS or Hsu. I'd realistically like to not spend more than $600 for the sub but considering my receiver and my TV I'd be inclined to go above that number if something would just blow me away. I'd auditioned Velodynes at Circuit City I think and while I liked them I'm not sure if they're the route I'd want to go. I live in the Dallas area and most of the shops around here are very particular on what they carry so being able to listen to a lot of different types of subs isn't really a possibility. Thanks.

 

[mike c]

can you listen to the Yamaha YST-SW1500 ?

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

I like the higher end Velodynes alot but not the low end stuff at CC primarily because of my room dimensions but if you have a smaller to med size room they may work well for you. How bout a Hsu STF-3? Or the VTF-2? Both musical with tight bass and solid for movies as well!

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Check out Sheep's review of the velodyne dsp12:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19534

 

[tomd51]

Velodyne does make decent musical subwoofers, however for the same money, I think you might be able to find a better bang-for-the-buck solution from SVS, AV123's Rocket Subs and HSU. As the criteria you've specified is tight bass, good musical response, wanting to use it primarily for music listening and realistically like to not spend more than $600, here are some options or suggestions I'd offer:

SVS
SVS 25-31PCi ~ $575 shipped
SVS PB10-ISD ~ $460 shipped

AV123
Rocket ULW-10 ~ $560 shipped
X Series x-sub ~ $240 shipped (SOLD OUT until ~7.03.06)

HSU
HSU STF-2 ~ $430 shipped
HSU STF-1 ~ $320 shipped

Outlaw LFM-2 ~$350 shipped (identical to the HSU STF-1)
Dayton Titanic 10" MKIII Kit ~ $358 shipped (requires minimal DIY work)


These are all under $600 shipped, but vary on size. Also, while these are all excellent value subs, their performance will depend on the room you plan to use them in. All of these should perform well in any room less than 2700 cubic feet, but any larger than this, one of these may not be enough for the listening environment... -TD

 

[oscar6036]

I can almost beyond a shadow of a doubt promise you I won't be in a room that size for some years to come.

 

[tomd51]

If that's the case, you can probably remove the higher priced SVS, Rocket and HSU and get very good results with any of the other choices. If sub size is a large consideration (no pun intended ), some of the sealed subs may be a better solution as they'll be able to deliver good punch and decent extension (with a strong amp) for music and likely for movies as well, but will not consume your listening area.... -TD

 

[oscar6036]

I'd agree with what you're saying, but I'm of the mantra that if its a purchase I won't have to make again for quite a while then there's absolutely no reason to not spend the dime now. So I don't mind going a bit over if it's going to last me.

 

[tomd51]

And if that's the case, get the best subwoofer you can afford here and now. This is the best approach, however it's tough for some to accept, which typically leads to upgradeitis a year or two (maybe even earlier) down the road.

I can almost guarantee you, the SVS 25-31PCi will be difficult to outgrow, heck even the PB-10, ULW-10 and Dayton will be a very good sub for some time... -TD

 

[ggunnell]

I've not heard the HSU VTF-3, but if you can come up with an additional $100 I think it would be the best choice -- do you agree, TomD?

 

[tomd51]

The VTF-3 is a heck of a sub, but with shipping, it's about $150 over the OP's threshold. If you're going to go to that extent, a 25-31 PC Plus for approx. $800 shipped would be that much more impressive, but again, that would be over the OP's limit, $200 more... -TD

 

[oscar6036]

Yeah, I think $800 shipped would be pushing it considering it's going to be sitting in an apartment, small one at that, for at least another year and a half.

 

[Sheep]

Are you just looking for musical bass? Seems odd that you would buy a DLP and not watch many movies

I think the PB-10 or the UFW-10 would be good. The PB-10 having the extension and the UFW having the sealed sound.

Can you give us a Movie/Music %?

SheepStar

 

[oscar6036]

I bought the TV because it was a deal I couldn't pass up. I watch realistically less than 5 hours of video a week. I'm always listening to music if I'm home. Quite a bit of my music listening comes from heavy computer use. (I have my PC's soundcard wired into the receiver in my living room which is in turn running my second zone receiver for the rest of my apartment so there's always music going) The sub is just sort've one of those things I never got around to doing and I think it'd be a great addition.

 

[oscar6036]

BTW, I was thinking about the PB-10, there's a used one on Ebay right now but the seller seems to be sort've an idiot. Look at his reply to one of the questions he was asked. But reading enough reviews about the PB-10 has only served to color my opinion of them. I can't really audition them and even if I could I'm pretty easy to please as far as subs go probably.

 

[j_garcia]

If you're easy to please, then the PB-10 should have no problem pleasing you It exceeded my expectation of an under $500 sub. The problem is, the next time you go looking for a sub, you will not be so easy to please...

 

[tomd51]

Buy direct from SVS...

Oscar, from my experience, the more of an idiot an eBay seller tends to be, the harder it is to correct a problem if there is one in the auction transaction. In this case, the few dollars saved likely wouldn't be worth it if there were any issues.

It will likely sell no cheaper than $75 less than a new one from SVS and considering the break they get on shipping, you'd probably get a new one even cheaper than that difference. Plus, SVS offers a 45 day money back guarantee and 3 year warranty you won't get from a previously owned model, although SVS often does allow warranty transfer if the sub is still under warranty.

Unless you were incredibly underwhelmed by the PB-10 (which I can't imagine you would be), return shipping would be the only downside ordering directly from SVS, but that is if you weren't satisfied, which ain't gonna happen... -TD