Suggestions - most bang for around 800 bucks or less

Bamadude
Bamadude Posts: 245
edited March 2011 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Hi all,

Looking to finally upgrade and could use some help deciding which HT sub might be the best for around $800 or less. Below are a few I've found but if you know of others (or a better price) please feel free to chime in with any comments. Thanks!

Outlaw LFM-1 EX $650
Epik Empire $800
Elemental Designs A5-350 $800
HSU VTF-3 MK3 $800
Velodyne DEQ-15R $800

PS - So far to me it seems the Epik Empire would be the most sub for the money with dual drivers at 600W RMS.
AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
Post edited by Bamadude on
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Comments

  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    All those are good, have to ask what size cu. ft. room you are going to use it in and if the room is open to other parts of the house. I ask that because the cu.ft. can increase considerably, sucking the bass right out of the listening room. I'm partial to the Empires,but know others here are very happy with the others subs you listed.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Thanks!

    Let me just say my layout SUCKS for containing bass. The den is open to a kitchen and also two doorways to a dinning room.

    17x 20 den
    10 x 17 kitchen
    10 x 20 dinning room
    EDIT: 8ft ceilings

    To be honest I'm just reaching for the most sub I can for the money because I probably need to be in the $1500 range or a serious DIY to adequately push this volume. Unfortunately that will be another upgrade another day.
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2011
    You do have problems with just one of those subs. You may have to put it near field .

    I think any are pretty good choices but not in your room, maybe any 2 of them.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    Yep, just adding a door on the kitchen and 2 doors to the dining room will definitely help downsize the cu.ft. Don't feel alone Bama, a lot of us here have had to deal with these open floor space designed homes.
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  • phocion
    phocion Posts: 157
    edited February 2011
    For around $800, you could always go with 4x PSW505's ;)
    The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and greatest enjoyment is to live dangerously. - Nietzche
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited February 2011
    I'd vote for the Empire, they seem to have rave reviews, good CS, and most agree that they are very musical, which is always a plus! Good luck, subwoofer choice is never fun. You could always look in that ~$400.00 range and do duals with a room that size.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Well guess I'll have to either buy one now (giving at least some level of immediate satisfaction) and another one later. Or just save up and buy a huge sub which would save space. Thanks for the input guys!
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • theabbot
    theabbot Posts: 11
    edited February 2011
    I am in the same boat. I own a 350 in a room that slightly smaller than yours. Opens up to a kitchen. The LFE sounds great but is not uniform. I've been considering either an EQ, or a 2nd sub.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Ok two votes for the Empire. Definitely at the top of the list.

    My next home will absolutely be laid out better or have a dedicated room that's sized appropriately.
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Ok, how did I miss the Elemental Designs A7S-450??? Am I missing something or is it a pretty big step up for just $50 more? Also free shipping to boot which comes out cheaper than the other brands anyway.

    18" Single driver @ 1300W RMS
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • theabbot
    theabbot Posts: 11
    edited February 2011
    If you have the space and $$, defintely go for the 450.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2011
    Also look at the Rythmik F15.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    The Rythmik is definitely nice and looks to be a notch up in accuracy and maybe more musical. Right now I'm still swayed toward the ED 450 based on my goal for HT use. I'm kind of stunned actually with its specs at this price point until someone knowledgeable chimes in with "don't believe the specs hype".
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2011
    This should help.

    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Awesome! Thanks!
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited February 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    This should help.

    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313176

    That's a great link to have, thanks.
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    I've read on a forum that the ED subs are very nice looking if that might sway you some. I always thought the bigger SVS subs looked really nice too. If you only get one sub for now, look around for nice used antimode 8033C unit,they're a nice,reasonably priced sub eq that's EZ-PZ to set up. Maybe you can find one around around 200-250 dollars.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    The AVS forum review is by far one of the best I've seen anywhere. I'm feeling better and better about the ED 450. Might go ahead and pull the trigger.

    Cool, thanks Polkie, I'll check out the antimode as well.
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    Just ordered the ED 450 :)
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2011
    Bamadude wrote: »
    Just ordered the ED 450 :)

    Congrats!!
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited February 2011
    I'm being told 3 weeks for delivery. Plenty of time to sell the cerwin vega.
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited February 2011
    Congrats bama, that thing is going to be a BEAST! From the pics I've seen before, i's huge. One thing about ED, sometimes it takes them a little longer( supply and demand of parts, I think it happens to all of the smaller sub companies) to get the sub to the buyer. Hopefully, yours will arrive in 3 weeks,keep us updated and let us know if you have more questions.
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  • Bamadude
    Bamadude Posts: 245
    edited March 2011
    I have a tracking number. Should be here tomorrow evening... feeling all tingly and stuff :)
    AVR: Pioneer VSX-84TXSi (RIP - lightening) / Amp: Sunfire Cinema Grand / Klipsh R-10B Sounbar, LC65fx / Sub: Elemental Designs LT/1300 / TV: Panasonic TH-50PH9UK /SIZE]
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