Best sub under $500

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited June 2004 in Speakers
I'm sure this has been talked about before...but let's do it again...

I'm looking for a good sub for under $500. I know SVS is great stuff, but they start just above my price range...can't go over $500 at all becuase of multiple other projects I'm working on...

Some of the few I'm thinking about:

Polk 505
Veoldyne CHT-12
HSU VTF or STF 2

Any thoughts or anything I'm leaving out?
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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Comments

  • MSkeezer
    MSkeezer Posts: 1,183
    edited June 2004
    HSU VTF all the way. Sterophile listed it as a "Class A" product. I don't think there is any way you can go wrong on that.

    Thomas
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited June 2004
    The Hsu 10" are good sounding subs with a flat FR and decent extension (about 28 Hz in room). What they won't do is rock your world on HT; they just can't move enough air and can be bottomed if you aren't careful. So it really depends on your needs.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    Hey Doc, I've come to see that your opinion is highly respected on here, so a question...

    I'd be using this in our main living area. I'm building the theater room this summer, this won't go in there...that system is the separate project I'm working, you can bet your a$$ I'll have SVS in there.

    I'll still be using this system for movies, TV, and music, it just won't be the main theater. Having said that, I'll still need decent performance for music and movies out of this sub, is that a realistic expectation of the VTF? I realize I won't be getting the bang like from the SVS, but will this work for a decent HT setup...or should I just steer clear of the HSU altogether for HT?

    Thanks
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited June 2004
    Adire Rava

    Dayton Titanic

    Wanted to mention these in addition to the selections above.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited June 2004
    If you dont mind a little assembly work, this Shiva kit should kick some ****. You could add a parts express amp for about $100. The Shiva driver is considered to be pretty comparible to the SVS ISD driver. It is the same driver used in the Rava that Russ mentioned.

    www.creativesound.ca
    Graham
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  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited June 2004
    I'll still be using this system for movies, TV, and music, it just won't be the main theater. Having said that, I'll still need decent performance for music and movies out of this sub, is that a realistic expectation of the VTF? I realize I won't be getting the bang like from the SVS, but will this work for a decent HT setup...or should I just steer clear of the HSU altogether for HT?

    No reason to steer clear altogether. It will do just fine at moderate volumes; it just won't deliver high SPL at low frequencies so don't push it hard or it will complain.

    Based on Fireshoes FR sweep of the 505, I'd keep that guy in consideration too - pretty impressive.

    Agreed on the Shiva sub above, too. A good value and easy to assemble.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    So I'm confused, is the Shiva just the driver itself...what all would I need to buy to assemble that kit?
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited June 2004
    The Shiva is the driver that is included in the Rava link that Russ posted. Very do-able, affordable, and highly regarded in the bang for the buck realm.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited June 2004
    So I'm confused, is the Shiva just the driver itself...what all would I need to buy to assemble that kit?

    If you're not into kits, just buy the Adire Rava subwoofer which uses the Shiva driver. It's my first choice for an affordable subwoofer for my 2-channel system, but it may be too large for the WAF.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    What about the 16-46PCi SVS? I may be able to work this in a trade with Sami???

    WTH does 16-46PCi mean?

    Would this work for what I'm wanting?
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited June 2004
    Originally posted by Polkmaniac
    What about the 16-46PCi SVS? I may be able to work this in a trade with Sami???

    WTH does 16-46PCi mean?

    Would this work for what I'm wanting?


    16-46 means.. it has a 16 Hz tuning point and it's 46 inches tall. one tall ****! 16" in diamater
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2004
    It all depends on your room size. I have a quite large room for my HT and while the 16-46 will go down very low (12Hz) it will not deliver reference level pressure on that open room. You have to remember though that reference level is incredibly loud, I can't listen to it without fearing I will damage my hearing.

    For music it is more than enough at the levels I listen to.

    What is your future hometheater rooms size?

    The best we can do is have you take the 150's with you and come to listen the SVS.

    http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pci_16-46.htm
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited June 2004
    If you do, make sure you get a large enough vehicle if we can reach a deal...

    SVS comes in original packaging, 70's naked.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    Originally posted by Sami
    It all depends on your room size. I have a quite large room for my HT and while the 16-46 will go down very low (12Hz) it will not deliver reference level pressure on that open room. You have to remember though that reference level is incredibly loud, I can't listen to it without fearing I will damage my hearing.

    For music it is more than enough at the levels I listen to.

    What is your future hometheater rooms size?

    The best we can do is have you take the 150's with you and come to listen the SVS.

    http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pci_16-46.htm
    This isn't for the new theater room, but rather my main living area...I'm doing that other room as an entirely separate project...

    Anyway, I sent you a PM...

    I checked out that SVS and it looks to be an excellent choice for what I need...
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    Originally posted by Sami
    If you do, make sure you get a large enough vehicle if we can reach a deal...

    SVS comes in original packaging, 70's naked.
    I have a 2004 4Runner with plenty of room in the back and seats that fold down...the 150s fir with no problem so the 70s won't be an issue...may have to make a second trip for the sub...
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  • Bill H
    Bill H Posts: 17
    edited June 2004
    If you can build the cabinet and have the room for it you should build a Adire Audio Tempest in the Adire Alignment configuration.

    Go here to read all about it,
    http://www.adireaudio.com/Files/VentedTempestApplications.PDF

    You can also go here and click on the DIY and Avanced Projects. Use the search button and search on Tempest, You will find enough to keep you reading for weeks!
    http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/index.php

    You can also search here on the Polk forum, but you will not find as much info.

    I built mine for just a tad over $400.00 an that included 2 router bits. I'm not a cabinet maker, hell I'm not even a carpenter. If I can do it, anybody can!

    My room is 11'x33'x8' and it will shake everything in it. I did add a Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro for the parametric EQ. I set up a "house curve" with it. I works well for movies as well as music. When vistors hear it their jaw drops and say things like "that lamp is shaking"!

    The Tempest will rock your world...

    Bill
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