Best subs in the $450-800 category

dane_peterson
dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
edited March 2007 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
I'm sorry, but I'm simply not going to spend over $1000 on a subwoofer, so the SVS Plus/Ultras are out of the question. Maybe several years down the road, but our listening area is relatively small, and I don't want to piss off the neighbors more than I already do. :P

So what would you recommend? I've read good things about HSU VTF-2/3s, the SVS SB12-Plus, Rocket UFW-12s... What would you pick?
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited February 2007
    I can put you in a Paradigm Servo 15 for $800+ ship.
    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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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2007
    If you want to stay on the lowest end of that, try to find an Mirage Omni S-12. It's an $800 sub that was on closeout at Tweeter long ago for around $400. Not many better (and better looking) subs available for $400.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2007
    Take a look at the ACI Force XL. It's in your price range & gets rave reviews.
    http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/forcexl/forcexl.htm
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • flr057
    flr057 Posts: 20
    edited February 2007
    My only Polk presently is a PSW-505 and I'm very happy with it. At 300w RMS, I keep the volume on 4.5 for my 12' x 24' HT room. Any more is too much.


    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000092TT0/interactiveda289-20
    Yamaha RX-V995
    HK PA 5800
    Klipsch KLF-10 (front)
    Klipsch Academy (center)
    Polk Rt- (rears)
    SVS - PC12- NSD
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited February 2007
    Anyone have comments on the Sunfire True Subwoofer? There seem to be several different versions... the EQ, the Signature, and just the regular one. I've found a few lately within my pricerange.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    Here is a nice sealed box unit from SVS. http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm
    I have a strong preference for the tight detailed bass of properly designed sealed box subwoofers like this one.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    If Russ is serious about the Servo 15...snap it up...now.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited February 2007
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260090064004&fromMakeTrack=true

    These look familiar? Looks like he's selling off stuff to get Russ's sub.

    Dane, what will you be going with?
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2007
    Dane, giving up on the 9's already? What about the trade for the T-20 Euros?!?!? Did you forget about me already?

    I may put a bid in to get your started on moving the LSi9s. Do you think $50 will be enough to take them home :)
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited February 2007
    IB baby... IB

    The culthttp://www.ibsubwoofers.proboards51.com
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited February 2007
    Oh shoot, the Euros!? How could that have slipped my mind...

    Yes, the 9's are up for sale. Early today I got an excellent deal on a brand new, warrantied pair of ebony LSi9s. I will honor a $50 discount if the high bidder is a ClubPolk member... just for all the help you guys have brought.
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited February 2007
    I'm the high bidder at $37.50. I think I will win. Will you credit the $50.00 towards shipping if I do?
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited February 2007
    You bet. :P
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  • MikDrago
    MikDrago Posts: 18
    edited March 2007
    I have an SVS PCi 25-31 and it is amazing. The PCi 20-39 is only 599. I think it has plenty of power. Sub amp gain set at about a third of the way up and reciever at about -5. I calibrate my sub at about +2 over my mains.
    I don't know how the HSU sound but I love my SVS. I would have went with the 20-39 but the WAF would not allow the taller sub. Plus, SVS gives you 45 days to try it out. I am sure others here would recommend SVS.
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    Many would and do, but the cylinder-style is out of the question due to WAF.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    So what would you recommend? I've read good things about HSU VTF-2/3s, the SVS SB12-Plus, Rocket UFW-12s... What would you pick?

    The SVS will be just fine.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • goingganzo
    goingganzo Posts: 2,793
    edited March 2007
    i say go ib here is mine
    http://www.geocities.com/theirishgonzo/sono.html?1026404988079

    i say go with 4 of these and a $200 pro amp
    http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited March 2007
    What about a used Sunfire Super Junior? I have a pretty small room and it has more power on tap than I could possibly use. Watching top gun usually gets the neighbors to visit....Hehehe.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2007
    ......
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    /////
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  • crd2002
    crd2002 Posts: 174
    edited March 2007
    I have a velodyne DLS4000 for 499.00 and I'm very happy 20x20 room
    Home Theater sony 52 inch lcd,Cinenova grande 7 channel, polk RTI8,CSI5,FXI5,onkyo 805
    2 Channel rig Sunfire grand cinema 5ch,sunfire TGA III,Rotel 1072,polk RTI12,Monster hts 5100
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  • bms
    bms Posts: 182
    edited March 2007
    My svs pb10-isd (now nsd) does nicely in my 21' x 13' x 8' family room - hits hard and digs real deep - I love it. It's only $429, and the plus series starts at only $699. Other companies make really good subs, but I'd go with svs for performance/price.
    bms
    bms
    Family Room:
    Onkyo TX-RZ920
    Outlaw 2200 monoblock amps x 3
    Sony UBP-X700
    Sony A80J 77” OLED
    Polk LSiM 705’s
    Polk LSiM 706
    Polk LSiM 703’s
    Polk RTi4's
    Dual SVS PB13-Ultra’s
    PC13-Ultra

    Bonus Room:
    Onkyo TX-SR806
    PS3
    Panasonic TC-P42G10
    Polk RTi10's
    Polk CSi5
    Polk R50's
    SVS PB10-ISD

    For sale:
    Onkyo TX-SR603X
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2007
    I couldnt decide so I built my own.:D :p
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2007
    Just some info based on my own experience; I had the SVS PB10-ISD and I thought it did a fine job on my 20x25 room, until I upgraded to the PCI 20-39+. HUGE difference.
    Go with the baddest SVS you can afford.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    Here's my dilemma now... I want PIANO black if I go with SVS. But I simply can't afford it.
    HSU's VTF-3 MK2's are clearanced to $559. If I jump on that, I'd still have enough to get a pair of LSi7s for surrounds. Then my 5.1 would be complete, and I could upgrade when I get a larger place. Right now the room we're in is like 14' x 18', so I don't need all that much. It seems there's a decent HSU following on here... thoughts?
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    Here's my dilemma now... I want PIANO black if I go with SVS. But I simply can't afford it.
    HSU's VTF-3 MK2's are clearanced to $559. If I jump on that, I'd still have enough to get a pair of LSi7s for surrounds. Then my 5.1 would be complete, and I could upgrade when I get a larger place. Right now the room we're in is like 14' x 18', so I don't need all that much. It seems there's a decent HSU following on here... thoughts?
    A buddy of mine has the 3.2. It's an amazing performer. Many prefer it to SVS. It's certainly equivalent or within a nat's **** of a PB12. Go for it.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited March 2007
    No brainer with your requirements: VTF-3 MK2
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    Just pulled the trigger on the HSU VTF-3 MK2. For just over $600 shipped, it's pretty hard to match that price/performance IMO. Thanks for the help guys!
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  • mldennison
    mldennison Posts: 307
    edited March 2007
    please let me know how you like it. i will be in the market for a new sub sometime soon and hsu is definately on my list.
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  • slush
    slush Posts: 124
    edited March 2007
    I am going to jump on an HSU here in the next week. I couldn't decided on the VTF-3 MK3 or the HO, now the HO is out of stock and I think that is the one I want :(
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