Best sub for under $500?

Face
Face Posts: 14,340
edited March 2007 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
I'm looking for something that'll hit low, but'll also have nice tight bass. I know that's a lot to ask for something in that price range, but it's all I can afford to spend for a while.
The room is aprox. 10x18 and has a tile floor on a slab if that matters.

I was looking at the Polk PSW404 or the SVS PB10 NSD.

I've also considered building something. But, I would want to copy someone else's proven design since I don't trust myself. :D

TIA!
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
Post edited by Face on
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Comments

  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2007
    How about a DIY sub, like the 15" Dayton Titanic MKIII coupled to a 500 watt plate amplifier?

    Total comes out to less than $500.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2007
    As far as building one, I'm not afraid of electronics, just building the enclosure. I'm having a hard time understanding all the formulas needed to calculate the box dimensions, ports, etc..
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2007
    You'd be hard pressed to find a better sub under 5 bills than the PB10, though it would be a question of taste. The Hsu VTF2.3 and 3.2 are slightly more...probably around $600 shipped.

    You might look at Elemental Designs...they are making a budget sub ~ the $350 price point that's supposed to be good, but they are having a heck of a time filling orders.

    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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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    I just ordered my HSU VTF3 MKII for $612 shipped. It arrives on Tuesday... I'll let you know how I like it.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2007
    I second the DIY sub. If you don't feel up to the wood working, which I don't blame you, you could go with one of the DIY subwoofer kits. It saves you a bunch of money because you assemble it.

    http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&DID=7&CATID=29&ObjectGroup_ID=536
    Jake
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited March 2007
    zingo wrote:
    I second the DIY sub. If you don't feel up to the wood working, which I don't blame you, you could go with one of the DIY subwoofer kits. It saves you a bunch of money because you assemble it.

    http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&DID=7&CATID=29&ObjectGroup_ID=536

    I think the DIY kits from Parts Express are also great. I am currently using a 15" Titanic MKIII with a 1024 watt plate amp in a custom enclosure and it sounds great!
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • kingtut
    kingtut Posts: 813
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    I just ordered my HSU VTF3 MKII for $612 shipped. It arrives on Tuesday... I'll let you know how I like it.

    Dane, I own the same sub for a couple of yrs now. You won't be disappointed. Good choice!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2007
    Just ordered the Elemental Designs A3 - 300 Subwoofer. I'll give a quick review in 3-4 weeks.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2007
    Face wrote:
    Just ordered the Elemental Designs A3 - 300 Subwoofer. I'll give a quick review in 3-4 weeks.


    good luck with it...they have a bottleneck in production since they assemble and paint their cabinets. Those that have received the subs are pleased for the most part, except for the wait.

    Specs look good...

    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2007
    My cabinet is supposedly in the paint shop now. They're doing a production of my series now, otherwise I probably would have held off.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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