Subwoofer Dilemma

[PS3+HDDVD OWNER]

Ok guys.

I'm finally ready to take the plunge and order a subwoofer for my home theater. My budget will be about $500, and i don't intend on spending anything over that amount. I currently live in an apartment, so i really dont need an SVS or anything earthshaking right now. I need some opinions regarding which sub or sub(s) to go with. Here are the two subs i'm debating between.

eD A2-300 Elemental Designs has these listed at $350 on their website, but i'm not sure if they charge tax/shipping. This is my 1 sub option. Only issue, the things a tank and the finace' will not be happy!

(2) Acoustic Audio HD Sub 12's Equal bass distribution, right Big Daddy?! Listed at $200 each with free shipping, i have the opportunity to rock 2 of these bad boys! Only issue, the fiance' might kill me for not only getting 1 sub but getting 2!

These two options above are difficult to choose between. Both subs are sold exclusively online, so i cannot demo either of them. I've heard rave reviews about both, and i'm torn. I guess when it comes down to it, i'm leaning towards going with the 2 Acoustic Audio subs. I get 2 subwoofers, which will help enhance bass distribution, and i dont have to wait a month to get my woofer. Thats really hurting eD's chances on getting an order from me. Not sure why they still build those things to order when it seems like EVERYONE around here has one.

What do you guys think?

I'll list my setup the sub is going into below

Samsung PN50A460
Onkyo 605
Monitor 50 Fronts
CS2 Center
T15 Surrounds

Very basic setup as you can see

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by PS3+HDDVD OWNER

Ok guys.

I'm finally ready to take the plunge and order a subwoofer for my home theater. My budget will be about $500, and i don't intend on spending anything over that amount. I currently live in an apartment, so i really dont need an SVS or anything earthshaking right now. I need some opinions regarding which sub or sub(s) to go with. Here are the two subs i'm debating between.

eD A2-300 Elemental Designs has these listed at $350 on their website, but i'm not sure if they charge tax/shipping. This is my 1 sub option. Only issue, the things a tank and the finace' will not be happy!

(2) Acoustic Audio HD Sub 12's Equal bass distribution, right Big Daddy?! Listed at $200 each with free shipping, i have the opportunity to rock 2 of these bad boys! Only issue, the fiance' might kill me for not only getting 1 sub but getting 2!

These two options above are difficult to choose between. Both subs are sold exclusively online, so i cannot demo either of them. I've heard rave reviews about both, and i'm torn. I guess when it comes down to it, i'm leaning towards going with the 2 Acoustic Audio subs. I get 2 subwoofers, which will help enhance bass distribution, and i dont have to wait a month to get my woofer. Thats really hurting eD's chances on getting an order from me. Not sure why they still build those things to order when it seems like EVERYONE around here has one.

What do you guys think?

Let me ask you this, is bass distribution a real problem for your room? Are you getting uneven bass response? You seem to understand the true need for a 2 sub set-up, so if this is a real problem, you may want to lean with the 2 AA's. There have been many discussions on what is better, 1 very good, powerful sub, or a 2 "lesser" sub set up. It seems to be drawn down the middle if you ask me. Everyone's room is different, so it is kinda hard to recommend which may be best for your room. In my room, I had 2 "lesser" subs , but I just ordered one very good sub, so I will get to find out for me which is better and if any bass voids will "re-appear" with the one sub set-up.

[StimpsonJCat]

The eD should be $350 shipped (they don't charge shipping). IMHO it would be better than 2 HD SUB 12s. I also think it would be worth the wait.

I doubt you can find more subwoofer bang for your buck at $350 shipped.

[PS3+HDDVD OWNER]

For right now, i'm still living in my 1 bedroom apartment. It's a pretty decent size though at 900 sq. ft. The Kitchen/Living room are wide open, which is primarily where my bass distribution concerns are coming from. I enjoy listening to HT setups where the sweet spot is pretty wide open.

I love the eD sub, and the specs on it are impressive. Just not sure i can handle another 4-6 weeks without any bass

And i cant help but think about a setup with 2 AA subs...

[JasonR]

You can call and find out the wait time, some people have been getting them in a lot less time than that.

For me, the wait was worth it.

[bluRazor]

got mine in about a week. theyre faster now. if she doesnt kill you for getting the ed, wait a month and get 2.

[arrt vandelay]

Originally Posted by PS3+HDDVD OWNER

Ok guys.

I'm finally ready to take the plunge and order a subwoofer for my home theater. My budget will be about $500, and i don't intend on spending anything over that amount. I currently live in an apartment, so i really dont need an SVS or anything earthshaking right now. I need some opinions regarding which sub or sub(s) to go with. Here are the two subs i'm debating between.

eD A2-300 Elemental Designs has these listed at $350 on their website, but i'm not sure if they charge tax/shipping. This is my 1 sub option. Only issue, the things a tank and the finace' will not be happy!

(2) Acoustic Audio HD Sub 12's Equal bass distribution, right Big Daddy?! Listed at $200 each with free shipping, i have the opportunity to rock 2 of these bad boys! Only issue, the fiance' might kill me for not only getting 1 sub but getting 2!

These two options above are difficult to choose between. Both subs are sold exclusively online, so i cannot demo either of them. I've heard rave reviews about both, and i'm torn. I guess when it comes down to it, i'm leaning towards going with the 2 Acoustic Audio subs. I get 2 subwoofers, which will help enhance bass distribution, and i dont have to wait a month to get my woofer. Thats really hurting eD's chances on getting an order from me. Not sure why they still build those things to order when it seems like EVERYONE around here has one.

What do you guys think?

I'll list my setup the sub is going into below

Samsung PN50A460
Onkyo 605
Monitor 50 Fronts
CS2 Center
T15 Surrounds

Very basic setup as you can see

i've got an a2-300 and can recommend it. but if you're tinkering w/ spending around $500, i would wholeheartedly recommend a hsu vtf 2mk3, which is now on sale at hsuresearch.com. i had a hsu stf-2 in a townhome setting before i bought my eD for my house, and i absolutely loved it. the hsu was an awesome sub, i still sometimes miss it. i may end up w/ another one later this yr to play alongside my a2-300. from what i've read, the vtf2 mk3 is an extremely linear sub all the way down to 18hz, and in my opinion it would be better than either option(a2-300 vs 2 aa's). but if you want to save 150 bucks, the a2-300 is definitely a good bang for you buck that will definitely go deeper than the aa's...

[Big Daddy]

In almost all cases, two subwoofers are better than one. In addition, they have the benefit of irritating your fiance (WAF). You may have to sleep on the couch, but you will be very happy with even and smooth bass across the room. You get to sleep in a different location in the room, but the bass will be even and great.

In a few nights, after she finds out that you are enjoying yourself too much in your HT room, she will beg you to come back to the bedroom. She will also accuse you that you love your subwoofers more than her. Women don't like their boyfriends/husbands to have too much fun by themselves.

I need to create a thread on the Art of Irritating Your Significant Other. That is my real area of expertise.

[Steve]

I think the eD would be the best choice. The reason is that a single eD is superior to a single AA sub, as I understand it. Then if you decide to go the dual sub route, you just get another eD. If you get the AAs and decide to upgrade later on, you'll be replacing 2 subs, rather than adding one and keeping one.

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I need to create a thread on the Art of Irritating Your Significant Other. That is my real area of expertise.

I may be able to provide some valuable information for that thread.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I think the eD would be the best choice. The reason is that a single eD is superior to a single AA sub, as I understand it. Then if you decide to go the dual sub route, you just get another eD. If you get the AAs and decide to upgrade later on, you'll be replacing 2 subs, rather than adding one and keeping one.

That is my stance as well.

[Driver_King]

Somehow, that is exactly what I tried to say but it never came out that simple.