Looking to splurge but need help

[hsox05]

Considering using my tax refund to bolster my bass in my home theater. Right now I have a PSW505, which has been decent for me for movies if not a little boomy... But not so hot for music.

Couple options I'm looking at are

Hsu Research VTF-15h
Rythmik FV15HP

My room size is roughly 14x24 with vaulted ceiling, and you can see the rest of my current setup in my signature. Receiver is a Sony STRDH820

So my specific questions-

1 is that receiver even enough to handle these kinds of subs? I don't want to have to upgrade that too unless I absurdly have to, but I also don't want to damage any equipment or waste the higher priced subs on inadequate peripheral equipment
2 is a sub cable the best connection to be using for this type of setup?
3 which of these (or maybe even another suggestion) should I be looking at around this price range with the intent of drastically improving music quality over my current setup while not sacrificing the right type of bass for films?

Everything else... Levels, placement, etc i seem to do a pretty decent job of. I am just not sure the fine details of the better subs and want some advice on what I should splurge on to go with the rest of my setup.

[Joshjp]

1st your AVR wont hurt anything, as Subwoofers use there own power, so dont worrie about that, Also whats your MAX budget?, those are both great subs, either would blow away the Polk sub.

I would check out Power Sound Audio subwoofers, they are great for the money, i would call Tom V, at 330-349-0943, he is one of the owners of PSA subwoofer, he can check to see if he has a sub that will fit your needs.

[hsox05]

Good to have a direct line for questions, thanks for that.

I don't want to spend any MORE than that rythmik, which including shipping is likely to run close to 1400 if I do the oak grain instead of the piano black. That's kind of pushing how much I even really want to spend but it's not out of budget

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by hsox05

Good to have a direct line for questions, thanks for that.

I don't want to spend any MORE than that rythmik, which including shipping is likely to run close to 1400 if I do the oak grain instead of the piano black. That's kind of pushing how much I even really want to spend but it's not out of budget

I was going to get the Rythmik FV-15HP, but Tom said its a great sub, but if you want the bass to go below 20HZ, you will need to plug one port, so now your left with one 3inch port, so at high volumes you might get some port chuffing, that why i went with the PSA XV-30.

[Joshjp]

Also how loud do you normally listen to?

[hsox05]

Well I have young kids, so on average it's a pretty moderate volume. But when I get a chance to actually sit down and watch as I like, I have my receiver at around 28 which isn't much different than a cinema

[Joshjp]

so at -28 from reference level? are your speakers calibrated to 75db?

[hsox05]

Yes they are but that receiver doesn't work as negatives... It's like a volume knob. Not sure how it translates, sorry

[HAMP]

I don’t want to step on anyone toes here, because Joshjp has given some great advice, I just want to add another option.

I’m just going to go buy your budget about of less then $1400.

SVS has some very nice entry level box subs that are ported. They have a price for dual subs at $949.00 with free shipping, and they come with a 45 day trail.

Dual SVS PB-1000

I would get those, and take the balance and put towards some better surround speaker.

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by hsox05

Yes they are but that receiver doesn't work as negatives... It's like a volume knob. Not sure how it translates, sorry

Ok, yea i dont know how that translates neither, so how loud does that avr go up to?.

[hsox05]

Looking up specs and pics, that xv30 is MASS-IVE

Since I am fairly "n00bish" to the world of subwoofers, can someone explain to me the actual differences between that Xv30 and the hsu vtf-15h as far as what I would hear? I know I can call the guy from PSA, and I probably will. But at the same time, I don't know how unbiased he would be if I am asking about his own product.

There is a several hundred dollar difference in price.

Also, do the Satin black vs "real wood veneer" finishes make a difference in Sound? because there is always a fairly significant difference in price based on finish.

[hsox05]

Originally Posted by Joshjp

Ok, yea i dont know how that translates neither, so how loud does that avr go up to?.

It's been a while since i played with it on the highest volumes, and I am not home at the moment. But if I remember correctly, it goes to 50?

[hsox05]

HAMP, not stepping on toes at all. Purchasing below budget to upgrade my surrounds is not a bad idea... that thought is kind of making me lean a little closer to the HSU, out of the ones I have been looking at. I may need to do some rearranging of my furniture before I make a final decision... if I am going to be getting larger surround speakers.

[HAMP]

I'm a dual sub guy, so that is the reason I mentioned that combo price, but if its going to be a single, then I would have to agree with getting the hsu vtf-15h.

That sub has too many great reviews to pass up on. The hsu vtf-15h and some of the top SVS's have had great reviews, and then sometimes when people compared the HSU to SVS's, it came down to the price and people wanting to know if the increase in price from SVS was worth it.

To me it was, but I have read to others it wasn't.

That sub, and getting better surrounds seems like a nice upgrade for now.

Not to mention also, it is a great price, if you ever decide to become a dually yourself.

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by HAMP

I don’t want to step on anyone toes here, because Joshjp has given some great advice, I just want to add another option.

I’m just going to go buy your budget about of less then $1400.

SVS has some very nice entry level box subs that are ported. They have a price for dual subs at $949.00 with free shipping, and they come with a 45 day trail.

Dual SVS PB-1000

I would get those, and take the balance and put towards some better surround speaker.

Wow, I really want to jump on those, but that is twice what I want to spend.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

Wow, I really want to jump on those, but that is twice what I want to spend.

I know what you mean. The price is so tempting, but sometimes we gotta stick to our budgets.

I would love to add those to my bedroom... lol

[hsox05]

I know there are boatloads of threads on it already, but I don't feel like digging.

Outside of a more evenly spread soundfield for the bass, what would be my benefit to getting smaller dual subs as opposed to a more powerful one?

I'm sure it could change, but right now I'm the only one over 2 years old in my house, so I'm the only one watching movies at full volume... so I don't care as much about an even sound field except for when demoing for people.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by hsox05

I know there are boatloads of threads on it already, but I don't feel like digging.

Outside of a more evenly spread soundfield for the bass, what would be my benefit to getting smaller dual subs as opposed to a more powerful one?

I'm sure it could change, but right now I'm the only one over 2 years old in my house, so I'm the only one watching movies at full volume... so I don't care as much about an even sound field except for when demoing for people.

Are you asking, what are the advantages/disadvantages of having dual subs compared to one powerful sub?

Or

Which do we believe would fit your situation better, the link I provided or the HSU

[hsox05]

well I was actually asking for the advantages/disadvantages, but if you have a way of convincing me I should go for duals based on my situation, I'll hear it

EDIT- Now you've got me thinking if I should splurge an extra 200 bucks and go for two XV15s...

[Joshjp]

I would go for the Dual XV-15's, if you do that you get 5% off each one, its a great deal, pluse the XV-15 is down fireing, so its kid friendly. just call and talk to Tom at PSA, he is super helpful.