New Sub(s) - $500 Budget - Help me Decide

[igotcabada]

Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade the last portion of my system that I feel is currently lacking. I currently have 2 Polk PSW10 subs running, and although they aren't too bad for the money, I really want to get something better.

My budget is firmly set at $500; I would like to keep it under if possible.

Let me know what you think are my best options?

Refer to this room diagram for my layout

Options I was throwing around in my head:

#1. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move one of the PSW10s to the back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram. Place new sub up front
#2. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move both of the PSW10s back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram and stack them. New sub up front.
#3. Purchase 2 of the best subs I can for my budget. Play around with the 4 subs locations to find whats best. Most likely keeping the 2 new ones up front.

Let me know what ya'll think, I know some of you love giving your opinions!

[Johk]

Well personally, I think 1) and 2) would be the best options, meaning get a bigger sub for your 500$ budget. Or perhaps you could consider selling one or both PSW10s to increase your budget.

I think you could use option 1) with co-location of your PSW10s (meaning put the two PSW10s on top of each other).

As for a sub for your 500$ budget, I would consider the usual SVS, HSU, eD, etc. recommendations.

Also, add dimensions to your layout (plus the room height) since the size of the sub depends on the volume of the room.

[arrt vandelay]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade the last portion of my system that I feel is currently lacking. I currently have 2 Polk PSW10 subs running, and although they aren't too bad for the money, I really want to get something better.

My budget is firmly set at $500; I would like to keep it under if possible.

Let me know what you think are my best options?

Refer to this room diagram for my layout

Options I was throwing around in my head:

#1. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move one of the PSW10s to the back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram. Place new sub up front
#2. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move both of the PSW10s back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram and stack them. New sub up front.
#3. Purchase 2 of the best subs I can for my budget. Play around with the 4 subs locations to find whats best. Most likely keeping the 2 new ones up front.

Let me know what ya'll think, I know some of you love giving your opinions!

buy the best sub for you budget would get my vote. if you can stretch that budget out $50 more bucks than i would recommend an eD a3-300, hsu vtf 2 mk3, or an svs pb-12 nsd. if i had my choice b/t those three, i'd get the hsu.

if you want to stay under the $500, then the svs pb-10 nsd seems like a good choice, or the eD a2-300 is a very solid performer for $350 shipped...

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade the last portion of my system that I feel is currently lacking. I currently have 2 Polk PSW10 subs running, and although they aren't too bad for the money, I really want to get something better.

My budget is firmly set at $500; I would like to keep it under if possible.

Let me know what you think are my best options?

Refer to this room diagram for my layout

Options I was throwing around in my head:

#1. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move one of the PSW10s to the back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram. Place new sub up front
#2. Purchase the best sub I can for my budget. Move both of the PSW10s back next to the couch, where the circle is on the diagram and stack them. New sub up front.
#3. Purchase 2 of the best subs I can for my budget. Play around with the 4 subs locations to find whats best. Most likely keeping the 2 new ones up front.

Let me know what ya'll think, I know some of you love giving your opinions!

I have one PSW10 sub that I use with my SVS PC12-NSD sub. For $600, you could get a cylinder sub that is a great performer. I also know from experience that the PSW10 can be used to compliment the SVS as well. Here is the link for the PC12-NSD from the SVS website...I highly recommend these subs if you have the money. Of course, I am biased because I have one, but since your set-up would be similiar to mine, I felt I should throw this out there....good luck!

[igotcabada]

Room is 12' by 20' with 8' ceilings..

Fors,

I think that SVS Cylinder sub might be a bit to tall for what I have going on ( it will cover up some of the screen ).. so all cylinder subs will be out

Looks like i will probably be deciding between the 3 art mentioned (eD a3-300, hsu vtf 2 mk3, or an svs pb-12 nsd), with hopes of adding a 2nd one in the future to compliment it

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

Room is 12' by 20' with 8' ceilings..

Fors,

I think that SVS Cylinder sub might be a bit to tall for what I have going on ( it will cover up some of the screen ).. so all cylinder subs will be out

Looks like i will probably be deciding between the 3 art mentioned (eD a3-300, hsu vtf 2 mk3, or an svs pb-12 nsd), with hopes of adding a 2nd one in the future to compliment it

Hec, my ceiling is only 7' and I have a thinner room than you do, or the same and she fits perfectly. It just comes down to placement.....but if it is too tall, there is still the PB12-NSD Box sub from SVS for only $569 plus shipping.....

[tilapiah6]

Just an FYI, the A2-300, which is currently 350 dollars, is now in stock with no waiting at Elemental Designs (normally you'd have to wait around 40 days for it to be made). It's a fantastic sub for the money.

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Hec, my ceiling is only 7' and I have a thinner room than you do, or the same and she fits perfectly. It just comes down to placement.....but if it is too tall, there is still the PB12-NSD Box sub from SVS for only $569 plus shipping.....

I'll definitely have to re-measure everything later to see, because I do like the look of that sub you have

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

Just an FYI, the A2-300, which is currently 350 dollars, is now in stock with no waiting at Elemental Designs (normally you'd have to wait around 40 days for it to be made). It's a fantastic sub for the money.

That is pretty tempting for sure... what kind of a difference will I be looking at betweend the A2-300 vs the A3-300? I know there is a power difference (300w vs 200w), but I'm not sure how this or any of the other differences come into play..

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

I'll definitely have to re-measure everything later to see, because I do like the look of that sub you have

Thanks, and although BD will send his cat to shoot me down, you could play with 3 subs, keeping the 2 PSW10's up front and place the cylinder sub in the middle back....just another thought.....by the way, you can't go wrong with any of the subs you have mentioned.

With a new sub and projector, your HT is going from good to awesome!

[Johk]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

That is pretty tempting for sure... what kind of a difference will I be looking at betweend the A2-300 vs the A3-300? I know there is a power difference (300w vs 200w), but I'm not sure how this or any of the other differences come into play..

I think you should send an email to eD with your room dimensions and they will be able to recommend which one would be the best choice for your room.

Personally, I think that the A3-300 would be better for your room.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

That is pretty tempting for sure... what kind of a difference will I be looking at betweend the A2-300 vs the A3-300? I know there is a power difference (300w vs 200w), but I'm not sure how this or any of the other differences come into play..

I recommend speaking with a rep from Elemental Designs. They are extremely helpful and have your best interests in mind. They also test them out constantly. Here's the link: http://www.edesignaudio.com/contact.php

[arrt vandelay]

i have an a2-300 in a pretty large, open room, and it does a great job. but, if i had an xtra $200 at the time i bought my a2-300, i would have gone for the a3-300 or a hsu vtf2-mk3. i actually just bought another budget sub(aa hd sub-10) to help out the a2-300.

i'd recommend contacting any of the three manufacturers that have been listed so far(eD, svs, or hsu). all have a great customer service reputation and will give you honest suggestions based on your needs and budget...

[Johk]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

you could play with 3 subs, keeping the 2 PSW10's up front and place the cylinder sub in the middle back....just another thought.....by the way, you can't go wrong with any of the subs you have mentioned.

I don't remember where but I've read that an even number of subs was better and beyond 4 there was basically no improvements (that sure depends on the room...).

Anyway that's why I recommended co-location for the PSW10's meaning that both subs would "become one" and increase the headroom.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Johk

I don't remember where but I've read that an even number of subs was better and beyond 4 there was basically no improvements (that sure depends on the room...).

Anyway that's why I recommended co-location for the PSW10's meaning that both subs would "become" one and increase the headroom by something like 6dB.

It's one of Big Daddy's stickys. However he has a killer cat with a AK-47 he sends out to do his dirty work when someone even tries to set up 3 subs, so it might be best to refrain from such talk.

[DonRSD]

the HSU is a sweet sub

though TWO AA HD 12 subs will rock the house off its foundation

[dobyblue]

You could always consider going used?

SVS CS-Ultra - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ltra-Subwoofer

Definitive Technology Powerfield 1800 18" - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ology-Powerfie

Velodyne SPL 10B - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-10B-Subwoofer

Anyone of those should handily best anything you can get new, especially that DefTech 1800.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

You could always consider going used?

SVS CS-Ultra - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ltra-Subwoofer

Definitive Technology Powerfield 1800 18" - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ology-Powerfie

Velodyne SPL 10B - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-10B-Subwoofer

Anyone of those should handily best anything you can get new, especially that DefTech 1800.

Nice finds!

Those would be really good deals! Looks like it's going to be a tough choice for igotcabada!

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by Johk

Nice finds!

Those would be really good deals! Looks like it's going to be a tough choice for igotcabada!

yeah really tough

those used subs are also very tempting, has anyone ever bought off of audiogon before? what kind of shelf life do Subs usually have?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

yeah really tough

those used subs are also very tempting, has anyone ever bought off of audiogon before? what kind of shelf life do Subs usually have?

Audiogon is very reputable. It is where most of the truest of the true audiophiles sell their stuff. So, you not only know it is in good shape, but that they are usually telling the truth so they can maintain their reputation to sell other goods as well there. A lot of members have bought stuff from them, and I have never heard of a problem at all. They sell a lot of high end equipment, so you can find some really good deals.

I would think a good sub that is taken care of should last somewhere between 5-10 years IMO.

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

You could always consider going used?

SVS CS-Ultra - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ltra-Subwoofer

Definitive Technology Powerfield 1800 18" - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ology-Powerfie

Velodyne SPL 10B - $500 - http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-10B-Subwoofer

Anyone of those should handily best anything you can get new, especially that DefTech 1800.

DAMN - The "SVS CS-ULTRA" is "asking" $500 + $59/UPS freight (lol, to MY area that is, as an example) -- you could prob. offer $450 to make up the diff. to make it $500-510 or so. -- Very Nice price for this Beast!!