I am looking to add a subwoofer to my home theater and need some advise from the experts.  The room is 12x14 (carpet) with vaulted ceilings, left side is mostly open to a large kitchen area (all hardwood), right side has a large bay window, and the front wall has a 4'x8' hallway opening.  If the sub needs to be placed against front wall it will have to be fairly small, my tv and speakers leave little room for a sub.  There is plenty of room along the back wall, but this might not be an ideal location.

See signature for my current equipment list.

Thanks for the help!

Scott 

What is the price range that you want to go with?  A lot of talking in the Subwoofer forum that might help you out also.  The placement can be along the back wall but it all depends.  Sub placement can be tricky, a spl meter can help with that.

James

BTW, great looking setup, gotta love the lava lamp. 

James,

I was thinking in the $800-1000 range.  Thanks for the kind words.

Parts Express Dayton III kit, fun project, massive sub for the money

http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/CastleOverview.html

Epik has tremendous "bang" for your subwoofer buck.

You can locate a sub on the left or right side of system ............. lotta' choices out there ..... post in Sub Woofer section, and get ahold of theEar, he'll send you down the right road .................

scottwest:

I was thinking in the $800-1000 range. 

I am also looking for something in this price range and here are the three company's that I am looking at.

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=265&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/Products.html

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_41

I do believe that these are the best bang for the buck but THE EAR really is the man to ask.

James

jamesV:

scottwest:

I was thinking in the $800-1000 range. 

I am also looking for something in this price range and here are the three company's that I am looking at.

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=265&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/Products.html

http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_41

I do believe that these are the best bang for the buck but THE EAR really is the man to ask.

James

3 good choices.

Those look pretty good James, the price is right! 

Currently I am thinking:

Velodyne DLS 5000

or

Paradigm DSP 3400

Thoughts?

Well let me start by saying that I am not a subwoofer guy, by any means.  I just read what is posted on here by others and point out the other options out their for people looking.

Both of those look good, the only thing I can say is that the three that was posted are a good bang for the buck.  I looked up your front speakers and you do want something that can go low and it looks like all the sub can do it.  Then again if you are looking to save some money the three subs are hard to beat for $700.

If you can try to pm "The Ear" for his opinion on this matter, he is the real deal when it comes to subs.  Also check out "Michael Hurd" beast that he is building.

Just my .02

James

It really depends on the intent of the sub woofer ( movies or music). I have found the British make a great sub for the $$$$. Try http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/. I own a Rel Q201 and it is aw some with both music and movies because of the intent to recreate music with detail and finesse along with impact and thrust movies require a well rounded Sub-Bass system. Oh by the way the guys at MJ Acoustics were the same guys who made Rel the best sub bass system on the market today for musical sub systems all musicians and engineers as well.

You should look at offerings from the following companies...

AV123

SVS

HSU Research

Elemental designs

EpikSubwoofers

Rythmik Audio

You have large capable mains and they really don't need that much help from a sub above 32hz. IMOP a sub that is only good down to about 25hz isn't going to add much. You need a large sub that is going to give you a healthy dose of the 16-32hz octave. All of these companies provide real subs that have substantial output in that band. The 2 subs that you listed are both decent(I own the precurser to the DLS5000) but they aren't the bang for the buck champions.

 For an excellent, and I think very unbiased subwoofer review check this out http://www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11

 Good luck in your search.

 Rod

i just asked this question and THE EAR sent me an e mail.   he suggested epik, elemental designs, and svs.  i personally chose elemental designs because the A3-300 with the upgraded driver, and hourglass feet is $515 total including shipping.  the other two manufactures wanted several hundred more.  i felt if i was asking his advice and didn't take it, i would be a tard.  

good luck.