John's thread on small speakers reminded me... I need a new subwoofer for my "home theater", otherwise known as the basement (so, a non-so-small speaker :-). It's about 18 by 21 feet with a low 7 foot 1 inch ceiling, open on half of one wall with a hallway to another room and a staircase. I mainly watch movies and am looking for something that can fill the space... also, I'm hoping to get down to 20hz or better.

Do you guys have any favorite (and hopefully economical) brands/models? Help is much appreciated!

[Link: velodyne.com]

18" goes to 14hz, but not so economical.

You can't do much better. I've got one and I absolutely love it.

I'll 2nd the Velodyne line as well, the DD stuff are awesome. Down the economical scale are the HGS series which are almost as tight, then the SPL and DLS series work there way down the line and affordability. Dollar for dollar you can't get anything better IMHO.

If you believe the marketing department - 11hz

[Link: definitivetech.com]

First of all, without even bothering to do the math your room will have problems reaching 20Hz without equalization. I will also suggest that trying to get around the room modes will require at least 4 subs. I am not a big Velodyne fan but they will move air. RBH will be affordable but will not go down to 20Hz without going to their top models. Hsu Research may be the least expensive way to get deep bass for the least amount of money. It's not a Triad but it is a Velodyne killer. It too will move lots of air.

I doubt vrey highly that a single sub made by anyone, including Bag End will get 20 Hz wth the dimensions you supplied. Frequancy is only one factor in subwoofer performance. Power response is an other. You want to reach a db level at a particular frequancy and you are not going to do that on a budget. I'd settle for 25-30Hz and try to remain on budget.

Alan

Velodyne SPL is mighty fine.

My vote is for the Triad Platinum Powersub.

I can forsee this thread going on for a while

Daniel, check out HSU subwoofers. www.hsuresearch.com. They're an outstanding value in subwoofers and available in Toronto for what it costs to have one shipped from the States. I was the first dealer for the products in TO and I can give you a good deal on one if you like. The VTF-3 Mk2 are the most popular, with truly amazing performance. Please email me if you're interested.

[email protected]

Thanks for the suggestions so far - looking at them now.

If it helps, here's a layout of the room right now. It tends to be overcrowded with bookcases and other stuff, and furniture placement that has been mostly determined by an annoying post in the middle and a rather bulky fireplace.



Secretly I want to turn the living room into a home theater - which is above this room but somewhat larger with no post or fireplace. :-)

Check ou the SuperCube line from Definitive Tech. My favorite is the SuperCube I. Is is pretty hard to beat at $1200 retail. Very musical and VERY powerful and deep!

[Link: definitivetech.com]

I have a pair of the HSU TN 1220HOs. They are coupled to eachother and retuned to 16 hz. I would recomend them.

The Velodyne DD or on a budget the SPL. I honestly have never heard a better sub than the digital drive (Other than bag end). The Bag end stuff is really nice, but you would have to get a mortgage to afford one. The DD15 or 18 would work great. Maybe even two 12's.

Also others to look at revel, bag end, hsu, triad.

What type of speakers are you running?

Mike

I love the DD15 from Velodyne as well. For the ultimate sub though, the Genelec HTS6 (definetly not economical).

No one has mentioned REL. They also make great subs, but perhaps more for music than home theater... Also not too 'economical'.