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First question, what is your budget. Also, it is possible you are running your sub to hot, if it is breaking up? Have you calibrated it with the other speakers to the same SPL?

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When we say "hot" that is referring that you have the volume (gain) set to high for the sub. Many people like to crank up the sub volume either on the sub or receiver, much higher than recommended. I like to set my receiver sub level adjustment to 0dB, and then adjust the subs volume(gain) up/down until I reach 75dB's on the SPL meter (see below).

Calibration is done by purchasing a Radio Shack SPL meter, placing it in the primary listening position, and run the receivers test tones, and then adjust each speaker, including the sub to 75dB's.

Also, you normally want to let your receiver manage the sub's crossover setting. So if your sub has a crossover knob, put it on bypass or crank it all the way clockwise to get it out of the way. Then on the receiver most people will set all speakers to "small" with a crossover of 80hz. Anything sent to the speakers below 80hz, will be redirected to the sub.

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That little Hsu is a great sub. Though in your room, you may want more. With a $1200 budget, Axiom's own EP500 is astounding. Mated with the M60ti's it'll be able to blow your socks off. (I mean that literally!)

re: usage, IMHO...you should use your sub with music as well as movies. A good sub is designed for both. Both the little Hsu you have and an EP500 are great subs, and can really round out the sound of your music.

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Here is a list of rankings compiled by my friend Craigsub. They are his opinion, no more, no less, based on a good amount of objective measuring and a lot of subjective listening. Though Craig is relatively knowledgeable when it comes to subwoofers, accepting or rejecting his conclusions is up to each individual.

1. JL Audio Fathom 113: 103 points.
2. Velodyne DD-18: 100 points.
3. ACI Maestro: 97 points.
4. JL Audio Fathom 112: 95 points.
5. Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo: 94 points
5a. Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo: 92 points
6. SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points.
6T. Axiom EP-500: 90 points
7. SVS PB12-Plus/2: 87 points.
8. Rocket UFW-12: 85 points (provisional)
9. Rocket X-Sub: 78 points
10. Rocket Tyke: 60 points

"The Axiom EP-500 and the PB12-Ultra are virtual ties. The Axiom is a little more articulate, while the Ultra yields an extra 1/2 octave deeper."

How the scaling works is this: each 3 points represents a 15% higher level of overall performance. It is also cumulative.

For example, The Fathom 113 is 43 points higher than the TYKE. Grab a calculator, and you will see you have 14.33 consecutive 15% improvements.

Take 1.15 x 1, and do it 14 times, and you get 7.08. Next, multiply 7.075 x 1.05, and you get 7.43.

In other words, the Fathom has 743% higher performance than does the Tyke.

The Hsu VTF-3 HO W/Turbo has 38.9% higher performance than does the SVS PB12-Plus/2 (in this case, the overall musicality added to extension wins the day).

The Fathom 113 has 46.5% higher performance than does the 112.

As an aside, to keep this from being overcomplicated, each single point outside the 3 point criteria is scored at 1.05, not according to a true scale, which would be 1.0477.

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When we say "hot" that is referring that you have the volume (gain) set to high for the sub. Many people like to crank up the sub volume either on the sub or receiver, much higher than recommended. I like to set my receiver sub level adjustment to 0dB, and then adjust the subs volume(gain) up/down until I reach 75dB's on the SPL meter (see below).

Calibration is done by purchasing a Radio Shack SPL meter, placing it in the primary listening position, and run the receivers test tones, and then adjust each speaker, including the sub to 75dB's.

Also, you normally want to let your receiver manage the sub's crossover setting. So if your sub has a crossover knob, put it on bypass or crank it all the way clockwise to get it out of the way. Then on the receiver most people will set all speakers to "small" with a crossover of 80hz. Anything sent to the speakers below 80hz, will be redirected to the sub.

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