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how much to spend on a sub?
#268235 08/05/09 02:57 AM
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I am thinking of buying 2-M2's and a VP100 for my 2600+ cubic foot living room.
I plan to use an Onkyo 606 and wondered about what to spend on a sub or two?

I have looked at Axiom of course - and I like the EP400 - but its $1100.
I have looked at SVS, Epik, Rythmik and Hsu and all the subs I am interested in cost $600+ - is that too much money?

Can anyone recommend a lower cost sub?
Should I just be quiet and spend the money?

Any help would be appreciated.
I am new at this and I fear I might spend $1000 and not hear any difference between that sub and a much cheaper one.

I do not want room shaking bass - just undistorted lows that enhance movie watching (80% of my listening).

Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike.

Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268243 08/05/09 03:20 AM
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IMO, get the most you can afford. You gain the ability to play lower frequencies (mainly for movies) and the power to fill the room.

Not sure what too much money is for a sub... I have a $2000 monster (SVS) in my similar sized room and I am grinning from ear to ear every time I watch an action movie. Do I "need" that much sub??? Maybe not, but it can handle everything I throw at it.

Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268244 08/05/09 03:27 AM
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Mike,

At first I thought I'd tell you not to go with Axiom for your subs because I for one believe you can find more 'BANG' for your buck with other brand subs. BUT, there at the end you mentioned not needing 'room shaking bass', just nice low bass for movies. Now this is where I think Axioms do very well. They aren't rap artist subs, they are more of an audiophile subwoofer.

So my advice, is if you have the loot, try an EP400 or two out in your room with your other speakers. If after 30 days they don't perform to your standards you can turn them back in and shop for another brand. My EP800 isn't going back. I had originally bought it with a return in mind if I wasn't satisfied ($2300 can buy A LOT of bass with other manufacturers) with it. But dispite having some bum parts when I received it, I am so happy with it as of now (I still have a faulty woofer to replace in it) that there's no way Axiom will get this thing back.

That is of course, unless they come out with an EP1000 sometime in the near future and I decide to upgrade! ;\)


My Stuff :

M80's
QS8's
VP150
EP800
Denon 4802
Emotiva XPA-3
Samsung BD-P3600
Sharp 65 Inch Aquos LCD
Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268245 08/05/09 03:28 AM
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All those subs you mentioned, there are others too, are very good value per $$ IMO. Remember, if you're using a sub mostly for movies (80% you say), then a sub adds a considerable amount to the movie experience. Outlaw Audio has some reasonable priced subs worth checking out also.

PS. Micah, who let the cat out of the bag re the EP1000!!

Last edited by Adrian; 08/05/09 03:30 AM.

Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
Re: how much to spend on a sub?
Adrian #268246 08/05/09 03:34 AM
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Doh!!!


My Stuff :

M80's
QS8's
VP150
EP800
Denon 4802
Emotiva XPA-3
Samsung BD-P3600
Sharp 65 Inch Aquos LCD
Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268250 08/05/09 03:53 AM
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Mike, no you certainly shouldn't "just be quiet and spend the money" because the tone of your post indicates that you're not comfortable even at the $600 level. You can spend less and get a quite good sub; for example, when you were looking at Hsu, I'd think that the STF-2 should be quite attractive to meet your needs for around $350.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268293 08/05/09 01:30 PM
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Mike,
There are lots of options out there on subs. One you might check out are the Paradigm DSP series. I almost bought one, but did go with Axiom factory outlet in the end. The Paradigm DSP's sound great and are good value for the $$ IMHO.


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Re: how much to spend on a sub?
cb919 #268311 08/05/09 04:33 PM
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THanks for the replies.

I don't have that much of a problem spending the money for good bass - and I am looking forward to the nice effect it will have for movies.

My concern was will I be able to tell the difference between a $350 sub and a $1100 sub and leads me to another question.
If I spend $1100 on a EP400 - would I be better off getting two $550 subs from another manufacturer?

Thanks again for your help

Re: how much to spend on a sub?
ab030 #268314 08/05/09 04:41 PM
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 Originally Posted By: ab030
THanks for the replies.

I don't have that much of a problem spending the money for good bass - and I am looking forward to the nice effect it will have for movies.

My concern was will I be able to tell the difference between a $350 sub and a $1100 sub and leads me to another question.
If I spend $1100 on a EP400 - would I be better off getting two $550 subs from another manufacturer?

Thanks again for your help


Yes you will be able to tell a great deal of difference between a good well designed subwoofer in the $350 price and a good well designed $1000 subwoofer. A good $350 would not be able to compete in the realm of home theatre as well not be able to provide sufficient ouput in larger rooms for more demanding music and especially home theatre compared to a good $1000 subwoofer.

As to your question about buying 1 expensive sub as opposed to 2 cheaper subs. It really depends on what you are comparing because adding a 2nd sub has its benefits though personally I would usually take 1 better peforming sub than 2 lesser subs.



I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: how much to spend on a sub?
cb919 #268317 08/05/09 04:54 PM
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 Originally Posted By: cb919
Mike,
There are lots of options out there on subs. One you might check out are the Paradigm DSP series. I almost bought one, but did go with Axiom factory outlet in the end. The Paradigm DSP's sound great and are good value for the $$ IMHO.
I have the DSP3400 and am very happy with it esp for what I paid, good bang-4-the-$$.

ab030, it also depends on your location....a number of these subs are available at a decent $$ on the US side but are somewhat more costly to bring into Canada. On the other side of it, some of the Canadian subs like Paradigm, PSB, Energy ect are usually a good deal esp in Ontario.

2 subs vs 1 sub? why not start with one and see how you make out before spending extra on another one? there'e a lot of competition in the $400-700 range.


Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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