Need Help Choosing A Subwoofer


Hey Guys/Gals,
Im looking to get my first home audio/video subwoofer. The room is around 10x10 give or take a little. So far I have looked at the SVS PB12-ISD/V, the Definitive Tech Super Cube II, and the Outlaw Audio LFM-1. What do you think is best so far or what else would you say is worth looking it to? I would like to keep the price below $800 (audiogon prices). Thank you so much for all those who provide help!
Jackson
bartojc
For your size room, it will be easy to pressurize it with bass. If it truly is 10 feet by 10 feet, then there may be problems with modes at certain frequencies. Don't go too big, you will waste your money. I have both Hsu VTF-3 Mark 2 (in a big room) and REL Q108E (in a small room) and I like the quality of their bass. Music is paramount to me and these two do it well. I like the trial period that Hsu, SVS and Outlaw give you because you will not know what the sub will sound like until you actually have it in your room and calibrated. If you don't like it, it just costs you shipping back to them. I think you would be happy with the outlaw sub and spend the rest of the money elsewhere. I am a big fan of Hsu subs. Good luck and happy hunting!
With a budget of 800 I'd definitely be looking at a used REL Strata or another model. They are great for HT and music.
I like your Infinity RABOS (EQ) 10 SW10(?) sub to fix your bass mode problems in that room! Otherwise, at the very least, you have to consider placing smaller fast subs at the half way room points (otherwise, a good "subwoofer table stack" in the very middle of the room to tame that serious room mode for 10' boundaries!!!
Otherwise, yes, the Paradigm PS1000 and Outlaws are good little subs for the money. Still, I like fast 8" subs for that small room, over size!
Basically, you other problem in small rooms is "bass absorbption" and too much bass energy/reverb!!!
Small rooms are compromises anyway, unless you know what you're doing, and can deal with the bass challenges, and balance the diffusion in the room (don't use too much absorbtion for mids/highs..hint.)
That all said, getting the right sub set up right (also phase/balance) is where it's at!!! Otherwise, you get what everyone else ends up with, boom and slop!
Good luck
What subs have you heard.If you could give a listen in person to any sub and then share your experience.I feel the only sub is a DIY.First off because you get what you want and not a sub that fits into a marketing structure.There are a ton of subs in your price range.IMHO you need to get an impression first to compare.Good luck!

The reason I say "in person" is you need to hear and feel bass.My sub system has (4) 15" Adire Tumults with (4) Adcom 555 mkII's bridged mono.I use a Marchand BASSIS to extend the sealed response and a Behringer 1124p to remove the room mode problems.The room is acoustically treated to a "T" and I use TrueRta to get it flat to 10hz.This is bass that at 85-90db is world class.You my think this is perfect and if you are normal you will say subwoofer "X" at the local stereo store did it for me for a fraction.It's all about figuring out how much bass and to what quality you are looking for.

Let your ears tell the story.
Tgrisham,

I also own a Hsu VTF3 and am quite happy with it. How does Hsu in your opinion compare to REL? Hsu's seem to be a better value... I am assuming that REL is a bit better at a significantly higher price... Is this a fair statement?

thanks, Paul