Back to the drawing board

I hate to amid it. But all that room correction,  frequencies are over my head. I dont have that kind of knowledge.  My system does sound good and I am going to put down a 10 x 14 thick throw rug. Maybe attempt some simple room correction.  But need to find something easy. I am buying an anthem avm 60 or mrx 720. I was hoping to just push the button on ARC, walk around the room alittle with the Mike and call it a day. Lol. Enjoy some music and HT.  And see what i will do next. Music is top priority.  My HT is 5. Eventually 5.1 or 5.2. After that some atmos. But still music first. I dont need to crumble the foundation for HT.  My speaker do pretty good at HT bass and I'm happy with it. So any sub or subs I add for music will be icing on the cake. Like I said I want music lows, not HT lows. Detail, detail, detail. But I need sub budget around 2500.00.  

Elizabeth and Steve,  
I'm sure u are both right. All I have ever read about svs is how great they are and other audiophiles saying that the came from other well know subs like rel, JL, etc...... so I was quite confused how so many could be wrong. Unfortunately best buy magnolia is not the place to audition anything.  I was really set on pulling the trigger on 2 sb3000. My budget is 2500 and I am very anal when it comes to my money.  I still need a new pre. I have a dc1 and looking at avm 60 or mrx 720. So I need to be wise about my purchases. I may have to go back and talk with someone there. Unfortunately these guys just want to sell and not do the work for the commission. So I might have to order one and use the 45 day return policy.  But I will also try to demo the rel t9i in home at the same time. I wish there was a local hifi audio place close by, makes it very difficult to demo. Does every one still suggest 2 or just one higher end sub?  Anything u guys can suggest is helpful. Elizabeth do u run a sub?  Steve what subs have u demoed to the sb2000?

That makes sense Elizabeth.  I to enjoy the mids and uppers also. But excellent low bass is great also. I want it all. Lol

To be fair I haven't listened to vandersteen.  I have 2 vandy 2wq in an other room that I dont use and was going to sell. I own a spl meter from rad shack. I will look into these tools.  Hopefully i will understand it

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the help and tips, I really do appreciate everything. I am still doing my road trip tomorrow because it will be fun and I am addicted. Lol. I think I will hook up my vandys 2wqs when I get home from vaka. It's been 18 yrs since hook up and I think I forgot how.  I will hook them up with my spare amp and book shelves just in case something goes wrong.  Don't want to ruin the new equip..  Unfortunately I dont know any audiophile people in my area and if feels like a lonely road to audio heaven.  I did go to the gik website. I think I will make some diy bass traps. I have full work shop, another one of my hobbies.  I appreciate any guidance on the vandys I can get.  Again thanks for help, keep it coming. I will update you all on my trip tomorrow on the subs i demo. But I think you are all correct by saying that I need to bring my vandys to life once again. Pete

Thanks Big,
I totally agree with you and the others. Especially when I researched so much about svs. I read everything I could find on svs and never read anything really negative about them. Everything was very positive.  I need to talk with the misses tonight about a road trip tomorrow. I spoke with a couple audio places today and one place has both JL and rel.  The other store has paradigm and svs, plus many other subs. Both stores are hi end.  I was there couple months ago when I purchased my winds. Hopefully she will be into a road trip. Both places will also let me take home for demo. But I can't do it until I come from vaka. Then I will order an svs sb3000, and borrow the JL, rel and paradigm.  I really appreciate everyone's response.  Doing all this is so difficult when u need to drive far.  Hopefully i will also demo the anthem avm 60 and mrx 720. If they are both the same on music I will opt for the 720. Save a few bucks. One more question.  When I called one of the hifi stores I asked about discounts.  They said 10 percent.  Is this the norm? If not, how can i get more, they seem to be steady on 10 percent. Thank you all so much. Pete

Thanks Duke, I never really understood how to setup a sub.

Well, we are home now after a long 10 HR day. Went 2 places about 10 miles apart.  First stop, JL e110 vs REL t9i. No doubt the Ms and I both agree we love the REL t9i.  Just disappears, 3d and just such a real musical sub.  I know JL is very well made, but for us, it's REL all the way.  They did not have the s3 in stock,  mid February which is fine for us, we will be back from vaka and settled in.  Before we left we did listen to Rockport, all I can say is WOW, but back to reality 36k my pockets don't go that deep. And the setup with was another 60k.  In my dreams. Next stop quick lunch, need to feed the furnace.  Stop 3, always my favorite place because the own and staff are just awesome and they just make it fun.  This is where the paradigm defiance x12 is, but after talking with John he always brings me back to reality, place that I prefer to stay out of. Lol. He said my weak link is my lexicon dc1. Which I totally agree. He also said i probably could use a little room treatment.  Throw rug on the wood floors.  So we discussed the anthem avm 60, mrx 720 and marantz 8805. He advised to go with the 720 and save some $$$. I already own a 2ch class A and 3ch amp. He stated for me to set up the 720 and then he will make a road trip to see the room, run arc on pc and go from there. He did say I could take a used fathom and x12 if i wanted. But i should just wait and do 720, then after we check everything out I should bring in the subs and demo in home. I said i like the REL.  Lol.  He said try it first along with others and then make my choice because every room is different and if I still like REL,  I should get them. That's the great thing about going there. He doesn't care if u buy from him, he wants u happy.  So this is my plan. And seriously my vandys 2wqs are way over my head, honestly I dont have that kind of knowledge. This room is music and HT.  I will eventually do atmos, but no sides do to room configuration.    Thanks for all the input, appreciate everyone's help on this and will keep u posted on my adventures.    Pete

I will as soon as I come back.

Bob I hear you, but to me, i think they are complicated to setup. Like I said, I am really not good with this stuff.  Hence the reason I will be purchasing a anthem preamp, use the Mike and it does everything for me. I can hook up all the basic connections, but all this Hz, db, crossover, adjusting this and that etc..... confuses the heck out of me. I do love my music and ht. Thanks Pete 

Well there are a couple of things I need to do prior to adding my subs. Sitting here yesterday and today listening to music and movies, i realized my room is in need of some serious room treatment.  Hardwood floors.  I finally took notice and now I think I will treat the room first, but not over due it. Thinking thick throw rug in front of speakers. Maybe a couple of panels. So I need to address these issues first before I get a sub or two. 

Yes I do need to correct the room first.  Probably start with a throw rug or 2 on the floors. I am also thinking about some decorative acoustic panels. I have zero experience in room treatment and don't want to waste money and screw it up.