Subwoofer budget max $700: new vs used, brand?

The 10" SVS sub is $400 and the company has a stellar rep, although that is mostly (I think) built on their larger subs which start at app $600 for the 12" model.

However, IME, integration is first priority, before ultimate subwoofer quality. I use the Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller with middling quality subs and am delighted with the performance. Therefore, I'd personally spend less and buy a lower quality sub if that also allowed me to buy a good controller for improved integration. I'm sure others will disagree.

You can get the Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller on line at $400. This has a very flexible low pass filter (and a rudimentary high pass for your mains), room analyzer, and PEq to allow (with some work and some patience) seamless integration of a sub (or subs, up to 3) with many different main speakers. I haven't heard the 10" SVS, but given the company's reputation alone, I'd be awfully tempted to go with that sub and the SMS-1. Caveat: total cost of $800 is a bit over your max.

Marty

Marty, thanks for your thoughtful response. It's caught me off guard. You're saying that integration is the priority and that a trade off in the speaker (at my price point) could be considered.
Do you think this is the best approach for a room that can sound very different depending on your location within it? I suppose if I can visualize the room's eq's, and I'm aiming (compromising!) for the best overall sound throughout the room, rather than "ideal" at the vaulted "sweetspot" or listening position, I would measure the eq at various specified positions in the room, note curves and try to reproduce a "summed" or average curve that doesn't have pronounced peaks or valleys for all measured locations? Assuming that the above approach makes sense, will the SMS help me achieve my goal?

Rel.
Worked for me.

Rabco,

I'm saying that my mediocre (compared to, say, JL or probably SVS) Velodyne SPLRs sound great when properly integrated with a good controller. They sounded pretty ratty when I tried to dial 'em in by ear. My take is that okay subs can sound very good, if you set them up correctly. I will never again attempt to integrate subs by ear - it's hard enough WITH the SMS! With the SMS, at least you'll eventually get it done right, but it will take some time & effort. By ear.....

As to multiple seating locations:

The Velodyne optimizes for 1 listening position. Audyssey makes a similar system ($2500 and up) that optimizes for multiple spots and multi-channel. No surprise that they also make a cheaper OEM product that's included in a bunch of AVRs and Pre/Pros from Integra, Dennon, Marantz, etc. This system is full range room correction - so you have to like that idea. As a practical matter, the stand alone box is pricey and the OEM product probably means replacing your preamp, pre/pro or AVR and that likely blows your budget.

Another route is from SVS which now markets a stand-alond Audyssey box for bass correction only. However, -and kinda strangely - since it's designed to take a subwoofer (LFE) input, it can't utilize the x-over function in the SVS subs. That is, it must take the LFE output from an av pre/pro, AVR, or external active x-over. It's also $700 or so and also presents budget issues for you.

In summation, no matter which sub I use, I will go for a controller, too, whether Velo's SMS, Audyssey, or some other brand. It's also the advice I'd offer you or anyone else - just based on my own personal experience.

Good Luck,

Marty

PS If you do decide to go with the SMS, be aware that you need a monitor with S video input to use the room analyzer. Since it sounds like your set-up is AV, shoulodn't be any issue.