Sub questions

ok this might sound crazy...but you should seriously consider the partsexpress.com $125 10" 100 watt subwoofer.

it's known as the "tiny mity II"

i have the original version and it is probably the best subwoofer that's less than $300 (besides DIY)

it isn't the best looking sub...but it is built very solid (1/2"-3/4" MDF with a good deal of bracing inside...it weighs 35lbs) and it features a very nice dayton 10" driver


as for the passive thing...you'll need to buy an amp for it...you can use an old stereo receiver or a real sub amp like those found at parts express

Paradigm subs are as accurate as they get, they will NEVER be boomy, and too many, they sound underpowered, but that's their nature, I think you should try one out before you buy it, since a lot don't like it, the Servo-15 has some power (400W), so it doesn't have the problem, but it's expensive...I've heard good things about the Parts Express DIY subs, especially the 12" Titanic Mk.II, which is like 400 bucks

the 10" 100 watt PE sub isn't a kit...it's prebuilt for $125


my opinions on best subs for the money....

the PE 10" sub- $125

the PE titanic kit- $350 or the EZsub14 kit from creativesound.ca for $320ish shipped

Adire Rava- $400

Hsu VTF-2- $450-500

then SVS from there on up

If you go with a passive sub you will need a power amp, and you will probably want a variable electronic crossover. But, for your budget you are probably better off going with a powered sub. May want to check out E-bay, or Audiogon.

For $350, you can get this from partsexpress. Sounds like a nice little sub. I wouldn't get anything less than this.

Here's a review from wes phillip:

http://www.onhifi.com/product/dayton_titanicsub.htm

yeah, you probably don't want the passive sub. most subs that have built in amps have built in crossovers too. so they are really easy to integrate into your existing system. many subs also have inputs for all 5 channels of surround sound, if you want to use it that sort of environment too.

anyway, normally you would hook up your source, or preamp outs to the sub. then take the sub's outputs and connect them to the loudspeaker's amps. pretty easy. if you get a passive sub that doesn't come with a controller, you're gonna end up with a much more complex system.

also... you didn't mention what loudspeakers you're using. you probably don't want the biggest subs for tiny monitors... it'll just not be very balanced. but if you have modestly large speakers to big ass speakers, i would recommend the Bag End Infrasub 18"..... these things are badass! they have a measured bass extension down to 8hz!!!!!! and no, they ain't lying on their specs. Bag End is well known in the pro audio world, and i have no doubt they are plenty serious with this amp. no, you cannot hear 8hz, but you can feel it!!! if i had a home theater, these would be my dream subs... even if i had a choice of more expensive models. the infra sub retails for about $1500, but i saw it on ebay for $800-900 before.

if you want even more juice than the infrasub, bag end sells professional systems that include double 18" woofers + custom controller (their controller is required for 8hz operation.) but that's big bucks. supply your own amp too.

...for powered systems, i still recommend pro recording hardware above all else. Mackie and Genelec both introduced dedicated subs for their powered monitors... but prices range from $1500 for low end mackies and genelecs all the way to $8000+ for the bigger genelec subs.

personally, i use the NHTPro B-20 dual-sub system ($2000.) but i probably wouldn't recommend them for any other speakers than the A-20's. they don't shake the room like many subs... and don't sound as deep. but they match the a-20's sound very well and are very accurate. but probably not very impressive in an audiophile system. though if you want accurate and non-exaggerated bass, you could try them out. plus they're stereo (can be switched mono via remote--also has bypass on remote,) which is interesting. theoretically stereo-ness shouldn't matter in bass frequencies... but the subs do produce some sound in the higher-range. so.... i dunno. i have them mounted on 26" stands just like stereo monitors.... sounds great to me.

i could have sworn he said something about psb alphas.

The PSB is supposedly pretty good, more movie-like than the Paradigm (that's for sure), so I think it'd integrate into a HT moreso than the Paradigm.

sorry... my mistake.

I have primarily PSB speakers, including the mentioned PSB Subsonic 5. In general, when auditioning in that price range, I liked PSB first and Paradigm a very close second--very similar sound and design philosophy. I think you'd be fine with the PSB Sub 5 or the Paradigm PDR-10. I'd take the PSB over the Paradigm PDR-8 because the PSB is a 10-inch sub and has more impact than the PDR-8. But between the two 10" subs, both very nice fo the price.

Velodyne will be great at your price-point.

I prefer Velodyne to the PSBs, Paradigms, and Def Techs in the same price range.

Velodyne, REL.... M&K if you're feeling norti...

For music, i'd go for a sealed enclosure. I find reflex loaded enclosures "boom" more than sealed box varieties, which makes them good for movies and explosions and stuff, but can be interpreted as sluggish and boomy for music...

B&W is putting out excellent sealed subs that are also very musical...

I picked up a pair of ACI Force subs a couple of days ago and they sound pretty good. My room is a bit on the small side, but the bass that comes out is very tight and keeps up with the monitors fine. Integration is quite good too. You can read reviews of the ACI Force here:

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equi..._subwoofer.htm