Need decision help SVS 12" sub or DIY setup?

[Fustern]

Hey everyone,

I am new here and would like some of your expertise. I am at trying to make a decision about whether to simply purchase a SVS 12 sub ($650 shipped from SVS) or to possibly update an old home built sub that my dad made when I was a teen. I am looking at possibly going wth a better subwoofer driver and use it in conjunction with a Velodyne VRP-1200 sub I have for a little deeper bottom end in my HT setup. The homebuilt sub I have is passive, but I would like to get a standalone sub amp (NOT plate amp) that I could use with it. I use my system for 70% HT and 30% music (rock, techno, new age, classical, etc, etc).

The home built sub's INTERIOR dimensions are : 24" x 16" x 9" (2 cubic feet)and it has a single port that is 3" wide and 4.5" long. It has an old Pioneer 12" sub in there now that I want to replace with something better.

I'd like to keep the combined subdriver and sub amp to $350 max.

Would love to hear your recommendations on a quality 12" sub that would go deeper than my Velodyne 29Hz (not considering home effect) and be able to have the phase continuously adjusted for optimum timing with respect to my Velodyne's output.

Decisions decisions......new SVS sub already ready to go or save $300 or so and get a new driver that would work great in such a little ported box (2 cu ft) and add a standalone sub amp. I do NOT have woodworking skills! I don't want to save $300 to have so so sound. I want it to rival the SVS that I hear so much about.

My system includes the following:

Denon AVR 787 A/V receiver 85watts x7 with sub output
Klipsch center, tower mains, surrounds
Pioneer surround back (book shelf)
Vizio 42" LCD
Samsung upconvert DVD

Links, model #'s, opinions most appreciated!!

[Sonnie]

In that current sub box you have now with what you are willing to spend on the driver and amp, I don't think you will be able do as well as the SVS options, but some of the experts might know better. I think if you stepped up to a larger box/sonotube size and were willing to spend more money, you could obviously do pretty good going the diy route.

Between the choices you mentioned, I'd probably opt for the SVS... assuming you are looking at the 16-46 PCi at $650 or even the PB12-NSD model at $600, you'll get very usable extension down to around 16-18Hz depending on room gain.

Keep in mind too that the PB12-Plus is $250 off right now and you can tune it to 12Hz.

[Tonto]

I agree, by the time your factor in time, parts, labor...you would be better off getting a new SVS. Like you said, not knowing what you are going to wind up with is big. You also have to consider how the 2 subs will interact with each other. A lot of times the smaller sub brings down the overall affect of the larger one.

[Fustern]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just went ahead and pulled the plug and ordered a new SVS NSD12. Can't wait for it! Now to get the wife out of the house for delivery time.

[Sonnie]

Congrats...

Make sure you report back (maybe in the SVSound) forum with your thoughts and maybe even a review.