Home Theater Subwoofers

**KMdef9** · 11-27-2012, 11:10 AM

I recently purchased a subwoofer for my budget home theater system from Amazon, during their not-to-miss lightning deals weeks (I always end up shopping for myself while shopping for others....). Not too bad from the reviews and it's in my current budget (determined by the Fiance, lol). However, today, another deal came up on another product. I paid the same price for each, it will cost me nothing to send either back.

Product#1: Energy ESW M-8
Manufacturer website link: Energy : Subwoofers : ESW-M8

Product #2: Klipsch 12HG Synergy
No link for manufacturer website, I believe it's a discontinued model.

Which one should I keep?
Is a floor facing sub better because it's less directional than the front facing? This might be ideal b/c I only have 2 places to put it.
It isn't that important to match your other speakers with the sub, correct?
Any other points I should be looking?
What size wire are you guys using for your speakers?

Few facts for my specific application:
- I will use my theater system for music more often than movies
- I Like bass, no so much it drowns everything out, but feeling the music/movie is sweet
- The room it's going in is 12ft x 15ft x 8ft
- I got a brand new Harman/Kardon ($200, originally $500) receiver with Energy surround sound speakers ($100, originally $300)
- I've had Klipsch's 5.1 computer speaker system (currently the theater system) for 10+ years now, still works, I just want more quality
- I'm new to home audio
- Gun to my head, I'd go Klipsch

Any input is appreciated!

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-27-2012, 02:59 PM

I run an Infinity 12" front-facing 400W powered subwoofer for my home theater set-up and with it set to around 70% output, it hits pretty hard. It isn't over-powering though.

I have never heard of the Energy brand, but then again I've been out of the home audio era for quite awhile now. Klipsch on the other hand is a great speaker and I rarely see too many bad reviews on them.

The Energy does go down to 30Hz though, as opposed to the Klipsch's 40Hz. You might get more emphasis using the lower frequency for some music and movies. On the flip side, any speaker rated for that much power and only being $300 would give me concerns.

**KMdef9** · 11-27-2012, 03:50 PM

Good points.

The Klipsch is also a 12' woofer versus the 8' Energy. The Energy line seemed to be liked on newegg, so I went with surround sound and would imagine they produced a decent sub.

The bloated 1200watt rating has me concerned as well.

How much did your infinity run you? Worth the cost?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-27-2012, 03:57 PM

I want to say I paid somewhere in the ballpark of $450 for it, but I've owned it a good 6-7 years now. It has been flawless and one of the better sounding subs I've ever owned. I'm very happy with my choice.

**SiggyZ** · 11-27-2012, 04:27 PM

I'd personally hang onto the Klipsch. It's a proven brand.

**KMdef9** · 11-27-2012, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

I want to say I paid somewhere in the ballpark of $450 for it, but I've owned it a good 6-7 years now. It has been flawless and one of the better sounding subs I've ever owned. I'm very happy with my choice.

I wanted to keep it around $300 for the sub. Ill keep infinity in mind when it's time to upgrade.

Originally Posted by SiggyZ

I'd personally hang onto the Klipsch. It's a proven brand.

I agree, my older set has been abused and still is going strong. Just wasn't sure about this random brand or if there was a better deal out there.

What gauge wire are you guys using for your satellite speakers? Do you use those banana connectors?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-27-2012, 05:34 PM

My floor standing speakers have the plastic screws on the backside of them that you just screw down onto the bare speaker wire. They are Polk Audio floor standing speakers with (3) 6" mid-range speakers and (2) 1" tweeters (if memory serves me correctly). My sub connection is a single component connection from the receiver, no speaker wire. It plugs directly into the outlet behind the television stand.

My speaker wire is your standard 16 gauge wire for both my floor standing speakers and my center channel and surround speakers. My floor standing speakers are relatively close to my receiver. Receiver is 100W X 7.

**BlackSS1** · 11-27-2012, 06:37 PM

I agree keep the Klipsch, great brand and their subs re well designed and durable. I also have a 10+ year old set that sounds new.

16 gauge wire is fine, and banana connectors are very convenient if you move your stuff around much at all.

Couple more brands to consider at upgrade time:
Hsu Research subs
PSB speakers

Both brands have amazing sound for the $$$