Looking for advice on a <$300 subwoofer

jhracer3

I'm looking for some advice on a sub $300 subwoofer. I've read quite a few of the subwoofer threads, but the discussion always seems to center around building one vs buying something new thats $800 or more. I'm totally willing to buy one used, but I'm wondering if there is some reason buying a used sub is a bad idea, as I've seen so little discussion about it.

My system consists of LSi15s, LSiC, Onkyo 709, a Parasound HCA806, (passively) biamping the 15s with the linking feature and driving the LSiC with one of the remaining channels, and a Panasonic TCP55GT30. Use is about 40/40/20 music, movies/tv, gaming. Room is a large, open floor plan loft; brick wall behind the TV, brick wall to one side, no wall to the other side, and open about 40 feet to the back of the kitchen across from the TV. 18' open beam ceiling.

I'm really looking to stay below $300; I just put together the above system in the last 8 months, plus bought a new (used) car last month, so my toy budget is just about shot for the time being.

I've also toyed with doing the LSi15 mod with the replacement polk subs, but I think I'm looking for a bit more bass than that for the movies and gaming.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to everyone's excellent advice!

kcoc321

IDK if it is still available, but there was a PSW505 in the FS for $180 + shipping.
Not the 'end all be all' sub but people seem to like them and it is within your $$$ budget.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132120-Polk-PSW-550-Power-Sub-180-shipping-ALso-subdude-for&highlight=PSW505

pietro944

How about 2 small subs?.....Recently,I bought 2 refurbished Definitive Tech Pro Sub 60's for $100/ea with free
shipping.The seller is on Ebay,he has about 100 of them left......they came well-packed in new def tech boxes.150w with 5 way binding posts....I use them speaker level to my mains and they have performed flawlessly for 3 months.

2 subs are great for balanced sound in a big room....$200 for 2 def techs?....it was a nice score....peter

codyc1ark

Your not going to get much in a sub for that range. Take a look at HSU and ED offerings, they have some smaller subs in your range I believe. Otherwise, PSW505 as mentioned above, or even a BIC f12 if you can find one. Here's an option, http://app.audiogon.com/listings/earthquake-ff12-12-powered-subwoofer

Good luck.

rooftop59

Yea I agree with Cody here. I tried a number of subs in the sub-300 range and while several of them were quite nice for music, they all left something to be desired in the ht area. You're just not going to get tight and musical bass that digs below 25 hz (at the lowest) for that price. And with Lsi15s already in the mix, I don't think 300 will get you much improvement over you current setup sans sub.

Having said that, if I were in your shows this is what I would look very seriously at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269026 I owned a version of this by energy's sister company Mirage, and it is a great sub for the money. Mirage and energy (used to) make great subs, and the were honest with their specs. I have owned several mirage or energy subs over the years and have been really impressed with all of them. This one is tight and musical and will hit in the mid to low 20s hz in room. Can't ask for more at this price.'

Good Luck!

gdb

I've been happy with several Velos thru the years.....
http://www.electotronics.com/velodyneimpact-1212imactseriessubwooferwithblackglosstrim.aspx

kcoc321

pietro, is this the guy on eBay you bought from?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-Technology-ProSub-60-Black-BNCNA-/180669861884#ht_1468wt_1163

Looks like the DT 60's are a 8" driver with 150wpc amps
Frequency Response :24 Hz ? 150 Hz

>OP: IMHO, since you said you are wanting the sub for movies and gaming, you want the 12" bigger driver for the sound effects.
Two 10" would be equal to a 12".... but IDK if you will get the punch you are looking for in a 8" sub, even a pair of them.

jbooker82

DSW Pro660WI usually goes on sale during the weekends at New Egg from $329 to $359.

cnh

With a nice pair of LSi towers you "really" should not skimp on the sub. The 15s have a limit close to 30 hz so you really want a sub that can get somewhere below that with enough power.

Lots of good "budget" suggestions above. But if you could up the budget into the 500+ range you'd open up a new can of LOWS!

The Polk DSW 600 would be the most acceptable of what we see above. With a higher budget, think HSU, EPIK, SVS, etc.

cnh

nhhiep

about the Pro Sub 60, don't get it, it doesn't provide anything more than what the Lsi15 already provided. I have the newer version (Pro600) in the kitchen and it sucks. It bottom out so easily and sound really bad, plus it won't go low at all. it's good with Sats or computer speakers, but can't hang out with Lsi series. Polk 505 or BIC F12 is much better choice for around $200 shipped.

pietro944

kcoc321 wrote: »

pietro, is this the guy on eBay you bought from?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-Technology-ProSub-60-Black-BNCNA-/180669861884#ht_1468wt_1163

Looks like the DT 60's are a 8" driver with 150wpc amps
Frequency Response :24 Hz ? 150 Hz

>OP: IMHO, since you said you are wanting the sub for movies and gaming, you want the 12" bigger driver for the sound effects.
Two 10" would be equal to a 12".... but IDK if you will get the punch you are looking for in a 8" sub, even a pair of them.

yes,that's him...I didn't post a link,didn't want peeps to think I was pimpin' the seller(lol).....I have a smallish living room and I'm more 2ch,so,i like 8-10in subs for faster response....not into "boom".

pietro944

nhhiep wrote: »

about the Pro Sub 60, don't get it, it doesn't provide anything more than what the Lsi15 already provided. I have the newer version (Pro600) in the kitchen and it sucks. It bottom out so easily and sound really bad, plus it won't go low at all. it's good with Sats or computer speakers, but can't hang out with Lsi series. Polk 505 or BIC F12 is much better choice for around $200 shipped.

Now we understand why you have a sub in your kitchen:rolleyes:

nhhiep

pietro944 wrote: »

Now we understand why you have a sub in your kitchen:rolleyes:

Don't we all listen to music or sometimes watching movies while eating?

NewHTguy

I picked up a 505 on Cyber monday from amazon for $180. I didn't really "need" it but the price was so good I couldn't resist. Right now I'm using it with my Lsi9s and I'm very impressed. Haven't used it for music all that much (I usually play music in pure audio mode) but it does a nice job for a HT. IMHO you have to judge a product relative to its price. There's always something better if you've got the money. However, if you've got < $300 to spend, I think it should be high on your list.

jbooker82

Looks like the DSW Pro660WI is on sale this weekend for $349 from new egg.

colin808

Im trying to look for a sub as well. Anyways, the Polk 505 is new for $249 on Amazon.

chumlie

I know for a fact the 505 rocks. But from my short time here i would go with the Pro660WI for the extra $50. I havn't actually heard it. But everyone on the forum recomends it. Must be something to it.

cnh

nhhiep wrote: »

about the Pro Sub 60, don't get it, it doesn't provide anything more than what the Lsi15 already provided. I have the newer version (Pro600) in the kitchen and it sucks. It bottom out so easily and sound really bad, plus it won't go low at all. it's good with Sats or computer speakers, but can't hang out with Lsi series. Polk 505 or BIC F12 is much better choice for around $200 shipped.

Is this a "serious" post? Do you have any idea how much R&D went into the DSW and MicroPro line from Polk precisely because the PSW series was constantly accused of being "boomy", bottoming out, and not being "Fast" enough for music??

cnh

rooftop59

cnh wrote: »

Is this a "serious" post? Do you have any idea how much R&D went into the DSW and MicroPro line from Polk precisely because the PSW series was constantly accused of being "boomy", bottoming out, and not being "Fast" enough for music??

cnh

cnh I think that he is referring to a cheap def tech sub...

teekay0007

cnh wrote: »

Is this a "serious" post? Do you have any idea how much R&D went into the DSW and MicroPro line from Polk precisely because the PSW series was constantly accused of being "boomy", bottoming out, and not being "Fast" enough for music??

cnh

@cnh: I'm pretty sure nhhiep was saying to stay away from the Definitive Tech Pro Sub 60 (that pietro944 had suggested) and their Pro 600 also. He wasn't referring to the Polk DSW PRO 600.

I'm REALLY impressed (for both music and HT use!) by the Polk DSW PRO 500 sub that I got - which if you look at the user Reviews on this web site, enjoys the honor of being the highest rated (4.9 stars out of 5 by 20 reviewers) of all Polk subs.

Both the Polk DSW PRO 550 wi and 660 wi (wireless ready) are drastically reduced at Newegg right now. As far as I can tell, these are just wireless-capable versions of the DSW PRO 500 and 600. If so, and they're at prices BELOW those of the 500 and 600, well.......it seems like a no brainer! :eek: :loneranger:

cnh

Thanks guys! It just didn't make any sense otherwise. My bad!

cnh

Monster Jam

If this sub is to be used for HT purposes, you might be able to get away with any quality sub that hits the $300 price point. JBL, Polk, Velodyne, etc.

But if this is for serious musical purposes, your wasting your time and money with a $300 sub.

NewHTguy

FYI, the Egg has the PSW505 for $199 right now.

vadang

Check your local craigslist for some deals.

I don't know your area but I just did a quick search for SVS and HSU and found these results:

http://cnj.craigslist.org/ele/3098515209.html

http://cnj.craigslist.org/ele/2988072692.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ele/3103668488.html

I think the SVS is a great deal for a powered cylinder, I would buy it if it was in TX and I dont need it. The HSU subs are good deals as well.

Good luck

jbooker82

Isn't it nice how some one makes a thread on a discussion form, then doesn't ever come back. Do any of you guys ever get tired of talking to a post.

If you don't want to have a discussion on a discussion forum, don't start a thread. Go to Ask Jeeves and see what he recommends.

steveinaz

Your Lsi15's are going to reproduce cleaner, deeper bass than most any sub $300 sub-woofer. It's a waste of money IMO.

Drenis

jbooker82 wrote: »

Isn't it nice how some one makes a thread on a discussion form, then doesn't ever come back. Do any of you guys ever get tired of talking to a post.

If you don't want to have a discussion on a discussion forum, don't start a thread. Go to Ask Jeeves and see what he recommends.

That's quite rude of you. It's not like this is a new member with 1 post, but an established one at that. How do YOU know he wasn't in a accident or had heart surgery?

ALWALLER

Jump on that SVC on graigslist its a great sub. I run the LSI 9's with the SVC 30pci
, @ 125.00 dollars you can't go wrong.

jbooker82

Drenis wrote: »

That's quite rude of you. It's not like this is a new member with 1 post, but an established one at that. How do YOU know he wasn't in a accident or had heart surgery?

I wasnt trying to be rude. It just gets old when you put effort in to trying to help some one out and they dont ever reply back.

You can click on their name and it will tell you their last time they were here.

jbooker82

Which was 06/25/2012 at 11:30am

Drenis

jbooker82 wrote: »

I wasnt trying to be rude. It just gets old when you put effort in to trying to help some one out and they dont ever reply back.

You can click on their name and it will tell you their last time they were here.

I agree and disagree with you. I'm going to step away from this as I'm not looking to argue about it.