Subwoofer Choices

custopper30
custopper30 Posts: 252
edited July 2013 in Speakers
Well I am now in the process of looking for a new subwoofer. I have been looking around and have found a couple of good deals for my budget which is around $200. I currently am running a KLH sub, but would like to upgrade it to something better, I just don't know what that item is. I have been reading forums and doing research and so now I need a little bit of help from you all.

My current setup is this:
Fronts: Polk monitor 70s
Center: Polk monitor 70
Rears: Polk monitor 50s
Sub: KLH
Receiver: Denon AVR-1912

College room is 19'x10'

Here is what I have found

PSW505 - $160
PSW450 (unknown price, waiting to hear back from seller)
Klipsch Synergy Subwoofer Sub 12 - $250
Def Tech ProSub 800 - $150
Velodyne DLS4000RB 12-Inch 200-Watt DLS Series Subwoofer - $265
Acoustech by Bic Home Subwoofer. Model H-100 - $120

Even though this is out of my budget, here is what else I Found

Epik Empire (dual 15" ) Subwoofer - $550
Definitive Technology Super Cube II Sub Woofer Powered - $500


I have been reading reviews and a lot of them are saying that the BIC America F-12 and the BIC PL-200 are very highly though of subs.

Well there you go, I need your help deciding what I should end up doing. Is it worth upgrading my KLH subwoofer for something better for what I have found? If so, what would be a good choice?

P.s. I will be back in college (Omaha) in a month, so if there are listings there I could proceed with those too. If not, Minnesota is where I am right now.
Receiver: Denon 1912
Speakers:
Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
KLH Sub GFX-550
Post edited by custopper30 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    PSW505...really good "entry level" sub. Does movies really well and is just OK for music. Pretty sure that inspector24 has some for $150/ea shipped.

    PSW450...Meh...pretty close to the 505 in terms of performance. Price should be around the same as the 505, maybe a little lower.

    Klipsch Sub12...price is too high. Very good HT sub but I wouldn't use it for music (I have a pair of the Sub 10s in my HT and am looking to replace them soonish). Should be around the same price used as the PSW505. $150-$200 shipped.

    DefTech ProSub 800...good sub but you aren't going to dig nearly as deep at the 2 above. Better at music than etierh of the 2 above. Price is average.

    Velodyne DLS4000RB...good at HT decent at music (better than the Klipsch and the Polk above) price is average if not a touch high. $250 would be nominal for a 1 owner sub in great shape.

    The Epik is a whole other world than the first group. It is going to flat out stomp every single one of them.
    The Supercube is the only sub in this whole list that I have zero experience with. I will defer on price/performance.

    Judging by your budget but then posting up other options you have found, I would say your budget is a little flexible?

    I would save a bit more and start looking at SVS, Hsu, more Epik options...stuff along those lines.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    Ya it is a little flexible. I am just trying to make sure I have enough money to get college bills paid because they are so expensive.

    Thanks for the input though!
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited July 2013
    Gonna be honest. Save up till you have around 500-600 and then look at subs. The performance of a sub in that price range is 3x what you will get in the lower prices.

    My PSW125 was my worst audio investment to date. Didn't really do a whole lot paired with my Monitor 60's, and was outperformed in every way by my LSi 15's.

    If your dead set on a sub, look for used HSU VTF's, Outlaw Audio LFM's, or Epik.

    If your looking for something to spend that 200 on, I would suggest a dedicated amp for your Monitor 70 fronts. Provided the 1912 has pre-outs which I think it does. A dedicated amp will make your front 70's sound better than they do now and might provide enough down low for you paired with your existing sub. That and by taking their load off your AVR the rest of your speakers will be able to draw more power when needed.

    Just my .02.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    I appreciate it! unfortunately, there is no pre out for an amp as I can remember. So it would be a greater investment buying a Receiver and then an amp
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited July 2013
    I would really discourage you from buying a "budget" subwoofer; and here's why:
    1) A sub-woofer's job is very difficult to do well, and doesn't lend itself well to a tight budget
    2) Most budget subwoofers are probably not reaching much lower than your existing monitors, and if they are, they're likely doing it inaccurately.

    Just my 2 cents.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I would really discourage you from buying a "budget" subwoofer; and here's why:
    1) A sub-woofer's job is very difficult to do well, and doesn't lend itself well to a tight budget
    2) Most budget subwoofers are probably not reaching much lower than your existing monitors, and if they are, they're likely doing it inaccurately.

    Just my 2 cents.

    Quoting this for reinforcement.
    That's where you run into issues with budget subs. They bloat the low end so, while explosions sound good, a kick drum is going to sound overly bloated and sloppy.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited July 2013
    Lots of great info here, I agree completely with all of it. For music I rarely used the 505's as the a9's were great with Parasound power. And spending 600+ puts you in a while other league of bass.

    Another question, how much bass can you really use, do you have room mates/neighbors? Because I can tell you one 505 is still enough to piss somebody off. Running the one upstairs I can clearly hear the bass and make the walls vibrate at loudish music a nd movie levels.
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    I am not to worry about annoying the neighbors or roommates as they are all ok with it. I mean I have to take a risk to get something that is good and appealing you know? I wish I had more money to spend on a sub, just I guess right now I do not have the budget to get what is truly worth getting.
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,789
    edited July 2013
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?150646-Complete-Klipsch-Reference-Home-Theater-System-5.1

    For $300 Jeff's SVS will crush most of your choices. Being a cylinder it's not super heavy so shipping probably wouldn't kill you. Don't skimp on your sub, upgraditis is a cruel beotch! :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    I have two Deftech Prosub 80 (earlier version of 800) and they are not small as their size suggests.
    They have enough power and rumble but I paid less than a hundy for each.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    well here is what I have found... are these anything worth looking at?
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ele/3936456446.html
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/3931711103.html
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/3858554646.html

    ken, I live in minnesota and omaha during the school year and he said local pick up only
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    ken brydson wrote: »
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?150646-Complete-Klipsch-Reference-Home-Theater-System-5.1

    For $300 Jeff's SVS will crush most of your choices. Being a cylinder it's not super heavy so shipping probably wouldn't kill you. Don't skimp on your sub, upgraditis is a cruel beotch! :cheesygrin:

    (~$80 from Jeff to here...and Cus is just up the road.)
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    custopper30 wrote: »
    well here is what I have found... are these anything worth looking at?
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ele/3936456446.html
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/3931711103.html
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ele/3858554646.html

    ken, I live in minnesota and omaha during the school year and he said local pick up only

    1. Nope.
    2. Yeah but price is high. Should be closer to $500 for the pair.
    3. Nope.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited July 2013
    custopper30 wrote: »
    He said local pick up only

    In his last sale thread for the sub he was willing to ship. Shoot him a PM and ask, worst he can say is no. If he says yes then you just scored yourself a nice sub.


    Otherwise here is another SVS in OK somewhere...

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?150391-SVS-SB-12-NSD-in-gloss-black-500
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    would you say it is worth going with jeff's sub or would it be better to find a different one?
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited July 2013
    custopper30 wrote: »
    would you say it is worth going with jeff's sub or would it be better to find a different one?

    The SVS are hard to beat at those prices.

    Personally I like the cylinder better.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,789
    edited July 2013
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    The SVS are hard to beat at those prices.

    Personally I like the cylinder better.

    Jeff just posted that his was sold. Definitely hard to beat if you can find a used one...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    *whistles innocently*

    Sorry Cus...I had been on the fence for this sub since he posted it. Your thread reminded me about it.

    But I also shot you a PM with an offer...let me know what you think.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inson71
    inson71 Posts: 90
    edited July 2013
    I would give this a try:
    http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000#.UeWFzFIo45s

    $499 + free shipping and 45 days money back
    Onkyo Pr-sc 5509
    Parasound 2250/Parasound 5125
    SVS PB 12 Plus
    Denon DBP-2012 Bluray
    Polk RTI 8, CSI 3, 4 FXI 3
    Sony 55" LCD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • custopper30
    custopper30 Posts: 252
    edited July 2013
    What about this sub???

    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ele/3939229889.html
    Receiver: Denon 1912
    Speakers:
    Fronts: Polk Audio Monitor 70s (x2)
    Rears: Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)
    Center: Polk Audio Monitor 70
    KLH Sub GFX-550
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited July 2013
    23hz out of a sealed box, very nice. Looks pretty good, good power, compact, seems like a lot of sub for the money, and local it looks like? You could take a listen...
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    Cus...jump on that Pinnacle. At $250, it is a no brainer.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    custopper30 wrote: »
    What about this sub???

    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ele/3939229889.html

    Model number and specs will be better than what seller claims.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,657
    edited July 2013
    http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/ds600.html
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited July 2013
    Hehe... didn't see the model was on the CL ad's title. :)

    That's a good price for 23hz is at -3dB.
    Interesting design with subwoofers one behind the other.
    Usually, they are one on the front and another on the bottom or sides.


    Enclosure Acoustic Suspension
    Video Shielded No
    Woofer Size (inches) 12
    Woofer Composition Heavyweight poly
    Firing Direction Isobaric
    Preamp-Level Inputs Yes
    Speaker-Level Inputs Yes
    Speaker-Level Outputs Yes
    Low-Pass Crossover Freq 50-150 Hz
    High-Pass Crossover Freq None
    Phase Switch Yes
    Amplifier Output (watts) 600
    Frequency Response 23-200 Hz

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter