Musical small sub $500 budget

Gaara

OK money has been tight recently and I am downgrading my surround amp so I can afford a sub for my PC rig. The speakers are Stone Image Audio Rothschilde A2s and I am looking for a sub to match and play 60hz down. This sub will be used for about 80% music at low levels and 20% movie trailers, tv shows, and games. I need a sub that is:

Less then $500 new or used

Maximum size of 15x15x15

Probably want a sealed sub, never been a fan of ported ones for music

Doesn't need to dig that deep, 25hz is fine for me

Doesn't have to play that loud, my source is less then 1v and I use a passive pre-amp which never gets close to max.

There it is, I am looking for a fast musical sub that doesn't have to play to loud or dig to deep. My main concern is speed and accuracy. So far I have been looking mainly at the AV123 Onix UFW-10, the ACI Force XL, and the Dayton Audio Titanic 10. Any other subs to look at or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jared

ben62670

anonymouse wrote: »

I have the Dayton Mk 2. It sounds sweet and blends well with LSi9's.

I was going to suggest the same! Buy the kit, put together yourself, and save big.

Gaara

So we have two votes for the Dayton. Actually I owned the 10in mk2 and used it with a pair of LSi9s as well, I should have kept it as it did blend quite well.

Shizelbs

I have not heard the smallest sealed SVS sub, but I bet its worth considering. If you can find a used Sunfire True sub, that would be another good option. Very quick and musical, provided you don't push it very loud (it distorts fairly easily.)

ViperZ

My vote would go for used Sunfire (jr?) as well... Although my Earthquake SuperNova is small too (15"x15"x15" sealed with 12" driver and 12" passive radiator).

Bill Ayotte

I've got a Super Junior (Sunfire) and it is very musical...I think it is 9X9X9...Really about 10X10X10 with the drivers sticking out of the cabinet....It pounds, I haven't had any problems with distortion either...I push it pretty hard sometimes....I got mine for $500 shipped...

tcrossma

I have a Paradigm Ultracube 10 that is small and quite musical, with plunty of power and low-end for my HT needs. It's basically a 1ft cube. I paid $800 new almost 2 years ago, so i'm sure it could be had in the $500 range now.

dougy

I use two Dayton Titanic III 10"ers in my media room HT. Both have had to have the volume pot repaired under warranty. Other than that, they've been fine. The sound quality is very good for the money. A while back, Parts Express had all the Titanic subs on sale. The 10" kit was just $288! I don't know if more performance can be had for less money in a new sub. They won't win any style points, though.

Gaara

So we have 3 votes for the Titanic and 3 for sunfires with 1 for paradigm.

I did more research and the Onix is out, apperently the UFW-10 has some issues with the amp buzzing and the only fix is to buy a new amp. I looked at the Sunfire Dominators for a little while but they seem to be good for ht but not so good for music according to reports.

I actually have a Earthquake Supernova MK-IV 12 upstairs which will eventually be replaced. I am not a big fan of it for music, I actually preferred the Titanic which it replaced for music but the Earthquake got a lot louder and extended much deeper.

Leaning towards the Titanic right now as I can pick one up for less then $300.

cstpeter

Martin Logan Dynamo. Very fast and musical.

ohskigod

Dayton seems like a damn good option given your specs, but if a HSU stf2 used rears its head, give it a shot. usually can be had for under 300 and for a ported sub, was surprisingly tight and musical.

just throwing out options

auto_pilot

Check out the Outlaw Audio site...I have the LFM 2...and this little sucker can pump...Musically it adds depth to my smaller bookshelf speakers...so it can be unobtrussive to blend in with music...but crank it up a bit, and the bass can be forward, but not droning.

They also have a new 10 inch sub coming out for $499...I wish I knew, I would have waited.

These are the reviews for the LFM2:

http://products.howstuffworks.com/outlaw-audio-lfm-2-subwoofer-review.htm

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1206totem/

Early B.

Hsu, man, Hsu!!!

avguytx

I have a Sunfire D8 that is 9.5" cubed that I am going to be selling soon. It's a little brother to the Super Junior which is a great sub BTW! It's an 8" sub with the high back EMF technology and rated at 1000 watts. It sounds a helluva lot better than the PSB SubSonic 7 15" sub that it replaced at 1/8th of the size!

I don't want to throw any prices in here because that's not what this thread is about!

avguytx

DaveM...tried to send you a PM back but it says your inbox is full.

ben62670

Bose Bass module, and be done with it:p

DollarDave

avguytx wrote: »

DaveM...tried to send you a PM back but it says your inbox is full.

Now cleaned up.

avguytx

Ben, is that your choice of sub for adding on to your "new" SDA's? :rolleyes:

Gaara

All of the HSU units are to big it seems, the STF2 is 19in high and 18in deep which won't fit where I want it to.

The outlaw seems like it would work, but it only extends to 28hz which is a little shy of what I was looking for.

Martin Logan Dynamo...I have heard the other Martin Logan subs like the depth and descents and was very impressed. I'll add this one to the list.

I will have to look more in depth at the REL units.

So many choices it is so overwhelming. Especially since I moved the speakers around and now am getting good bass down to 40hz or so after which they drop off drastically.

Zero,

Actually I have been meaning to PM you over at audio circle. Expect my impressions later today, in short they are phenomenal. Do you think adding a cheaper sub $500 sub will adversely affect things? Bass is phenomenal with these now that I took your recommendation and moved them closer to the wall.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Jared

haimoc

Couple months ago, I bought a Mirage BPS400 ($1200 new, discontinued) for $150.00 from WDC Craigslist. It has 2 12-inch drivers, and it produces very deep and tight bass. I owned Polk and SVS subwoofers, and this Mirage subwoofer is the best in all.

Pictures can be found here:
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?homesubw&1172542355

Gaara

OK I did lots of reading of reviews, different forms, and taken into consideration everything said here...and I wound up going a little over budget.

I got a Martin Logan Grotto for $600 shipped in a 9/10 condition. I'll be sure to post my thoughts once it arrives and I have it setup.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Jared