Good vs Cheap subwoofers

Fiery
Fiery Posts: 4
edited June 2009 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Okay so I finally am getting rid of my... gasp.. Sony speakers and ordered two Polk Monitor 60's and a CS2 center.

Can anybody tell me what benefit I would have by changing a Sony SA-WM500 12" active sub for any Polk sub. Is it just the frequency range or is there anything audible that I would benefit from switching?

Many thanks!
Post edited by Fiery on
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited June 2009
    Bass will be cleaner, crisper, (less muddy, as Sony subs are known for).
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited June 2009
    Remember you get what you pay for, for the most part.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited June 2009
    Unless you build it yourself, then you (can) get more for your buck. That is, if you know what you're doing.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Fiery
    Fiery Posts: 4
    edited June 2009
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Unless you build it yourself, then you (can) get more for your buck. That is, if you know what you're doing.

    Thanks! This is paired with a Yamaha HTR-6160 and just took me awhile to start upgrading the speakers. This is a dedicated home theater room with a custom made 115" screen; 1080p projector with room dimensions of 15x20 feet. So I really want everything to mesh well since the visuals are already there.

    I appreciate the feedback.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited June 2009
    You should post what your rig is like in our signatures! or more pics.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited June 2009
    You'll be pleasantly surprised at the increased performance gained by moving to a better, more powerful sub.
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  • kingtut
    kingtut Posts: 813
    edited June 2009
    Do you have a budget? Hsu, SVS and Elemental Design are highly regarded.
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  • Mario Oscar
    Mario Oscar Posts: 1
    edited June 2009
    If you are looking for a Earthquake sub, you most go to PSW110, it seriously shake your neighborhood with a cean and punchy bass.
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited June 2009
    Mario Oscar wrote: »
    If you are looking for a Earthquake sub, you most go to PSW110, it seriously shake your neighborhood with a cean and punchy bass.

    I'm sorry, but I respectfully disagree. The PSW 110 barely digs deep enough to even be considered a sub IMHO. The previously mentioned HSU and SVS are a good place to start. Personally I have a Paradigm that works well for me. I've only had one Polk sub, the psw 450, and I thought it was just ok. Polk does make some good subs, but if you're looking for bang for the buck you might get better performance with another brand. Use the search button, it will become your friend :)
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • slowpolky
    slowpolky Posts: 714
    edited June 2009
    dont buy an av123 mfw15 lol
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2009
    Nice theater room, my dedicated room is14x22 and I run two SVS PB12/Plus 2 subs. Easily overkill as I only run them both @ 1/4 volume. I would suggest a SVS PB-13U. A very high quality sub that will surely give you the bass you want in your movies. If you get brave enough room duals and you'll definitely be in awe. You should put a description with some pics in the showcase. Look around and you'll see some nice setups in there also.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • bevo
    bevo Posts: 306
    edited June 2009
    With a theater like you have going, you should really not cheat yourself on the sub. SVS pb 13 lutra would put you where you need to be. You won't believe the difference a really good sub makes in your setup. It makes everything sound better. You will literally feel the movies, sometimes without even hearing any sound. As tony the tiger would say, It's grrrrreat!!!
    Denon 1909, want to upgrade for pre outs
    Fronts-polk RTi A5
    center-polk CSi A4
    Sides Polk FXi A6
    rears- polk rm8's
    sub-SVS pb-13 ultra
    Blue ray-ps3
    Panasonic plasma 50 inch
    Buttkicker(don't use or need it anymore since getting the Ultra)
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited June 2009
    Sherardp wrote: »
    Nice theater room, my dedicated room is14x22 and I run two SVS PB12/Plus 2 subs. Easily overkill as I only run them both @ 1/4 volume. I would suggest a SVS PB-13U. A very high quality sub that will surely give you the bass you want in your movies. If you get brave enough room duals and you'll definitely be in awe. You should put a description with some pics in the showcase. Look around and you'll see some nice setups in there also.

    I'm curious if you would recommend these subs for music also or would there be better choices?

    NIce theater room!!!

    Jimmy
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  • Fiery
    Fiery Posts: 4
    edited June 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    I'm curious if you would recommend these subs for music also or would there be better choices?

    NIce theater room!!!

    Jimmy

    Thanks! I'll get my profile updated with more photos. I built the room completely by myself (including the screen) as I decided that a 2.35:1 would be best for me and the majority of movies I watch.

    As far as a sub... still trying to see how this will mesh with the new Polks. I actually currently have a Polk CS100 center... it does the job. Can't wait to hear the CS2 though! There is apparently a sub mod for the specific Sony sub I have; helps make it less boomy and well documented with that specific model number. I'm more of a budget minded person (hence, why I built my theater solo and didn't hire) but I will take everything into consideration and appreciate all the sub references! I am looking at each as an option at this time!
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited June 2009
    Outstanding work, I like what you did with the ceiling, adds a nice dimension to the look.

    Jimmy
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    A very good bang for the buck when it comes to subs IMO is the Sunfire True sub. 2700 watts of power and goes down to 18Hz. I have one and it rocks my house with amazing base.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited June 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    I'm curious if you would recommend these subs for music also or would there be better choices?

    NIce theater room!!!

    Jimmy

    Thanks Jimmy. The PB13 is supposed to be very good with music. My subs play well with music but since I have my RTi12 powered properly, I turn my subs off in 2 channel. Either way, I truly think the PB13U will give the OP what he really wants in performance, especially in a nice room like that.

    Nice work too being that you done it all yourself, don't sale yourself short.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Fiery
    Fiery Posts: 4
    edited June 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    Outstanding work, I like what you did with the ceiling, adds a nice dimension to the look.

    Jimmy

    Thank you! Really not that hard of a project; I've yet to take pics from the screen looking back. It's actually in a sub basement so it was a cement cube basically. I framed a wall behind so the projector is set up just like a theater (framed opening for lens) I prefer that since it eliminates any projector noise. Being on a tight budget I used a LM4 four-zone lighting controller ($150) so four-zone lighting is set up on scenes and dims each zone independently based on the mode you select.

    I'll throw one more photo up and get a gallery of my images thrown together this weekend. It's had more updating including a 2nd riser and a refinished row of real theater seats with cup holders.

    Sorry for getting off topic on this! I appreciate the comments though!
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited June 2009
    Fiery, Great job on the theater! Some really good suggestions already, but as others have said with the work and results you have done with that room DON'T limit budget to a point you get an underperforming sub. You and the room deserve much more.


    We all understand budget concerns but you are not talking a huge room so you could probably do the job for $700- $800 and never look back.
    To add to kingtut's list look at Epik, Rythmik, Velodyne(IMHO need to get into their pricey models to get the big performers)

    http://www.rythmikaudio.com/products1.html

    http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/products.html

    You look to be very capable of going DIY, but I really do not see huge savings with DYI over the subs that have been mentioned to you.
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  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited June 2009
    Nice looking room.

    I would not skimp on a sub or anything in that room. From the pics you posted it needs something good to go with it.
    A Paradigm, Martin Logan or Triad would be a good choice. You will have a few quality pieces to choose from that will and are handed to you but you have to set a budget and go from there.

    Dave
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