Sub help for another newbie

iminneworleans

I am looking for some advice on a sub. I have never owned a surround system or really nice stereo until now and really don’t know what to look at to finish off what I purchased recently. I looked forever and only bought when I found some really good deals. I currently have an Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver, Monitor 70 fronts, a CS2 Center, and TSI100 for rear speakers.

My room is 20’ wide by about 40’ long with vaulted ceilings, but we use 20’ by 20’ for the TV and sitting area, the rest is computer, and other stuff. I really want the most bang for my buck and can’t afford a really expensive sub woofer. I want something that will go nicely with what I have and I need to be satisfied with it into the future.

What do the experts suggest?

concealer404

What's your budget?

thuffman03

Welcome to the forum.

Best bang for the buck IMO is the Sunfire True sub. I have seen them sold on ebay for the last two months starting at $400 and up depending on age and condition.

Got to love 2700 watts of ground thumping sound in a little 11x11x11 enclosure that goes down to 18 Hz.

iminneworleans

I would be leery of purchasing used equipment because I really don’t know how to fix this kind of stuff, and I am really new to this so I don’t know what out there is a real deal or what lasts.. As far as the budget goes, I know there is a sub at any $ level and usually more money means better stuff. I would like to stay under $300 and get something I would be happy with for some time. Is that possible, or should I just save for months until I can come up with more money? I am happy with what I have, but know I am missing out without the sub.

ViperZ

iminneworleans wrote: »

I would like to stay under $300 and get something I would be happy with for some time. Is that possible, or should I just save for months until I can come up with more money? I am happy with what I have, but know I am missing out without the sub.

IMHO, $300 will not buy you a *new* sub, which is good... If you really want new, then save up to ~$800... Start looking at HSU, SVS, Velodyne... Then their lower-priced subs will be in your price range.

iminneworleans

What do you guys think of a Pioneer SW601 sub? I know a guy that works in audio and bought one, he said he'd let it go for $300. Sitting right next to the box in his living room, basically brand new.

bevo

Here's your sub. http://cgi.ebay.com/DSW-small-PRO-small-600-12-Powered-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ360184166932QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item53dca63a14&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262#ht_2988wt_838

Start looking on polk directs ebay store. They've been having good deals on some of their better subs.

I really don't think that pioneer sub will be able to come close to the polk. I've never heard either though, but people seem to like the dsw 600.

apphd

iminneworleans wrote: »

........
My room is 20’ wide by about 40’ long with vaulted ceilings, but we use 20’ by 20’ for the TV and sitting area, the rest is computer, and other stuff. ....... What do the experts suggest?

iminneworleans wrote: »

I would be leery of purchasing used equipment ......... I would like to stay under $300 and get something I would be happy with for some time. Is that possible, or should I just save for months until I can come up with more money?

iminneworleans Welcome to CP, You have a nice little setup started. A sub will go a long way towards completing it for you. It sounds like you are trying to do this right and buy right the first time even if it means a wait. Even though you are only using a 20' x 20' section (still pretty good size) if it is not closed (walled) off it will soak up output like a sponge. Having the sub close to your seating will help a little, but that room size is going to make it very hard to get any real performance with out some large subs with good amps, which = $$$.
Understand your reluctance to go used, but stick around and read as much as you can on subs, here and elsewhere. This might make you feel a little more knowledgeable/comfortable about what to look for used, and give you more time to save up a little more to increase your budget. There are also B stock products which usually come with a manufactures warranty (sometimes = to the new warranty) at a discounted price.

The only thing I can think of close to $300 new with pretty good performance is this: eD A2-300 $350 but to be honest I don't think even 2 of those will do it in that room. Not that the above sub or some others in that price range won't give you more than you have, it just will not be much for the $$ invested.

One other thing with used subs, don't waste much time looking at anything other than local stuff. Subs are heavy and shipping could add significant $$ to the cost.

iminneworleans

Well, now the guy has lowered the Pioneer subwoofer price to $150. I may just pick it up and run with that for a while while I save for something else. I can't find anything with detailed spec on it, or reviews. Kind of makes me wonder.

ben62670

That pioneer won't fit the bill, but if you are actually good at selling stuff when you are done with it it may get you by for a little while. You need a large sub for the amount of sq feet you have. Also store brand stuff exaggerates about how low their subs go. Nearly all those subs have a mono tone boom to them. Some people think thats great, but after hearing a decent sub you will never want to go back to the stuff you find at local stores.
Welcome to Club Polk.
Ben

comfortablycurt

I'd go for a Polk PSW505 myself. It's a fine subwoofer, that fits right into your price range. For the money, it's hard to beat IMO.

Amazon has them for about $250.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252961040&sr=8-1


I'd pass on the Pioneer myself.


With that large of an area, the 505 will still be working pretty hard, but it'll easily get you by until you've got the coin for a better sub.

gtu2004

Just get a BIC H-100 sub or a used SVS PB-10. For the money, those should be the best. Polk subs do not come close.

wutadumsn23

I am with Curt on this one. While Polk isn't best know for their subs the 505 is IMHO a very good performing sub at it's price point. I have a PSW125, and while it isn't the best sub in the worl, it works very well in my humble setup. Someday when I have the cash I would like to upgrade to an Epik, SVS, or Velo, but hey Rome wasn't built in a day so it's baby steps for now.

-Jeff

apphd

Come on guys, assume his ceilings are mildly vaulted from lets say 8'. We're talking about 7000 cubic ft. In his OP he said he was looking for a sub he would be happy with for "some time"......or should he save up more cash. Does anyone really think the PSW505 or that Pioneer will do that no matter how good they are for the price?

wutadumsn23

I didn't mean to suggest that Pioneer would suit his tastes, but that is exactly the point. I don't know his taste, if he doesn't want room shattering bass and doesn't want to spend a fortune I don't see why the 505 wouldn't atleast make the short list. Just my $.02, by no means do I expect him, or anyone else for that matter to agree with everything I have to say. I have a Polk sub, and while my listening experiences have been limited, I am perfectly happy with my "sub par" Polk PSW125.

-Jeff

apphd

Jeff, not trying to start a pi$$ing match, not slammin your post or your sub, just trying to have some valuable discussion, which I understand was your intention as well.
You are correct that no one here knows his taste or expectations which makes it hard to give real valuable recommendations.

But 7000 cft is very hard to get substantial base in, and trying to make sure the OP understands this, if he wants to be "happy with for some time" and asks if he should save for a couple months to up his budget, I take that to mean he doesn't want to upgrade later, he would rather save now and do it right.

As I said earlier those subs will be more than he has but not real cost effective going on what he said in his earlier posts. To help give him some perspective, how big is your room that the PSW125 is in?

wutadumsn23

Very true, no pi$$ing here either. He is trying to fill a larger room and will need a good sub to so that, I agree 100%. Hopefully our advice will help him make an informed decision he will be happy with. If a few months of saving will get you a great sub, then by all means go that route. My living room is fairly small since I live on base in Military housing, so for now I am pleased with my 125.

-Jeff

packetjones

I am by no means an expert in this area and am still learning but i would consider getting dual subs. By placing them close to the listening position you would not have to worry about filling the entire room with sound.

I have heard good things about the BIC h100 as well as the PA120. They both are in the $250 range.

Polkie2009

Apphd made a good point about how a large room can soak up the bass. I have a similar situation with a room 25'x35'x9' with a connecting 15'x25'x8' kitchen on the side. I've got 2 MK V2B 12" 75 watt subs going and find I'm wanting more bass. Would putting a single wall up half way back in the room help on even a room divider,curtains??? Yea, I know I should just buy a nice SVS or epiK:)

iminneworleans

My house is not the best for any sound system I think. I live in a raised house that is approximately 175 years old. I have my TV on an outside wall and one couch on the other outside wall, the width of the room there is just at 20’. When facing the TV to my right, past the 2nd couch is where the other space is located. To the left of my viewing area is a set of cypress French doors in a space that is about 5’ wide that opens into our bedroom. To the right of the TV on the same wall, I have two fireplaces that angle out toward each side of the room long ways, think of them as a “V” from the wall. My ceilings used to be 12’ with a ceiling, when I renovated the house at 12’ the ceiling goes up at a 45 degree angle until 16’ where they go another 45 degrees to the flat part of the ceiling. I have old pine flooring that is about 1” thick with no sub flooring. You can basically hear everything inside while you are outside. We plan on selling the house in a year or two so my next TV room will change drastically.

We are fortunate to have the greatest radio station I have ever listened to in New Orleans and we listen to music all of the time. We also watch movies, so I am looking for a good mix. If you are interested in the radio station check out www.wwoz.org they broadcast on the Internet also. I am sure there is something on their playlist that you’ll like. Thanks for all of the advice and help with this, if you need pictures I can post them too if the forum allows that.

apphd

packetjones wrote: »

I am by no means an expert in this area and am still learning but i would consider getting dual subs. By placing them close to the listening position you would not have to worry about filling the entire room with sound.

I have heard good things about the BIC h100 as well as the PA120. They both are in the $250 range.

I am also by no means an expert (far from it) yes you would benefit from having the subs closer to your listening area but that will be somewhat limited and depending on room created modes may not be the best location. Using two identical subs if you co-locate the subs you can gain about 6dB. If you separate them you would see 3 dB but with work, get them dialed in to get them to interact with each other to minimize the nodes.
Like so many things audio there is no one size fits all solution. Individual room characteristics and personal taste makes that pretty much impossible.

You have heard good things about the BIC for good reason, for some of the prices that they have been found at they don't do too bad. But not in rooms this size.

apphd

Polkie2009 wrote: »

Apphd made a good point about how a large room can soak up the bass. I have a similar situation with a room 25'x35'x9' with a connecting 15'x25'x8' kitchen on the side. I've got 2 MK V2B 12" 75 watt subs going and find I'm wanting more bass. Would putting a single wall up half way back in the room help on even a room divider,curtains??? Yea, I know I should just buy a nice SVS or epiK:)

Yes a full wall would, because you just redused your room size.;)

iminneworleans

Well, I called him and passed on the sub. Thanks for all the help and advice.

beemers417

A Sunfire would be perfect.

Ron Temple

beemers417 wrote: »

A Sunfire would be perfect.

Jeez, you guys with your Sunfire recs. It's an ok little sub that cheats the laws of physics, but this guy has a massive space to fill. If he needs to stay within a budget, he's going to need multiples. For that room I wouldn't budget any less than $1200 for 2 capable subs or 4 quality entry level quality subs. If you go the budget route aapd gave you some pretty good advice. A couple of ED A2-300s would get you started.

jinjuku

Get the Dayton C1500K:

15 inch driver
240 watt amp
Sealed Design

$285 shipped. You need to provide a screw driver. This is most likely they best you will get for new product among those mentioned for the $$.

Price is good till the end of the month.

reeltrouble1

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

I didn't mean to suggest that Pioneer would suit his tastes, but that is exactly the point. I don't know his taste, if he doesn't want room shattering bass and doesn't want to spend a fortune I don't see why the 505 wouldn't atleast make the short list. Just my $.02, by no means do I expect him, or anyone else for that matter to agree with everything I have to say. I have a Polk sub, and while my listening experiences have been limited, I am perfectly happy with my "sub par" Polk PSW125.

-Jeff

wuta,

The **** posted on this site about Polk subs not being this or that is well ****. I have heard/owned so many subs and the older Polk subs in an HT setting are great, that 505 sub is a winner as well as the 450's, the new Polk subs are in a whole another class and can hold their own musically, sure the other subs mentioned are great subs but frankly no better/little difference from the Polk. The Polk CSW 200 I put in my HT are truly awesome subwoofer's I can feel them tickle me all the way to my taint as the air smacks by and tears the eyes. The thought about the Dayton is also a viable option, I once stacked two of them in one of my secondary HT rigs and they definetely can move some air and go boom, which is what an HT sub does, it goes boom.

With the OP's room at least two subs are highly recommended, this greatly reduces the possibility of room nodes, which might actually be part of his present problem, any sound sweeps run to identify spikes or cancellations?????

RT1

bms

My room is 21' x 13' x 8', with 2 openings (one 6' x 5', one 6' x 3') to other rooms, and my SVS is still providing great bass for both movies & music. The best $450 I ever spent. Can you save another $150.00 or so?

wutadumsn23

I agree completely RT1, I have no problem at all with the Polk sub I own. Granted I have a small living room, and I have limited experience with subs, but the info you posted in regards to the Polk subs with your experience just makes me feel even better, lol. I would like someday to upgrade my sub, but I am on a budget and always will be, us Air Force guys don't exactly live a coosh lifestyle, lol. I am def. going to look into Polk subs as well as the big boys when the time comes. Just my $.02.

-Jeff

digitalvideo

I have an SVS sub, amazing sub, look into them. SVS, HSU, Velodyne are great sub companies, superior to Polk, Polk is not known for it's subs, they are known for speakers like their LSi, RTi, CSi, FXi surround speakers.

Pioneer is NOT a sub company, they make excellent plasma tv's, a/v recievers and car systems.

digitalvideo

I have my sub a little over 2 feet away from the walls in the front corner too, so sub placement can be key. You might want to try positioning the sub in different parts, try the front right side corner, or the front left side, or rear left or rear right.

You could also put two subs in your room. Two used SVS PB12-NSD subs stacked in the corner would be great.

“…earth-shaking, deep bass …”

Ken Pohlmann, Sound and Vision Magazine

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm