Budget musical sub

kawizx9r

As many of you know, I just recently built a subwoofer about a month ago.

I haven't completely finished it IE primer/paint but I will get to it soon.

For the meanwhile I'm thinking I can definitely get something better if I sold this thing. I've had my eye on Polk's MicroPro 1k, simply because it's small and pretty affordable. I'm not looking for really deep bass, nor am I looking for alot of output. I'm not running large speakers or listen to it at concert levels or have a large room, so a small sub is in mind.

I'd really hate to part with my sub since it sounds so damn nice, but I built it specifically for HT. It digs deep into the low frequencies, but I want something 'tighter' and 'faster'......much more 'accurate'. I do like what I'm hearing now but just like this hobby demands, you always look for ways to improve things.

So, any recommendations that will meet my needs without breaking the bank much? Used is always an option of course, just want to know what the 2-channel guys out there would would run in my position.

ONE last thing, I'll also consider another DIY sub if there's a good musical driver out there I can use on the cheap.

-Freddy

xj4094dg

I'm going to get one of these to go with my SMGa's:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLDYNAMO

kawizx9r

xj4094dg wrote: »

I'm going to get one of these to go with my SMGa's:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLDYNAMO

I saw those suckers, there's even one on the F/S thread but I want to see what other options are out there.

Btw, I picked up a pair of those 'maggie mates' and just waiting til they get shipped. They work like a hi-pass filter, I found myself getting too much bass on my Maggies at loud volumes since I got new speaker wire.

comfortablycurt

Epik Vanquish.

That's going to be my next sub...possibly a pair of them actually.

sTiLlLeArNiNg

I like my Velodyne for both music and HT. Whatever you decide try to go with a 10" as they generally are "quicker" responding than a 12" or 15"

Systems

If your thinking DIY one of these http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=693&Cid=7af1f58ea4b03c519fd7934a4e7711bb in a sealed box would make for a very musical sub.

strider

A servo sub from GR Research is on my list to build one day. You've got to pair it with one of the sero plate amps to get it to work anywhere near it's full potential, though. Around $500 for the amp and driver, box plans look pretty simple.

http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=139

Lots of positive feedback on Audiocircle.

apphd

Here is some DYI that looks pretty good. Rythmik kits

Or you can purchase them completed from Ascend Acoustics. They also offer GR Research options (mentioned above).

You are looking for a "Budget musical sub" but did not mention what your budget was. So I'll add the MartinLogan Dynamo which often can be found around $400 on sale or open box, maybe a little cheaper used. Not ML best sub and not sure if it would be the best at its list price, but a pretty good option at the $400 point.
One Call has them on sale today new for $439

Just noticed there was a couple other calls for the Dynamo already, sorry.

concealer404

Price range, sir?

Krazyz1

I am using a Carver M-400 bi-wired to Polk RTiA9's. I thought it sounded pretty good. Just recently added Polk DSW400 PRO ( 8" ) 180WRMS 360W dynamic and for a 8" I am totally impressed. Now if if I just play the 9's no subs , REALLY sounds like something missing.If somebody 10yrs. ago said I would own subs I would have told them they were full of poo. They compliment the 9's VERY WELL. Hope you found this helpful.

shack

The Dayton Titanic line of DIY subs from Parts Express are very nice, sealed subs that works very well for a dediciated music rig IMO. Easy to assemble. I've had a Titanic 10" sub for the last 5 years with no complaints.


http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=DAYTON+TITANIC&srchExt=&perPage=27&sortBy=1&layout=grid&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=536&srchMfg=&srchPromo=&srchAttr=

reeltrouble1

true-dat^^^^^^:rolleyes:

RT1

Danny Tse

I'd recommend looking into subs by Energy. They don't hit the lowest note, but they're very quick and musical.

concealer404

Danny Tse wrote: »

I'd recommend looking into subs by Energy. They don't hit the lowest note, but they're very quick and musical.

On the same vein, Mirage Omni S-series are extremely musical and stupidly fast as well.

kawizx9r

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

I like my Velodyne for both music and HT. Whatever you decide try to go with a 10" as they generally are "quicker" responding than a 12" or 15"

I've had Velodyne subs, and I know they offer great subwoofers for specific applications but I want to try something else.

apphd wrote: »

Here is some DYI that looks pretty good. Rythmik kits

My friend here recommended me rythmik audio as well, since he's also considering building a stereo pair but hasn't heard any in person so it's still up in the air. They've got some nice servo subs posted.

concealer404 wrote: »

Price range, sir?

I should've been more specific lol.....$400?

Krazyz1 wrote: »

I am using a Carver M-400 bi-wired to Polk RTiA9's. I thought it sounded pretty good. Just recently added Polk DSW400 PRO ( 8" ) 180WRMS 360W dynamic and for a 8" I am totally impressed. Now if if I just play the 9's no subs , REALLY sounds like something missing.If somebody 10yrs. ago said I would own subs I would have told them they were full of poo. They compliment the 9's VERY WELL. Hope you found this helpful.

I don't doubt the new Polk subs are a slouch, so I considered grabbing something with a little more headroom and "oomph" and said maybe the MicroPro 1000 might fill that spot in nicely. Wonder how it compares to the DSW400....hmmm.

shack wrote: »

The Dayton Titanic line of DIY subs from Parts Express are very nice, sealed subs that works very well for a dediciated music rig IMO. Easy to assemble. I've had a Titanic 10" sub for the last 5 years with no complaints.


http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=DAYTON+TITANIC&srchExt=&perPage=27&sortBy=1&layout=grid&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=536&srchMfg=&srchPromo=&srchAttr=

I've thought about the Titanics as well for a DIY, they're so affordable that I might even consider a stereo pair but that's still up in the air for debate.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I guess a DIY is something I had more in mind since my last build was pretty fun

Having said that, I'll have to finish off my current sub and then post it up for sale once I decide what musical sub I want to go with.

kawizx9r

On second thought, the GR sub looks to be better on paper than the Dayton Titanics.

A servo sub like that though would require a specific amplifier to work properly right?

Face

kawizx9r wrote: »

On second thought, the GR sub looks to be better on paper than the Dayton Titanics.

A servo sub like that though would require a specific amplifier to work properly right?

Correct, you would also need a servo plate amp.

apphd

If you want to take a short cut, here is an option eD custom wood shop No idea what they charge for this service.

Another interesting looking development, with some pretty good info on bass in general.

tweakcityaudio/Craigsub
Not too many have heard any of these yet, so totally unknowns, but may start hearing things soon.

cstmar01

kawizx9r wrote: »

As many of you know, I just recently built a subwoofer about a month ago.

I haven't completely finished it IE primer/paint but I will get to it soon.

For the meanwhile I'm thinking I can definitely get something better if I sold this thing. I've had my eye on Polk's MicroPro 1k, simply because it's small and pretty affordable. I'm not looking for really deep bass, nor am I looking for alot of output. I'm not running large speakers or listen to it at concert levels or have a large room, so a small sub is in mind.

I'd really hate to part with my sub since it sounds so damn nice, but I built it specifically for HT. It digs deep into the low frequencies, but I want something 'tighter' and 'faster'......much more 'accurate'. I do like what I'm hearing now but just like this hobby demands, you always look for ways to improve things.

So, any recommendations that will meet my needs without breaking the bank much? Used is always an option of course, just want to know what the 2-channel guys out there would would run in my position.

ONE last thing, I'll also consider another DIY sub if there's a good musical driver out there I can use on the cheap.

-Freddy

I have the mirco 1K and it is a good little sub IMO. I do really like it for music as it seems to blend well, but for HT there is better. Newegg was selling them for 380.00 and even if you go out to polkdirect on Ebay they are selling below that but are refurbs. Hell they were selling a 4000 with a buy it now price of 750.00 which is pretty good I think. The biggest complaint though of the mircoPro series is the volume indication. Its just an LED light in the front that flashes long then short to tell you what your volume is, which for some is annoying, but you get used to it.

Face

A good thread on driver Q.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1256922655