Best musical subwoofer ~250$

Dan2036

I'm looking for a replacement for my PSW10, for about 80% Music 20% HT. Been seriously considering the PSW505 but I just want to make sure thats the best sub I can get for the money.

Polkie2009

Depending on how big your listening area is, a good used 12"sealed design M&K sub sounds pretty good with music. I'm sure there are a number of newer subs available nowadays that are as good or better. Maybe others can chime in here to help you out Dan. Good luck with your search:)

Dan2036

Rooms about 11x11

Polkie2009

That small of a room(as long as there are no openings to adjacent rooms) would be fine with a 12" sub. You may even be able to go with a used 10" SVS.

McLoki

For that price - DIY is about your best option (or a great deal used).

Sealed would probably be the easiest - Infinite Baffle if you have a decent location for it.

Personally - I would go that route (DIY) or deal with what you have until your budget grows. Taking small steps forward every year or two is an expensive way to get anywhere....

Michael

mshan242700

Maybe look at the Dayton subs designed by Hsu Research that are for sale at Parts Express?

IIRC, they were Hsu designs, but use lesser quality parts and less powerful amps than the subs Hsu Research sell themselves. I think I remember reading a comment about how a Hsu Research sub sounds similar to Rel Strata III, which is supposed to be a very high quality, musical sub (it won't give you tactile bass that you feel, just fills out the sound, giving you more weight to the sound and fleshing out more of the original size of the original recording space). I would guess that the Hsu designed Dayton subs sound like the Hsu subs, but may lack some refinement and power handling capabilities of the originals.

If you want that hard hitting bass, I would look at Elemental Designs (SVS Sound would be ideal, but they are way above your budget).

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=89484

09GTIGuy

First time posting here , not sure how to start a new post so here I am.

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with hooking up an amp and sub (with box) to a 2009 vw gti stock system. I want to just get a little bit more out of my current system and I was wondering if there was a way to do this without re-wiring and adding an after market system. Meaning I would like to keep my stock speakers , HU , and satilite radio and just add my sub box and amp. Im also a complete noob so anyone that is willing to help its greatly appritiated if you give me detailed information.

Thanks , SL

concealer404

OP: Look for a Mirage Omni S10. You can find them in that price range, and they're extremely fast subs, great for music.

dekuda

+1 on the Mirage Omni S10:D

quadzilla

I gotta go with the recommendation on a used M&K. I have a pair of V125s, and find them to be very nice for music. You can often pick them up for under 200.

phuz

Used Velodyne.

jacob.simpson

You can also check for Polk eBay for refurb Micropro 1000

leroyjr1

Look at a used micropro 1000 or 2000. Nice fast musical sub that blends very well for music and is in your price range.

Dan2036

How does the PSW505 compare to these other subs that were mentioned ?

concealer404

Dan2036 wrote: »

How does the PSW505 compare to these other subs that were mentioned ?

Not real well, to be honest. The PSW505 is probably better suited to entry to mid-level HT. But if you have to buy brand new, you could do FAR worse. It's not a bad sub by any means.

Dan2036

Not looking for a new sub at all used is fine, I just liked the that 23-160hz range on the PSW505. PSW10 doesn't even go below 30hz.

concealer404

Dan2036 wrote: »

Not looking for a new sub at all used is fine, I just liked the that 23-160hz range on the PSW505. PSW10 doesn't even go below 30hz.

Range is only part of the equation, and that 23hz is really the lowest threshold on the PSW505. The +/-3db measurement is more important. But for music, you want tight and fast, and no boom boom johnny one note. Yannow?

If you want the compromise, an S10, just as an example, and because i have personaly experience with it, will blow the PSW505 out of the water in HT, as well as excel at music reproduction.

Dan2036

I'll keep an eye out for an s10 in my price range but as of now it's just not possible. (wish it was)

concealer404

Don't rule out the S8, either. It's a mean little beast, and just as fast, if not faster. There's a couple on Ebay right now, one of which is still under your budget.

squeeb

OneCall has the Velodyne below on special this weekend - a little above your budget at $282. I don't personally have any experience with it but lots of folks around here like Velodyne. Good luck.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=98864

Velodyne VDR-10BV
10-inch 400 Watt Powered Subwoofer with Remote Control

Dan2036

Also worried about it being boomy, liking the Omni series subs, just worried about them being boomy in such a small room. I hear alot about Velodyne but unfortunately they're expensive just like SVS subs (which i would love to have). My PSW10 can get so boomy on some songs that it overwhelms the room, which is my fear for my next sub.

concealer404

The Omni series are the antithesis of boomy. If you have a small room, absolutely give the S8 a shot. I think for an S8 to sound boomy, you'd need about a 7x7 room.

Dan2036

Does the S8 have enough power though ? 100W isn't much more then the PSW10

Dan2036

If I waited a little longer till I could afford the S10 would it be worth it ?

cnh

The PSW505 has a supposed lower range of 28 +/-3db...but may be more like 30 in reality....good enough....it is really more of a HT sub....it's not bad with music, but not particularly tight. The Polk DSW600 is more musical. And the Polk micro-pros mentioned above would be your best bet for 'music'.....they are, however a bit above your budget....so I'd go with what the guys above are recommending.

But don't discount the 505 as a nice mid HT sub...for 250....new! Only the 'used' market can compete or outperform it in HT at that price!

cnh

concealer404

Dan2036 wrote: »

Does the S8 have enough power though ? 100W isn't much more then the PSW10

Power isn't everything. My last S8 was doing duty in a 12x16 room opening up to a dining room and kitchen, and really, it had no problems pressurizing my entire apartment for that matter.

It's got plenty of power.

In your 11x11 room, the S8 would definitely be fine. The S10 might be slightly better, but that room wouldn't let it stretch it's legs a whole lot.