Noob Buying a Sub

[swraman]

Hi all

I am by no means an audiophile, far from it, however I do enjoy good sound, particularly the lows.

I usually use my Bose Triport headphones (please dont all flame me at once :p) because with the custom EQs my creative soundcard offers I can get deep rich mindblowing lows.

Now I wish to purchace a subwoofer so I can play games in 5.1/listen to music (mainly hip hop...lots of bass). And in the next year or so maybe complete my speaker set and get a real 5.1 system (i currently have discount creative and logitech ones).

Anyways, I am a college student am am on a budget, I can spend around $100-150, MAYBE up to $200 if you guys really think it would be worth it. I know this isnt much for speakers...and im not expecting everything to be top notch.

The most impolrtant thing for me is that it can produce lows of all frequencies necessary. My current subs are horrible at that, if something is around 20-70Hz it makes little to no sound, and if I turn it up it is distorted (even though it advertises 20-200Hz). Or it makes the lows just sound Much higher than they are suposed to be (~50->~150Hz). I like the bass to be deep, and I dont at all mind any rattling windows ;) .

Heres what I found on Amazon...for the price range Im looking for. (sorry it wont let me post links :mad:):
Polk Audio PSW10 Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer
JBL Venue Series SUB10 10-Inch 250-300-Watt Subwoofer
Yamaha YST-SW216BL Advanced YST II Front-Firing Active Subwoofer
Onkyo SKW-204 Powered Subwoofer

and this I found in another thread that looks fairly promising:
Velodyne VX-10 - Subwoofer - 100 Watt

Well, opinions? should I go in a different direction with the sub and get something completely different?

Sorry to make this so long and noobish...but ive never really experimented with audio before, so I thouight this'd be a good time to start!

Thanks!!!

[hondajake]

What is your budget?

[swraman]

200 dollars max

[dorokusai]

What exactly are you running now? You mentioned "subs"....

The <$200 subwoofer category is a tough one, since none of them do that "great" in regards to actual 20hz low end. It's more compromise, budget and aesthetics in this range from my perspective.

Gaming is easy to supplement, as it's not as demanding as a reference style rig.

I currently run an SVS subwoofer, so the bar has been set pretty high for me....for now.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

[swraman]

At home I have a basic Creative 5.1 system for PC and in my dorm I have a Logitec 5.1 system for PC. So Im really not running much now.

I want to be able to hear the lows a lot better for games and music. I know that the 200s isnt much for a sub, but its all Ill have for a while...probably a year or so...So later on I will replace my satellites with actual good speakers. I just want to start out with a sub.

The ones I listed in the 1st post are all sub 200, any of them worth it?

And Im not expecting any of them to hit the 20's, I was just sayin thats what it advertises.

[bandphan]

At home I have a basic Creative 5.1 system for PC and in my dorm I have a Logitec 5.1 system for PC. So Im really not running much now.

I want to be able to hear the lows a lot better for games and music. I know that the 200s isnt much for a sub, but its all Ill have for a while...probably a year or so...So later on I will replace my satellites with actual good speakers. I just want to start out with a sub.

The ones I listed in the 1st post are all sub 200, any of them worth it?

And Im not expecting any of them to hit the 20's, I was just sayin thats what it advertises.

Good cause they will not, and at that point(below20) its all feeling. Why not try to get a used unit till you get to a point in your life where the "sound" will matter. The polk unit you mentioned "thumps" for the price and isnt to large. Its a promo/package sub

[hondajake]

If 200 dollars is your budget, I would wait until you have 400 to 500 dollars, you can get a much better subwoofer then and dont have to upgrade later possbily. Just wait.

[rnatalli]

What size is the room?

[mojo_13]

For around $200 you can get the BIC H-100 I have one and it can get pretty low but is more of a HT sub as opposed to a musical one.

[mazersteven]

Dayton SUB-120 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635

[swraman]

Dayton SUB-120 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635

Is that a good sub for the price? I have never seen a 12" sub for less than $200.

[mazersteven]

Is that a good sub for the price? I have never seen a 12" sub for less than $200.

Would I recommend it if it wasn't a good sub? :rolleyes:

Here is another
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

[swraman]

Would I recommend it if it wasn't a good sub? :rolleyes:

Here is another
av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

Haha, thanks. I think Ill go with the Dayton, Ill order it tonite!! Thanks again, Ill let you know how it goes!

[mazersteven]

For around $200 you can get the BIC H-100 I have one and it can get pretty low but is more of a HT sub as opposed to a musical one.

Mojo,

Where have you found this sub for close to $200 bucks? I have seen it as low as $249, but that is it. Can you provide a link?

http://www.acoustechspeakers.com/showpage.php?brand=1&type=8&spkrID=26

http://www.audiosurvey.com/images/products/acoustec_ht100_u.jpg

[mazersteven]

Haha, thanks. I think Ill go with the Dayton, Ill order it tonite!! Thanks again, Ill let you know how it goes!


swraman,

Good Luck with your purchase. You might want to talk to one of the sales reps from Parts Express and ask about purchasing 2 Dayton SUB-80, and putting them together (side by side), vs. 1 Dayton SUB-120


http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-631

[swraman]

swraman,

Good Luck with your purchase. You might want to talk to one of the sales reps from Parts Express and ask about purchasing 2 Dayton SUB-80, and putting them together (side by side), vs. 1 Dayton SUB-120


Do you think that would create better preformance than 1 120? I like the price of the 120, with shipping it is just almost exactly $200...I really dont want to spend more than that...and it looks like the other one is 80 + ~40 ship each...a but over what I want to spend.

And I dont think 2 should be necessary, I am in a fairly small room.

[mazersteven]

Do you think that would create better preformance than 1 120? I like the price of the 120, with shipping it is just almost exactly $200...I really dont want to spend more than that...and it looks like the other one is 80 + ~40 ship each...a but over what I want to spend.

I don't know if it would create better performance. It was just a thought.

What size room is this sub going into? Any openings to other areas?

[swraman]

Just my room door, and I can close that.

I may use it in my living room though, and that is a bit bigger...about 15'x20'...with a few openings to other rooms. Is that too large do you think for that sub?

EDIT: the 12" sub I mean. Also, for some reason the shipping is cheaper if I buy it through Amazon instead of Parts Express, even though it is buying it from Parts Express through Amazon =?

[mazersteven]

Just my room door, and I can close that.

I may use it in my living room though, and that is a bit bigger...about 15'x20'...with a few openings to other rooms. Is that too large do you think for that sub?

EDIT: the 12" sub I mean. Also, for some reason the shipping is cheaper if I buy it through Amazon instead of Parts Express, even though it is buying it from Parts Express through Amazon =?

Good find on amazon. :D

Yes the room is to large for that sub. Please don't expect this sub to pressurize your room, and create earthquake shaking effects. It's a good performing under $200 sub, but that is all it is. A budget sub.

[swraman]

OK, thanks. Ill keep it in my room then. When I decide to get a new sub for the living room...ill be back ;)

Ill let you know how it goes when I get it

Thanks again!

[mazersteven]

OK, thanks. Ill keep it in my room then. When I decide to get a new sub for that room...ill be back ;)

Ill let you know how it goes when I get it



We will expect pictures. And your thoughts.

I hope it works out for you. :D

[ozz316]

Hey Mazer sorry to hijack this post, but how do you think that Dayton sub the 12" or the 2-8" Dayton's would fair against a Def Tech Pro Sub 1000? I am trying to compare the 2 because the Def Tech is the only one I have heard recently.

[mazersteven]

Hey Mazer sorry to hijack this post, but how do you think that Dayton sub the 12" or the 2-8" Dayton's would fair against a Def Tech Pro Sub 1000? I am trying to compare the 2 because the Def Tech is the only one I have heard recently.


Sorry I have only auditioned and heard the Supercubes. I have no idea how the Pro Sub 1000 performs. :(

[ozz316]

Sorry I have only auditioned and heard the Supercubes. I have no idea how the Pro Sub 1000 performs. :(

Thank you anyway.

[swraman]

The speaker came a few days ago

Wow this thing kicks. You were right, it isnt quite powerful enough for mt living room, as if I turn the sub's volume to over 50% it gets distorted (but 50% is plenty loud enough for my room).

The only bad thing is that when I play some songs I have to turn the sub volume down to about 1/4 the way up because hte bass is prety low, and distorts really easily. In such songs hte bass cant be heard very loudly =\

Is that just because the sub isnt powerful enough?


Aside from that, I love this sub, it rattles my entire room, even my king size bed! you can even hear parts of the house rattling across the house :)

Thanks for the help :)

[mazersteven]

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures. :eek:

How is the build quality in your opinion?

Have you calibrated it into your system using a SPL meter?

[DarkNessBear]

What is an SPL meter?

And I am thinking of ordering the same sub!

What would you suggest connecting it with?

[mazersteven]

What is an SPL meter?

And I am thinking of ordering the same sub!

What would you suggest connecting it with?

A SPL meter is used to calibrate your system.

To optimize your home theater system, you should calibrate your speakers to fit acoustically with your home listening environment. Speaker calibration is a relatively simple procedure that shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes, and it will change your home audio system's output quality dramatically.

http://www.hometheatersound.com/features/cinemacynergy/cc_20010201.htm

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-digital-display-sound-level-meter--pi-2103667.html

[DarkNessBear]

How do you use that? :confused: