I need a musical subwoofer

[dsantjer]

My setup isn't extravagant but here is what I currently have:

- (5x) NXG Pro 4.1 Satellite Speakers
- Denon AVR E300 Receiver

I am looking for a subwoofer in the $200-400 price range. I have had quite a few recommended to me, but I just want to be thorough.

My ideal subwoofer would be the NXG NX-BAS-500, which should restock by the end of the month, or so says the NXG rep. Others that have been recommended include the HSU STF-2 and the Dayton 1500.

My goal is to have a very musical subwoofer that can keep up with the new and the old music, while also knocking some socks off in a movie. Suggestions?

 

[rojo]

Hey again! I was just wondering earlier today whether you were able to pick up the NXG sub.

Here's another one to consider: SVS PB-1000. It's just slightly above your price range, but it's getting into the level of grown-ups' subs. Add it to your list to Google at least.

Also, the GoldenEar Forcefield 3, maybe, if you can find a dealer having a sale.

On second thought, forget the GoldenEar. SVS is better unless size limitation is an issue.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[crossedover]

check outlet specials from svs for the pb1000 mentioned above. Most $400 subs can only roll your socks down a notch. Either change your expectations or dont expect a magical answer. As asked before in the other thread, what is your room size????


or if your handy...Dayton Audio 15" Reference Series HO Subwoofer and Cabinet Package this with a plate amp will give you more than any of the options you have mentioned

 

[dsantjer]

Rojo, how would you compare the PB-1000 to everything we have discussed here and in the past? The best?

 

[dsantjer]

My apologies crossedover!

My space: My room is about 14' L, 14' W, 10' H

Edit:

I hope to accommodate a somewhat larger room within the next few years (fraternity house) so I will be upgrading where need be but I'd like my baseline to be comfortable.

 

[rojo]

See this page for a comparison between the SVS and the Hsu. Compared to the Dayton and probably the NXG as well, the SVS has a stronger amp, better-braced enclosure, longer-throw driver, and better tuning. These 3rd party measurements are pretty impressive.

afterlife2 has a PB-1000. I'm hoping he pops in to offer an opinion. If not, send him a PM and ask.

 

[Basshead81]

I would not put much stock in those numbers from S&V. Go over to data-bass.com/systems and look up the PB12nsd. Just subtract 3db across the board and that will give you a good idea of the PB-1000 performance.

 

[shadyJ]

I would try to stretch the budget for a Reaction BPS 212 which can be had for $500 shipped. I think that may be the best $500 sub. If you have even more leeway, the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX is on sale right now for $600 shipped. That is a killer sub for the price, and will easily outperform everything mentioned so far in this thread.

 

[rojo]

Wow, BPS 212 on closeout pricing for $330 shipped. Good call shadyj!

dsantjer, the low-end rolloff of sealed subs is shallower than ported, and the subs are better protected from over excursion when played too loudly too low. Also, this is the only sub in the list with dual opposed drivers and it's a bargain.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[fuzz092888]

At that price, my curiosity is almost overwhelmed.

 

[dsantjer]

So pull the trigger on the BPS 212?

 

[fuzz092888]

So pull the trigger on the BPS 212?

There are tradeoffs there as well. Reaction Audio is a brand new company, so there's no telling what their customer service is like or how they will be able to handle a company. That being said, they have a dedicated over on AVS where the owner/operator has been active and willing to answer questions and interact. If it were me, I'd go for it, but you have to decide if the possible performance/size benefits are worth the unknowns.

 

[Steve81]

That's the old version of the RA sub that doesn't include grills as well, correct?

 

[rojo]

Edit: I originally thought of steel mesh grills as a solution. But now that I look at the BPS 212, it looks like the baffles are countersunk and those wouldn't work. Probably ought to stick with this frame kit + grill cloth, or 15" waffle grills + clamp kits, grill cloth optional.

At that price, my curiosity is almost overwhelmed.

Buy one, then sell it to me in a couple of months when I'm not as broke.

 

[fuzz092888]

Buy one, then sell it to me in a couple of months when I'm not as broke.

If I bring home another subwoofer, I'll never live to use it

If it were me, I'd just remove the drivers, sand down the whole thing, sink some magnets in, repaint and make magnetic grills. Well, and probably repaint as well

 

[Steve81]

If it were me, I'd just remove the drivers, sand down the whole thing, sink some magnets in, repaint and make magnetic grills. Well, and probably repaint as well

I'm lazy, so I'd just pony up for the current model that comes with magnetic grills and a boost in power

 

[rojo]

There are tradeoffs there as well. Reaction Audio is a brand new company, so there's no telling what their customer service is like or how they will be able to handle a company. That being said, they have a dedicated over on AVS where the owner/operator has been active and willing to answer questions and interact. If it were me, I'd go for it, but you have to decide if the possible performance/size benefits are worth the unknowns.

I just thought of something else. The amp is either off or auto on, and the auto on isn't defeatable. That's a pet peeve of mine. Auto on sucks on cheap subs. Sooo...

So pull the trigger on the BPS 212?

Nah, go for the SVS PB-1000 outlet special. Unless you can stretch your budget to $600, then go for the Outlaw.

 

[fuzz092888]

I'm lazy, so I'd just pony up for the current model that comes with magnetic grills and a boost in power

Pffft, where's the fun in that? The adventure is paying your hard earned money for a product, then taking that product apart, fiddling with it, putting it back together, and praying it works.

You don't even want to know what I'd do to a pair of Status 8t's or Focal Grand Utopias

 

[afterlife2]

See this page for a comparison between the SVS and the Hsu. Compared to the Dayton and probably the NXG as well, the SVS has a stronger amp, better-braced enclosure, longer-throw driver, and better tuning. These 3rd party measurements are pretty impressive.

afterlife2 has a PB-1000. I'm hoping he pops in to offer an opinion. If not, send him a PM and ask.

The Reaction seems to be a nice sub for the price. I have been subscribed to that thread since the beginning and the owner of the company is always hands on. If I were in for a sub it will still be the SVS PB1000(super clean output and shakes the room to my hearts discontent) it's more than enough for me in my small studio apt. It does not get used to it's potential due to pesky neighbors. My second option budget wise would be the NXG, Reaction, OSD or Dayton 1200 or 1500(really has surprised me how well it does in my music setup). The NXG 4.1 speakers mesh very well with the PB1000. How are you liking the NXG 4.1's?

 

[fuzz092888]

I just thought of something else. The amp is either off or auto on, and the auto on isn't defeatable. That's a pet peeve of mine. Auto on sucks on cheap subs. Sooo...

Easy enough to swap to something like the Dayton SPA250. Plus they're using an off the shelf amplifier so it's easy to get replacements if you stuck with the stock amp.