Are there any GOOD 8” subs?

[Good4it]

If not, any 10 inch ones? What are the lightest weight that still deliver good bass?

 

[KEW]

No such thing if you are serious about HT LFE,
If you are looking for a "subwoofer" to be a woofer and complement a modern (thin) tower for music, I like my Velodyne VMS-8's which are identical to this one:
https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/photon-8-subwoofer

It is no longer in production, but I feel it established the concept as viable!

I also am happy with the Energy ESW-C8 (which is also out of production).
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Why are you looking at 8's? If it is size, there are ported 8's which are much larger than sealed 10's, so be specific about what your objective is!
Also, when you say are there any "good" 8" subs what attributes are you really after because subsonic extension is generally not on the table. You also cannot expect one to fill a large room.
................................................................................................................................................
I have no direct experience with any of these, but just to lay out some options in the 8" market!

Based on Outlaw Audio's reputation for hifi competence and good subs, I expect the M8 is a good sub:
https://outlawaudio.com/products/m8.html

The NHT SS10 is a little smaller than the Outlaw:
https://www.nhthifi.com/products/16588-ss-10-subwoofer?category_id=1964882-nht-pc-hi-fi#specs

Also, you might look across the pond! Europeans generally have smaller rooms and live closer to neighbors, so they do not really go (so much) for the large subwoofers with the last few Hz at the bottom end.
Accessories4Less imports subs from several companies know for good sound such as Focal, Canton, KEF, etc:
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spksubwoofer/speakers/powered-subwoofers/1.html

The Cabasse is intriguing as a $1000 sub discounted to $250, but I know very little about Cabasse, only that they are a high-end French audio company.

Good luck!

And I look very forward to seeing what you end up with!

 

[3db]

Depends on what you mean by good. I have an Energy XL-S8 and it plays clean down to about 30 Hz but it can't go any lower. The bass it produces is clean but its limited in its ability to dleiver high SPL and bass below 30 Hz.

 

[Good4it]

I’m looking for one to compliment my LS50s in my bedroom system. Size and weight matter but cost is important also.

KEW & 3db thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[John Parks]

I’m looking for one to compliment my LS50s in my bedroom system. Size and weight matter but cost is important also.

KEW & 3db thanks for all the suggestions.

Hey Good - what's your budget? Accessories 4 Less has the KEF Kube 1 for $320: https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefkube1blka/kef-kube1-8-150-watt-powered-subwoofer-black-new/1.html
or the KEF C4 for $280: https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefc4blka/kef-c4-8-200-watt-powered-subwoofer-black-new/1.html#!specifications
They have a host of subwoofers and brands, ranging in price from a high of $1500 to a low of $100. I know you know that an 8" sub is strictly for supplementing the lower octaves and providing a little fill that your LS50s cannot and that they are designed (at least the quality ones are) for music more than HT. With that in mind, I would head in the direction of the REL T series, but that's just me...

 

[snakeeyes]

Not sure most 8in really qualify as a true sub. That would be more of a mid bass.

 

[KEW]

Not sure most 8in really qualify as a true sub. That would be more of a mid bass.

Yep, I consider them more of a woofer than a subwoofer.
But since most modern speaker are skinny with largest drivers often in the 6~8" range, there is good need for a dedicated small quality woofer to fill in a little more of the bottom end.

@Good4it you should be able to find Def Tech to audition. They have a pretty good distribution system. Also ML makes some good ones (but I doubt they will be price leaders) from their experience designing bass modules to complement their electrostatic panels.

I would also take a look at your local Craigslist... cause you never know!

Probably more than you want to pay, but the Rytthmik F8 is probably one of the very best options (however it is tall):
http://rythmikaudio.com/F8.html

 

[Good4it]

Just looked at Rhythmic prices WOW

 

[ryanosaur]

What about the monolith 10"?
Speedwoofer?
REL?

 

[j_garcia]

The Rythmiks are really good though. The AH review of the Speedwoofer 10" was good. How about a SVS SB1000?

 

[Good4it]

Like to keep it around $325 and 30lbs +/-.

Know of any used (but not too used)? I live in San Jose and don’t drive.

 

[John Parks]

New, 10", 35lbs, $300 - boom - you're done!

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cabenc1082a/cabasse-santorin-25-m2-10-200-watt-powered-subwoofer-black/1.html#!specifications

 

[ryanosaur]

specs look good for music only. Wonder how it actually performs?

 

[Good4it]

Ever heard it?

 

[snakeeyes]

Think you could try the RSL Speedwoofer 10in. I haven’t heard it though. Think @Danzilla31 has one maybe.

 

[rojo]

Ever heard it?

I doubt anyone here has heard it. But if the specs posted on A4L can be believed (111 dB, I'm assuming at 1 meter), that puts its performance right at that of the RSL Speedwoofer, just with perhaps a whole tone to minor third less extension on the low end. You might only be able to tell the difference between the two listening to them side-by-side, and even then with a very limited sampling of music. I think that's a pretty decent find, unless you happen across a good used sub on your local Craigslist or you already own an amp and want to build a Sonosub.

 

[afterlife2]

Used Jamo SUB 200. For 8 Inches very musical sub & packs a punch. I really like mine got it used on CL for under $70.


Review:
https://www.avforums.com/threads/any-opinions-on-the-jamo-200-sub.473965/#post-6809876
Also would suggest the M8 outlaw sub. Great sub when on sale.

 

[Danzilla31]

Think you could try the RSL Speedwoofer 10in. I haven’t heard it though. Think @Danzilla31 has one maybe.

Yep I do and for only 400 that's a bad bad sub. I love my RSL speedwoofer. The only one for the money that I would buy in a 10 and take seriously. That's the 400 and below club tho now 500 and above you have some really good 10 inch subs out there

 

[Danzilla31]

Yep I do and for only 400 that's a bad bad sub. I love my RSL speedwoofer. The only one for the money that I would buy in a 10 and take seriously. That's the 400 and below club tho now 500 and above you have some really good 10 inch subs out there

Also it's 400 straight no tax no shipping I don't know how RSL does that

 

[rojo]

Here's another direction to consider. If you want to be stealthy, you could cram a couple of these under your bed:

https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1000l-10-100-watt-low-profile-powered-subwoofer--300-639

According to Brent Butterworth's CEA-2010 measurements of them, you could exceed 100dB at 25 Hz with a pair of them, although they're probably tuned for something more like a 35 Hz corner on the low end. Not as powerful as the RSL or Cabasse subs, but could be completely hidden under the bed for higher WAF.