Subwoofer Advice - looking for a pair on a low budget

[Fried Chicken]

Currently I have a Klipsch R-12SW, and an Allison Al10.

I think I'm going to sell/get rid of the R-12SW, and keep the Allison AL10 a little bit until I manage to scour the used market and find a pair of subwoofers. The Allison is rated to lower frequencies than the Klipsch, but the Klipsch is certainly prettier.

Now onto what I'm looking for: I don't want to spend more than $400 (for two!). I disagree with Gene on this, I believe stereo subwoofers are a requirement, at least for music listening. As such I want them matched. There is no way I can spend what some of y'all are on subwoofers.

To achieve this, I will have to scour the used market, and likely pull all the tricks I can (scan the nationwide craigslist and ask for shipping, and/or ask someone to buy something for me).

It's very difficult to find two subwoofers for sale, so I'm thinking of finding a good deal on one that's reasonably popular/available, and then getting a second. For example, right now there is someone selling a Pradigm PS-1000 subwoofer for like $150 (I'm not sure which version), and I could get that and then scour for a second. Unfortunately, this is a relatively rare model, and there are many versions available.

The research I've done has taken me here:

speakers, user reviews, editorial reviews, speakers deals, used speakers

speakers, user reviews, editorial reviews, speakers deals, used speakers

www.audioreview.com

Finding best of the most reviewed subwoofers. Since there are a lot of reviews, I expect these to be reasonably popular, and I might be able to find two that work. Another route is to actually build my own, which I'm more than capable of doing. Actually, I just got done with a huge woodworking project, and my next project is all Electrical work, so I have literally anything I could need for electronics work and woodworking.

Please refrain from giving me the "No such thing as budget and good". If I had a lot of money to spend on subwoofers, I wouldn't have the time to enjoy them.

 

[ryanosaur]

Home

Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferAdd thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

www.parts-express.com

 

[lovinthehd]

How do you implement "stereo" subs? What's the rest of the setup? Personally I wouldn't bother but YMMV. Something like a pair of diy subs with a used two ch pro amp could perhaps be done, altho spending a bit more would be easier....maybe something like a pair of the VBSS subs on avsforum come to mind.

 

[Fried Chicken]

Home

Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferAdd thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

www.parts-express.com

I have considered this. Rated for 25-140Hz, although I will only use it up to 60 or 80Hz.

At 15:28 in this video, there is a comparison of the basic subwoofers. I'm staring at the 20Hz and below ratings. If there's not much difference between them, I will probably stick with my current setup.

This thread is.... dangerous.

 

[Pogre]

Mighty big ask on such a tight budget. I don't think you'll do much better than the Dayton subs on the used market. At least not in my area, and I look often. You could get lucky tho. Look for used SVS, HSU, Rhythmik, PSA...

 

[Fried Chicken]

Mighty big ask on such a tight budget. I don't think you'll do much better than the Dayton subs on the used market. At least not in my area, and I look often. You could get lucky tho. Look for used SVS, HSU, Rhythmik, PSA...

I know.

I will see what I can find. This adventure was started by the guy offering the Paradigm PS-1000. Do new subwoofers offer something 10, 20, or 30 year old subwoofers do not?

 

[lovinthehd]

New subs offer newer amps, possibly less issues with the drivers if abused or have foam surrounds, many of the older subs didn't have particularly low extension either. What's the goal with extension/spl?

 

[Fried Chicken]

New subs offer newer amps, possibly less issues with the drivers if abused or have foam surrounds, many of the older subs didn't have particularly low extension either. What's the goal with extension/spl?

As low as I can go. Sub 20Hz if possible.

 

[ryanosaur]

As low as I can go. Sub 20Hz if possible.

Infrasonic territory requires bigger Drivers and Bigger Cabinets. This gets expensive, as I'm certain you've seen.
Even the Sub 1500 doesn't really give you anything you can't get in the Sub 1200.
Last time I checked, even the BIC Subs don't really deliver anything different at this level.

Do new subwoofers offer something 10, 20, or 30 year old subwoofers do not?

Newer designs offer better extension, less distortion... a whole slew of improvements as technology has advanced. This isn't to say an old unit cannot perform, but the differences exist.

 

[lovinthehd]

As low as I can go. Sub 20Hz if possible.

That's a big ask at $400 for a pair....

 

[Hetfield]

I've seen good reviews of OSD subs and I think they are quite inexpensive.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Pogre]

C

That's a big ask at $400 for a pair....

Furreals. Steak and lobster on a mac n cheese budget.

 

[lovinthehd]

I've seen good reviews of OSD subs and I think they are quite inexpensive.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Review with what measurements? Extension is good?

 

[lovinthehd]

C

Furreals. Steak and lobster on a mac n cheese budget.

Yeah that's too low for a single sub IME

 

[Hetfield]

Review with what measurements? Extension is good?

No, just that for extremely cheap subs they were decent. I mean at this price point I don't think you are gonna get something that will knock your socks off.
Kspace on YouTube did a review of an OSD subs I remember and it was decent for a very, very cheap sub.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

No, just that for extremely cheap subs they were decent. I mean at this price point I don't think you are gonna get something that will knock your socks off.
Kspace on YouTube did a review of an OSD subs I remember and it was decent for a very, very cheap sub.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I was specifically asking about extension, did he measure the sub somehow? Who is "kspace" and is he worth a watch at all?

 

[Fried Chicken]

C

Furreals. Steak and lobster on a mac n cheese budget.

It's been done before, and I feel somewhat confident I can do it again

 

[ryanosaur]

No, just that for extremely cheap subs they were decent. I mean at this price point I don't think you are gonna get something that will knock your socks off.
Kspace on YouTube did a review of an OSD subs I remember and it was decent for a very, very cheap sub.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

A YT Review? Did they have ground plane measurements that they did, or was this just some face with a Sub in their room?

 

[Pogre]

Yeah that's too low for a single sub IME

For what @Fried Chicken wants I think minimum $400 each. Like a pair of RSL Speedwoofers.

Otherwise comb through the classifieds with your fingers crossed. I'm always looking for a good deal and what you want doesn't pop up very often (like, ever). $200 doesn't get you much even on the used market. You'd be better of with Dayton and at least have a new amp and warranty.

 

[Fried Chicken]

Otherwise comb through the classifieds with your fingers crossed.

This is my plan, since I have a setup that currently works. I would just need to know what to look for. It seems certain brands, SVS for example, are something that can do no wrong.

I'm not particularly worried about warranty, since I feel confident I can fix anything myself. There is currently a paradigm ps-1000 for sale for under $200. I'm almost tempted to pull the trigger, and then spend the time looking for another.