Dayton Audio sub-1200 review..... WOW!

[Trebdp83]

Now you just need a pair.

 

[Sheep]

A good sub is typically made of 1-4 5.25" drivers in a mass loaded module specifically designed for acoustics.

I shall call it, the Mass Module of Acoustics Excellence.

SheepStar

 

[KNOTSCOTT]

I picked up a SUB-1200 about 5 years ago on sale for $125 shipped....very tough to beat in that price range! It's a solid performer with some nice features. My biggest complaint is the spring loaded speaker inputs....would much rather have banana jacks. Later on I stumbled into a used Definitive Technology PF-1500 that simply digs a bit deeper, but the SUB-1200 is a great bang for the buck. Using both is best!

 

[privateeye]

The construction, design materials, and enclosure thickness of a subwoofer are almost as critical as the woofer itself. As an experiment, I checked out 12-inch subwoofers on Amazon priced between $500 and $1,000. The Sub 1200, available for $180 with shipping, actually weighs more than 90% of the big-brand subwoofers in this range. If you’re looking for a sub-$1,000 option, I’d highly recommend this one. You'll save a ton of money and get performance comparable to anything else in that price range. In fact, buy two, and you’ll blow away any competition in the sub-$1,000 range!

 

[isolar8001]

In fact, buy two, and you’ll blow away any competition in the sub-$1,000 range!

Uh...no you won't.

 

[privateeye]

Uh...no you won't.

Well, I own an SVS PB-2000, and since a single Sub-1200 is damn near on par with the PB-2000, two Sub-1200s are likely to put any single subwoofer under $1,000 to shame. That’s how I formed my opinion—how about you?

 

[shadyJ]

The construction, design materials, and enclosure thickness of a subwoofer are almost as critical as the woofer itself. As an experiment, I checked out 12-inch subwoofers on Amazon priced between $500 and $1,000. The Sub 1200, available for $180 with shipping, actually weighs more than 90% of the big-brand subwoofers in this range. If you’re looking for a sub-$1,000 option, I’d highly recommend this one. You'll save a ton of money and get performance comparable to anything else in that price range. In fact, buy two, and you’ll blow away any competition in the sub-$1,000 range!

I have experience with some of the subs in that price range. While the Dayton subs punch above their weight, they aren't actually built better than many of the subs in that respect. Rather, some of the subs in that price class are just over-priced. If we look at the average $500 sub, lets say a Klipsch sub, it does have a higher standard of build quality than the Dayton. It has an actual brace, uses higher quality MDF, and has more acoustic stuffing. The positive about the Dayton is that it isn't really that far behind but only costs half as much. But there are $500 subs that are significantly better built than the Klipsch like the Polk HTS12 or especially the Monoprice M-10. There is a major difference in build quality between these and the Dayton sub.

 

[isolar8001]

Well, I own an SVS PB-2000, and since a single Sub-1200 is damn near on par with the PB-2000, two Sub-1200s are likely to put any single subwoofer under $1,000 to shame. That’s how I formed my opinion—how about you?

One thing I never trust after 50 years of audio is trusting someone else's opinion, unless I know their opinion has merit.
Like Shady has previously said, the Sub-1200 isn't on par with a PB-2000.
The Sub-1200 is more on par with a BICF12.
I have two of those in my closet from 10 years ago....a single RSL Speedwoofer 10S is far more effective.

Nice that you like the Sub-1200, and that it is nice for the money like the BICF12 used to be until they hiked the price...but get real.

 

[privateeye]

I have experience with some of the subs in that price range. While the Dayton subs punch above their weight, they aren't actually built better than many of the subs in that respect. Rather, some of the subs in that price class are just over-priced. If we look at the average $500 sub, lets say a Klipsch sub, it does have a higher standard of build quality than the Dayton. It has an actual brace, uses higher quality MDF, and has more acoustic stuffing. The positive about the Dayton is that it isn't really that far behind but only costs half as much. But there are $500 subs that are significantly better built than the Klipsch like the Polk HTS12 or especially the Monoprice M-10. There is a major difference in build quality between these and the Dayton sub.

I’m sure there are technically better subs in the $500 price range, but I don’t think any of them have significantly better build quality—none of them are noticeably heavier, and most aren’t even as heavy. Weight really does tell the story of quality here. And remember, we’re talking about a subwoofer that costs $180 shipped. I can promise you, without question, that in a blind test in a normal-sized living room, it would hold its own with almost any sub-$1,000 subwoofer and would outright beat a lot in the $500 range. Like you, I’ve owned plenty of those subs, and I stand by what I’m saying—this isn’t just a good budget subwoofer; it’s a good subwoofer, period. Not saying it’s the best, but it’s damn solid.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

One thing I never trust after 50 years of audio is trusting someone else's opinion, unless I know their opinion has merit.
Like Shady has previously said, the Sub-1200 isn't on par with a PB-2000.
The Sub-1200 is more on par with a BICF12.
I have two of those in my closet from 10 years ago....a single RSL Speedwoofer 10S is far more effective.

Nice that you like the Sub-1200 and that it is nice for the money like the BICF12 used to be until they hiked the price...but get real.

I was gonna mention RSL for the less than one thousand game. The new HSU is worthy as well.

 

[privateeye]

One thing I never trust after 50 years of audio is trusting someone else's opinion, unless I know their opinion has merit.
Like Shady has previously said, the Sub-1200 isn't on par with a PB-2000.
The Sub-1200 is more on par with a BICF12.
I have two of those in my closet from 10 years ago....a single RSL Speedwoofer 10S is far more effective.

Nice that you like the Sub-1200, and that it is nice for the money like the BICF12 used to be until they hiked the price...but get real.

At the end of the day, opinions are subjective, and what one person calls “good” might be “mediocre” to someone else—especially with audio gear, where people are all over the place. The reality is, you shouldn’t trust anyone’s opinion. You need to judge it for yourself.

 

[isolar8001]

At the end of the day, opinions are subjective, and what one person calls “good” might be “mediocre” to someone else—especially with audio gear, where people are all over the place. The reality is, you shouldn’t trust anyone’s opinion. You need to judge it for yourself.

Yep...just like all the guys who would pull into my car audio shop bragging about how good the bass in their car systems was...their opinions.
Until I demoed what real bass should sound like, and sold and installed something better for them.
Then they had a much different opinion.

 

[privateeye]

Just to clarify, when I talk about build quality, I’m specifically referring to the enclosure. As I mentioned, the back plate (amp) on the Sub 1200 isn’t impressive at all—it’s what you’d expect on a budget subwoofer. The woofer itself, though, is actually pretty solid. In terms of fit and finish, most subs in the $500 to $1,000 range are going to blow it away—my SVS, for example, is leagues ahead in that department. But when it comes to bass output, the difference isn’t nearly as big as you’d expect. The Sub-1200 hits very hard, and it’s a fact pretty much everyone agrees on—it gets mentioned in almost every review. For the price, it’s honestly exceptional, and that’s why I’m so excited about it. You just don’t come across deals like this anymore- it deserves to be talked about!

 

[isolar8001]

You just don’t come across deals like this anymore- it deserves to be talked about!

It's been talked about for over 12 years now....its a good cheap sub.
Nice that you enjoy it.

Dayton Sub-1200 Review

www.avsforum.com

 

[privateeye]

Update: Post-Break-In Thoughts on This Subwoofer

After giving this sub some time to break in, I’m even more impressed. The difference post break-in is staggering—easily the biggest improvement I’ve ever heard in any subwoofer after this period. This thing hits hard. It’s labeled a budget sub, but the performance is on par with higher-end models when it comes to bass output.

What makes this sub truly special is its dual personality: it’s tight and controlled, almost like a sealed sub, but it can still dig deep and rattle the walls like a great ported sub. It’s rare to find a ported design that’s this fast and punchy. I’d even call it a hybrid between the two in terms of sound quality.

I’ve been so happy with it that I haven’t even unpacked my repaired PB-2000 yet. That says a lot. On top of the performance, I really like how it looks with the grill off, especially after ditching those cheap Velcro binders.

I know its days in my setup are numbered, with the SVS coming back out soon, but I can’t recommend this sub enough. For the price, it doesn’t feel like a budget sub at all where it really counts. If you’re looking for a hard-hitting, fast, and deep sub, this one’s a rare breed.

My only nitpick is that I have to turn the gain up to 3/4 full to match the volume my SVS hits at just 3/8 volume. That’s expected, given the weaker amp, but it’s still plenty for my medium-sized room, where it easily holds its own against the SVS. If you’ve got a really large room, though, it might struggle.

 

[kini]

"The difference post break-in is staggering"


The laughing hysterically emoji wasn't available.

 

[isolar8001]

The only thing worse than being Staggered is being Stagger Lee'ed.

 

[privateeye]

"The difference post break-in is staggering"


The laughing hysterically emoji wasn't available.

Ah, of course, cataclysmic would have been far more appropriate.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yikes, rough crowd.