Boston Acoustics XB6 subwoofer - want cleaner low-end

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I bought a BA XB6 12" subwoofer from my local C.C.
I'm just wondering what anyone here has to say about it.
For me, I would say it blends well but on any low down movie scenes it sounds like it's gonna blow it's seal.

So I guess i'm wondering if there are any alternatives in it's price range that will outperform it.


The main reasons I purchased are:
1. I wanted a reference point to judge from and CC let's you try it out for up to 30 days and can then return it for free.
2. I saw it online for $399 new and I got it for $299 new at CC.

 

[rnatalli]

I have always felt the BA subs were too boomy. I'd go with a sub from HSU for almost the same money you paid for the BA sub.

 

[darien87]

Yeah, I have a BA PV-500, and while it's great for mid-bass and music, it only goes down to about 35hz. That's why I ended up adding my Rythmik sub. It was less money and will kick the crap out of most of the commercial subs that cost twice as much.

Look at HSU or SVS, you'll ending up getting a lot more for your money.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

My XB4 is clean, tight, and musical. It does not, however, go very deep. For music, I didn't hear much difference between using my VR2s with or without it. (I haven't tried it in my HT. I think my Def Tech mains go lower.)

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

SVS is too expensive for me right now.
Will the lowest end HSU STF1 be better for the low end even though it is a 10"? What about musically?
Perhaps I should look at the STF2?

 

[rnatalli]

STF-1 is 8" I believe and the STF-2 is 10". I'd go with an STF-2 as it's one of the best subwoofers around at this pricepoint. How large is the room?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

14' x 15' x 11'h ceiling.
I didn't realize the 1 was only 8". So the STF2 would be the choice there.

 

[rnatalli]

STF-2 should work fine in that room. If I had just a few hundred more, I would have bought the HSU as it sounds great! I had to settle with a Dayton for the time being. Although, I think the Dayton sounds just as good as the BA subs I've heard at CC. But since your price range is around $300, I'd say the HSU STF-2 is perfect. The HSU is in an entirely different league.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

What about the Elemental Designs A2-300? $350 shipped.
The HSU STF-2 is $350 + shipping.
The specs say the ED would be louder and go lower?

 

[rnatalli]

I don't have any experience with Elemental Designs so hopefully someone who has will chime in. I will say this, do not base your decision on the stated specs as they are almost always skewed somehow. The ED may very well go lower or their specs may have been inflated. Hopefully someone has first-hand experience with their stuff.

 

[darien87]

What about the Elemental Designs A2-300? $350 shipped.
The HSU STF-2 is $350 + shipping.
The specs say the ED would be louder and go lower?

If you have ANY type of technical ability, I'd say check out www.rythmikaudio.com. For about $400, plus the cost of wood and stuff, you'll get a much better sub than what you can find commercially for $400.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I'm trying to stay under $400 total.
I live in an apartment and have nowhere to build even a simple box. nor do I have the required tools such as a table saw.

Years ago I built a few enclosures for my car audio. Including a dual 15" JL set-up on a Zapco comp. amp. But I had a work bench, table saw, etc. then.

 

[darien87]

I'm trying to stay under $400 total.
I live in an apartment and have nowhere to build even a simple box. nor do I have the required tools such as a table saw.

Years ago I built a few enclosures for my car audio. Including a dual 15" JL set-up on a Zapco comp. amp. But I had a work bench, table saw, etc. then.

I live in a condo, so I built mine in my carport. I don't have a table saw. The place where I bought the wood, cut it into individual pieces for me. Basically, all it took to do was a jigsaw, a drill, clamps, wood glue, and my Black & Decker Workmate bench. Very low-tech.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

No table/work bench of any kind to use. Would rather not be cutting wood in my living room.
I'm pretty much set on getting a premade set-up now and in a couple years when I own my own home I will go dual 15" DIY.

So I'm thinking the ED A2-300.