Trying to choose a low cost sub...

[MTaylor]

I enjoy the occasional film with impressive soundtracks, but I mostly enjoy listening to a wide variety of music on my stereo.

Up until recently I was using some very old Sylvania floorstanding speakers. They were muddy, but were free so I used them for a long time. In the past I purchased an MTX sub from circuit city (down firing 10") which ended up catching on fire within 1 week of moderate use. So, I took that back and decided to wait until I could afford something better. Here we are a year later and I'm still broke! However, I just purchased some used B&W bookshelf speakers that sound great. Although, I'd love to compliment them with a sub to fill in the low end.

I've read about the affordable Polk subs, Dayton subs, Velodyne, MTX etc. With all the reviews and opinions I'm still lost.

My system is in our finished basement, relatively small room with low ceiling. The bookshelf speakers sound great down here. So, I don't think it will take much from a sub to fill the room.

My gut reaction is to go with the cheap Polk sub that's around $100 from Amazon with free shipping. Even though it has limitations, I feel like I can trust the quality of construction from Polk and customer service from Amazon.

Any recommendations beyond this? I'd love to save up for awhile and get a great sub, but the cost of one of those subs buys a lot of diapers and baby formula. You know?

Here is the 'specs'...

B & W DM601 Series I Bookshelf Speakers
Yamaha HTR-5830 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Receiver (Silver)
PS2 w/ Optical Out (lol) Hey, it works!

Thanks in advance..

Matthew

 

[mazersteven]

Acculine ASub
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=68

Dayton SUB-100
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

Dayton SUB-120
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635

 

[mike c]

i realize your hesitance to buy a more expensive subwoofer because you feel you have all you need. i was once like that, satisfied with my HTIB JBL 10" subwoofer. but believe me, the jump from 100USD to 400USD is the single biggest upgrade in subwoofer/audio history ever.

SVS PB10
www.svsound.com
Elemental Designs
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php?cPath=2_41
HSU research
www.hsuresearch.com

 

[MTaylor]

i realize your hesitance to buy a more expensive subwoofer because you feel you have all you need. i was once like that, satisfied with my HTIB JBL 10" subwoofer. but believe me, the jump from 100USD to 400USD is the single biggest upgrade in subwoofer/audio history ever.

Unfortunately, I don't have 100% jurisdiction here because it also depends on what my wife will agree to. If I were to save up $400 and she saw me spending that on a sub instead of our 8 month old or our other bills, I'd be sleeping on the couch for a long time!

So, I really need some more information regarding why the Dayton sub might be better than the Polk for about the same price. I expect any subs in this region to be equally awful when compared to the big guns... BUT I'm trying to pick "The lesser of two evils" here!

Also, I have even considered scouting for high quality subs for cheap prices via craigslist etc. but the problem there is if the thing dies on me I have no recourse.

Thanks for the input.

 

[mike c]

ooh the dreaded WAF.

i have a 2.9 mo. old myself. i just make sure I have everything ELSE covered before I even think about purchasing audio stuff. ever since my 10" JBL, I am now on my fifth and sixth subwoofer

i don't know anything about the dayton sub ... i'm sure there will be comments later when everyone else wakes up over there.