Sub general ?'s and recommendations

[WilL07]

Hey all,

I need some help with choseing a sub. I know some of you may laugh at my choices cause they are not good enough, but please understand I am on a budget. Plus, I am really looking for something for movies, listening to music would be minimal. My HT setup is just 2 JBL tower speakers and a Onkyo rec. Everything is new.

At first I had a 10" JBL sub rated at 250peakwatts, not sure on RMS. Front firing and I loved it! Had a defect with the auto on system and I had to return it. Unfortunately it was a discontinued item and I couldn't get another one

I just purchased a Onkyo sub, see details in the link below. My problem with it is the bass doesn't seem to project, and it sounds like it's distorting all the time. Is it just cheap, also because it's side firing does that make a difference?

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=SKW-204&class=Speaker&p=i

I am considering taking back the Onkyo for this sub, any opinions would be great!

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=190814#CustomerRatings

 

[mazersteven]

If your looking to spend about $200 bucks on a sub and ar tired of messing around with inferior products. Check these out.

Dayton SUB-120 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635

Cadence 12" HOME THEATER SUBWOOFER
http://www.cadencestore.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=137&idproduct=396

 

[skers_54]

I had that Onkyo sub with an HTiB and it was crap. I'd return it and never look back.

 

[WilL07]

MAZERSTEVEN,

I like the first link the best. Seems low on watts, is the 150 RMS or peak? Looks like a great product and very nice price The second is just a little too much $$$. I really don't want to go more then $200-225 max.

The other thing I don't like about either of those is the fact that they have no LFE input, my rec has a sub pre out. I don't want to hook it up with the speaker level inputs, just not a fan of this, don't want all the extra cords either. If I run from the rec pre out is there an adapter I can get to use just the single cord and go into the sub speaker level inputs, hope that makes sense...? Also, any disadvantage to doing this. I have always heard it's best to use the pre out directly into the sub LFE port.

Another question, a sub that is front firing with less watts then lets say my current side firing sub, will it sound better and project better into the room? What is the advantage to the long throw woofer? Sorry for being picky, I am just tired of switching subs, just want to settle on one. I miss my JBL, only paid $150 for it and I thought it was awesome! To give you a idea of the JBL product to kinda compare to, it had 250watts peak, 150RMS, 10" front firing. So I want something comparable to it.....

 

[j_garcia]

The subs listed will be at least comparable if not better than the JBL, so if you were impressed with the JBL, you should not be disappointed with either of those.

I've heard a few of the HTiB Onkyo subs and yes, they are crap.

 

[WilL07]

I had that Onkyo sub with an HTiB and it was crap. I'd return it and never look back.

Lol, thanks for the input. I am beginning to realize this
They make great rec. and they should probably stick with that.
I will just go ahead and return it, just need to decide on what to replace it with. No rush though, I can leave without a sub if needed for some time.

 

[mazersteven]

I like the first link the best. Seems low on watts, is the 150 RMS or peak? Looks like a great product and very nice price

Another question, a sub that is front firing with less watts then lets say my current side firing sub, will it sound better and project better into the room?

Watts are only a small part of what contributes to a subwoofers performance. Amp, Enclosure design, Driver, Crossover all play an important part. So just because a sub has more amps doesn't mean it's better.

Front, or bottom firing does not matter. With a properly designed sub you should not be able to tell once it's integrated in your system if it's front or bottom firing.