Subwoofer Dilema

[anamorphic96]

Looking to add a second sub or upgrade. The deal is I have 250.00 to spend on this venture and I absolutely can't go any higher. So no one should suggest anything higher. This is my limit. No exceptions.

First option is to add a second ASW-10 from The Speaker Company. This is good clean sub down to about 28hz. But my room is 12' x 21' x 8' so its struggles a bit at higher volume. I would also add the ED parametric eq since I would save roughly 100.00 with this sub.

Second option is to pick up one of the following 12" subs.

Premier Acoustics PA-120 for 229.00 off of ebay. Supposedly has good output to 23hz.

Polk Audio PSW-505 for 249.00 from JR.com. Again according to the review I read it can get down to 25hz with reasonable output.

Boston Acoustics HPS-12HO for 249.00. Looks to have extension down to 25hz and should offer the output I need.

So in a nut shell would it be better to pick up the the benefits of two subs and the extra output with a little less extension or go with one of the larger subs that I listed. Keep in mind I listen at elevated levels but not reference levels.

If there are any other options at my price point Im missing please chime in.

 

[markw]

First, about the equalizer. They don't "give" you more power or acoustic output. They just help you maximize what you currently have. If a sub is struggling now, it most likely will struggle more if you goose it. If anything, they are more effective in cutting the signal to minimize room gain.

Secondly, and you may not like this but here goes. Why not just wait and save up for a Hsu or SVS sub that you know can do the job? One great sub with deeper extention and more output will be better then two mediocre ones, particularly when you consider getting the placement figured out.

Two Hyundais won't make a Lexus, but they may cost about the same.

 

[anamorphic96]

First, about the equalizer. They don't "give" you more power or acoustic output. They just help you maximize what you currently have. If a sub is struggling now, it most likely will struggle more if you goose it. If anything, they are more effective in cutting the signal to minimize room gain.

Secondly, and you may not like this but here goes. Why not just wait and save up for a Hsu or SVS sub that you know can do the job? One great sub with deeper extention and more output will be better then two mediocre ones, particularly when you consider getting the placement figured out.

Two Hyundais won't make a Lexus, but they may cost about the same.

Sorry I did not mean to say that the EQ would increase output or extension.

I do agree with you on saving up for a great sub. As mentioned I should be able to get myself into a HSU or SVS in a year or so.

But given the above scenario which would maximize my current situation.

 

[mike c]

i would use other means of EQ - something sure to not add distortion and still be usable in the future whatever your subwoofer like the Behringer units (BFD)

 

[anamorphic96]

i would use other means of EQ - something sure to not add distortion and still be usable in the future whatever your subwoofer like the Behringer units (BFD)

I have read some good things about the ED EQ. I like its simplicity and I really have only a couple of peaks in my room. Plus the subsonic filter is nice .

Is the consensus poor on this unit ?

 

[mike c]

im not sure about the build quality - but looking at their other products, im not optimistic.

the behringer units, i believe, can simulate a subsonic filter for you and have more EQ channels to boot. and im pretty sure they don't add distortion to the signal.

here is a review:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13935049&postcount=981

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13935023#post13935023
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13935034#post13935034

 

[anamorphic96]

im not sure about the build quality - but looking at their other products, im not optimistic.

the behringer units, i believe, can simulate a subsonic filter for you and have more EQ channels to boot. and im pretty sure they don't add distortion to the signal.

here is a review:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13935049&postcount=981

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13935023#post13935023
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13935034#post13935034

I see what you mean about the distortion. Looks like the Behringer will be the better way to go.

 

[Guiria]

im not sure about the build quality - but looking at their other products, im not optimistic.

the behringer units, i believe, can simulate a subsonic filter for you and have more EQ channels to boot. and im pretty sure they don't add distortion to the signal.

A subsonic filter is a very low high pass filter, only affecting frequencies below the filter value as I'm sure you know. How then do you accomplish that with something that affects both side of the EQ frequency like the BFD?

I own a BFD and think it is great as a parametric EQ unit, I'm not sure on its ability to act as a subsonic filter, although I may be mistaken.

 

[OttoMatic]

I own a BFD and think it is great as a parametric EQ unit, I'm not sure on its ability to act as a subsonic filter, although I may be mistaken.

Correct. The BFD1124 and its variants don't do any subsonic filtering, and the lowest assignable frequency for PEQ is 20Hz. They're great units, but they can't do everything!

OP -- Let me know if you're interested, I have one for sale.

 

[mike c]

A subsonic filter is a very low high pass filter, only affecting frequencies below the filter value as I'm sure you know. How then do you accomplish that with something that affects both side of the EQ frequency like the BFD?

I own a BFD and think it is great as a parametric EQ unit, I'm not sure on its ability to act as a subsonic filter, although I may be mistaken.

i think i read this on avs. something about putting a wide EQ cut on 20hz and then supplementing with EQ boosts above 20hz to bring back the above 20hz frequencies

 

[Guiria]

In theory that sounds like it may work.

I recently bought a 20 Hz subsonic filter from Harrison Labs for roughly $30.00 for a sub build I am doing, perhaps I'll try both styles of subsonic filtering when I have the sub complete.

 

[T2T]

Boston Acoustics HPS-12HO for 249.00. Looks to have extension down to 25hz and should offer the output I need.

I had that sub a few weeks ago. A few points: 1) It's rather ugly - in my opinion, and 2) I had a heck of a time incorporating it into my system. There was a certain "boom" to it that I couldn't cure. I've never experienced that issue with previous subs, either.

 

[audion3wb]

I found myself in a similar situation when I started putting my system together. I began with the cheap store brand sub and wasn't pleased. Returned it and got a slightly more expensive one. Returned it and got a $500 storebrand sub and was happy in my little apartment.

Then I moved into my house and my huge living room made my sub sound like a crappy home theater in a box sub because it couldnt fill the room. So I sold it and went internet direct with Outlaw and got my LFM-1 EX for $600 and I couldn't be happier now.

My point here is that nickle and dime upgrades in bass dont get you anywhere. You should save your money and be patient until you can afford to get a truly good sub. If you really have your heart set on an EQ then grab a BFD by all means. But you are setting yourself up for a let down if you want good bass, but aren't willing to pay for it.
If you save up and get an SVS/HSU/AV123/Outlaw you will be smiling from ear to ear when you pop in that first movie.