R

roshi

Audioholic
Hi,
Does anybody know any good subwoofers that are small, sound good and are in the $500 price range. I know that seems all like a big contradiction, but please help me out.
I'm looking for a sub that is under 10" wide or deep. It will most likely be used with Definitive Technology Mythos 4s, 3 and Gems. As far as receiver I'm looking at the Denon AVR-2809.
The subs I thought might be options are:
- Chrysalis by Velodyne Photon-8
- Yamaha NS-SW310
- Mirage MM-6

Anybody heard any of these subs? Did you like them, did you not like them? Other subs that full fill the requirements?

Thanks for any help...
 
bigred7078

bigred7078

Full Audioholic
Why not one of the Def Tech supercubes? The supercube III would be a great match and fits the spec for size ;)
 
annunaki

annunaki

Moderator
The smaller the sub in most cases the more extreme LFE you give up. In terms of audible output anyway. A small sub can reproduce extreme low frequencies, just not at an output level that is suitable for many listeners.

I would suggest a DIY option. A JL Audio 8W7 with about 500 watts in 1.0ft^3 enclosure with a touch of eq would be very nice. Lots of bass in a small space. It is equivalent to most normal 12" woofers in terms of output.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
The option that annunaki has suggested would be optimal--giving you the most performance for youe $$$. If not open to doing a sub build on your own you can sometimes pick up a SVS SB12+ on thier b-stock page for $599 (this includes free shipping currently)....they had one just the other day actually...still might be there. This would be a great choice...
 
annunaki

annunaki

Moderator
For commercial options, the SVS is strong, as are options from Velodyne/Chrysalis, Pinnacle, and Sunfire.
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
Yeah, the first two subs I think of, slightly over budget, slightly too large, are

aforementioned SVS: Approx. 15” deep x 14" wide x 14 "

Epik Vanquish: Size: 14.5 H x 14.5 W x 14.5 D (15.5 w/ grill)

Something that is closer to that super tiny size you are looking for, and a popular choice, is the Martin Logan Dynamo: 13.9" × 11.7" × 12.9". However, it really does give up too much down low, IMO, but then again I spent a lot on mine.

Sunfire also makes a tiny sub, but, at these sizes, as with the Dynamo, it's just not really possible... save annunaki's idea. JL makes a 10" sealed that should be formidable, but it blows the budget sky high, and it STILL is too large for you at 15.64 in x 12.92 in. x 17.27 in. OTOH, I would presume it would be the best performing out of the listed commercial subs. Of course, you pay for that though.
 
krzywica

krzywica

Audioholic Samurai
Perfect

This sub should fit your needs perfectly.

I think someone just did a review of the 10D which is the 10" version and it got really good marks.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
I was remiss for not seeing your size requirement...at the 10" size the only sub that comes to mind is the Sunfire TrueSubwoofer Super Junior which is exactly a 11" cube if I remember correctly. It however, isover your budget...I have seen dealers selling them for $695 with free shipping on eBay but you will have to up the buget some for this option...
 
E

Exit

Audioholic Chief
I found this Velodyne Impact-Mini Subwoofer for $399 at the Audioholics store that that is 10" high by 10" wide by 12" deep, if that fits in your space requirements. I don't know how it sounds or compares but Velodyne typically makes pretty good subwoofers (although sometimes expensive). Its rated down to 38 Hz so there are some tradeoffs in bottom end frequency response of subwoofers this small versus larger subwoofers.

http://store.audioholics.com/product/2336/20/velodyne-impact-mini-subwoofer

Here is another Velodyne MiniVee Subwoofer ($699) that is close dimensionally to your target size.

http://store.audioholics.com/product/2345/20/velodyne-minivee-subwoofer

Here is a Velodyne under 10" in length, width and height for $699.

http://store.audioholics.com/product/2347/20/velodyne-microvee-subwoofer---black
 
Last edited:
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
Another option might be the Aperion Bravus 8D. It is a dual 8" sub, sealed design, 12" all around, and $499 shipped.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
Hi,
Does anybody know any good subwoofers that are small, sound good and are in the $500 price range. I know that seems all like a big contradiction, but please help me out.
I'm looking for a sub that is under 10" wide or deep. It will most likely be used with Definitive Technology Mythos 4s, 3 and Gems. As far as receiver I'm looking at the Denon AVR-2809.
The subs I thought might be options are:
- Chrysalis by Velodyne Photon-8
- Yamaha NS-SW310
- Mirage MM-6

Anybody heard any of these subs? Did you like them, did you not like them? Other subs that full fill the requirements?

Thanks for any help...
I would say the Velodyne. They make very good subs. I wouldn't even consider the other 2.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
The smaller the sub in most cases the more extreme LFE you give up. In terms of audible output anyway. A small sub can reproduce extreme low frequencies, just not at an output level that is suitable for many listeners.

I would suggest a DIY option. A JL Audio 8W7 with about 500 watts in 1.0ft^3 enclosure with a touch of eq would be very nice. Lots of bass in a small space. It is equivalent to most normal 12" woofers in terms of output.
This is by far your best option and would be unequaled by most commercial subs below 1000 IMO.

You could even get a box from Parts-express. Though sawing it and glueing it

For 125 1.0 ft^3
 
krzywica

krzywica

Audioholic Samurai
Thats the one I just linked a few posts back.......I guess nobody listens to me. :rolleyes:

Another option might be the Aperion Bravus 8D. It is a dual 8" sub, sealed design, 12" all around, and $499 shipped.
 
R

roshi

Audioholic
Thanks for all the replies. I don't think I feel up to building my own, so it looks like I'm going to look into the different Velodyne ones. Thanks again!

I did look at Aperion, but it's actually a little bit too big. I want to put it in a place where people will stumble over it if it is deeper than 10", so I'm really constrained unfortunately.
Anyways, thanks for all the comments.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
You might want to check the Sunfire as well...I just went back and looked at the specs and it is smaller than what I mentioned beofre. The True Subwoofer Super Junior is only a 9" cube....so this would be a perfect solution for you...

I would keep my eye on Ebay for one as I saw one brand new and sealed in the box go for $629 the other day. If you are this stuck with the size constraint then this will be your best solution without a doubt...
 

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