Subwoofer Recomendations (<$400)

[Jeff R.]

I am ready to purchase a new Sub within the next week or two. I have a pretty modest budget for now. I am planning to get a sub to satisfy my needs for a few years and then transition it out to another room in a few years when I can save up and get a much higher level piece. See my signature for the system it will be inserted into. My room is fairly large but does have good accoustics. The room is about 15' x 30' X 8' and is all carpet. There are no openings to other areas for the bass to escape. My budget is $375-$400. I currently am running an old BU-2 by Infinity and am convinced just about anything will be a significant upgrade from that. Right now I am on the fence with a few options. I really am leaning toward trying the Cadence CSX-15 which I believe is made by Velodyne. I have also considered picking up a used PB10-NSD. I have explored the DIY route and that is not an option I want to expore at this time. So no Kappa build recommendations please. I am open to any other suggestions. The sub will primarily be used for TV and Movies (80%) but I would like to have it still be a solid music performer. It will eventually be transitioned into a primary music system in a few years.

Thanks for the Help.

Jeff

 

[thisonekidmongo]

SVS PB-10 and the eD a2-300 are probably the kings at that price range...the latter goes for $350 shipped, brand new, until May 15 I believe. I'd go for whichever offers more output, given your room size.

 

[lsiberian]

I am ready to purchase a new Sub within the next week or two. I have a pretty modest budget for now. I am planning to get a sub to satisfy my needs for a few years and then transition it out to another room in a few years when I can save up and get a much higher level piece. See my signature for the system it will be inserted into. My room is fairly large but does have good accoustics. The room is about 15' x 30' X 8' and is all carpet. There are no openings to other areas for the bass to escape. My budget is $375-$400. I currently am running an old BU-2 by Infinity and am convinced just about anything will be a significant upgrade from that. Right now I am on the fence with a few options. I really am leaning toward trying the Cadence CSX-15 which I believe is made by Velodyne. I have also considered picking up a used PB10-NSD. I have explored the DIY route and that is not an option I want to expore at this time. So no Kappa build recommendations please. I am open to any other suggestions. The sub will primarily be used for TV and Movies (80%) but I would like to have it still be a solid music performer. It will eventually be transitioned into a primary music system in a few years.

Thanks for the Help.

Jeff

For that size room I can't suggest either sub.

You can hire a cabinet maker to build the cabinets for the kappa route. If you want I can PM you the details of someone that might ship it to you.

This is a very large room so you will need to corner load any sub you use to fill it.

 

[Jeff R.]

Like I mentioned - I do not want to DIY. I have investigated it and it is not worth my time and efforts. I am currently using my old infinity bu2 which is a 12 year old 12" with 125 watts that only dips to about 30 Hz at most. I am looking to get some decent performance for the money. Right now the old infinity bu2 actually does a pretty good job, I can only imagine how much better a newly design unit will improve my sound. I just want to get the best bang for the buck on output and performance. The main reason I am leaning toward the Cadence is the 15" woofer and solid reviews on the web.

 

[lsiberian]

Like I mentioned - I do not want to DIY. I have investigated it and it is not worth my time and efforts. I am currently using my old infinity bu2 which is a 12 year old 12" with 125 watts that only dips to about 30 Hz at most. I am looking to get some decent performance for the money. Right now the old infinity bu2 actually does a pretty good job, I can only imagine how much better a newly design unit will improve my sound. I just want to get the best bang for the buck on output and performance. The main reason I am leaning toward the Cadence is the 15" woofer and solid reviews on the web.

Velodyne's are very good music subs.

SVS is probably more geared to home theater typically.

I suggest you watch ebay. I've seen 20-39s go for around that price including shipping.

 

[Jeff R.]

So I assume that the Cadence will tend to be a little more musical. I have read several reviews that have measured it down in the low 20 hz range. Like I mentioned I will eventually transition this over to stictly 2 channel system,, and it will be paired with my swan 4.2's. So may be I want to stay away from the SVS/eD routes since they tend to be much more geared to HT and ultra low frequency responses.

Any other suggestions.....

 

[lsiberian]

So I assume that the Cadence will tend to be a little more musical. I have read several reviews that have measured it down in the low 20 hz range. Like I mentioned I will eventually transition this over to stictly 2 channel system,, and it will be paired with my swan 4.2's. So may be I want to stay away from the SVS/eD routes since they tend to be much more geared to HT and ultra low frequency responses.

Any other suggestions.....

Just because a sub measures 20hz doesn't mean it really extends that low. However if music is your goal. I'm sure it will do the job.

I don't know enough about these subs to make a real comment on their performance.

 

[jaejw1]

I am ready to purchase a new Sub within the next week or two. I have a pretty modest budget for now. I am planning to get a sub to satisfy my needs for a few years and then transition it out to another room in a few years when I can save up and get a much higher level piece. See my signature for the system it will be inserted into. My room is fairly large but does have good accoustics. The room is about 15' x 30' X 8' and is all carpet. There are no openings to other areas for the bass to escape. My budget is $375-$400. I currently am running an old BU-2 by Infinity and am convinced just about anything will be a significant upgrade from that. Right now I am on the fence with a few options. I really am leaning toward trying the Cadence CSX-15 which I believe is made by Velodyne. I have also considered picking up a used PB10-NSD. I have explored the DIY route and that is not an option I want to expore at this time. So no Kappa build recommendations please. I am open to any other suggestions. The sub will primarily be used for TV and Movies (80%) but I would like to have it still be a solid music performer. It will eventually be transitioned into a primary music system in a few years.

Thanks for the Help.

Jeff

have you considered these subs..
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=85212

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=82738

i own a pa120 and i love it.. i have no complaints.. are there better subs.. yes but at a cost im not willing to pay,,, also my place is larger than yours.. 13 x 25 x 23ft (vaulted ceiling)





btw i just did a test..
without any chuffing//distortion.. port noise.. i measured 97db at 3ft and at listening position i measured about 90db 6ft away
i still had more i could give it.. but i was already running the poor sub HOT.. with it at 7db above reference.. with sub level set at 0db... normal is -7db


this is the song i played..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2rJSZKZsyQ

 

[GomGom]

After reading tons of reviews and comments on Acoustic Audio HD SUB12, I'm tempted to try it out. Looks much better than Dayton and people said that it's very comparable to much more expensive sub in the market. The light maple colour one is so beautiful as well..

 

[jaejw1]

i posted a link in the other thread... dont forget about checking into the pa120.... i chose it because of its finish and build quality..

 

[Jeff R.]

Both these subs seem to good to be true. I have to say I am skeptical about what applications they are being used in and what performance tests have been conducted. I agree with you that there are many satisfied customers. I read several comments from folks saying they are getting port noise below down in the 30-40 Hz ranges.

I just would like to see some more actual review information on true output and frequency ranges.

Anybody have or ever owned any M&K subs. I know they have gone out of business, however there are some decent deals on them on Ebay right now. I had a friend about 10 years back that had an 8" powered sub and it was very impressive. I have not heard much on them in about 5-6 years or more. I could pick up either a KX-12, V-1250 THX, MX-5000 THX.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[jaejw1]

Both these subs seem to good to be true. I have to say I am skeptical about what applications they are being used in and what performance tests have been conducted. I agree with you that there are many satisfied customers. I read several comments from folks saying they are getting port noise below down in the 30-40 Hz ranges.

I just would like to see some more actual review information on true output and frequency ranges.

Anybody have or ever owned any M&K subs. I know they have gone out of business, however there are some decent deals on them on Ebay right now. I had a friend about 10 years back that had an 8" powered sub and it was very impressive. I have not heard much on them in about 5-6 years or more. I could pick up either a KX-12, V-1250 THX, MX-5000 THX.

Thanks

Jeff

well I conducted a simple lil test using the beginning of 2001 space odyssey,,, 16hz pipe organ tone... it played it at about 90dB at seating position... 6ft from sub... no port noise at all.. no bottoming.. no audible distortion... and I stillhad room to play it louder....

I posted this on that premier Acoustic thread... including a video on youtube of someone doing the same using the same music

 

[lsiberian]

Both these subs seem to good to be true. I have to say I am skeptical about what applications they are being used in and what performance tests have been conducted. I agree with you that there are many satisfied customers. I read several comments from folks saying they are getting port noise below down in the 30-40 Hz ranges.

I just would like to see some more actual review information on true output and frequency ranges.

Anybody have or ever owned any M&K subs. I know they have gone out of business, however there are some decent deals on them on Ebay right now. I had a friend about 10 years back that had an 8" powered sub and it was very impressive. I have not heard much on them in about 5-6 years or more. I could pick up either a KX-12, V-1250 THX, MX-5000 THX.

Thanks

Jeff

This topic can be kind of a broken record since it's discussed so much.

Also I've rarely read a bad review of a sub or a speaker. So Reviews don't tell you anything IMO.

I use a Dayton 10inch, but am building a pair of JL Audio 8s soon. It's not bad if you corner load it.

 

[rnatalli]

HSU has my vote. They're good for both HT and Music.

 

[jaejw1]

This topic can be kind of a broken record since it's discussed so much.

Also I've rarely read a bad review of a sub or a speaker. So Reviews don't tell you anything IMO.

I use a Dayton 10inch, but am building a pair of JL Audio 8s soon. It's not bad if you corner load it.

u gonna use the jlaudio 8W7's

 

[lsiberian]

u gonna use the jlaudio 8W7's

I wish. I'm using the 8W6. I got them dirt cheap and while not nearly the w7 in any stretch they will do much better than the dayton 10" Plus I can always use a 15" Pulse Axis when I'm ready for the truly deep stuff.

 

[Jeff R.]

I was scanning through the SVS sight and found they have their 25-31 PCi on sale right now for only $499. Right now I am considering spending the extra $100 and going with it. I am moderately comfortable it will do a very solid job in my larger sized room. I have also read a few place the Cylinder subs tend to have a stronger musical perfomance than some of the entry level SVS box subs.

 

[lsiberian]

I was scanning through the SVS sight and found they have their 25-31 PCi on sale right now for only $499. Right now I am considering spending the extra $100 and going with it. I am moderately comfortable it will do a very solid job in my larger sized room. I have also read a few place the Cylinder subs tend to have a stronger musical perfomance than some of the entry level SVS box subs.

I would go for it. I think the step up in budget is well worth it.

 

[jaejw1]

I wish. I'm using the 8W6. I got them dirt cheap and while not nearly the w7 in any stretch they will do much better than the dayton 10" Plus I can always use a 15" Pulse Axis when I'm ready for the truly deep stuff.

check out this DIY sub..
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diy-other-audio/57497-build-log-5-1-setup-im-doing-friend-56k-can-blow-me.html


here is info on the sub.. 100bux shipped
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/classifieds/57117-diyma-12-sub-clearance-until-supplies-last.html

 

[lsiberian]

check out this DIY sub..
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/diy-other-audio/57497-build-log-5-1-setup-im-doing-friend-56k-can-blow-me.html


here is info on the sub.. 100bux shipped
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/classifieds/57117-diyma-12-sub-clearance-until-supplies-last.html

The Kappa 12.1 is a superior driver. and goes for around 100 on ebay. We have numerous builds here.

My subs will become an MBM eventually.