Subwoofer advice sought

[mapexvenus]

I currently have the Sony - 10" 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer, which I realize was not a very intelligent buy (HT newbie here). I am in the process of acquiring speakers and the Polk bookshelves that I just bought have set me back $320 (Polk Audio RTI A1).

I'd like to upgrade my Sub, but have only around $150 - $200 right now. Is there something in this range that I can upgrade to that will make a significant difference to my setup, or should I just keep the Sony and upgrade to something a lot better when I have the budget?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I think the resounding answer to this one will be that much wiser saving your money until you have more of a budget to work with for a subwoofer. There are many things to consider -- which will also determine just how much you will need to spend ultimately given your listening preferences, listening levels, listening material, room size, etc. -- but you should be planning on a $500 minimum which is what starts to get you into a sub with good performance. Something along the lines of a SVS PB10 or 12 NSD for $500-600...

 

[rnatalli]

I'd save until you can get to at least an HSU STF-2.

 

[bandphan]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-432

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

budget subs that do well

 

[lsiberian]

I currently have the Sony - 10" 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer, which I realize was not a very intelligent buy (HT newbie here). I am in the process of acquiring speakers and the Polk bookshelves that I just bought have set me back $320 (Polk Audio RTI A1).

I'd like to upgrade my Sub, but have only around $150 - $200 right now. Is there something in this range that I can upgrade to that will make a significant difference to my setup, or should I just keep the Sony and upgrade to something a lot better when I have the budget?

Thanks in advance!

Ebay, Craigslist and Audiogon have amazing deals. check them to see if you can snag a gem.

 

[shadyJ]

I would say the subwoofer you want depends on where you are taking your setup. Since you have a pair of bookshelfs, it seems like you are just using this for music, although the receiver is capable of 5 channel output. On a budget, the sub you want to get for home theater is different from what you would want for music.
If you are using the system for movies, I would save up and get this, this, or this.
If you are using this system to listen to music, bandphan's suggestions are good ones, there is also the HSU STF-1.
If you want to listen to music and movies, I would get the HSU STF2, or maybe the HSU VTF 1 or VTF 2.
But really, any of the above mentioned subs can do either well respectively, it's just that movies have deeper frequency content than music so if you are just listening to tunes, you don't need to pay for the things subs do to get deep extension.
Subs are different to shop for than bookshelf speakers though, whatever bestbuy carries will be badly outmatched by online companies, especially at the same price point.

 

[Matt34]

$229 shipped, comparable performance to the BIC H-100.

http://cgi.ebay.com/H100-Premier-Acoustic-PA-120-Subwoofer-Black-Color_W0QQitemZ200327210359QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item2ea46ea577&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C240%3A1307%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

 

[Jeff R.]

Save up and get the ED A2-300. I have one and the second on order. I am sure the single will impress you. $350 delivered is a prett reasonable price. If you need more output buy the second one and you will have duals with better integration in your room for the same price as an SVS.

BTW - Don't forget you can sell you old Sony sub on craigslist to partially offset the extra cost.

Good Luck

 

[lsiberian]

I currently have the Sony - 10" 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer, which I realize was not a very intelligent buy (HT newbie here). I am in the process of acquiring speakers and the Polk bookshelves that I just bought have set me back $320 (Polk Audio RTI A1).

I'd like to upgrade my Sub, but have only around $150 - $200 right now. Is there something in this range that I can upgrade to that will make a significant difference to my setup, or should I just keep the Sony and upgrade to something a lot better when I have the budget?

Thanks in advance!

I think the resounding answer to this one will be that much wiser saving your money until you have more of a budget to work with for a subwoofer. There are many things to consider -- which will also determine just how much you will need to spend ultimately given your listening preferences, listening levels, listening material, room size, etc. -- but you should be planning on a $500 minimum which is what starts to get you into a sub with good performance. Something along the lines of a SVS PB10 or 12 NSD for $500-600...

You already have a sub for now. I suggest you work on saving toward a good one too. If you combined used with saving you can get a great one. However if home audio isn't a huge deal and you just want a cheap upgrade then get a Dayton 12" from the store here. They give you warranties and you help support this wonderful forum.

I use a Dayton and it's plenty for the average person. Remember most of us here are philes that want better always. It's kind of our hobby. If it's not yours get the Dayton.

 

[Gryfter]

I've heard good things about the T250 from the Speaker company for $250 if you're on a budget but like Jeff said the eD A2-300 is also a great sub and worth the extra cash, that is assuming those $500+ subs are out of your price range.

 

[adwilk]

Order a center channel..... advice from your other thread..

 

[mapexvenus]

Thank you all for your responses. In another thread, I was advised not to use Polk Audio subs. Is that a common feeling among audiophiles? I really respect the opinion of the philes on the forum, hence the question.

 

[mapexvenus]

Order a center channel..... advice from your other thread..

Thank you. I most probably will get the Polk center channel and revisit the sub later.

 

[shadyJ]

It's not that the Polk sub is bad, its just that it isn't nearly as good as what you could buy from an internet direct company for the same price. Like I said before, it is badly outmatched in every measurable way by similarly priced offerings from HSU, Elemental Designs, Outlaw Audio, etc. If the choice was between a Polk sub and no sub, I would take the Polk, but if it was a choice between Polk or Epik, there is no contest.