Which sub to get?

[yepimonfire]

ok firstly i will take your advice on this

i have a choice between a polk sub a yamaha sub, and a sony sub i know polk makes good sounding floorstanders and bookshelfs, but have never heard their subs yamaha, i honestly know nothing about, sony, i know they make fairly decent speakers (notice the fairly) but also know nothing about the subs, a sub can make or break a system, so i want the best sounding one. i had no need for a sub 5 days ago, my towers could handle it, but i just added 3 more channels (center, SBL, SBR) to my system and they cannot output enough bass to handle all of them.

here are my options:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Monitor-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1267742123&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SA-W3000-Performance-180-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B000OL22T2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1267742123&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YST-SW216BL-Advanced-Front-Firing-Subwoofer/dp/B000FJ89UO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1267742123&sr=1-3

 

[j_garcia]

I wouldn't go with any of those. I'd go with the Parts Express Sub120

 

[yepimonfire]

reasons? do you own one? just asking what are the good points about that the i cannot get from the others.

 

[j_garcia]

Polk's low end subs are just not good at all. I have owned one of those (got it free when I bought some speakers). I've owned the top end Yamahas and they too are pretty average IMO - not crap, but not great for the price either. Like Polk, Sony makes some OK speakers, but their subs just don't quite cut the mustard. Price wise, the Dayton will give you about the same performance and cost you the same or less than the others, especially if you happen to be buying when they are on sale because they drop the price on them pretty low. The Sub120 isn't going to blow you out of the water either, but I guarantee it will outperform the Polk and most likely that Sony too.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 (says out of stock).

 

[yepimonfire]

Like Polk, Sony makes some OK speakers, but their subs just don't quite cut the mustard.

i figured this would be the case,ive seen one of the sony subs in person but not demoed it, the cabinet was quite goofy looking. if it hadnt been for the fact it says "sony" on it i wouldve mistaken it for a CRT
tv set

 

[slupry]

Personally I like
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OL22T2?ie=UTF8&tag=shopguid0b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000OL22T2
looks good.

You can also have a look at the Klipsch SW-350 Subwoofer .
Newegg has the Klipsch SW-350 for $350 with free shipping.

enter code FREEGFT34A [Exp 3/8] to get the Energy Take 5 Pack 5CH Home Theater Speaker System to appear in the cart.

Darn Good.

 

[yepimonfire]

looks have nothing to do with the sound, im not going to be staring at the sub, im going to be listening to it. i also have no idea how klipsch subs sound

 

[zhimbo]

In the sub-$200 price class, I find that the the Dayton subs definitely get the most consistent recommendation from knowledgeable folks. Bumping up the budget a bit opens up the options.

If you do a search in the subwoofer forum on "Dayton", you'll see what I'm talking about, and also plenty of discussions about possible other options in the low price range.

 

[yepimonfire]

hmm i just did a search and alot of people think they are boomy and sound like cardboard

 

[chris357]

heres the best solution, wait until you can afford a better sub in the 800-1000 price range then you can get incredible bass.

 

[bandphan]

hmm i just did a search and alot of people think they are boomy and sound like cardboard

did you use this search

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/search.php?searchid=4376950

 

[GO-NAD!]

Are you into any kind of woodwork? If so, why not build your own? You said looks aren't important to you, so you don't even have to be good a finishing. Great bang for your buck...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

...OR....He doesn't even have to be able to build a cabinet. Just add the proper woofer and amp.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=535&CFID=24501634&CFTOKEN=49984782

Are you into any kind of woodwork? If so, why not build your own? You said looks aren't important to you, so you don't even have to be good a finishing. Great bang for your buck...

 

[zhimbo]

hmm i just did a search and alot of people think they are boomy and sound like cardboard

Well, you ARE looking at the cheapest possible price range...compared to, say, $500 subs, you're going to have issues. And have you found *knowledgeable* reviews of the models in your opening post, or direct comparisons? If the Daytons cheap options aren't good enough for you, that probably means you'll have to spend more $ (or go DIY).

Do a search on "Dayton" and in the "Subwoofer" forum using the advanced search option. Actually, "Dayton 120" might even be more to the point.

Personally, my advice would be to wait until you can afford a better sub.

 

[GlocksRock]

The Dayton Sub 120 is ok, but I've had amp issues with mine, I've had to replace it twice already. I don't use it much anymore though since I put a different sub in my bedroom.

 

[rnatalli]

Under $200 I'd have to go with the Dayton myself. HSU often has sales on the STF-1 if you can stretch another $50.