Subwoofer decisions

[brycekeith]

Im installing a HT in my apartment and the room Im putting it in is 12 x 27 with 8 foot ceilings,I was wondering would 1 or 2 Polk psw505 be enough for my system/Tsi500 MAINS,Cs20 Center,and Tsi400 as rears.I have a budget of about $400.00 for my sub!

 

[fuzz092888]

What is your budget for subwoofers? I have a PSW125 and it's an adequate mid woofer, but you can definitely do better.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Im installing a HT in my apartment and the room Im putting it in is 12 x 27 with 8 foot ceilings,I was wondering would 1 or 2 Polk psw505 be enough for my system/Tsi500 MAINS,Cs20 Center,and Tsi400 as rears!

Oh, I would definitely go for a custom-designed and built 300lb+ sub, with dual 18", 86 pound drivers.

 

[fuzz092888]

Oh, I would definitely go for a custom-designed and built 300lb+ sub, with dual 18", 86 pound drivers.

Doesn't everyone have one of those?

 

[brycekeith]

I have a budget of about $400.00 for the sub!

 

[Adam]

Im installing a HT in my apartment and the room Im putting it in is 12 x 27 with 8 foot ceilings,I was wondering would 1 or 2 Polk psw505 be enough for my system/Tsi500 MAINS,Cs20 Center,and Tsi400 as rears!

That Polk model has gotten a lot of good reviews. It's rated down to 28Hz at -3dB, which isn't bad for a sub in the ~$200 range. It's difficult to say if it will be enough, as we don't know how loud you want to play it (being in an apartment, and all) or how low in frequency you need the bass to be in order to be happy. You will certainly be able to hear it, though. Is 28Hz low enough for you?

 

[fuzz092888]

I'm not sure I would trust the 505's FR ratings. At least their newer subwoofers carry CEA ratings.

I'd go with the BIC PL200. It's in your price range and has been tested by Josh Ricci and can be seen over on data-bass.com.

That Polk model has gotten a lot of good reviews. It's rated down to 28Hz at -3dB, which isn't bad for a sub in the ~$200 range. It's difficult to say if it will be enough, as we don't know how loud you want to play it (being in an apartment, and all) or how low in frequency you need the bass to be in order to be happy. You will certainly be able to hear it, though. Is 28Hz low enough for you?

 

[Irvrobinson]

I have a budget of about $400.00 for the sub!

I was just teasing Fuzz.

 

[Adam]

I'm not sure I would trust the 505's FR ratings.

Why wouldn't you? I thought it was good that they showed a low-end of 23Hz, but listed the -3dB point at 28Hz. Maybe I'm just a sucker for extra false info.

To the OP, you'll also get some room gain to help out with the lower frequencies. At ~$400 or below, there are a number of options out there. Have you looked into any of the internet direct brands, such as SVS or Hsu? The SVS PB-1000 is $500 (total, including shipping) and is rated to 19Hz at -3dB (and they show the response graph).

 

[afterlife2]

I'd say save a little more and get this: PB-1000 - SVS

 

[fuzz092888]

Why wouldn't you? I thought it was good that they showed a low-end of 23Hz, but listed the -3dB point at 28Hz. Maybe I'm just a sucker for extra false info.

To the OP, you'll also get some room gain to help out with the lower frequencies. At ~$400 or below, there are a number of options out there. Have you looked into any of the internet direct brands, such as SVS or Hsu? The SVS PB-1000 is $500 (total, including shipping) and is rated to 19Hz at -3dB (and they show the response graph).

The PB-1000 is a great sub, definitely take a look at that.

As for the FR. Without a graph, CEA ratings, or any other info those numbers could be with the mic right up to the cone of the driver. Which means it is possible a real free field measurement could reveal it has no meaningful output below 40hz. That being said, I have no idea what they thing sounds like or performs like. I only know I was pleased with the PSW125, except for the low bass >40 or so Hz output and that gets a CEA rating of 98 for the Ultra category.

 

[pddufrene]

I'm with afterlife and fuzz. The PB1000 has many good reviews and has a going price of $499 shipped if your in the continental US

 

[Cpt.H.M.Murdock]

Ya, I wish...then again probably not I think my neighbors would kill me/call the cops.