Dayton Audio sub-1200 review..... WOW!

[privateeye]

My SVS PB-2000 is in for warranty repair, so I decided to grab a budget sub to fill in for now. I started out looking at Klipsch and Polk models around the $200-$300 range, but everywhere I turned, I kept seeing the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 mentioned as a standout in the budget category. I ended up going with it mostly because it was the cheapest option, and honestly, I expected it to fall very short. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The first thing that surprised me was the weight—45 lbs, which is 10-15 lbs heavier than all other 12" subs in the sub-$350 price range that I saw and even heavier than many 12" subs costing three to four times as much. The build quality is impressive: the 12" long-throw woofer even looks to be relatively high quality and, more importantly—it performs. Aside from the plain design, there’s not much that feels “cheap / budget” about how this sub is built... The exception being the back plate.

After three days of running it, I have to say, I’m blown away. This sub delivers deep, room-shaking bass, and I do not doubt the 25Hz rating. Even more surprising, the bass is controlled and articulate when needed, with zero distortion at high volumes and no port noise—it’s impressively refined. Now, is it on par with my PB-2000? No, but it's not too far off- which is wild for a sub under $200. Even at $400-$500, this would be a respectable choice, and it’s hard to believe Dayton is turning a profit on it.

My review isn’t based on measurements but on personal experience. I’ve been a home theater enthusiast for 15 years and have owned several+ solid mid-range subs in the sub-$1500 range. I’d even go so far as to say that, in a blind listening test, you could easily be fooled into thinking the SUB-1200 belongs in the mid-range category. This is one of those rare occasions where you get much more than you pay for. WOW!

 

[TLS Guy]

My SVS PB-2000 is in for warranty repair, so I decided to grab a budget sub to fill in for now. I started out looking at Klipsch and Polk models around the $200-$300 range, but everywhere I turned, I kept seeing the Dayton Audio SUB-1200 mentioned as a standout in the budget category. I ended up going with it mostly because it was the cheapest option, and honestly, I expected it to fall very short. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The first thing that surprised me was the weight—45 lbs, which is 10-15 lbs heavier than all other 12" subs in the sub-$350 price range that I saw and even heavier than many 12" subs costing three to four times as much. The build quality is impressive: the 12" long-throw woofer even looks to be relatively high quality and, more importantly—it performs. Aside from the plain design, there’s not much that feels “cheap / budget” about how this sub is built... The exception being the back plate.

After three days of running it, I have to say, I’m blown away. This sub delivers deep, room-shaking bass, and I do not doubt the 25Hz rating. Even more surprising, the bass is controlled and articulate when needed, with zero distortion at high volumes and no port noise—it’s impressively refined. Now, is it on par with my PB-2000? No, but it's not too far off- which is wild for a sub under $200. Even at $400-$500, this would be a respectable choice, and it’s hard to believe Dayton is turning a profit on it.

My review isn’t based on measurements but on personal experience. I’ve been a home theater enthusiast for 15 years and have owned several+ solid mid-range subs in the sub-$1500 range. I’d even go so far as to say that, in a blind listening test, you could easily be fooled into thinking the SUB-1200 belongs in the mid-range category. This is one of those rare occasions where you get much more than you pay for. WOW!

I'm not surprised by that. Dayton audio produce some very good sub drivers and other drivers. A sub is by far the easiest speaker to design, actually with modern software virtually child's play.

So any member here handy in the workshop with the right software, can build a first class sub without huge expense.

 

[Trebdp83]

I’ve enjoyed my two Dayton Audio SUB-1200 subwoofers for a few years now. Priced at just $149.99 each back then, they were an absolute steal.

 

[privateeye]

I’ve enjoyed my two Dayton Audio SUB-1200 subwoofers for a few years now. Priced at just $149.99 each back then, they were an absolute steal.

I would be perfectly happy running this sub as my main. Not sure how it does with music- for movies, it's very good.

 

[shadyJ]

I know that the SUB-1500 is decent for the pricing. I think the PB-2000 has some very serious advantages though. If you push these subs hard enough, that will expose their limitations. These subs are not on the same level.

 

[TLS Guy]

I know that the SUB-1500 is decent for the pricing. I think the PB-2000 has some very serious advantages though. If you push these subs hard enough, that will expose their limitations. These subs are not on the same level.

For the price difference it should. However, after observing these forums, I think people buy subs that are way overpowered. The view here seems to be that the sub is the most important speaker in the system, when in fact it is the least. It is far more about bragging rights than what is actually required.

 

[shadyJ]

For the price difference it should. However, after observing these forums, I think people buy subs that are way overpowered. The view here seems to be that the sub is the most important speaker in the system, when in fact it is the least. It is far more about bragging rights than what is actually required.

I don't think that is true for everyone. If you are aiming for a home theater capable of THX reference levels, than you do need some significant low-frequency performance. Also, your tastes will dictate how good the subs need to be. If you are only listening to acoustically recorded music, you really won't need that much low-frequency extension (certain pipe organ recordings excepted). But some electronic music can take advantage of powerful low-frequency output. I would agree that some people over-estimate the need for bass performance and so overbuy the sub. But for every person who does that, there is a buyer who gets a sealed 10" sub with a 150-watt amp that promises "earth-shattering" bass and ends up disappointed.

 

[Golfx]

For the price difference it should. However, after observing these forums, I think people buy subs that are way overpowered. The view here seems to be that the sub is the most important speaker in the system, when in fact it is the least. It is far more about bragging rights than what is actually required.

Subs to me add the most emotion to Movies, TV shows and Music. I also find this hobby is all about buying in pursuit of your end game system—relentlessly.

 

[privateeye]

I know that the SUB-1500 is decent for the pricing. I think the PB-2000 has some very serious advantages though. If you push these subs hard enough, that will expose their limitations. These subs are not on the same level.

For average movie viewing in a standard-sized living room at comfortable listening levels, their performance is very close.

 

[Matt34]

I have a sub 1500 in my garage, and it's fine for that situation. It wouldn't be something I would suggest to others unless they had a very strict budget.

 

[privateeye]

I have a sub 1500 in my garage, and it's fine for that situation. It wouldn't be something I would suggest to others unless they had a very strict budget.

Where do you think it falls short for regular home theater use? I ask because the 12" model holds its own, even compared to my SVS, and I imagine the 15" would be even more impressive. My living room is average-sized, and while I like to keep the volume loud, I don't push it to uncomfortable levels. Maybe you have a much larger space?

 

[Trell]

Where do you think it falls short for regular home theater use? I ask because the 12" model holds its own, even compared to my SVS, and I imagine the 15" would be even more impressive. My living room is average-sized, and while I like to keep the volume loud, I don't push it to uncomfortable levels. Maybe you have a much larger space?

Actual volume is often more helpful that just saying "average-sized".

 

[privateeye]

Actual volume is often more helpful that just saying "average-sized".

Roughly 3500 cubic feet.

 

[Matt34]

Where do you think it falls short for regular home theater use? I ask because the 12" model holds its own, even compared to my SVS, and I imagine the 15" would be even more impressive. My living room is average-sized, and while I like to keep the volume loud, I don't push it to uncomfortable levels. Maybe you have a much larger space?

It's amp and driver excursion limited so it can't do below 30hz with any authority. It's not bad for what it costs, you're just going to get more, the more you spend.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Where do you think it falls short for regular home theater use? I ask because the 12" model holds its own, even compared to my SVS, and I imagine the 15" would be even more impressive. My living room is average-sized, and while I like to keep the volume loud, I don't push it to uncomfortable levels. Maybe you have a much larger space?

If memory serves. Reviews showed the 1200 outperforming the 1500, to the surprise of many. Mainly in output, but extension was very similar. Seems like around 25-27hz was where they both roll off. Way too high for a good HT sub, but the price is absolutely reflective of that, and for plenty of people, their performance would be good enough. IMO Dayton really did a lot of things right with these. Obviously there’s a clear market for them, but they do overachieve. Nice to see in this day and age.

 

[shadyJ]

If memory serves. Reviews showed the 1200 outperforming the 1500, to the surprise of many. Mainly in output, but extension was very similar. Seems like around 25-27hz was where they both roll off. Way too high for a good HT sub, but the price is absolutely reflective of that, and for plenty of people, their performance would be good enough. IMO Dayton really did a lot of things right with these. Obviously there’s a clear market for them, but they do overachieve. Nice to see in this day and age.

It's hard to imagine the 1200 outperforming the 1500. The amp is the same and I think the driver motor is the same. The only way I can see that happening is if the extra diameter of the cone carried with it to much of a weight penalty. But the larger enclosure size alone of the 1500 would be a serious advantage for it, even disregarding the extra cone size.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

It's hard to imagine the 1200 outperforming the 1500. The amp is the same and I think the driver motor is the same. The only way I can see that happening is if the extra diameter of the cone carried with it to much of a weight penalty. But the larger enclosure size alone of the 1500 would be a serious advantage for it, even disregarding the extra cone size.

Can’t disagree at all. Like I said, I was going off of my memory which is hit or miss these days. It was also very surprising. I will try and find where I came up with that. Seems like a number of threads covered that but again, my memory…

 

[Trebdp83]

I think I saw something like that somewhere as well but it escapes me. At the time of purchase, I just didn't think the SUB-1500 offered enough over the SUB-1200 for the difference in price and size so I went with two of the SUB-1200. They are tight, punchy little suckers. No, they are not the best subwoofers in the world. But, their bang for buck is very difficult, if not impossible, to beat.