Entry level Sub

[Frosty]

Hi all, this is my first post here and I'm on the hunt for an entry level subwoofer. I guess more for the HT experience than music in a room 15x16.

My sub choice would be the HSU's or SVS's but my funds are limited at the moment. I'm in Canada so that narrows it down even further. I emailed HSU and they said an STF 2 shipped would be $585. I will probably go this route in a year but for now I'm looking for something to hold me over.

When ordering south of the border, with shipping, duty and taxes, most sub's get doubled in price. E-tronics seems to be an alright place for some of us Canadians to order from. With no surprise hidden fees and shipped to your door. For $350 CDN I can get the Sony SA-WX 700, 250W, 2x10" drivers push pull design. This sub may be what I'm looking for.

Futureshop is an option since there's no shipping charges but their selection is limited. The entry level Velodyne VX-10BV is in my price range, it's $340 shipped. Just not sure if this one is worth it. At Best Buy I had the opportunity to test some subs but all they had were the Infinity's PS8 & PS12 and the JBL 150 & 250. For the price of these I could get a HSU sub.

Then there's the MIRAGE FRx subs. I have a chance to pick one up (the 10") and it's in my price range. Thing is, I don't know much about them. I've done some searches here but haven't found out too much. Does anyone recommend these subs? I really may go after this one if someone has some possitive thoughts on it. Specs are.... 28Hz to 100Hz +0/-3dB, 100w amp that can deliver 400w peak, auto on\off.

Remember this is just to get me by until I get the HSU down the road. For now, I just need a sub to do the job, even if the work will be done slow. I'll just sell this quick fix sub to one of my brothers when the day comes....lol

 

[JJMP50]

Dayton Titan

If you are handy at all, this Sub Kit is probably one of the best buys around.

[http://www.*****************/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=295-414&DID=7

There are other post on this site about Dayton subs. Keep in mind, it is a kit.

Apparently there is a filter that won't let me post Parts Express' URL. Oh well, you get it.

 

[Takeereasy]

From what you've listed the Mirage sub will blow away anything in your budget range, including the Velodyne. The FRx series is discontinued, but that sub had an MSRP of $450 US at one point. Here's a link to Mirage's manual. You may as well scroll down to page 21, it's te only usefull one. Mirage pamphlet It states the sub will hit 25 hz at +/- 3db, thats really good for a $350 cad sub. Also while the sub is 100W RMS, it peaks at 400, again good for a cheap sub. It weighs 45 lbs, and has lots of connectivity. I don't see you beating this deal unless you go used on Ebay or Audiogon. You could most likely get a newer version paradigm PS 1000 for about your budget going this way, and those are some nice subs.

Just make sure you get a warranty with the Mirage if you go that way (by the way Mirage makes some awesome sounding speakers). Good luck with the purchase.

 

[Frosty]

Bird.... the Dayton looks good, I'll look into it, thanks.

Takeereasy.... I thought the Mirage would be decent, thanks for the extra info.

 

[MacManNM]

Hi all, this is my first post here and I'm on the hunt for an entry level subwoofer. I guess more for the HT experience than music in a room 15x16.

My sub choice would be the HSU's or SVS's but my funds are limited at the moment. I'm in Canada so that narrows it down even further. I emailed HSU and they said an STF 2 shipped would be $585. I will probably go this route in a year but for now I'm looking for something to hold me over.

When ordering south of the border, with shipping, duty and taxes, most sub's get doubled in price. E-tronics seems to be an alright place for some of us Canadians to order from. With no surprise hidden fees and shipped to your door. For $350 CDN I can get the Sony SA-WX 700, 250W, 2x10" drivers push pull design. This sub may be what I'm looking for.

Futureshop is an option since there's no shipping charges but their selection is limited. The entry level Velodyne VX-10BV is in my price range, it's $340 shipped. Just not sure if this one is worth it. At Best Buy I had the opportunity to test some subs but all they had were the Infinity's PS8 & PS12 and the JBL 150 & 250. For the price of these I could get a HSU sub.

Then there's the MIRAGE FRx subs. I have a chance to pick one up (the 10") and it's in my price range. Thing is, I don't know much about them. I've done some searches here but haven't found out too much. Does anyone recommend these subs? I really may go after this one if someone has some possitive thoughts on it. Specs are.... 28Hz to 100Hz +0/-3dB, 100w amp that can deliver 400w peak, auto on\off.

Remember this is just to get me by until I get the HSU down the road. For now, I just need a sub to do the job, even if the work will be done slow. I'll just sell this quick fix sub to one of my brothers when the day comes....lol

Take a look at the BIC V1220. $192 US shipped. I just got one and its really good. I am quite impressed. Also, there is a Cadence that shows up on U-bid quite often, it is also pretty good.

 

[Tomorrow]

Have you listened to Energy subs? They are a CDN company and pricing should be competitive to the others you're looking at. I was duly impressed by the little guys the one time I heard them (in all sizes).

I would also recommend that you take a listen to the Hsu STF-1. As I mentioned in another post, I have a HUGE room (22x28, vaulted ceilings) and my little STF-1 is only set to half output. It rattles everything in that room if it so desires. The spl is just awesome...it made me sell my JBL S120PII, probably JBL's best HT sub. The extension isn't down to the bottom floor, but it's plenty close to what is in most movies/music (measured in some reviews at 30 hz +/-2db). If you go this route, you have the opportunity to mate it with another sub down the road when you get some more bucks...or, simply send it back to Hsu under their buyer approval plan.

Good cheer.

 

[Sheep]

A&B Sound

check out A&bsound, and look at the new energy subwoofers( 8.3, 10.3, 12.3)

they start around 350ish and you can talk down the prices.
specs.

8.3) 8inch subwoofer, 100wrms, 400peak, downfiring ports, front firing woofer. front gain controls FR:27hz-120hz +/-3db.

10.3)10inch subwoofer, 200wrms, 800peak, downfiring ports, front firing woofer. front gain controls FR:21hz-120hz +/-3db.

12.3)12inch subwoofer, 300wrms, 1200peak, downfiring ports front firing woofer. front gain controls FR: 19hz-120hz+/-3db.

I am personally upgrading my E:XL-S8 to the 10.3 in the summer. Great sounding subs, and at A&B you can get the 10 inch for around 550 600 bucks if you talk the talk

sheep

 

[mazersteven]

Frosty,

I just purchased a SVS PB10-ISD B-Stock from SVS. Only $389. It came in like new. And has a full warranty. I'm very happy with it's performance too. Take a look at their B-Stock.

 

[av-man]

www.reelacoustics.com
These are the best I've heard in their price range. They hammer hard.

 

[Reggie Died]

Frosty,

I just purchased a SVS PB10-ISD B-Stock from SVS. Only $389. It came in like new. And has a full warranty. I'm very happy with it's performance too. Take a look at their B-Stock.

Is this Canadian or American?

He stated he was *edit*Canadian*edit*, so with taxes, shipping and duty i'd imagine it'd be more than he's willing to spend.

Do HSU dealers offer any trade in deals at all? If so, i would suggest the STF-1 for now, with possibly upgrading to the STF-2/VTF-2 in the future.

I'm in the same boat as the OP (Canadian, small budget for subwoofer), and have been looking at the STF-1 for some time. My only hesitation is that a few years down the road I'll want something bigger.