Entry level Subwoofer short list - what would you pick?

[remmib]

I am looking for an entry level small sub under $350 range mostly for music and some movies. it'll be matched with Polk RM7600 satellites and hopefully
have deep and clean bass.
I don't need a lot of power as the listening area isn't too big. The key requirement is that the width shouldn't be wider than 12" - ideally 10" or less as I only have 2 spots that could fit the sub. Here is a list I have in mind, if you were me, which one will you go for? Feel free to suggest others. (except likely I won't be making a custom or DIY type)

All are 8" sub except the JBL, which is a 10"

Model Street price
Klipsch RW8 - $300-$350
Hsu STF-1 - $299
Polk PSW303 - $299
Velodyne CHT-8 - $150-$190
JBL-EP150 - $190-$220
Infinity PS8 - $230-$250

I'm leaning toward Hsu or Klipsch, but I haven't them yet, in fact the
only only I've heard in the list is polk, and I find the sound quite ok.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gatorchong]

HSU all the way. Not the loudest but very clean. JMO

 

[Redbone]

I had the Velo and it was a piece of boomy crap. I would look at the Energy S.8 as it is super tight and small and the Def Tech Pro Sub 80.

If size were of no consequence the M&K V-76 MK II is unbeatable in its price range and several times above it. It can be had on eBay in great condition for around $350. Will rock the room and deliver deep tight bass.

 

[cornelius]

Here's an option:
http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=242#kits

http://www.onhifi.com/product/dayton_titanicsub.htm

 

[LeadTrac]

Well let me throw my support behind the JBL E150. While I do not use mine anymore I feel it is an excellent subwoofer for the price.

 

[Unregistered]

Going at it blind (haven't heard these), I would take the Hsu.

 

[sarg]

I'd like to hear the klipsch and polk. I've heard the jbl it can't stay w/the hsu. Although those northridge speakers sound great...

 

[rgriffin25]

Paradigm makes good subwoofers! PDR series can easily be found in this price range.

 

[Unregistered]

Paradigm

yes, my friend has a paradigm PRD-8 and it sounds very nice. its clean and has a flat frequency responces, to a decent low of 28hz. 100rms, 300peak, should do the trick, i think he paod around 350 CAD.

sheep

 

[Rob Babcock]

The HSU is very clean and will go DEEEEP down low into the bass.

 

[smith101]

For music and well damped (non-boomy) bass, I think you really need servo feedback. Velodyne puts it in their premium models, but you can get it on almost any Yamaha. To my ears the "quick start-quick stop" ability of these is best for music since there's no acoustic music below 32Hz except for a portion of the rumble on bass drums. For sound effects, you may want something else, but my advice is to buy two Yamaha YST-SW015 and place them close to your satellites ($75 each at Etronics a while back). If you can get over the stigma of low price, you'll be pleased.

 

[RLA]

You can get a Pinnacle 12" digital sub 150 for $299
List is $599 on this sub
Cheers

 

[Rÿche 1]

I had the Velo and it was a piece of boomy crap.

I wonder if you had it placed correctly in your room? Last I checked, Velodyne did not make "crap" subs. I have a CT-120 that blows my room away.

 

[remmib]

For music and well damped (non-boomy) bass, I think you really need servo feedback. Velodyne puts it in their premium models, but you can get it on almost any Yamaha. To my ears the "quick start-quick stop" ability of these is best for music since there's no acoustic music below 32Hz except for a portion of the rumble on bass drums. For sound effects, you may want something else, but my advice is to buy two Yamaha YST-SW015 and place them close to your satellites ($75 each at Etronics a while back). If you can get over the stigma of low price, you'll be pleased.

I think finding a good price per performance products is the fun part of shopping. I heard about the Yamaha is good for music too and I tired the YST-SW215 side by side with the Polk PSW303 in my living room, but found it's a bit boomy and lacks depth and richness when comparing to the polk. I did not expect the YST-SW215 to sound better ( polk is twice as expensive) but I was hoping it to as least sound close enough to the polk. I really like the SW215's high gloss finish and the small size. In the end my wife and I couldn't accept the sound and returned it (didn't pass the WAF), that's why I'm still searching for a sub that's better or at least as good as the PSW303. I'm going to audition the energy S8.2 and Klipsch RW-8 today, and maybe even the Paradigm PDR-8 and the Definitive Tech ProSub80 if I can find a dealer that has them. It's unfortunate that there is no local dealer that has the Hsu STF-1.

 

[Redbone]

I listened to the Velo in Circuit City show room It was the CHT8 and even the salesman was embarassed by the noise coming out. Don't get me wrong the CT series got very high reviews but the CHT not so good. I ended up buying a Paradigm PDR-10 which is a great value but musicaly it needed a bit of help- cant beat the value though. I think Velo is a great company and the DD12 is one of the best subs out there.

I strongly suggest the Def Tech Pro80 to this gentleman.

 

[Rÿche 1]

I listened to the Velo in Circuit City show room

There's the first problem. The only place you can properly audition speakers is in your own home!

 

[sarg]

remmib,
keep us posted on your search and final selection. I'd like to here how some of these mighty mites stack up against each other...Since you can't try the hsu I'm going to guess it goes down to the enegy and the def tech ...

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

Onecall had the cht12 on sale <$300 last I checked. Also, just a note...the yamaha version of "servo" has nothing to do with the way Velodyne implements it. (unless something has changed recently).

Tom V.
SVS

 

[remmib]

Klipsch's out

remmib,
keep us posted on your search and final selection. I'd like to here how some of these mighty mites stack up against each other...Since you can't try the hsu I'm going to guess it goes down to the enegy and the def tech ...

Auditioned the Klipsch RW-8 and the energy s8.2, Klipsch is more clear than the energy so I brought it home and did side by side listening comparsion with the PSW303 in the hope than I could keep the Klipsch and end my search. No luck. For the PSW303, I typically leave it at half voulme or less but I had to turn RW-8's volume all the way up to be able to just hear it. While the bass is clean and tight, the volume is too soft to worth the $315 price tag. It's going back to the store in the next few days. I haven't found a dealer that has the Paradigm PDR-8 but I found a store has the DefTech ProcSub80, will probaby check that out. I might also just order the hsu and give it a try....

Forgot to mention while auditioning the RW-8 and engergy S8.2, I also auditioned a velodyne. I don't know the model number, but the sound is very deep and clear, very nice. But it's a $1000 sub so I didn't bother finding out the model.

 

[remmib]

too big

You can get a Pinnacle 12" digital sub 150 for $299
List is $599 on this sub
Cheers

I have a placement limitation that the width shouldn't be > 12", less than 10" is ideal for me.