Good sub for $300

[Hi Ho]

I'm putting together a system for a friedoesn't need to ey have been using nothing but TV speakers so just about anything would be an upgrade. I've specced some EMP towers and center speaker. I need a decent sub in the $300 range. It doesn't need to shake the neighbors house. But they would like good bass for music and movies. The room is large and open to much of the rest of the house. I'm thinking nothing less than 12 inches. Any suggestions?

 

[j_garcia]

This was in a recent thread and will likely fit the bill well:

Amazon.com: Jamo SUB650 650W Closed Subwoofer (Black Ash): Electronics

 

[KEW]

How big is the listening room?
To clarify. You are looking for good bass for music (which is feasible). When you say you want good bass for movies but don't want to shake the house, most would consider that a paradox. Good Bass for movies means not just good sound, but good effects.
It is probably a moot point because unless this is a small room, you are not going to get low frequency effects.

If you can stretch the budget to $350 (shipped), this looks like a pretty decent option:

Klipsch RW-12D Omnimic Frequency Response Graphs

Newegg.com - Klipsch Reference RW-12d 12" Powered Subwoofer Each w/ New box

 

[KEW]

This was in a recent thread and will likely fit the bill well:

Amazon.com: Jamo SUB650 650W Closed Subwoofer (Black Ash): Electronics

Good catch. Last time I checked Vanns had run out of the Jamos and I thought they were being closed out.
It seems Klipsch is fond of sustaining their close-outs with new production!

Hi Ho,
For your reading enjoyment!
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1426307/klipsch-rw-12d-pair-vs-jamo-sub-650-pair-vs-dayton-audio-titanic-mk-iii-sealed-sub-pair-subwoofer-g2g

 

[afterlife2]

This was in a recent thread and will likely fit the bill well:

Amazon.com: Jamo SUB650 650W Closed Subwoofer (Black Ash): Electronics

x2 Here is the review: Jamo Sub 650 Omnimic Frequency Response Graphs

 

[jcl]

I'm a fan of the Energy S10.3 selling from Newegg for $200 shipped.

Newegg.com - Energy S10.3 Subwoofer Each

However, one might not be enough for your room. I'm using two and I'm pleased for the money. I have not heard the Klipsch or the Jamo so i can't compare.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm pretty happy with my PA-120 sub (see sig) - currently $299 on amazon, but if you go straight to dealers site you might get a better deal

Same goes to PL-200 sub - while I never heard it - many say it's has a lot of powah

Re: Energy S10.3 - it's measures really well and show very flat 25-100,

but my best suggestion yet is HSU:
STF-2 Subwoofer

 

[Hi Ho]

The listening room is quite large. When I say the walls don't need to shake it mean they aren't as interested in movies as they are music and while I agree that tactile feel is a big part of the movie experience (sub shakes my entire house) they are coming from tv speakers and just about anything is an upgrade.

 

[Hi Ho]

Wow I just read my original post and I can't believe I didn't proof read that. I posted this on my phone and thought my typing abilities were better than that.

The Jamo and Klipsh options look nice. I had originally specced a SHU VTF-2 MK4 but they want to make some changes to the proposed setup (outdoor speakers and higher end TV) and wanted to save some money on the sub.

 

[Steve81]

I'm pretty happy with my PA-120 sub (see sig) - currently $299 on amazon, but if you go straight to dealers site you might get a better deal

Same goes to PL-200 sub - while I never heard it - many say it's has a lot of powah

Re: the PA-120, the PA-150 might also be worth a look. 375 shipped from Amazon.

Data-Bass

From 32Hz on up, it's delivering a heck of a lot of output for the $$.

PL-200 for reference:
Data-Bass

 

[ballybrad4545]

Polk Audio PSW Series PSW505

What about the Polk Audio PSW Series PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer?

 

[Archaea]

Jamo 650 Sub for $300 is hard to beat at amazon, as is the Klipsch RW-12D for $300 at newegg. Both on closeout - both originally much higher priced subs.

A couple of us reviewed them here in a small g2g against a DIY combo from Dayton Audio over at avsforum. I can't provide the link because I'm new here, but if you search for Jamo 650 + Klipsch RW-12D at avsforum you'll find the thread.

For the money I don't think you can do better than either of these --- Jamo is flat to 20hz in room, while the Klipsch is flat to 22-24hz in room and has more headroom in the upper frequencies in just default EQ modes. The Klipsch possesses a slightly rising frequency response and is ported, while the Jamo possess a very flat frequency response and is sealed. You'd likely be happy with either (or a pair of either).