Relatively cheap "musical" sub recommendations?

[kumimajava]

I've recently acquired a stereo setup consisting of a pair of B&W 602's driven by a Marantz PM7200. I'm considering adding a subwoofer to this setup to transfer some of the low frequencies from the 602's to the sub.

I'll only be using this setup in "stereo", for music exclusively, so I don't need a sub that will shake the whole house - indeed, the room in which i'm keeping these speakers (my "office") is quite small. I'd just need something that can add a little more "punch" to the lower end. The music I listen to ranges from Classical (though rarely these days), through prog rock & jazz to ambient/electronica. I don't listen to any rap/techno, so massive SPL is not necessary.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for a reasonably priced "musical" sub that could complement the 602's. Unfortunately, I'm living in the UK, so hi-fi prices here are quite steep... given the amount i've spent on the 602's + amp, i'd have around £150 left for the subwoofer (around $300), so i'd most likely be looking to get a "used" one.

Thanks in advance,
Daniel (KM)

 

[GlocksRock]

Go HSU if you can find one in your price range.

 

[Seth=L]

Onix X-Sub is a viable option.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

Comparable to the HSU STF-1, only less expensive and not the same reputation.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

Parts Express is also another consideration.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-760

 

[abboudc]

If you want new, check out the Hsu STF1 or STF2.

Used, you can probably find a velodyne, hsu, or m&k on audiogon in that price range.

 

[Sheep]

Onix X-Sub is a viable option.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

Comparable to the HSU STF-1, only less expensive and not the same reputation.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

Parts Express is also another consideration.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-760

OMG! A PE link actually worked? Who Apologized?!

SheepStar

 

[Seth=L]

OMG! A PE link actually worked? Who Apologized?!

SheepStar

No one did sheep.

 

[kumimajava]

thanks for the advice guys. The HSU subs look very good, but I'm not sure how easy it'll be to find one in the UK - perhaps they would ship directly to me.

on the other hand, I'd have a possibility to get a used Paradigm PDR-10 - would that be a good option?

While on this, here's another (very newbie-type) question:

On the subs that use "speaker" inputs & have also a speaker output for the satellites, when you set the low-pass filter on the sub, does this simultaneously "cut out" the low frequencies from being passed on to the satellites? or would i need a separate active crossover to feed the mids&highs to the 602's and the bass to a subwoofer?

thanks again

 

[Nick250]

I don't know if this is true for the PDR 10, but I had a PDR-8 and it was a horrible sub, very boomy. It might get by as a movie only sub in a small room, but for music was really bad. I demoed the 602's a while back and really liked them myself. Can you get Rocket subs over there? I have the UFW-10 and love it, but the ULW-10 have gotten great reviews too.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=6.1

Nick

 

[wafflebird]

You have the right idea kumimajava

You are right on target there. The sub will have high-level speaker inputs / outputs. You first run your speaker wires to the speaker wire inputs of the sub, and then you run additional wires from the speaker wire outputs to the speakers. Looking at the specs on the 602's it looks like they will play down to 49 Hz. What you would want to do is play around with the crossover on the sub somewhere above the 49 Hz range, say between 55-75 Hz. Just because you set the crossover on the sub to 50 Hz it does not mean that it just stops putting out sound at that setting. It will roll off anything above that but it is not a brick-wall setting. It is usually best to play around a little with it up and down. I have found it is good to listen for a while not change it every few minutes. Also don't forget to adjust the phase should the sub you get have this setting. The Paradigm you mentioned should be more than sufficient as well. Good Luck.