Subwoofer help polk vs Yamaha

[krasyal]

Hi

On a budget .. so I have these 2 subs in mind ..
Yamaha YSTS015B which I can get for half the price of the polk sub ..Is there really a significant difference ?


Yamaha YSTS015B Subwoofer


Mfr. Part Number: YSTSW0158
# of Speakers Included 1
Amplifier Power 70W RMS, 120 Max
Auto On/Off Yes
Colour Black
Connectors 2-Way Binding Post, Banana-Plug
Crossover Yes
Direct Bypass Switch Info Not Available
Downward Firing Yes
Frequency Response 30Hz - 200Hz
Front Firing Info Not Available
High Level Input No
High Level Output No
High Pass Filter No
Included In Box Manual
Low Level Input Yes
Low Level Output No
Low Pass Filter Yes
Magnetically Shielded Yes
Phase Control Yes
Power Handling 70 Watts
Product Dimensions 32(W) x 32.5(H) x 28(D) cm
Product Warranty 2 Year
Product Weight 9.2 kg
Sensitivity Not Applicable
Woofer Size 6.5"
More Information
FEATURES:

QD-Bass (Quatre Dispersion Bass) Technology
Advanced YST(Yamaha Active Servo Technology)
BASS (Bass Action Selection System)
16cm (6-1/2") Multi-Range Driver With Magnetic Shielding
High 70 W Output Power
Low (30—200 Hz) Frequency Response
2-Way Binding-Post Speaker Terminals (Banana-Plug Compatible)
Auto Standby With Sensitivity Selector
Phase Control (Normal Or Reverse)
High Cut Filter Switch
Low (0.8W) Standby Power Consumption



Polk Audio 10" Subwoofer (PSW10)


# of Speakers Included 1
Amplifier Power 100W
Auto On/Off Yes
Colour Black
Connectors Info Not Available
Crossover Yes
Direct Bypass Switch No
Downward Firing No
Frequency Response 35Hz - 200Hz
Front Firing Yes
High Level Input Yes
High Level Output Yes
High Pass Filter No
Included In Box Manual
Low Level Input Yes
Low Level Output No
Low Pass Filter Yes
Magnetically Shielded No
Phase Control Yes
Power Handling 100W
Product Dimensions 40.0(W) x 22.0(H) x 40.0(D) cm
Product Warranty 5 Years Speakers / 3 Years Amplifier
Product Weight 14 kg
Sensitivity Info Not Available
Woofer Size 10"

 

[shokhead]

None of those. I'd just wait and keep saving until you can get a better one then either of those. The polk would be ok for music but little help for movies as far as what a sub should be doing as far as LFE goes.

 

[malvado78]

I will do it before Buck or Mac.

For this price range you should look at the Cadence Xsub. Do a search for it on this forum and you will find nothing but praise. It also has quite a bit more power than the two subs you are looking at. I believe you can get it for $229 + S&H.

 

[malvado78]

P.S. You do not want the Yamaha it is only a 6.5" speaker. I could not consider this a subwoofer. And I am sceptical of the 30Hz low end rating. I really think you should look at the Xsub.

 

[j_garcia]

None of those. I'd just wait and keep saving until you can get a better one then either of those. The polk would be ok for music but little help for movies as far as what a sub should be doing as far as LFE goes.

The Polk isn't really good at anything. It does add a little support for smaller speakers that don't extend low, but it doesn't have the authority/power to do a whole lot. It will struggle in a decently sized room, and due to it's lack of solid bass, it's actually tougher to locate and calibrate so that it isn't boomy. I got a free PSW-202 when I bought 3 pairs of LSi7s and one pair of 7s outweighed the 202 by 10lbs.

I've owned Yamaha subs in the past, and I wouldn't really recommend them either.

I'd also recommend the Dayton 10" or 12" subs from Parts Express. PN#300-632 or -634. Both are on sale right now, so now is a great time to pick one up. For the price, I'd go with the 12"

 

[Duffinator]

None of those. I'd just wait and keep saving until you can get a better one then either of those. The polk would be ok for music but little help for movies as far as what a sub should be doing as far as LFE goes.

This is probably your best bet. But if you only have $100 to spend I'd get this Yamaha YST-SW215:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5539367&type=product&id=1051826218390

I have this sub connected to my PC and for $100 I'm very happy with it. As long as you don't move the crossover above 80hz it's not boomy and plays relatively loud for it's size. It's not going to go real low but if you are on a budget shop around on the internet and you should be able to get it for $100 delivered.

 

[j_garcia]

The Dayton 10" goes to 25Hz easily (measured by a private party to have usable output to 22Hz). $99 on sale right now, and the 12" version which moves more air and has more power but doesn't appear to extend much lower is just $138.

I had the Yamaha YST-SW500, and it pretty much had no output below 25Hz (I figure it was about -6dB at 25Hz, -3dB around 32Hz). Lots of punch above that and relatively accurate in the upper range, but it could not handle the low stuff. I really only liked this sub because it had a remote control and 3 memory settings for gain and x-over, so I could adjust it down or easily turn it off when I didn't want so much bass (like late at night). Very handy featres, but not a spectacular sub.

 

[shokhead]

The Dayton 10" goes to 25Hz easily (measured by a private party to have usable output to 22Hz). $99 on sale right now, and the 12" version which moves more air and has more power but doesn't appear to extend much lower is just $138.

I had the Yamaha YST-SW500, and it pretty much had no output below 25Hz (I figure it was about -6dB at 25Hz, -3dB around 32Hz). Lots of punch above that and relatively accurate in the upper range, but it could not handle the low stuff. I really only liked this sub because it had a remote control and 3 memory settings for gain and x-over, so I could adjust it down or easily turn it off when I didn't want so much bass (like late at night). Very handy featres, but not a spectacular sub.

25Hz is fine if you can hear it. 25Hz at 90db{a roundabout number} and more is usefull. Below 90 just isnt going to work on the good LFE

 

[krasyal]

this looks good .. but what do I know .. what doesn eveyrone think of this ?

Our Dayton subwoofer adds impact and realism to music and movie soundtracks with its tight thunderous bass. Perfect for small to medium size home theater or listening rooms. This powered sub features a down firing, front ported bass reflex design to produce deep clean bass. It utilizes a 10" long throw driver and a flared port to help reduce port noise. The 100W amplifier features gold plated high and low level inputs/outputs, phase reversal switch, volume control, auto on/off (activated by input signal), and a 12 dB electronic low pass filter that is continuously variable from 40 to 160 Hz. It also features a 6dB high pass filter (125 Hz, 8 ohm) output for satellite speakers. The MDF cabinet is finished in an unobtrusive "Black Ash" vinyl veneer that will blend in with any decor.
Specifications: *Frequency response: 25-160 Hz *Exterior dimensions: 12-5/8" W x 16-7/8" H x 15-5/8" D.
100 watt subwoofer amplifier w/ 10" long throw woofer
Perfect for small to medium home theater or music systems
Unobtrusive "Black Ash" finish
Frequency response: 25-160 Hz
Exterior dimensions: 12-5/8" W x 16-7/8" H x 15-5/8" D
Net weight: 40 lbs.
Normally you would have to pay over $220 for a full-featured 10" Subwoofer with 100 Watts of power!


http://www.*****************/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-632

 

[j_garcia]

It isn't very pretty, but it is definitely at the top of the list of $100 subs; dubbed "Tiny Mighty". I haven't heard one bad review of it in over 2 years, so I'd say it's a safe bet. There are a few people here who have the Cadence sub too, so you should be able to get plenty of feedback on it as well.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

$138 sub

I like Dayton's subs, but I don't think the $138 12" unit will shake the foundation. It uses a very small amp, and the driver is nothing to write home about. It's a bargain at $138, if used in a smaller room, placed in a corner. Not a bad unit to start out with if you have an extremely limited budget.

I can't say for sure, but if that sub uses these components, you are only looking at 75 watts of power into 8 ohms (what the impedance of the woofer is rated), and most likely at 10% distortion. There's a reason it's $138.

http://www.partexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-320

http://www.partexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-802

 

[j_garcia]

I'd say these guys are better than the average HTiB sub, but they aren't going to be competetive with any decent subs. It does say on the spec of both, small to medium sized room, so if you have a somewhat larger room, these guys probably aren't going to cut it, but neither is an HTiB sub.