Which is better and why

[paulson07]

Hi, I am hoping someone could tell me which sub is better and why. Or if you know of one that would be better for around the same price.

Thanks!

Sub 1:
JBL SUB150P - Newegg.com

sub 2:
Klipsch Synergy Sub-10 420W 10" Subwoofer Black - Newegg.com

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go w/ the Klipsch. I think it will have more powerful bass than the JBL. Unless you have all JBL speakers and you wanted to just match aesthetic.

 

[asere]

Depending on your budget I would go with brands like HSU, SVS, Kriesel. Why? They dig deep when it comes to bass.

 

[j_garcia]

I would go w/ the Klipsch. I think it will have more powerful bass than the JBL. Unless you have all JBL speakers and you wanted to just match aesthetic.

The JBL has a 100W advantage over the Klipsch both dynamic and peak. Between the two, I doubt the Klipsch will have more "powerful" bass, I'd expect them to be more similar than not so I'd go with the one that costs less. If that $50 coupon is still active, you could also get both for less than shown.

Depending on your budget I would go with brands like HSU, SVS, Kriesel. Why? They dig deep when it comes to bass.

I think we are talking about BUDGET subs here. "Dig deep" isn't exactly a good explanation of why a manufacturer is a good choice.

 

[Pyrrho]

The JBL has a 100W advantage over the Klipsch both dynamic and peak. ...

I have a hard time believing the JBL numbers, at least as presented at that site. Look carefully:

Amplifier Power: 300W RMS
Amplifier Power: 500W Peak
320W (1.8A @ 230V) peak; <6W (0.06A@ 120V) standby Power Consumption (Full Power/Idle)​

JBL SUB150P - Newegg.com

That is an incredibly efficient amplifier if it can put out 300 watts continuous while drawing from the wall 320 watts PEAK.

Also, power output of the subwoofer amplifier is absolutely useless without knowing the sensitivity of the woofer. Since sensitivity can vary more than 10dB between different woofers, it is possible for one powered subwoofer to be louder than another one with only 1/10 of the power. What one really needs are volume output numbers with distortion ratings at specific frequencies; knowing the output power of the amplifier, by itself, tells us nothing about the performance of the subwoofer.


To the opening post:

It is impossible to know which is better from the limited information presented. Neither give a tolerance for the claimed frequency response, and neither provide any information regarding how loud they can play or with what distortion. If you can find professional reviews with measurements, then you will be able to compare them, but otherwise, it is hard to say. Between the two, without knowing anything more, I would go with the Klipsch, because JBL has been making some less than reliable products in recent years. So I would not buy their subwoofer.

 

[Pyrrho]

From looking at the web sites of the manufacturers, I would go with the Klipsch (if forced to pick one of these two subwoofers). Their frequency response is rated +/-3 dB:

Sub - 10 Subwoofer | Klipsch

The JBL has no tolerance specified, so it could be +/- anything:

SUB150P | Downward-firing, 10" (250mm) subwoofer with built-in 300-watt RMS amplifier | JBL US

Given that they do not list a tolerance of +/- 3dB, it is probably not actually +/-3dB. Otherwise, it would be intelligent marketing to give that tolerance. Usually, when no tolerance is specified, it is because the truth is grim and awful. If the truth is good, manufacturers like to tell you it.

 

[j_garcia]

Review of the JBL: http://www.avhub.com.au/images/stories/australian-hifi/reviews/2011-05_to_12/2011-11/jbl_sub150p_subwoofer_review_lores.pdf

Pretty positive review. Not going to knock anyone's socks off, but neither of them will.

 

[markw]

Here's me throwing a monkey wrench into the works.

Well, assuming OP hasn't made is decision in the past three weeks, I'd like to nominate, for his consideration, the BIC F12. I picked one up a few months ago and, once positioned correctly and dialed in, it performs better than any $200 sub has a right to.