Choosing a subwoofer for a Yamaha RX-V675 receiver

[Arcadio]

I got a new RX-V675 receiver and I want to choose a good subwoofer (under $500) to go with it. What would you recommend? When choosing a subwoofer what do I need to look for so that I can buy something that matches the power of my receiver?

 

[crashtech]

Really it is the cubic feet of the room that is most significant. Not specifically recommending Velodyne, but you can get an idea what I am talking about here:

http://velodyne.com/subwoofers/shop-by-room-size/5876-7182.html

 

[hawtdawg]

for around 500 dollars, id probably go with an SVS PB1000 personally

 

[shortylickens]

I got a hundred dollar yamaha subwoofer so I dont have enough knowledge to help you.

It sounds great and I cannot imagine what 500 dollars sounds like.

 

[rancherlee]

Are you handy at all? If so check out the DIY kits at Parts-express. Best bang for the buck if you have some basic tools/skills. I've only got 800$ into 4 sealed 15's powered by a Yamaha 1300w pro amp.

 

[Arcadio]

Maybe a $500 subwoofer would be overkill, but I want something better than my old Onkyo subwoofer:

Powered Subwoofer (SKW-520)
Type: Bass-reflex
Input sensitivity/impedance: 330 mV / 100 kΩ
Maximum output power: 220 W (Dynamic Power)
Frequency response: 25 Hz–150 Hz
Cabinet capacity: 1.35 cubic feet (38.5 L)
Dimensions (W × H × D): 10-13/16" × 20-3/8" × 16-3/16"
(275 × 518 × 411 mm)
Weight: 30 lbs. (13.6 kg)
Drivers unit: 10 inch Cone Woofer
Power supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption: 150 W
Other: Auto Standby function

 

[crashtech]

Are you willing to estimate the volume of the listening room?

 

[Arcadio]

Are you willing to estimate the volume of the listening room?

The living room is 1300 ft^3. The only problem is that the living room is connected to the dining room through a large opening, so that wall is practically non-existent.

 

[crashtech]

What you have is probably adequate. Problem with subwoofers, and speakers in general, is there is a lot of garbage out there. Usually I try to find used higher-end stuff. Right now I have an M&K MX-100 but it is not enough for my cavernous open floor plan. I was hoping to find a twin for it but haven't so far.

The weird thing is that even though $500 sounds like a lot to most people for a sub, it is actually a kind of dividing line below which (when buying new) there isn't much worth having, imo. The only one I could confidently recommend that is even close to your budget is the Outlaw Ultra-X12. If I had to buy new right now, it's probably what I would get.

 

[weez82]

Check out SVS. They have free shipping and free return shipping. The PB-1000 is very good deal. And they have amazing customer service so they'll help you get it all setup

 

[hawtdawg]

I got a hundred dollar yamaha subwoofer so I dont have enough knowledge to help you.

It sounds great and I cannot imagine what 500 dollars sounds like.

The thing about bass in movies, is that you won't know what you're missing until you hear a good sub. Bass in movies gets down really low. There is bass in movies like War of the Worlds, that gets down below 10hz. Humans can't even hear that low, but you can still feel it.

A 100 dollar subwoofer is probably flat to 35hz or so. While thats fine for most music, you're going to be missing a lot of LFE.

 

[hawtdawg]

Maybe a $500 subwoofer would be overkill, but I want something better than my old Onkyo subwoofer:

500 dollars is what most ht enthusiast see as the starting point for a decent sub. There are tons of cheap subs out there that have good output above 35hz or so, which is fine for the vast majority of music out there; but movies get down really low. Most consider a "good" sub to be one that can stay flat down to 20hz or lower.

It's one of those things that you won't know you're missing until you experience it.

I still say spring for an SVS SB1000.

 

[Raduque]

I have a $100 Sony powered subwoofer (I think 100w peak) connected to my RX-V375. I have it pushed in a corner under a chair and it's more than adequate in my 14'x16' apartment living room that opens to an 8x9 dining area.

 

[crasherkid]

I got a new RX-V675 receiver and I want to choose a good subwoofer (under $500) to go with it. What would you recommend? When choosing a subwoofer what do I need to look for so that I can buy something that matches the power of my receiver?

too bad your not in the UK. Over here there's nothing that comes close to the BK XLS200, such a monsterous sub that goes below 20Hz! Amazing for the price!
I use it's bigger brother XXLS400 which is maybe around $750 but it easily beats subs that cost $2-3000!!

 

[Arcadio]

Not sure if I should get the PB1000 or the SB1000.

 

[razel]

From the sound of things and what you already have, I would not spend money on a subwoofer until you can maximize what you have. Play a signal or song with plenty of bass, put you sub where you sit and move yourself around the room until you find a spot of spots where it sounds best. Those location(s) are where you sub should be.

If you can't find any good spots, then I wouldn't bother to spend money. Subwoofers get expensive quickly. In my case, I had a decent Velodyne sub that only sounded great in the worse parts of the room to watch TV. I tried to best it with EQs and DIY sonotube sand bass traps which helped, but it wasn't until I got a undercouch sub that was 1/5 the cost that went right under the viewing position where I eventually was BEYOND happy.

 

[MrGrim999]

+1 on the SVS PB-1000!! I recently got the Yamaha V377 and Klipsch Quintet 5.0 surround speakers and was researching which sub to get with it. Everyone was telling me the same thing about the SVS sub and I thought $500 was crazy too. But after all the research and finally biting the bullet and making the purchase, it's well worth the money!! I never payed any attention to the frequency range because i was using a HTIB for awhile and this is the first time I'm using decent equipment. This sub's lowest frequency is 19hz and you will hear sounds you wouldn't normally hear with the cheaper subs. Not only do they offer free shipping, but, their technical support is outstanding! I spent alot of time on the phone with them to make sure all the settings were correct and they will take all the time you need. They even called me back the next day on their own to see how I was enjoying the product!

 

[vshah]

Not sure if I should get the PB1000 or the SB1000.

i have a pb1000 and it does well in a room twice your size. You'd probably be OK with the SB1000

 

[Arcadio]

i have a pb1000 and it does well in a room twice your size. You'd probably be OK with the SB1000

I bought the PB1000. It's still in the box. I'm going to set it up this weekend.

 

[vshah]

excellent, i'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

[killster1]

seems like a expensive sub compared to DIY flat placks that I got.. my issue is 12" infinity with 1.75cft non ported boxes do not give you the feel of big bass.. I found out why tho. You need a enclosed room and my living room maybe to big with hallways and attachment rooms! So I will seek 2x18" daytons I think with marty flatpacks when I buy new subs.