Upgrading Subwoofer

p_monks33

Golden Member
May 22, 2011
1,292
5
81
Hey guys, im just now getting into the whole home audio thing, I have been into car audio for a while, and recently decided after buying a new home that the soundbar just wasn't cutting it. I didn't have much for a budget so I followed the advice of a few threads I looked at and came up with the following:
Yamaha HTR-5063 I got off the FS/FT here
2x Polk Audio Monitor 50's for front L,R
1x Polk Audio Monitor 15C Center
2x Polk Audio R150 for Rear L,R

At the time, I didn't have the cash to grab a subwoofer so I used one that I have had for a while now, a Boston Acoustic XB2 . It still has a nice full sound, but really lacks in the extreme lows and gets distorted occasionally. I am looking for something under 250.00 that would be a good upgrade and match my system nicely.I have seen alot of good things about the Bic F-12, does anyone think that would be a good upgrade from my XB2 and compliment my other components nicely.
 

Paul98

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2010
3,732
199
106
Hey guys, im just now getting into the whole home audio thing, I have been into car audio for a while, and recently decided after buying a new home that the soundbar just wasn't cutting it. I didn't have much for a budget so I followed the advice of a few threads I looked at and came up with the following:
Yamaha HTR-5063 I got off the FS/FT here
2x Polk Audio Monitor 50's for front L,R
1x Polk Audio Monitor 15C Center
2x Polk Audio R150 for Rear L,R

At the time, I didn't have the cash to grab a subwoofer so I used one that I have had for a while now, a Boston Acoustic XB2 . It still has a nice full sound, but really lacks in the extreme lows and gets distorted occasionally. I am looking for something under 250.00 that would be a good upgrade and match my system nicely.I have seen alot of good things about the Bic F-12, does anyone think that would be a good upgrade from my XB2 and compliment my other components nicely.

I wouldn't even call the BX2 a subwoofer. The Bic F-12 would be a huge upgrade. The other option would be a DIY sub, since you are into car audio do you have any car audio subs you aren't using?
 

p_monks33

Golden Member
May 22, 2011
1,292
5
81
I have a 10w6v2 that's just laying around. How could I power something like that though?
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,765
6,645
126
if you can stretch your budget to $300 newegg has a sale on the klipsch rw-d12 sub usually about once a month.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780078

i picked it up about a month or so ago and it packs a huge punch for the price. i'm definitely happy with it's performance thus far for both movies/games as well as music.

i started playing halo 4 about a few days before i got the sub, and when i played it with the sub hooked up it made a HHUUGGEE difference in the experience. i could feel the gunshots in my chest, really awesome! great sub at that price point IMO.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
agree with purbeast

however if you cant push your budget the Bic will work, it goes on sale for 200 every now and then
 

Paul98

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2010
3,732
199
106
I have a 10w6v2 that's just laying around. How could I power something like that though?

Do you have a box for it and what size and kind of box? Would you be able to build a box for it? You can buy an amp to power the sub ether plate amp and pro amp would work. You should be able to find one between $100 and $200 that would work. Something like the EP1500 which is a pro amp, or the 500W Bash plate amp would work. Though you may not need that much power depending on the box.
 

Plugers

Senior member
Mar 22, 2002
547
0
0
I have a 10w6v2 that's just laying around. How could I power something like that though?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-752 $179 - Best used with a 1cuft box

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-750 $112 - Best used with a 3cuft box. Will play lower, but not quite at loud at max volume.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=302-839 $114 1cuft box.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=302-847 $162 3cuft box.

Or, for $33 (sheet of MDF) + $30 (sheet of black coutertop laminate from HD) you could build whatever suits you.


1.0cuft box gives QTS of .86. A 3cuft box gives a QTS of .73 (but is limited to 250watts before the 15mm xmax is hit) according to BBPro.
 
Last edited:

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
7,228
19
81
I have a very similar set-up with Polk's 50's and a CSI up front with a BiC F12. For the money I'm extremely happy with it. If you can do $300 the above mentioned Klipsch is an excellent sub but if you can't I'm sure you'll love the F12.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
if you can stretch your budget to $300 newegg has a sale on the klipsch rw-d12 sub usually about once a month.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780078

i picked it up about a month or so ago and it packs a huge punch for the price. i'm definitely happy with it's performance thus far for both movies/games as well as music.

i started playing halo 4 about a few days before i got the sub, and when i played it with the sub hooked up it made a HHUUGGEE difference in the experience. i could feel the gunshots in my chest, really awesome! great sub at that price point IMO.

its on sale again today
 

p_monks33

Golden Member
May 22, 2011
1,292
5
81
Just saw that it is on sale. I just figure it will overpower all my other speakers to the point I will need another upgrade lol.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,765
6,645
126
yea i have mine set at like -26 or something based off the audyssey calibration. if i turn it up more it DEFINITELY overpowers my other speakers. but i think that is pretty common with subs in general. you want it set to blend into the other speakers not sound like it's running at a volume of it's own.
 

Paul98

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2010
3,732
199
106
www.parts-express.com has the 15" dayton DVC on sale right now for $99, it's a great sub and amazing for the price. If I needed a sub I would get that, and amp and then build myself a large low tuned ported box.