What is the best bang-for-buck subwoofer (for the home)?

[Howard]

You can also dampen with fiberglass batting.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
My Sony SAWM40 sounds pretty damn good to my ears. 120 watts, 12" cone, good down to 20 Hz (something you rarely see). I did the polyfill mod and it cleaned it up a bit, sounds even better now. I can't imagine listening to music without one of these things. Cost me $130 from that mysony deal a while back. I've heard of people changing out the driver to a nice car sub and saying that made it even better than before.

You tested the response yourself?

my guess would be no. dat sub don't do no 20 hz (i have one in the bedroom system and modded it)

 

[Gunbuster]

/me pulls up a audiosource SW 15 hot deal Thread

 

[brxndxn]

If you are really interested in sound quality over just quantity... like, if you want the cleanest-sounding sub for the price, check out:

http://www.athenaspeakers.com/ - Their sub is the AS-P400. The Audition series is a beautiful set of speakers. They don't look like your average Sony shizz.

Their speakers are constantly praised in audiophile magazine and in sound & vision as being the best in terms of price/performance. I have a set of the FS-31 (Audition Series) and they are some amazing speakers.. They hit low and deep despite only being 8" drivers. I have never heard speakers at Best Buy that come close in terms of quality. And trust me, they get plenty loud.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

MDF
15" Dayton DVC
250 W Plate Amp
Some elbow grease
~$300 total

fin.

 

[spidey07]

nuclearfusion,

I must call you out on your comments. You have no idea what you are talking about and are strictly an internet parrot who repeats what others have said. You have never heard a good subwoofer nor have you ever listened to a good stereo.

Just how many speakers have you built? If you have built the sub with the parts mentioned then that is great, but realize that your recipe would not be capable of bass that is acceptible to one who vaules quality over quantity.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I think the SVS subs are probably the best affordable models. That said, I have an AudioSource SW15 that I have modified somewhat by adding a lot of acoustical foam and a sealing gasket for the driver - the thing puts out a lot of bass, with very decent quality, for little cash (I think I paid $150 for the sub, plus another $30 or so for materials to improve performance).

 

[Viperoni]

Originally posted by: spidey07
nuclearfusion,

I must call you out on your comments. You have no idea what you are talking about and are strictly an internet parrot who repeats what others have said. You have never heard a good subwoofer nor have you ever listened to a good stereo.

Just how many speakers have you built? If you have built the sub with the parts mentioned then that is great, but realize that your recipe would not be capable of bass that is acceptible to one who vaules quality over quantity.

The repeating internet parrot part might be true, hehe gotta save that quote , but the 15inch Dayton DVC is a serious HT sub. I had one in a 5.3cf sealed box, and it was extremely clear and deep. No hump in frequency response at all in that box, just sweet bass. Very clean, controlled and accurate bass, not bloated or boomy. Mostly attributable to the SQ-oriented box, but something more manageable like 3cf sealed wouldn't sound much worse, and would have a bit of the midbass bump/boom people favour overall.

The Shiva would also be a great HT sub, say in 2cf sealed with a 250watt plate amp, it would do plenty of couch shakin and is also a great sounding sub.

Nothing wrong with the SVS and HSU subs, or even the Sony sub if you want to spend less $$.

 

[Ameesh]

velodyne is the best maker of subs out there

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: Viperoni

Originally posted by: spidey07
nuclearfusion,

I must call you out on your comments. You have no idea what you are talking about and are strictly an internet parrot who repeats what others have said. You have never heard a good subwoofer nor have you ever listened to a good stereo.

Just how many speakers have you built? If you have built the sub with the parts mentioned then that is great, but realize that your recipe would not be capable of bass that is acceptible to one who vaules quality over quantity.

The repeating internet parrot part might be true, hehe gotta save that quote , but the 15inch Dayton DVC is a serious HT sub. I had one in a 5.3cf sealed box, and it was extremely clear and deep. No hump in frequency response at all in that box, just sweet bass. Very clean, controlled and accurate bass, not bloated or boomy. Mostly attributable to the SQ-oriented box, but something more manageable like 3cf sealed wouldn't sound much worse, and would have a bit of the midbass bump/boom people favour overall.

The Shiva would also be a great HT sub, say in 2cf sealed with a 250watt plate amp, it would do plenty of couch shakin and is also a great sounding sub.

Nothing wrong with the SVS and HSU subs, or even the Sony sub if you want to spend less $$.

haha spidey got caponwed

and i'm a parrot

 

[spidey07]

No ownage here. I'm fully aware of music, subs and home theater as I've been into it for 20 years.

But you on the other hand have no comprehension of the subject and just repeated what you've heard. You DO realize that the enclosure is just about everything right? So naming parts (with an underpowered amp) without any kind of enclosure dimensions or design is just repeating what you've read instead of actually having the experience.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: spidey07
No ownage here. I'm fully aware of music, subs and home theater as I've been into it for 20 years.

But you on the other hand have no comprehension of the subject and just repeated what you've heard. You DO realize that the enclosure is just about everything right? So naming parts (with an underpowered amp) without any kind of enclosure dimensions or design is just repeating what you've read instead of actually having the experience.

or you could just do the research yourself. damned if i'm going to take the time to look up design parameters.

 

[spidey07]

and like I said, if you have to research it then you don't know it.

 

[Viperoni]

Originally posted by: spidey07
No ownage here. I'm fully aware of music, subs and home theater as I've been into it for 20 years.

But you on the other hand have no comprehension of the subject and just repeated what you've heard. You DO realize that the enclosure is just about everything right? So naming parts (with an underpowered amp) without any kind of enclosure dimensions or design is just repeating what you've read instead of actually having the experience.

250watts really is enough... sure you could go for 500, but for an HT app, it's really not needed unless you're dropping the driver in a 3cf sealed box, and even then I don't know if it wouldn't bottom out.

 

[spidey07]

viper,

I'm used to strong bass. 250 watts on that driver isn't going to cut it for me.

But that's just me.

-edit- let me clarify, really strong bass. Not a bump-boom but clean inards rattling bass. smooth baby....smooth.

 

[vmrao]

HSU makes great subs, I think you will be very happy with the vtf-2. Also consider the Adire RAVA sub, it's a nice music and ht sub for $400. SVS also makes great subs, probably the best bang for the buck in the industry, but I'm not sure you can get them for as cheap as $500.
Be sure to look at more info at www.avsforum.com and the subwoofer section of the forums at www.klipsch.com

 

[friedpie]

Originally posted by: bigsmooth
I've heard many good things about the Sony SA-WM40. It only costs about $150-200 but you can do some very simple modifications that supposedly turn it into an excellent sub.

I have the Sony WM20 ($100) added to my little stereo. It really makes a difference. It's pretty good for the money.

I wouldn't drop $500 on a sub, but that's just me.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Originally posted by: spidey07
viper,

I'm used to strong bass. 250 watts on that driver isn't going to cut it for me.

But that's just me.

-edit- let me clarify, really strong bass. Not a bump-boom but clean inards rattling bass. smooth baby....smooth.

"bang-for-buck subwoofer" not "empty my bowels on command subwoofer"

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Eug
SVS Subwoofers

I've got a pair of 20-39CS+'s running off of a SAMSON S1000 and they are simply amazing. There is no better BFTB speaker IMHO.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
My Sony SAWM40 sounds pretty damn good to my ears. 120 watts, 12" cone, good down to 20 Hz (something you rarely see). I did the polyfill mod and it cleaned it up a bit, sounds even better now. I can't imagine listening to music without one of these things. Cost me $130 from that mysony deal a while back. I've heard of people changing out the driver to a nice car sub and saying that made it even better than before.

You tested the response yourself?

in fairness, i'm going by the claimed response since i don't have testing equipment. but since they don't claim that low for any of their other subs, including the ES subs, i'm inclined to think it's legit because they obviously aren't afraid to admit it when the subs can't go that low. from what i hear online, it's for real, but it's not too clear that low.

edit: i do know that i've never experienced volume dropoff as notes dipped lower.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
If you are really interested in sound quality over just quantity... like, if you want the cleanest-sounding sub for the price, check out:

http://www.athenaspeakers.com/ - Their sub is the AS-P400. The Audition series is a beautiful set of speakers. They don't look like your average Sony shizz.

Their speakers are constantly praised in audiophile magazine and in sound & vision as being the best in terms of price/performance. I have a set of the FS-31 (Audition Series) and they are some amazing speakers.. They hit low and deep despite only being 8" drivers. I have never heard speakers at Best Buy that come close in terms of quality. And trust me, they get plenty loud.

Right On ! I JUST bought the Athena AS-P400 and it will ariive on yuesday. I bought it for $330 Shipped buy the way.
Their website states that it hits 23hz but in fact testing shows that it only hits 27hz and averages around 30hz which is still awesome.


About the Sony sub. From what I hear it is very nice, but only for home theater. I have heard many complaints that even with the mods it does not perform well with music...the bass response is sluggish and not as qucik as it should be for music.Then again, what are you going to use it with, movies or music? I got the athena because I want to use it for mainly music, with movies on a sparse basis. With that in mind I realized that in movies my sub would not go lower than other subs, but in music it would excel, which is why I bought it.

 

[Goosemaster]

By the way, if I haven't made this clear enough alreay, sluggish Home theater subs are atrocious when it comes to music. I've heard weak mirage's that would blow away the sony sub in a music track. Then again I listened to Coldplay and Jazz, not Snoop or M&M...."beautiful" is going to sound awesome though

1. Pick its primary use
2. Shop.
4. Make sure to take YOUR music along with you so you can see what it sounds like.
3. Remember where you parked the car.
"aIn't no way you gona be walkng aroung tryin to carry a 30lb magnet you fat foo."

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain My Sony SAWM40 sounds pretty damn good to my ears. 120 watts, 12" cone, good down to 20 Hz (something you rarely see). I did the polyfill mod and it cleaned it up a bit, sounds even better now. I can't imagine listening to music without one of these things. Cost me $130 from that mysony deal a while back. I've heard of people changing out the driver to a nice car sub and saying that made it even better than before.

You tested the response yourself?

in fairness, i'm going by the claimed response since i don't have testing equipment. but since they don't claim that low for any of their other subs, including the ES subs, i'm inclined to think it's legit because they obviously aren't afraid to admit it when the subs can't go that low. from what i hear online, it's for real, but it's not too clear that low. edit: i do know that i've never experienced volume dropoff as notes dipped lower.

You can do it yourself with the appropriate software and a microphone that handles <20Hz.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain My Sony SAWM40 sounds pretty damn good to my ears. 120 watts, 12" cone, good down to 20 Hz (something you rarely see). I did the polyfill mod and it cleaned it up a bit, sounds even better now. I can't imagine listening to music without one of these things. Cost me $130 from that mysony deal a while back. I've heard of people changing out the driver to a nice car sub and saying that made it even better than before.

You tested the response yourself?

in fairness, i'm going by the claimed response since i don't have testing equipment. but since they don't claim that low for any of their other subs, including the ES subs, i'm inclined to think it's legit because they obviously aren't afraid to admit it when the subs can't go that low. from what i hear online, it's for real, but it's not too clear that low. edit: i do know that i've never experienced volume dropoff as notes dipped lower.

You can do it yourself with the appropriate software and a microphone that handles <20Hz.

they make mics that go that low?
why?

EDIT: probably for scientific purposes, but don't tell me they have General purpose mics for that