What Subwoofer should I buy?

[stangjason]

I currently have two (front) Polk R300, two (rear) Polk R150, one (center) Polk CSR and an old JVC 10" subwoofer. I'm looking to replace the subwoofer with something better and wanted your opinions on a good subwoofer to replace it with. I'd prefer to keep my budget less than $200 but can maybe wait till Christmas if I choose to go over that.

Oh and little info on the room. The TV is in the corner with about 14 foot between it and the center channel from the viewer with the subwoofer behind the TV. Also the den is part of an open floorplan with the kitchen and dining room behind it which has apparently made my subs lack of power a glaring weakness.

Thanks,
Jason

[McLoki]

For $200 - all I can suggest is DIY.

You can build a box (or end caps for a sonotube) and purchase a nice 12"-15" sub (maybe $150??). Then for now, you can use the amp from your JVC to run it. (in a large enough box, you would not need a ton of power).

If DIY is not an option - I don't think your budget is high enough to justify the upgrade. (then again - I could be wrong, maybe you can find a good deal on a nice used sub)

Michael

[mlemieux]

Save a little more cash and get a Polk PSW505. I just picked one for $320, and I am really please so far with it. Nice little sub for those of us whose's wife won't let them get a SVS. :(

I also seen thw PSW404 for $269 this past weeked(no clue how it compares to the 505, but I bet its better than other subs in that price range)

[patrickj]

I started off aiming at the same budget, but ended up buying a BIC H-100 off of eBay for $239. It's great for the price... I don't think you'll find better. Do a search for that and you have to send the guy an offer of $200. Shipping will be $39 I believe.

[Early B.]

Wait until Christmas and increae your budget. Don't waste your time and money on a sub-par sub.

[Shizelbs]

Save your money until you can afford a worthwhile subwoofer.

[Ron Temple]

The Bic H100 is an excellent budget sub. Not many have heard it here, but it competes quite well with retail subs like the Velo DPS10 & 12 or Klipsch Sub10 or 12 in the $4-500 retail pricepoint...sound quality and output. While saving for a $500 ID sub will get you twice the performance. It's a good first step and will match well with the Rs.

[Pepi28]

Save your money until you can afford a worthwhile subwoofer.

Shiz is right, save for an HSU sub.

[dorokusai]

The current PSW10 falls into your price bracket. You could probably find one on closeout/special from a number of online sources or local brick and mortar.

Good luck.

Christmas is overrated, buy now, repent later.

[KMART121951]

I would recommend the Velodyn brand. The quality is very good.

Thank You
Ken Martin

[Phasearray]

How BIC crams an at least $200 Bash amp into that H100 and still sales it for so low is beyond me.

[stangjason]

What about this Velodyne from frys.com?

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4674948?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[engtaz]

+100 Velo

[WilliamM2]

I tried a few budget subs last year, because I wanted a cheap sub for my garage.

Polk PSW-10 - Absolutely the worst performing sub I have ever witnessed.

Dayton Sub-100 A little better than the Polk, not musical at all though.

Velo VX-10 - Again a little better than the Polk, but not much output.

Yamaha YST-SW315 - This little sub suprised me, plenty of output, very tight, and seems imposible to bottom.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203025474&listingid=3853401&dcaid=17902

You may be able to do better on the price, I got mine from J&R last August for $184 delivered, through Amazon.

[Phasearray]

What about this Velodyne from frys.com?

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4674948?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Average price for that unit it seems.
http://www.google.com/products?q=VELODYNE+VX&btnG=Search+Products Less power than the H100

[Ron Temple]

Jason,

The only budget subs I'd recommend are the Bic H100, as mentioned or the Cadence XSub12...they are very similar in output, but the Bic's better. You really don't need to look any further. If you can increase your budget to $275, get the Elemental designs A2-250, flat to 20hz and quite a bit better.

[icehouse1]

+1 for the PSW 505.

[Serendipity]

+1 for DIY. With a little bit of work you can get a nice sub for very little $$$.