• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Looking for Subwoofer Recommendations

grey_beard

grey_beard

Active Member
Here's my setup:
Onkyo TX-NR696 - Receiver
Panasonic DP-UB820K - 4k Blu Ray
Braun L150's - Front L/R
Jamo E8 - Sub
Tannoy - Center
Elac Debut 2.0 - Height
Crappy JBL - Surrounds (soon to be replaced)

===============================================

Current situation:
I'm looking at the possibility of adding lower low end. The Braun L150's (very similar to ADS L1290) have 2-8" woofers and the Jamo sub is 8" is well, so that makes little sense to me. I tested things with a signal gen and the Brauns go down to 30hz while the Jamo gets lost at 28hz, so a very slight gain there and not deep enough for a lot of movie soundtracks.

What I'm looking for:
This is my main room rig so I want something musical that can do video as well. The room is on the second floor, about 20'x18' with 9ft ceilings and carpeted floors. My comfort level for budget is around $500 and I'm certainly willing to get something used.

What do you think? Probably a 12"?

I'd really appreciate hearing hearing your opinions and things you've heard that you like and don't like.

Thanks in advance.
 
Register to hide this ad
I have the Acoustech PL-200 which is the original and the PL-200II is the newest. I use it in my 2 channel rig and it has a great musical sound but also works well in Home theater. It has a lot of great reviews just google it and you will see. The newest one in the link is right in your budget. Whatever you get have fun and let us know. I never ordered from the company in the link but I am sure there are other places it is available also.

https://www.acousticsounddesign.com/6199-bic-acoustech-pl-200-ii-subwoofer
 
I have an SVS SB-1000 (12” woofer) paired with Klipsch KG4 and like it quite a bit. Looks like it’s going for around $450 now on their site.
 
grey_beard said:
Here's my setup:
Onkyo TX-NR696 - Receiver
Panasonic DP-UB820K - 4k Blu Ray
Braun L150's - Front L/R
Jamo E8 - Sub
Tannoy - Center
Elac Debut 2.0 - Height
Crappy JBL - Surrounds (soon to be replaced)

===============================================

Current situation:
I'm looking at the possibility of adding lower low end. The Braun L150's (very similar to ADS L1290) have 2-8" woofers and the Jamo sub is 8" is well, so that makes little sense to me. I tested things with a signal gen and the Brauns go down to 30hz while the Jamo gets lost at 28hz, so a very slight gain there and not deep enough for a lot of movie soundtracks.

What I'm looking for:
This is my main room rig so I want something musical that can do video as well. The room is on the second floor, about 20'x18' with 9ft ceilings and carpeted floors. My comfort level for budget is around $500 and I'm certainly willing to get something used.

What do you think? Probably a 12"?

I'd really appreciate hearing hearing your opinions and things you've heard that you like and don't like.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

The current Jamo E8 sub appears to be a "sealed" sub (just going by looks, can't find detailed specs), which tends to make it more musical (the good side of sealed) but not have the grunt for deep special effects in movie use (the downside of sealed subs) -- particularly since the Jamo is only an 8" sub. Since your primary concern is movies, it would make sense to get a ported sub, which will go much deeper and have more output than an comparable sealed sub. Although I've not owned one, HSU's VTF subs come highly recommended -- they have 2 ports that can be sealed if you want (I wouldn't for home theater use). I think the bottom-of-the line VTF-2 MK5 (12") is about 20% over your budget, but you should be able to find an HSU, maybe even 15", in budget used. The SVS PB-1000 12" is also above budget, but maybe can be found used. I would recommend the (ported) PB-1000 over the (sealed) SB-1000 if your priority is on theater (I'd recommend the opposite if your priority was music). Either one of these quality ported 12" subs should be a pretty massive leap for theater over the current Jamo E8.

Rhythmik servo subs is another brand to consider -- the servo helps control the driver movement so that their ported subs behave more like sealed in terms of accuracy while still having the power/depth of a ported sub. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these 3 brands.
 
Last edited:
peterp1 said:
The current Jamo E8 sub appears to be a "sealed" sub (just going by looks, can't find detailed specs), which tends to make it more musical (the good side of sealed) but not have the grunt for deep special effects in movie use (the downside of sealed subs) -- particularly since the Jamo is only an 8" sub. Since your primary concern is movies, it would make sense to get a ported sub, which will go much deeper and have more output than an comparable sealed sub. Although I've not owned one, HSU's VTF subs come highly recommended -- they have 2 ports that can be sealed if you want (I wouldn't for home theater use). I think the bottom-of-the line VTF-2 MK5 (12") is about 20% over your budget, but you should be able to find an HSU, maybe even 15", in budget used. The SVS PB-1000 12" is also above budget, but maybe can be found used. I would recommend the (ported) PB-1000 over the (sealed) SB-1000 if your priority is on theater (I'd recommend the opposite if your priority was music). Either one of these quality ported 12" subs should be a pretty massive leap for theater over the current Jamo E8.

Rhythmik servo subs is another brand to consider -- the servo helps control the driver movement so that their ported subs behave more like sealed in terms of accuracy while still having the power/depth of a ported sub. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these 3 brands.
Click to expand...

Agree with your comments around ported vs. sealed. I use a SB-3000 for HT, which is dual ported with an option to seal, and the SB-1000 for music in a smaller, dedicated music room.
 
peterp1 said:
The current Jamo E8 sub appears to be a "sealed" sub (just going by looks, can't find detailed specs), which tends to make it more musical (the good side of sealed) but not have the grunt for deep special effects in movie use (the downside of sealed subs) -- particularly since the Jamo is only an 8" sub. Since your primary concern is movies, it would make sense to get a ported sub, which will go much deeper and have more output than an comparable sealed sub. Although I've not owned one, HSU's VTF subs come highly recommended -- they have 2 ports that can be sealed if you want (I wouldn't for home theater use). I think the bottom-of-the line VTF-2 MK5 (12") is about 20% over your budget, but you should be able to find an HSU, maybe even 15", in budget used. The SVS PB-1000 12" is also above budget, but maybe can be found used. I would recommend the (ported) PB-1000 over the (sealed) SB-1000 if your priority is on theater (I'd recommend the opposite if your priority was music). Either one of these quality ported 12" subs should be a pretty massive leap for theater over the current Jamo E8.

Rhythmik servo subs is another brand to consider -- the servo helps control the driver movement so that their ported subs behave more like sealed in terms of accuracy while still having the power/depth of a ported sub. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these 3 brands.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thorough reply. The Jamo is bottom firing with a bottom port as well. It sounds nice but just really rolls off at 30hz and doesn't have the power or depth I'm looking for.

I'm been looking at SVS but will check out HSU as well. Thanks again.
 
CRG said:
Agree with your comments around ported vs. sealed. I use a SB-3000 for HT, which is dual ported with an option to seal, and the SB-1000 for music in a smaller, dedicated music room.
Click to expand...

That SB-3000 looks like a nice piece of kit. I've got a bunch of receivers to sitting around. May be time to let some things go to up my sub budget some.
 
grey_beard said:
That SB-3000 looks like a nice piece of kit. I've got a bunch of receivers to sitting around. May be time to let some things go to up my sub budget some.
Click to expand...

I suspect he meant PB-3000 (ported) rather than SB-3000 (sealed) for theater use -- hopefully @CRG will correct me if wrong (although an SB-3000 might have enough power for theater use even though its sealed).
 
I like JL's and M&K. My M&K's always sounded great. JL have more capability. The Klipsch subs back in the days of the 90's and 2000'd didn't hold up that well and all they did was play loudly.
They didn't seem to have the Extension of the others and the Amp modules were always failing. I would rather have full range XXL front speakers and forget the subs. But that said a HT system with three Hersey's or 5 or 7 with the right subs is one of the best HT systems I have ever heard. M&K S-150's or 300's for the front are better but cost bunches more money and require a lot more power demanding separate electronics. Where with the Hersey a great AVR will do a spectacular job.
 
I'm going a bit over budget (Shocking, right?) and picking up the Britannia B2 today (thank you kwkshift for the link). Can't wait to hear it.

Thank you everyone for your help. You definitely opened my eyes to a lot of great options.
 
twiiii said:
The Klipsch subs back in the days of the 90's and 2000'd didn't hold up that well and all they did was play loudly.
They didn't seem to have the Extension of the others and the Amp modules were always failing.
Click to expand...

I had recent experience with a new Klipsch "Reference Series" sub. A friend wanted a sub she could pick up in stock at Best Buy, and the Klipsch seemed the least worst option (there weren't many choices in stock). The 10" Klipsch is nearly $500 and the Best Buy user reviews (nearly 1000 of them) are great -- five star!!!!

When I helped her hook it up, I knew the second I picked it up to move it that we were in trouble, because it weighs nothing (24 lbs, which is nothing for a sub). That was the crappiest least powerful sub I've ever heard for a nearly $500 price point. Returned.

Run away from modern Klipsch subs and don't look back!! Klipsch does have a higher level "SPL Series" model that might perform better, but I wouldn't bank on it given how incredibly bad and overpriced the Reference Series sub was.
 
Check out the Dayton Sub1000 10" 100W powered sub $149.98. I haven't heard the Sub1000. I have heard the Sub1200. IMO it's an absolute bargain.
 
grey_beard said:
I'm going a bit over budget (Shocking, right?) and picking up the Britannia B2 today (thank you kwkshift for the link). Can't wait to hear it.

Thank you everyone for your help. You definitely opened my eyes to a lot of great options.
Click to expand...

They're very nice subwoofers. Take your time dialing it in to your room and system and it will be great.
 
Figure out the total displacement in volume of your woofers.at 80 HZ. Lets say they move an 1/8 inch and are 10 inches in diameter and there are or 6 total. Between three front channels So one 10 inch woofer would have to move 6/8 of an inch. or 6/8 X pi X R sqrd. 6/8 X pi X 25= 18.75 pi cu inches. If you want your sub to produce 20 HZ then the sub has to move 4 times a much volume of air. or about 76 pi cu inches. Say the sub can move 1 inch. So whats the sqr root of 76 pi ? 15.5 inches. So I would want a a single 15 inch sub, but for more even distribution two 12 or if they add perfectly two 10 inch subs for more even distribution if you have multiple seats. one or two seats then one 15 inch should be enough. Now if the cone can move further which most can not then you might get by with a single out standing 13.5 inch sub from some one like JL. I don't use subs but I have 12 12 inch woofers for the front channels and 4 more identical for the rear. So between 16 12 inch woofers which all reach 25 hz I am just fine. Oh it might be fun to have two double 13.5 inch double woofers from JL, but listing for close to $20000 s out of my budget. M&K made some great dual 12 " ported powered subs you might be able to pick up for a bargain. Thats what Skywalker Sound used as subs with S300 or S150 satellites to mix sound tracks for movies for Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic and Disney studios, etc.
 
I got an Elac Sub10.2 two years ago for a great price and have really enjoyed the sound and additional bass. They are well made, sound nice and tight with plenty of power for my system. Planning to get a second one (one for each channel) at some point in time.
 
I got the sub home, played nicely for maybe 30 minutes, then it started making a static/crackling noise. Pulled the speaker and connected wires to another speaker, same noise. moved away from any other electronics, same noise. Pulled out the amp and the board is burnt around one of the resistors. FML.
 
grey_beard said:
I got the sub home, played nicely for maybe 30 minutes, then it started making a static/crackling noise. Pulled the speaker and connected wires to another speaker, same noise. moved away from any other electronics, same noise. Pulled out the amp and the board is burnt around one of the resistors. FML.
Click to expand...

Bummer. Can you return it? I assume it is not as advertised.

I hate to say it, but sub amp failures aren't uncommon across pretty much all brands (Def Tech, Velodyne (RIP), Sunfire, HSU, and many more -- pretty much all of them). I think the reason failures are somewhat universal is because the amps get beat up so much from being directly in back of the driver. There are specialty firms that fix most brands of subs amps for a flat fee (I used one for my Sunfire and it was excellent). Sub amp failures are still rare numerically, no need to be scared about buying a powered sub, but they do fail much, much more often than a stereo amp for example. If it's just a burned resister, that's hopefully an easy fix. Kind of sucks when you just buy something though. Actually it still sucks if you bought it along time ago also :), but more when you've just bought it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom