Not a huge audio guy, but I have a crappy POLK PSW10 sub that needs to be upgraded. The purchase will be at Bbuy so that ties me down a little, but I need input on the following subs:

(Current system is a Onkyo 605, Polk Floors and Center)

Budget:
$700-800

Viewing area size:
120 sqft (rectangular shaped), sitting along long wall and tv is along long wall. 9ft from tv and ent center

Primary use:
HDTV (CSI/Sports) and Movies on 5.1 Vudu box

Habits/Needs:
I dont need the sub to shake the entire room, just want it loud enough to hang in there and not bottom out and rattle like the Polk. Polk just does not have enough power and is pretty quiet. That being said, I do like bass.

Klipsch XW-300D
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/xw-300d.aspx
frequency response 22-120Hz +/-3dB
amplifier power FTC rated power: 270 watts continuous @ <2% THD / Dynamic power*: 480 watts
maximum acoustic output 105dB @ 30Hz 1/8 space, 1m
drive components Ultra-high-excursion 8" (20.3cm) fiberglass cone, front-firing woofer
amplifier BASH® digital hybrid
enclosure type Sealed
inputs L/R Line-level RCA jacks
outputs None
height 11" (27.9cm)
width 10" (25.4cm)
depth 14.25" (36.2cm)
weight 24lbs (10.9kg)
features DCS control and feature set w/ 3 system presets
finishes Black vinyl w/ high-gloss black accents
voltage 110/120 VAC 60Hz
export voltage 220 VAC 50/60Hz
built from 2008




Klipsch Sub-12
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/synergy-sub-12.aspx
frequency response 24-120Hz +/-3dB
amplifier power FTC Rated Power: 300 watts continuous @ 1% THD, Dynamic Power: 650 watts
maximum acoustic output 117dB @ 30Hz 1/8 space, 1m
drive components 12" (30.5cm) fiber-composite cone, down-firing woofer
amplifier BASH® digital hybrid
phase Switchable 0-180 degrees
enclosure type Bass-reflex via rear-firing port
inputs L/R line-level RCA jacks, L/R high level speaker binding posts
outputs L/R High level speaker binding posts (passthru)
height 18” (45.7cm) H
width 15” (38.1cm) W
depth 19.9” (50.5cm) D
weight 40 lbs. (18.2kg)
features Volume, Lowpass, Phase, Auto Power
finishes Black vinyl
voltage 110/120 VAC 60Hz
export voltage 220 VAC 50/60Hz
built from 2005



Martin Logan Dynamo 10"
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/specs/dynamo.html
Frequency Response:


25–120 Hz ±3dB; Anechoic through LFE effects input
Input Impedance:


Line level RCA: 20,000 ohms

LFE RCA: 34,000 ohms
Low Pass Filter Frequencies:


30–80 Hz
High Pass Filter Frequency:


70 Hz
Phase:


0°, 90°, 180°
Woofer Type:


10" (25.4cm) high excursion, aluminum element woofer with extended throw drive assembly
Amplifier:


200 watts rms
Inputs:


RCA line level; RCA LFE; speaker level
Outputs:


RCA line level; RCA for multiple subwoofer connection
Weight:


28.5 lbs. (12.9 kg)
Down-Firing Configuration Dimensions (HxWxD):


13.9" × 11.7" × 12.6" (35.3 × 29.7 × 32 cm)
Front-Firing Configuration Dimensions (HxWxD):


13.9" × 11.7" × 12.9" (35.3 × 29.7 × 32.8 cm)




DT Supercube III
http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/subwoofers/subwoofers.html#scube3

SuperCube III Specifications:
Dimensions: 10-1/4" W x 10-1/4" D x 10-1/4" H
Frequency Response: 16 Hz – 200 Hz
Driver Complement: One 7-1/2" long-throw driver to two 7-1/2" pressure-driven infrasonic bass radiators.
Amplifier: 650 watt Digitally Switching
Low-Level High Pass: 40Hz – 150Hz (variable) 12dB per octave
Speaker Level High Pass: 80 Hz (6 dB per octave)
Low Level Low Pass Filter: 24dB/octave continuously adjustable variable (40 – 150 Hz) plus Unfiltered LFE direct coupled input.
Phase Control: 0 degrees – 180 degrees (continuously variable)
Finish: Piano gloss black
Weight: 40 lbs.
Suggested Retail: $699 ea.



My first thought is Supercube or Klipsch Icon


Thanks for any feedback.

Why screw around with those? For that sort of budget you can get a real sub from a great company such as an HSU VTF-3 MK3 or an SVS PB12 NSD. Do not believe those specs on the Spercube III or the small Klipsch. They are pure fantasy.

A substantial amount of the money spent will be best buy gift cards. My other option is to upgrade the L/C/R speakers at BBuy, say with the DT 1000's and then buy the sub aftermarket.

Ive seen many SVS recommends, so if thats the best route, Ill just buy new surrounds from BBuy.

I would look at AV123's MFW-15, eD's A5-350, SVS, HSU, or Epik.....and completely disregard those other subs

i'll echo what the others are saying. you'd be foolish to buy a klipsch for that kinda money when you can get an svs, hsu, mfw15 etc. btw..i'd say the mfw15 is the best bang for the buck based on price alone, however, you gotta have the room for it.

i'll echo what the others are saying. you'd be foolish to buy a klipsch for that kinda money when you can get an svs, hsu, mfw15 etc. btw..i'd say the mfw15 is the best bang for the buck based on price alone, however, you gotta have the room for it.


10-4. Ill buy the DT 1000 bookshelf's and centers with the BBuy dough and buy either the SVS sub or the ED.

10-4. Ill buy the DT 1000 bookshelf's and centers with the BBuy dough and buy either the SVS sub or the ED.

that sounds like a good plan. as for the bookshelves and center, again, i'd avise you look online (used is the best way to go to save $$$ btw) but...if you really want new, look at av123 xls speakers, or emotiva, or many others like swan etc. you'll do much better and get more speaker for the same or less money. as for the sub, i'd go with the SVS if i were you. much better finish and fit on that sub than eD. just my .02

that sounds like a good plan. as for the bookshelves and center, again, i'd avise you look online (used is the best way to go to save $$$ btw) but...if you really want new, look at av123 xls speakers, or emotiva, or many others like swan etc. you'll do much better and get more speaker for the same or less money. as for the sub, i'd go with the SVS if i were you. much better finish and fit on that sub than eD. just my .02

The OP said he has a lot of BB Gift Cards he wanted to use for the sub. Then he said he would use the BB Gift Cards for new speakers and pay for an interntet direct sub because of all the feedback he got here on Klipsch subs from BB.

Now, he has to keep the BB Gift Cards because there are better speakers internet direct than at BB?

Speakers are so much about placement and EQ. With his Onkyo 605 receiver having Audyssey, even modest speakers from BB can sound good enough.

If the OP wants to use his BB gift cards soon, and there are speakers at BB that appeal to him, it's not a bad plan.

Apparently, there is nothing else at BB that he wants or needs to use his Gift Cards on.

Thanks for your continued recommendation to buy used.

The OP said he has a lot of BB Gift Cards he wanted to use for the sub. Then he said he would use the BB Gift Cards for new speakers and pay for an interntet direct sub because of all the feedback he got here on Klipsch subs from BB.

Now, he has to keep the BB Gift Cards because there are better speakers internet direct than at BB?

Speakers are so much about placement and EQ. With his Onkyo 605 receiver having Audyssey, even modest speakers from BB can sound good enough.

If the OP wants to use his BB gift cards soon, and there are speakers at BB that appeal to him, it's not a bad plan.

Apparently, there is nothing else at BB that he wants or needs to use his Gift Cards on.

Thanks for your continued recommendation to buy used.


Exactly. From my reading, it appears several good surr speakers can be had at BBuy, subs are a diff story, especially when you consider cost.

I know the DT 1000 Center and Bookshelves are good speakers, so I have no worries with buying them from BBuy and getting an SVS sub. You have to realize Im using entry-mid level Polk speakers now, even the weak sub. Any of this is going to be a great upgrade for me.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9164136#post9164136


Here is something to check out. Take it for what its worth but I think its a pretty good guide to get started with. Many subs were tested and rated based on HT and music but again its only this group of peoples opinions

Thanks. Looks like that A5-350 is a good buy.

sorry, i guess i missed the part about the BB gift cards. take it easy here spyboy. also, there is nothing wrong with recommending buying used stuff. it's a great way to get speakers you might not otherwise be able to afford, not to mention you get them for what the are really worth, rather than paying full price (which has about 300% mark up in it) so ya, i'll continue to suggest that. thanks though.