Currently I'm using an Onkyo HTIB powered sub in my setup (5.1 with polk r50's and a Panasonic receiver). Was wondering if either of the following would be a step up (even if minimal) and which would be better:

Sony SA-W3000 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OL22T2******nosim/?tag=fatwalletcom&linkCode=as1 -$108

Dayton 12" - http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635 - $135

Thanks!

To use a football metaphor you are running down the line of scrimage, eventually you need to head upfield. :rolleyes:

Save your money for a better subwoofer. If you bought either of those you will be back in 3 months asking about more subs. :eek:

Sony subs...pass me the spit bucket. Would you kindly...

The Dayton in the link would be fine at the price it sells for but you could get much more saving a bit and getting a basic ElementalDesigns,SVS or HSU subwoofer.

IMO

Sony makes some great products but not great subwoofers.

The Dayton!

These forums can be a bit frustrating sometimes, because all too often the only advice we people who are looking to upgrade get is "spend X amount more than you're planning to, and you'll be happy". While I don't like to give advice like that, in your case, being able to spend even another $75 to $125 would make a HUGE difference. The Onix XSub gets rave reviews and goes for $199. My sub, an Infinity PS212 12" sub can be found for as low as $260 shipped (MSRP over $500), and it would completely blow away the Onkyo HTIB sub. In all honesty, at the $100-$150 range, you could find a sub that is more musical or has slightly more impact than the HTIB sub, but you'd really notice a difference if you can wait a little and spend a little more. Granted you can always spend more and get more, but I don't think you'll be satisfied with the performance of REALLY budget subs (<$150). Just my two cents. That said, I unfortunately had a Sony sub a while back, so based off of that experience, if I were to choose between the Sony and the Dayton, I'd go Dayton. Good luck.

By the way, as you can see, I'm not running a $3,000 subwoofer, so I'm not pretending to be the be all and end all of subwoofer knowledge. I just know that even my basic, though quality Infinity is a huge improvement over the Velodyne VX 10 I purchased to replace the Sony I had before (my room is only 10'x11'x8', so I don't need a sub with insane output levels). I, like you, wanted to upgrade and did so too early. The Velodyne was better than the Sony, but in a few months I was left wanting again. Spend a little more and you won't have buyer's remorse later.

Stephen