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Need help choosing cheap subwoofer

post #1 of 17
8/15/08 at 11:16am
Thread Starter 
Room: approx. 10 x 12 (x 9h) with one standard-door-size opening
budget: originally $200, but will go higher after reading other posts
use: 70% HT; 30% Gaming
size: small footprint is a plus, but not a requirement

Here's what I've found so far:
bic v1020 - $180shipped
bic v1220 - $215 shipped
Famous Maker 10" 100W Powered Subwoofer (by Dr. Hsu) - $270 shipped
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=309-175
velodyne vx-10 - $185 shipped
Dayton SUB-100 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer - $150 shipped

elemental designs a2-300 - $315 shipped
bic H-100 - $249 shipped


Obviously, the a2-300 is quite a bit out of the pricerange I listed. But the Dr. Hsu 10" is something I can probably afford. Does anyone know anything about that sub and how it would compare with the a2-300?

Here's an idea! Pick out the best-sounding sub from the above list (feel free to add anything to the list that's in the same general pricerange). Assume that best sub on the list is a perfect 10. Then rank the other speakers along that same scale. This should give me an idea how bad the others are to the best I could afford so I can then weigh the cost/quality tradeoff.

Thanks!
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post #2 of 17
8/15/08 at 12:34pm
The a2-300 is built by Elemental Designs.. The shipping is included in the price..
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post #3 of 17
8/15/08 at 12:45pm
Might want to throw the Bic H-100 into the mix. It'll be around $250 shipped. From what I've read on AVS, the Bic H-100 is a much better sub than the other two Bic subs you listed. I haven't heard them so I couldn't tell you why that is, but the H-100 is the only Bic that usually gets recommended around here.
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post #4 of 17
8/15/08 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks. Changes made to post.

Looked into Bic H-100 and it seems like I might have my answer.
Still looking for any input on the Dr. Hsu sub mentioned above though. Outside of the subwoofer forum, it seems to get high recommendations. But here, I haven't seen it mentioned . . . .
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post #5 of 17
8/15/08 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sulakd View Post

Thanks. Changes made to post.

Looked into Bic H-100 and it seems like I might have my answer.
Still looking for any input on the Dr. Hsu sub mentioned above though. Outside of the subwoofer forum, it seems to get high recommendations. But here, I haven't seen it mentioned . . . .

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.
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post #6 of 17
8/15/08 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy View Post

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.

That would be my choice as well. I just wanted to let the OP know that of the Bic subs, the H-100 has by far the best reputation. The A2-300 should represent a significant improvement over the H-100 for a rather small price premium.
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post #7 of 17
8/15/08 at 2:48pm
If you go PE go with the 12" cheapie.
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post #8 of 17
8/15/08 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JOHNnDENVER View Post

If you go PE go with the 12" cheapie.

Uh, what's PE? And what's the 12" cheapie?
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post #9 of 17
8/15/08 at 3:07pm
PE = Parts Express. Probably talking about the Dayton Sub-120.

IMO, the eD A2-300 blows away every other sub listed. Then the Bic H-100 (I wouldn't even consider any other Bic sub), then probably the Velodyne.

Never heard the Famous Maker/Hsu one, although the Bic H-100 had Dr. Hsu's input, too, and I believe shares the amp with one of the smaller Hsu branded subs.
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post #10 of 17
8/15/08 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy View Post

If I were you, I would save up for another month or two an get the Ed A2-300.

Actually, it's not about saving up. I just didn't want to spend the $. About a month and a half ago, I was gonna buy an HTIB. Then I (thankfully) found this site. I got speakers, then receiver, and I'm over my original budget already. Oh, and then I had to buy mounts, wires, wallplates etc (another $120 at monoprice). So I'm trying to finish up as cheap as possible - if I need more/cleaner bass, I can upgrade next year or something.

If the a3-200 is the cheapest price at which I can get respectable bass (not looking to shake the walls, but need good "immersive" feeling during appropriate parts of movies), then so be it. Otherwise, how do these other subs rate compared to the a3-200? (and how big is that thing? - looks big in the picture)
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post #11 of 17
8/15/08 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulpa View Post

PE = Parts Express. Probably talking about the Dayton Sub-120.

IMO, the eD A2-300 blows away every other sub listed. Then the Bic H-100 (I wouldn't even consider any other Bic sub), then probably the Velodyne.

Never heard the Famous Maker/Hsu one, although the Bic H-100 had Dr. Hsu's input, too, and I believe shares the amp with one of the smaller Hsu branded subs.

Thanks.

I've been told that the "famous maker" is Energy or Atlantic Technologies - can't remeber which. A batch was rejected with cosmetic blemishes and PE's selling them for that price.
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post #12 of 17
8/15/08 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sulakd View Post

. Otherwise, how do these other subs rate compared to the a3-200? (and how big is that thing? - looks big in the picture)

Dimensions : W - 18.00", H - 18.00", D - 21.5"

I think you'd be okay with either the Bic or the eD. I have the Bic and I've heard the eD in a similar room. At the price it's at now, the eD is a steal.

If you don't want to go over $250, the Bic is about the only option (now that the AV123 x-Sub is apparently discontinued.
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post #13 of 17
8/15/08 at 7:35pm
70lbs! wow, am i reading that correctly?
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post #14 of 17
8/15/08 at 7:57pm
That's kind of typical for a sub that size. The Outlaw LFM-1 Plus weighs about the same, and the HSU VTF-2 MK3 and the SVS PB12-NSD are slightly heavier. All are 12" subs with 250-350w RMS, although they vary in price.
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post #15 of 17
8/15/08 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sulakd View Post

I've been told that the "famous maker" is Energy or Atlantic Technologies - can't remeber which. A batch was rejected with cosmetic blemishes and PE's selling them for that price.

I got curious and looked, but it doesn't really resemble either Energy's or AT's subs, at least that I've seen. It looks more like an Outlaw or Hsu, but the back panel doesn't quite fit up with any that I looked at.
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post #16 of 17
8/19/08 at 9:01am
Thread Starter 
I found an old subwoofer for free. Is it totally useless, or can I get by with it for awhile? (it's like 11 years old, but very little use) Is it likely to be at least comparable to any of the cheap speakers listed above?

JBL TLX-PS12
12"
120 watts rms
claims to go to 23hz (-6db)
http://manuals.harman.com/JBL/HOM/Ow...XPS10%20om.pdf

Thanks!
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post #17 of 17
8/19/08 at 9:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sulakd View Post

I found an old subwoofer for free. Is it totally useless, or can I get by with it for awhile? (it's like 11 years old, but very little use) Is it likely to be at least comparable to any of the cheap speakers listed above?

JBL TLX-PS12
12"
120 watts rms
claims to go to 23hz (-6db)
http://manuals.harman.com/JBL/HOM/Ow...XPS10%20om.pdf

Thanks!


That's up to you. If it is free try it out, better than nothing.
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