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Bic PL-200 vs. (long-owned) Boston Acoustics PV800

post #1 of 10
2/4/12 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
Hi. I've been thinking of replacing my Boston Acoustics PV800 for a while. It's not in great condition. I found this forum doing a search on low-priced subwoofers. From the reading, I think my best option is the PL-200, which I might be able to get at a special low price.

Do you think there would be any noticeable difference in sound quality of music at low volume between the two? Any differences in overall quality that I should be aware? I know the Boston Acoustics was more expensive initially (in 2000), as though it's a higher-end somehow, but maybe price per watt has decreased since then.
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post #2 of 10
2/4/12 at 8:47pm
Thread Starter 
This thread has had more than 100 views. Could someone please try to answer the original post?
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post #3 of 10
2/4/12 at 9:22pm
That's because unless someone has heard the Boston Acoustics PV800, they won't be able to answer the question.

However, the little info there is on the PV800 in the Nousaine test data list and then Ricci's data on the PL-200 suggests that they might be comparable in output and low frequency extension. If you want to make certain you get a better performing sub, get one of the 12" ID subs by Epik, HSU, SVS, Rythmik, or Outlaw Audio.
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post #4 of 10
2/5/12 at 5:26am
The BIC PL-200 is the highly recommended sub in the under $300 category. A number of individuals with PL-200s eventually upgraded to the HSU STF-2 (~$400), HSU VTF2.4, or HSU VTF3.4 or comparable Outlaw Audio models (Outlaw can be had cheaper when on sale or B-stock, but just went off sale). The individuals that upgraded indicated that their Hsus were much more musical than the PL-200.

The other brands SVS, Empire, and Rythmic are also very good.
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post #5 of 10
2/5/12 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
Okay, that helps, thanks. I do know enough to value range. Beyond that, remarkably ignorant. You're saying that sheer power isn't going to make the bass in music sound much better?
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post #6 of 10
2/5/12 at 10:06am
Right. Some subs have much tighter more accurate sounding bass, regardless of amp power. And then some have a lot of distortion in the <30hz range once they are pushed, such as the PL-200 (see this graph from data-bass.com), which makes a difference in movie watching. It's very much worthwhile to jump to the approximately $500 class of ID subs, such as the Rythmik FV12 and HSU VTF-2 MK4.
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post #7 of 10
2/5/12 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wwinkler View Post

The BIC PL-200 is the highly recommended sub in the under $300 category.

Where are you finding it for under $300? I've tried adding it to the Budget Subwoofers thread on a few occasions, but was never able to (consistently) find it for anything other than the $330 range.
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post #8 of 10
2/5/12 at 10:29am
I've heard numerous people say that Acoustic Sound Design apparently will take a bid of $280 (see make your best offer). I think it's because they sell on Ebay.
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post #9 of 10
2/5/12 at 10:35pm
Thread Starter 
The manufacturer probably is still running a sale on its own website. Coupon pop-up. Shipping might negate any discount, though.

I'm a bit put off by the graph showing distortion. Unfortunately, I probably can't spend much more than $300 or even that much.
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post #10 of 10
2/5/12 at 11:05pm
Then go for the PL-200. It's often recommended here as the best buy for a 12" sub at around $300.
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