Worth it?

That is a tough budget for even a DIY sub. The Dayton DVC driver, Erich's premade cabinets, and cheap BASH amp could be around $300-350. This is about the lowest amount one could spend to get a decent sub. There are solid choices in your price range from companies like Lava/BIC/Cadence and others.

Do you have tools? A full 4' x 8' sheet of wood to build a good sized cabinet is only around $30. You can get a 12" DVC for $110 and a 250 watt plate amp for around the same. Add some 4" PVC pipe to set up a 20hz tuned cabinet, and you can easily surpass the commercial subs in this price range. You could probably even get a 15" DVC into a ported cab from a single sheet with a little planning.


If you're relying on manufactured cabinets, then you would probably be better off picking up a pair of energy s10.3's while they're on sale for $200 from newegg.

If you want to do it even cheaper use the BASH amp with one of the Infinity Reference 1260 or 1262 subs from Amazon for about $60 shipped.

There will be some 12" and 15" subwoofer kits around that price in about 1.5 weeks.

I have no problem recommending a BIC sub off ebay, $275.00 shipped.

Now, i built a couple subs recently, and plate amp and driver were $270.00. WTS you have, plywood, glue, screws,Tnuts, machine screws, paint or veneer material, tools if need be. It adds up. I never figure time, that will always be sweat equity

DIY, use to be about savings, the tide has turned a bit and nowadays you see very expensive designs that fit perfect in the builders needs. Better drivers, better DSP, better amps. While cost effective designs are out there, a $300.00 price point is tough to beat....

KG

I've purchased the BIC H100 for myself and customers, it really is a nice sub.