AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Comparison on 3 Budge Subs for Noob
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Comparison on 3 Budge Subs for Noob

post #1 of 16
5/14/07 at 6:52am
Thread Starter 
I'd appreciate any assistance and recommendations.

My system is not top of the line (the receiver is an 4 or 5 year old Sony STR-D315 or D515, I think, can't remember off the top of my head.) I've got 5 KLH speakers (don't remember the models, but the front' s are 3 channel and the surrounds are 2).

Setup is in a small living room, 12x13. Wood Floor and ceiling and drywall walls. 3 windows and 3 doors (two of which I can close).

My budget is fixed at below $200, so my options are limited, but with such a small room, I don't think that should be too much of a problem. My focus is on HT, since we rarely listen to music on the system, though I'm not ruling it out.

The three options I am considering are:

BIC America V1020 10"

Dayton SUB-100 10"

AV123 X-Sub

I've tried to find these at local stores (though for me local is within 50 miles, can we say RURAL?) , but everything I've found is too much money and too much sub, since I don't want it to drown out everything else.

Thoughts and comparisons on these? I'm not looking for the perfect sub, but something that will give me decent bass for the price and allow me to feel some kick during action sequences.

Thanks in advance!

~D_D
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 16
5/14/07 at 8:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by darthdaddy View Post

I'd appreciate any assistance and recommendations.

My system is not top of the line (the receiver is an 4 or 5 year old Sony STR-D315 or D515, I think, can't remember off the top of my head.) I've got 5 KLH speakers (don't remember the models, but the front' s are 3 channel and the surrounds are 2).

Setup is in a small living room, 12x13. Wood Floor and ceiling and drywall walls. 3 windows and 3 doors (two of which I can close).

My budget is fixed at below $200, so my options are limited, but with such a small room, I don't think that should be too much of a problem. My focus is on HT, since we rarely listen to music on the system, though I'm not ruling it out.

The three options I am considering are:

BIC America V1020 10"

Dayton SUB-100 10"

AV123 X-Sub

I've tried to find these at local stores (though for me local is within 50 miles, can we say RURAL?) , but everything I've found is too much money and too much sub, since I don't want it to drown out everything else.

Thoughts and comparisons on these? I'm not looking for the perfect sub, but something that will give me decent bass for the price and allow me to feel some kick during action sequences.

Thanks in advance!

~D_D


The X-sub is great as far as everyone reports...I'd try the BIC H100. You can get it on ebay for the same as the x-sub and will better for HT than the x-sub and do well for music. I have no direct experience with the two but all accounts say you can't go wrong with either...but it really depends on your music/movie listening split.

Personally I would probably look at the BIC b4 the x-sub because i watch a lot of movies and watch TV in movie mode... also it's a 12" sub that will fit in the budget and for HT a 12" may be better. I say may because I have a small romm as well 12x14x9 and my 10" HSU does all that I would need. I do look to find 12" sub at a discount just to hear the difference tho'

--Mike
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 16
5/14/07 at 9:07pm
I wish I could say I've heard any of those subs personally, but based purely on reputation alone, the X-sub is the clear winner by far. People tend to look down on anything less than $300 for a sub, so the fact that it has managed to impress so many people with its value per dollar really says something. The Bic H100 that HTRMike mentioned is another (some would say the only other) solid, popular choice for this price range; the consensus is that movies = H100/music = X-sub but from what I've heard the X-sub just plain sounds a bit better for either application, though it may move slightly less air.

Another candidate is the Velodyne VX-10 -- small entry-level sub from a trusted sub company that can probably be found for slightly less than the other two with a bit of effort. It might not quite stack up to the other two but it'd probably be a perfectly adequate solution if you really want to squeeze your dollar.

Good luck!
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 16
5/15/07 at 5:17am
I think a reason to get the H-100 over the x-sub is they'll ship it same day - I'm not sure how long you'll have to wait if you order the x-sub.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 16
5/15/07 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies. I had been leaning towards the x-sub, but the H100 sounds promising, too, especially for HT.

I'll have to do some more research. I plan on hitting Best Buy and Circuit City in the next couple of days to try and hear some subs in action, though I doubt they'll carry either of these models.

Thanks again!

~D_D
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 16
5/15/07 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg90 View Post

I think a reason to get the H-100 over the x-sub is they'll ship it same day - I'm not sure how long you'll have to wait if you order the x-sub.

Hey, I thought of another reason -- the X-Sub is as ugly as sin, shiny veneer or not. It looks like a fancy ashtray outside of a four-star hotel, or something you throw away old CDs in. Opinion? No! A council of impartial scientists will tell you it is proven fact.

On a slightly more helpful note -- the X-sub is sold only Internet-direct, so you won't find it in any stores; the H100 may have been sold in stores at one point but is a pretty rare find anywhere but online now. Also, not to discourage you from going out and listening, but most subs found in Best Buy and Circuit City will likely be crap, expensive, or both.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 16
5/15/07 at 7:32am
Thread Starter 
Anyone know where I can find the HT100 for around $200? The cheapest I've seen is about $245 + Shipping on eBay. I may be able to stretch the budget a bit, but that will be pushing the WAF pretty close to the edge .

Thanks!

~D_D
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 16
5/15/07 at 7:35am
Thread Starter 
Mongo, that's kind of what I expected, actually. I looked at some at Sound Advice this past weekend and they were all mucho $$$. I guess I'm just window-shopping at this point, while hoping to find the right deal online.

Thanks!

~D_D
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 16
5/15/07 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by darthdaddy View Post

I'd appreciate any assistance and recommendations.

My system is not top of the line (the receiver is an 4 or 5 year old Sony STR-D315 or D515, I think, can't remember off the top of my head.) I've got 5 KLH speakers (don't remember the models, but the front' s are 3 channel and the surrounds are 2).

Setup is in a small living room, 12x13. Wood Floor and ceiling and drywall walls. 3 windows and 3 doors (two of which I can close).

My budget is fixed at below $200, so my options are limited, but with such a small room, I don't think that should be too much of a problem. My focus is on HT, since we rarely listen to music on the system, though I'm not ruling it out.

The three options I am considering are:

BIC America V1020 10"

Dayton SUB-100 10"

AV123 X-Sub

I've tried to find these at local stores (though for me local is within 50 miles, can we say RURAL?) , but everything I've found is too much money and too much sub, since I don't want it to drown out everything else.

Thoughts and comparisons on these? I'm not looking for the perfect sub, but something that will give me decent bass for the price and allow me to feel some kick during action sequences.

Thanks in advance!

~D_D

Hi

I would not buy any sub from BB or CC. You just can't get a good sub for ~$240 from BB or CC.

The X-Sub is worth waiting for. I have been waiting for an X-Sub in Rosa Diamond Palisander for about 3 months. I think this finish is going to be available in 3 weeks. I like the White Shadow Maple. I think the design is very attractive, and much smaller than the BIC H-100.

All the Best
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 16
5/15/07 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by darthdaddy View Post

Anyone know where I can find the HT100 for around $200? The cheapest I've seen is about $245 + Shipping on eBay. I may be able to stretch the budget a bit, but that will be pushing the WAF pretty close to the edge .

Thanks!

~D_D

just use best offer, offer $200 - he'll take it.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 16
5/16/07 at 4:46am
Thread Starter 
I ordered the H100. Thanks all for your help!

BTW, I did take a look at CC an BB, and as expected, didn't find much.

There was a Polk 8" for $199 @ CC as well as an Infiniti 8" and MTX 12" for $199 on clearance. I was tempted with the MTX, but decided to be patient and order the H100. I think I made the right choice, but will find out when the box arrives!

Thanks again!

~D_D
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 16
5/16/07 at 5:21am
Good decision. The H100 should easily blow the crap out of either of those Circuit City subs for almost the same $$$.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 16
5/16/07 at 9:27pm
if the budget was expanded to $300, what would you guys take for 90% music, 10% HT?
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 16
5/17/07 at 7:08am
Probably still the X-sub or Bic H-100, actually. You'd probably need to up the budget to around $500 to reach the next level. $400-ish could net you one of the lower-end Hsus, or a B-stock SVS PB-10 if you watch their site like a hawk.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 16
5/17/07 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tC_skier View Post

if the budget was expanded to $300, what would you guys take for 90% music, 10% HT?

HSU STF-1
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 16
5/17/07 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakeman02 View Post

HSU STF-1

Me too.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Comparison on 3 Budge Subs for Noob