[TSecovnie]

Hi guys, I'm just adding the final pieces to my 5.1 setup and all I have left to buy is a subwoofer. Here's my current setup:


Samsung 58" Plasma (PN58B560)

Pioneer VSX-919AH

Klipsch Icon X series speakers (4x XB-10 bookshelfs, XL-23 center channel)

Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-ray player

DirecTV HD


I'm looking to spend under $200 on a sub, new or used, to complete my 5.1 system. I watch mostly tv and movies, and occasionally hook up my ipod to my receiver. I need a front-firing sub so I don't get complaints from the neighbors downstairs. Also, the dimensions of the sub have to be no bigger than 16x16x16 to fit in the corner of my room next to the tv stand. The dimensions of the room are roughly 20'x10'.


The subs I've been looking at so far that fit in my price range are as follows:

1) Polk Audio PSW111 (used/refurb) - $200

2) Acoustic Audio HD-SUB10 - $168

3) Acoustic Audio HD-Sub12 - $198

4) Energy ESW-10 - $180


I'm leaning towards the Polk sub mostly on brand recognition and the great reviews of that little 8" monster, but the Acoustic Audio subs look pretty good as well and seem like a nice value for the price. I need some help from the experts out there.


If you have any suggestions of other budget subs under $200 that I have not considered, please send me your recommendations.

 

[TRT]

I would definitely consider buying a used subwoofer. I could not in good conscience suggest a subwoofer that cannot produce a flat response below 20Hz. Anything above that is just a woofer. If a used sub is not an option, I would wait until I could afford one that actually produces subsonic frequency responses. If you buy one that clips at 40-50Hz, you'll be so dissatisfied that you'll turn it off. This is particularly true with bookshelf speakers as your mains. My guess is that they roll off pretty quickly below 80Hz.

 

[TSecovnie]

I'm definitely not against buying a used sub, I even mentioned that in my original post. The Polk PSW111 that I'm looking at for $200 is used, otherwise they're $300-$350 new.


I just missed out on a potentially great used Infinity sub on craigslist for $40 this weekend so now I'm looking for the best sub I can buy for under $200.


I don't need anything that will rattle my furniture, I just want something nice to complement my Klipsch speakers for watching blu-rays.

 

[Green Chemist]

Other sub $200 subs...


1.) The Speaker Company - ASW-10 - $150 shipped. (Essentially the same as the Energy ESW-10 for less).

2.) Dayton Sub-120HT - $155 + shipping.



For $230 shipped... the Premier Acoustics PA-120. Many folks on this site have them, and they appear to be a great value option.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1088734


Good luck to you.

 

[TSecovnie]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to read through the forum on the PA-120. At first glance, the dimensions might be a little too big for my current setup but I'll have to get the tape measure out.


Regarding used subs, any particular brands I should be looking for that normally sell in the $300-$500 range new? And is ebay the best place to buy used subwoofers?

 

[TSecovnie]

I just read nearly the entire thread on the PA-120's and it sounds like a pretty amazing sub for $230.


Would I be better off buying a new PA-120 or buying a used sub for $200 of another brand? Any suggestions?

 

[frostylou]

Hi there,

I just had the PSW 111 for about a month. I was looking to pair it with the Mitsubishi 149 LCD with the built in Sound Bar. I got it new on Amazon for a steal at $200.00 shipped. [It was just for a few days.[/i] It had great reviews...online. But. I was very unhappy. I just wonder if my definition of tight and fast is different then some others.


Long Story short. I sold it, and got a HSU STF 1.-about $330 shipped. It was more than I wanted to spend, especially for a bedroom setup. but.. It is simply NIGHT and DAY. OMG. The difference a good subwoofer can make is just mind blowing. And the STF 1 is their Budget one!

The PA 120 is also great. I have the Bic 100 in my family room. Very similar to the PA 120. I had gottenit a few years ago for $225.00 shipped.


Good Luck!

 

[mike171979]

I just scored an Acoustic Audio HD Sub10 for $89 shipped.


The trick with those cheap Acoustic Audio subs is, NEVER use the buy it now.


Every week, without fail, TheDeepDiscount, the seller of Acoustic Audio subs, puts each model they have on auction starting at .01, and they always sell for just about half of the BIN price.


Hence me getting their $168 sub for only $89.


I'm going to use it with my other much better sub, just to help out with the localization problem I currently have, I'm not expecting much out of it, but who knows, I might be surprised.

 

[oedius]



Quote:
Originally Posted by frostylou /forum/post/16903690


Hi there,

I just had the PSW 111 for about a month. I was looking to pair it with the Mitsubishi 149 LCD with the built in Sound Bar. I got it new on Amazon for a steal at $200.00 shipped. [It was just for a few days.[/i] It had great reviews...online. But. I was very unhappy. I just wonder if my definition of tight and fast is different then some others.


Long Story short. I sold it, and got a HSU STF 1.-about $330 shipped. It was more than I wanted to spend, especially for a bedroom setup. but.. It is simply NIGHT and DAY. OMG. The difference a good subwoofer can make is just mind blowing. And the STF 1 is their Budget one!

The PA 120 is also great. I have the Bic 100 in my family room. Very similar to the PA 120. I had gottenit a few years ago for $225.00 shipped.


Good Luck!

I had considered the HSU STF-1 before buying BIC F12. Even though I wanted the HSU, in my current financial situation I just didn't feel like I could justify the extra $130. Just curious; in your opinion, would you say that the HSU sounds better than your BIC 100 and/or PA-120? If so, in what way? I'm mainly wondering about for movies rather than music. BTW, I have been very happy with my F12.

 

[oedius]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mike171979 /forum/post/16911524


I just scored an Acoustic Audio HD Sub10 for $89 shipped.


The trick with those cheap Acoustic Audio subs is, NEVER use the buy it now.


Every week, without fail, TheDeepDiscount, the seller of Acoustic Audio subs, puts each model they have on auction starting at .01, and they always sell for just about half of the BIN price.


Hence me getting their $168 sub for only $89.


I'm going to use it with my other much better sub, just to help out with the localization problem I currently have, I'm not expecting much out of it, but who knows, I might be surprised.

I almost bought one of TheDeepDiscount's Audio Sub12 but backed out at last moment. I actually put bid on it and judging from what previous winning auctions had been, am quite sure I could have won it. I would like to know good your's sounds when you have it all set up.

 

[frostylou]



Quote:
Originally Posted by oedius /forum/post/16913283


I had considered the HSU STF-1 before buying BIC F12. Even though I wanted the HSU, in my current financial situation I just didn't feel like I could justify the extra $130. Just curious; in your opinion, would you say that the HSU sounds better than your BIC 100 and/or PA-120? If so, in what way? I'm mainly wondering about for movies rather than music. BTW, I have been very happy with my F12.

Dont sweat it. The Bic is awesome as well. I still LOVE mine. I dont think at their price point, there is anything out there that there that can touch it. I would say the HSU is better for music, and it is a slightly more refined sound. Both are tremendous values, and I dont think you could touch either walking into a retail store until you got into $500-$700 respectively.. At least nothing that I have heard in the stores.

 

[mike171979]



Quote:
Originally Posted by oedius /forum/post/16913345


I almost bought one of TheDeepDiscount's Audio Sub12 but backed out at last moment. I actually put bid on it and judging from what previous winning auctions had been, am quite sure I could have won it. I would like to know good your's sounds when you have it all set up.

I'll let you know once I get it.


My other sub, is the Acoustech PL-200, it is the new sub from BIC that replaces the Acoustech H-100.


I will compare the two subs, but I'm not expecting the HD-SUB10 to even touch the PL-200, but you never know.

 

[TSecovnie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mike171979 /forum/post/16911524


I just scored an Acoustic Audio HD Sub10 for $89 shipped.


The trick with those cheap Acoustic Audio subs is, NEVER use the buy it now.


Every week, without fail, TheDeepDiscount, the seller of Acoustic Audio subs, puts each model they have on auction starting at .01, and they always sell for just about half of the BIN price.


Hence me getting their $168 sub for only $89.


I'm going to use it with my other much better sub, just to help out with the localization problem I currently have, I'm not expecting much out of it, but who knows, I might be surprised.

That's a really good deal at $89. I ended up taking a shot on a used Polk PSW111 for $130 +$25 shipping. I'm already regretting it as I see auctions for those Acoustic Audio subs ending so much lower than I expected. I think I saw a SUB12 go for under $110 last night.


I guess if I'm not happy I can always resell the PSW111 for about the same as I paid for it, or I can keep it and add a 2nd sub...

 

[mike171979]

The the HD SUB 10, does not touch the PL-200.


Not even close. The PL-200 is deeper, louder, tighter, looks better, etc. etc.


HOWEVER, the HD SUB 10 is not that bad once it breaks in. I've never seen a sub need a break in as much as the HD SUB 10. When I first hooked it up, I thought for sure it was broken. But I put on some heavy bass music, walked away, came back in 15 minutes and then I could actually here the HD SUB 10 working, and it wasn't too bad actually. I then ran some tests, with it by itself, and it did an OK job.


Then I turned it off, and had just the PL-200, and OMG, the PL-200 is definitely in a different class, just way better.


Now I have both hooked up, in the front corners of the room, and the little HD SUB 10 does complement the PL-200 quite nicely actually. I don't have any more localization. In fact, it sounds pretty much like just using the PL-200, except now the bass comes from all around me, instead of just one area.

 

[cjv123]

the PA-120 is a beautiful and classy sub, extremely "tight" in the right way. wonderful build quality and finish.