Just a quick check for thoughts on economy subwoofers. Standard Rock and Roll, Jazz, etc. music types.
Thanks
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Best subwoofer for music under $250
- Thread starter GearHead454
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1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
Hard to find anything decent short of buying used, but you might take a look at the PSB Series 100. Not gonna rattle the walls, but it'll add more oomph than you expect.
If used is a possibility, you can usually find the PSB Alpha Sub Zero for less than a couple of Benjamins. I've had one for years and it works fine for me.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
If used is a possibility, you can usually find the PSB Alpha Sub Zero for less than a couple of Benjamins. I've had one for years and it works fine for me.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
I am planning on hooking into my Marantz 2325 (125 wpc). Main speakers on that system are ESS amt-1 Towers. Not for HT at all just music. No rap just rock, jazz, alternative, etc.
Thanks
Thanks
afewbricks
Active Member
I've been through quite a few subs and I don't mean to sound negative but $250 will usually buy a whole lot of inaccuracy and bloat even on the used market. Unless you were to get very lucky and something pops up under valued I would save some more money towards a sub. Bass is a hard thing to do for little money. Heck even for a lot more money. For home theater its somewhat easier to do, for music not really.
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How is this for a short list of new subs?
Dayton sub 1200: $129
Dayton sub 1500: $199
BIC F-12 : $189
JBL ES250PBK : $249
any better, any worse?
Dayton sub 1200: $129
Dayton sub 1500: $199
BIC F-12 : $189
JBL ES250PBK : $249
any better, any worse?
seminole54
AK Member
Be patient and try to find a "sealed" design. These inexpensive ported designs are fine for HT duty, but not so much for dedicated stereo use.
afewbricks
Active Member
Agreed, even one of there single driver boxes. They make excellent subs, but on the higher end of the $ spectrum. I also agree on something sealed. Most if not all of M&K subs are acoustic suspension. M&K have musicality in spades.
Wiltr0n
New Member
I have been thinking getting about an affordable sealed sub for some time. A while back I came across some positive reviews for the Outlaw Audio M8. It lists for $299, but maybe you could find a deal. Anyone listened to one of these out before?
https://outlawaudio.com/products/m8.html
https://outlawaudio.com/products/m8.html
audiomagnate
Addicted Member
There really isn't an option for a good subwoofer in that price range unless you DIY, and even that's pushing it. Bad subs are worse than no subs IMO.
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
What about HSU? They make one for like $300-$350 that seems to get excellent reviews. And I have heard that Energy makes a nice one. I'm thinking about those two, probably Energy, since I'm looking for something very-musical/engaging (if that's possible in a sub). Something with good PRAT skills that gets your toes a' tsppin'.
I'm actually looking for a sub myself, something that I can use with both my W90's AND my Denton reissues (But separately, of course... I don't run both pairs simultaneously). My biggest concern along with budget is making sure the sub matches up well-enough with the W90's. The Daytons with their small woofers should mate quite-well with most subs, I would think. But the W90's have much larger 12" woofers and were made 50 years earlier than the Dentons, so I'm trying to find a sub that can maybe meet the two models somewhere in the middle. Not really sure though, as this will be my first real sub, which is why I've been a patient, cautious shopper on this one. My main concern is the W90's. If I can find the right sub for those, it should be quite a thing.
But like the OP, I'm on a budget of around the $300 range, so I've considered going with something used, but I really don't know subwoofers that well. I ran a Soundstream SPL15 that I really-liked in my car system (and a couple other models I used back in those days), but I really had a lot to learn back in those days in terms of application as well as what kind of sound I really wanted (I was still finding my audio self, so to speak). My gear was good. I just didn't know how to make it really shine.
I'm actually looking for a sub myself, something that I can use with both my W90's AND my Denton reissues (But separately, of course... I don't run both pairs simultaneously). My biggest concern along with budget is making sure the sub matches up well-enough with the W90's. The Daytons with their small woofers should mate quite-well with most subs, I would think. But the W90's have much larger 12" woofers and were made 50 years earlier than the Dentons, so I'm trying to find a sub that can maybe meet the two models somewhere in the middle. Not really sure though, as this will be my first real sub, which is why I've been a patient, cautious shopper on this one. My main concern is the W90's. If I can find the right sub for those, it should be quite a thing.
But like the OP, I'm on a budget of around the $300 range, so I've considered going with something used, but I really don't know subwoofers that well. I ran a Soundstream SPL15 that I really-liked in my car system (and a couple other models I used back in those days), but I really had a lot to learn back in those days in terms of application as well as what kind of sound I really wanted (I was still finding my audio self, so to speak). My gear was good. I just didn't know how to make it really shine.
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
This Dayton sub and cabinet ($149 ) from PE powered by a Yung SD300 plate amp ( $139 ) is my favorite. It's very easy to assemble and all the components are high quality. Don't think you can do better at twice the price.
The Yung is often on sale but not today.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton...es-ho-subwoofer-and-cabinet-package--300-7090
The Yung is often on sale but not today.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton...es-ho-subwoofer-and-cabinet-package--300-7090
Agree on the M&K and the HSU, both are known for being extremely musical. Typically I like the sealed M&K design, have had several and never been disappointed. I currently own the HSU VTF-2 and it is extremely musical for a dual ported sub (comes with a port plug to seal one port though.)
