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Subwoofer suggestions for budget system?

My current setup is a pair of Magnepan 1.6 speakers, a pair of Schiit Vidars, Schiit Sol turntable w/Goldring E3 cartridge (I have a VAS-rebuilt Denon DL-103 with Ebony shell and microridge stylus when I can get someone to come set it up for me), Mani 2 phono stage, Asgard 3 headphone amp acting as preamp, Schiit SYS as source selector, Modi 3+ connected to Volumio for streaming digital and an Orchard Audio RCA-to-XLR converter to drive the Vidars in monoblock mode.

I'd like to add a subwoofer to the mix that can keep bass out of the Maggies.  I'd, of course, prefer a dipole sub to go with the dipole speakers, but not terribly picky ATM.  My budget is around $200 to $300 for now.  I have been very tempted to build a pair of my own subs, but that's not in my budget right now.

Suggestions?

technotoad
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
796 posts
 

The Dayton SUB1200 or 1500 are within budget and can be adjusted to be quite effective and tolerable to enhance your low bass output.  Set the low pass crossover frequency at its lowest setting, and keep the gain down so it's barely noticeable except for passages that contain deep bass.  Experiment with placement and phase to suit.

tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo
179 posts
 

I bought a used Hsu ULH15 Mk II, and found that it filled in a whole missing dimension to my music. The cost wouldn’t be unreachable from your starting budget.  After all, what do you get for $100 today?  Then I added a Paradigm Monitor 12in sealed sub that I found on Craigslist for $75.  Worked for me.

jl35
3,918 posts
 

a dipole sub with a high quality crossover that won't hurt the Maggies is not possible at your price point, you would need to go way higher, especially for the crossover...the REL T/Zero works great with smaller Maggies but does not filter out bass to the main speakers...

curtdr
348 posts
 

I disagree w Millercarbon.

That said, how about an SVS Micro 3000... that comes w all sorts of adjustability, crossover tweaks, equalization to a certain extent even.  

 

 

bigshutterbug
377 posts
 

$200-$300 will not buy you a very good sounding subwoofer. Keep your eyes open for a used Martin Logan Dynamo 1000W, (hopefully around $400 used). They are excellent for music, very un-colored and "quick" sounding. Also, a used REL T-7 series for around $500. 

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