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What to look for in a sub?

I've been pretty happy with my HT setup using a Yamaha RX-V1, a mix set of speakers from Definitive, Paradigm, Acoustic Research, and a really old Fosgate subwoofer. (Most of the fund goes to the 2-channel audio setup) I am moving to a new house with a smaller living room, and the sub is too big. (30"W x 30"L x 15" H) I need to find a replacement sub that will fit into the new living room. What criteria should I look for in a sub? Also any suggestions for a good sub (new or used) in the $800 range would be greatly appreciated, active or passive. (I currently have a Marantz 50w monoblock driving the Fosgate).
gundam91
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srama
41 posts
 
My recommendation is the ACI Force subwoofer. An outstanding little sub, with compact dimensions, that is flat to 20Hz, +-3db. Its performance is identical to the giant-killing Titan II LE (also from ACI) except for slightly lower output. Pricing starts at $749 for basic black to around $850 for real wood veneers. Check out specs at http://www.audioc.com.

elevick
2,636 posts
 
Hi,
Energy makes an awesome/tiny 8" sub for next to nothing. Paradigms are nice too. Any bigger and I'd consider Hsu. I hated my sunfire-buzz/humm and it danced around when worked hard. Pinnacle Baby Boomers are supposed to be really nice and tiny.
You will definitely benefit from a larger amp for the sub. 50 watts won't cut it. Janis Audio systems reccommends that by cutting all frequencies below 100hz you virtually quadruple the available power. Bass is power hungry. If your main speakers are getting 90 watts, your sub should get at least that but probably way more (depending on efficiency). Rule of thumb: you need to double your wattage to gain 3db, 10db increase will double the volume. Therefore, you need to approximately gain 9 x times the wattage to double the volume!
gundam91 OP
506 posts
 
Thanks to all for all the information. Elevick, are all the subs you mentioned active or passive? I checked my little monoblock last night. It actually outputs 250 watts, not 50 watts. Thanks for the info on the Sunfire. It was actually on my list. Now I can take it off!
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Check out the Mirage BPS-400 sub. (2) 12 inch active radiators with a 400 watt amp. It list for $1300, but Tweeter is selling them for $799. I only use mine for HT applications, but it does 'rock the house' very impressively.
cdelplato
110 posts
 
I'd look at the REL Q150E. Small (12" cube), musical, good for HT and connectivity that no one else has. You can run hi and lo level inputs at the same time with cutoff set for hi level and full passthru for LFE (.1) info. Can be had new for under $800.

Another good one is the MJ Acoustics Pro 50. Another 12" cube, goes down to 15Hz, but you don't have the connection options of the REL.

Chris
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