best sub for $400 CDN?

[dfn]

I am looking for a sub for my H/T system. Primary use is Movies, TV, Music, Gaming (in that order of importance and frequency).

I have $400 to spend, and my current sub is a Mirage PS-8, so my hope is that whatever I buy is better than that. I was going to go with the eD A2-300, but after shipping and customs, it goes from $350 USD to ~$515CDN. This is over my budget. I need a sub under $400, and I live in Canada, so my choices are limited.

What would you recommend?

If my budget was $500, what would you recommend?

TIA!

 

[sdifox]

how handy are you? Can you build one yourself?

 

[ericlp]

keep looking on vans... How did you like your Mirage PS-8? They had a Mirage 12" for 400 bucks USD dunno tho if they ship to canada.

You could probably get 125 or so for your 8. That is probably a decent sub for someone not looking for too much low end.

 

[dfn]

I'm not handy. I don't know much about this stuff, and I wouldn't feel confident that I could make a quality sub myself. Heh.

I like my PS-8, and I'm keeping it. It is going to become part of my desktop, while the sub I'm shopping for will be for my HT. Can you make any comparisons between that Mirage 12" and BIC F12, eD A2-300, and so on?

 

[sdifox]

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_6_3/diy-11-sonotube-subwoofer-september-99.html

 

[dfn]

Thanks.

Yup, definitely not handy lol

 

[sdifox]

Thanks.

Yup, definitely not handy lol

ok. Got any friend that is handy?

 

[dfn]

What about the Quartet10 subwoofer kit?
Could that compare to the A2-300?

 

[sdifox]

What about the Quartet10 subwoofer kit?
Could that compare to the A2-300?

err linky?

 

[dfn]

heh, here it is:
http://creativesound.ca/details.php?model=QUARTET10 Subwoofer Kit

If you have any thoughts on the SDX10 (http://www.funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=sdx_10) or the SDX15 (http://creativesound.ca/details.php?model=SDX15), I'd love to hear them. Also started looking into rythmik (http://www.rythmikaudio.com/diy.html) but I feel a little overwhelmed with all the info. Ever since your suggestion here, my head has been spinning - I resisted the idea at first. With each passing day though, your idea sounds better.

 

[sdifox]

What do you live in? A house or condo?

 

[dfn]

House.

Sub will be in basement. Not really worried about neighbours. The only one who could potentially hear it plays his guitar with the windows open between 2-4am (during the summer). Not too worried about upsetting him...

I assume that's why you were asking?

 

[sdifox]

House.

Sub will be in basement. Not really worried about neighbours. The only one who could potentially hear it plays his guitar with the windows open between 2-4am (during the summer). Not too worried about upsetting him...

I assume that's why you were asking?

Oui, oui, Monsieur. If it is going in the basement I would suggest you go the sonotube route. Nothing beats big enclosure when it comes to subs

IB would be the other option. For example, you use your mechanical room as the enclosure for your sub.

 

[dfn]

How much would the sonotube route cost? Any examples of what you mean?

IB? Mechanical Room? I'm scratching my head here haha

Thanks for your help!

 

[sdifox]

How much would the sonotube route cost? Any examples of what you mean?

IB? Mechanical Room? I'm scratching my head here haha

Thanks for your help!

http://home.comcast.net/~infinitelybaffled/

Do you have a mechanical room in the basement adjacent to the ht?

a Sonotube sub is just a sub built using the concrete forming tubes and 2 end caps.

http://dustin.bunnyhug.net/sonostart.php

 

[dfn]

Thanks for the links.

The IB stuff is out since I don't really have a room for it, except one that would be behind the listening position and...it looks like more work than I want to do!

For sonotube, or other DIY things, which would you recommend? Is there a specific driver + kit for ~$400 CDN that will compare to A2-300?

 

[sdifox]

Thanks for the links.

The IB stuff is out since I don't really have a room for it, except one that would be behind the listening position and...it looks like more work than I want to do!

For sonotube, or other DIY things, which would you recommend? Is there a specific driver + kit for ~$400 CDN that will compare to A2-300?

what do you mean more work than you want to do? IB sub is a hell lot easier than one of those enclosures, you just screw a few pieces of mdf together and cut a hole in a wall

Isn't eD in the States? shipping on these things are not exactly cheap.

Sonotube subs are said to be in the 1000+ dollar sub category.

The A2-300 is well liked.

 

[dfn]

...cut a hole in a wall

that!

Yeah eD is in the states. Basically, that's what I wanted, but didn't feel like spending $515 for something people down south can get for $350. So I started looking into options here that would give me the same performance. You mentioned DIY subs, soooo eventually I looked into that. Same with the BIC F12. 180-200 in the US, 365 here in Canada.

Aside from DIY kits, I don't think I can get anything (in Canada) in the $400 range that would be close to the eD A2-300. That's why I started exploring DIY options, after your nudge in that direction, heh.

 

[sdifox]

that!

Yeah eD is in the states. Basically, that's what I wanted, but didn't feel like spending $515 for something people down south can get for $350. So I started looking into options here that would give me the same performance. You mentioned DIY subs, soooo eventually I looked into that. Same with the BIC F12. 180-200 in the US, 365 here in Canada.

Aside from DIY kits, I don't think I can get anything (in Canada) in the $400 range that would be close to the eD A2-300. That's why I started exploring DIY options, after your nudge in that direction, heh.

It always boils down to performance, cost, time. You can pick 2 out of the 3. So if you want something that sounds good and get it fast, you gotta pay big bux

You don't have any partition in the basement? I mean cutting a hole in dry wall is not exactly rocket science. Just make sure you only cutting drywall

 

[dfn]

If I'm picking 2 of the 3, I definitely would pick performance and cost. Time is out. So what should I pick in that case?

I have a room adjacent to my HT room. However, that room is behind the listening position (a few metres back, and adjacent). So if I was to put subs there, they would be behind the seating by a few metres, and they would be to the RIGHT of the right surround speaker.

 

[sdifox]

If I'm picking 2 of the 3, I definitely would pick performance and cost. Time is out. So what should I pick in that case?

I have a room adjacent to my HT room. However, that room is behind the listening position (a few metres back, and adjacent). So if I was to put subs there, they would be behind the seating by a few metres, and they would be to the RIGHT of the right surround speaker.

it's ok for the sub to be behind you. Bass is mostly non directional so it is ok for you to use that room for an IB application. All you need is 2 drivers and a box, plus a little eq and amp and you are done.

 

[dfn]

On one of the links, it said it shouldn't be behind the listening position? That's why I thought my option was out.

Regardless, cutting walls...not ready to do that heh.

 

[sdifox]

On one of the links, it said it shouldn't be behind the listening position? That's why I thought my option was out.

Regardless, cutting walls...not ready to do that heh.

I am assuming drywall. Is it? Besides, you can always flip the room setup around

I don't know about the availability of electronics parts in Calgary. Do you know of place like Electrosonic having a branch there? I assume there is some electronic parts distributor/reseller in Calgary, I just don't know about it.

 

[dfn]

yeah it is drywall.

e-sonic.com you mean? They have an office in Calgary. That's all I found. There are other electornic places but I don't know what they sell, and I didn't see any for DIY sub/speaker parts.

 

[sdifox]

Do you still have a radio shack near by? do you have a drawing of your basement with dimensions?

I am starting to think maybe you can't do this easily if you can't source parts locally. Shipping for these things kill.