Subwoofer recommendations

[IndyColtsFan]

My ancient Infinity BU120 (http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-BU120...pr_product_top) gave up the ghost recently, and I'm looking to replace it. I'm pretty sure the amplifier is dead (common with this unit), so I figured I'd replace it with something more modern in my main entertainment center and then maybe I'd try to repair the amplifier myself and use it in my man cave.

Anyway, I'm somewhat limited for space (the BU0120 was 14.5 x 14.5 x 14.5) so I probably need to stay within 2" or 3" of the width and depth dimensions. I also don't want to spend tons of money on a sub. Here are the subs I'm considering:

12" models
1. BIC F12 (http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F1...I1SKTCGPWNQU3O)
2. Polk PSW505 (http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-...I1R8P1W0AHI970)
3. Klipsch Synergy Sub-12HG (http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Sub-12...I1Z34ODPYBREX0)

Also, I'm considering one 10" model as well:
Polk PSW110 (http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-...I2RB0W6T4H5IPB)

Any recommendations from this list, or are there some good models I'm missing? I don't want to spend over $300 and I don't want something really huge; the 12" models above are much larger than my BU120 and are probably pushing it the way it is. I'm honestly leaning towards the BIC F12 at this point.

 

[Durvelle27]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290130

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290034

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780078

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Thanks, but which one and why? I ruled out the PSW10 due to lack of perceived power.

 

[msmy300z]

For what it's worth I own the klipsch synergy sub12. I love it! It has more than enough punch with crisp clean base. I have a small home but have never found it lacking for power. I got it with an incredible best buy deal 3-4 years ago included with a klipsch surround package

 

[s44]

Polks *are* underpowered...

The price on the BIC has sadly gone up in the last few years. Still probably your best bet unless something like the Klipsch is on big sale.

 

[dieselpower]

earthquake audio products. even the small ones pound and they are priced right. they named the company for what they do.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Polks *are* underpowered...

The price on the BIC has sadly gone up in the last few years. Still probably your best bet unless something like the Klipsch is on big sale.

The Klipsch RW-12D is in my price range if I get it from Newegg (on sale for $280 until tomorrow) but it is $420 on Amazon right now. I'd really prefer to buy from Amazon because 1) I can use Amazon Reward Points 2) I have an Amazon Rewards VISA to get more Rewards.

EDIT: After researching, the RW-12D is too big for the space I have. I currently have the sub hidden behind the entertainment cabinet, in a corner. The BU-120 is 14.5 x 14.5 and I imagine I won't be able to go more more than 3 or 4 inches above those dimensions in either direct. It looks like the BIC F12 is still the best fit in terms of size and quality.

For what it's worth I own the klipsch synergy sub12. I love it! It has more than enough punch with crisp clean base. I have a small home but have never found it lacking for power. I got it with an incredible best buy deal 3-4 years ago included with a klipsch surround package

I like it too but I think it is a tad too big for my space, as it is nearly 20" deep. The F12 is 17 1/4" deep and about the same width as my BU-120, so I think I can fit it in there.

 

[alkemyst]

To bad they stopped making the Emotiva Ultra12. I scored mine close to your prices. The XRef series is supposedly better, but all the reviews I see it doesn't look like you'd really notice the improvements except on a test bench.

Based on where you are planning to place your sub, you may be limiting yourself. Subs like to breathe mostly.

 

[Anubis]

there are a ton of sub 300$ subs
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1364182/list-of-budget-subwoofers-300-and-less/0_100

 

[IndyColtsFan]

there are a ton of sub 300$ subs
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1364182/list-of-budget-subwoofers-300-and-less/0_100

Yeah, I'm looking for recommendations. Under $300, quality, and no more than 18 X 18 in W/D (height doesn't matter).

 

[sdifox]

Yeah, I'm looking for recommendations. Under $300, quality, and no more than 18 X 18 in W/D (height doesn't matter).

Build a sonotube sub Make it look like a decorative column as tall as the room :biggrin:

 

[funboy6942]

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-PL-200-Aco...9658403&sr=1-6

Ive got this one and it shakes not only my house but my neighbors. The bass is tight and movies never sounded better. When stuff blows up you feel and hear it.

I was going to get the F-12 but I bought this one to match the rest of my system front and rear.

You WONT be disappointed!

***EDIT***
NVM, I just noticed you had a size to go by and this one is about a inch in depth too big. Such a shame.

* Height: 17 ¼"
* Width: 14 ¾"
* Depth: 19 ½ "

This is my set up: http://www.amazon.com/BIC-Acoustech...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349659008&sr=1-35

 

[Soccerman06]

there are a ton of sub 300$ subs
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1364182/list-of-budget-subwoofers-300-and-less/0_100

avs had a thread about the best sub in each of the major price categories. I wish I could find it... maybe sometime soon

 

[Plugers]

Any thoughts on DIY?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=295-475

+ 300 watts
(or 250watts)
in a 3 cubic foot sealed box (. 707 qts) would come in at under $300
($295 with 300w amp and $245 with 250watts)
, under 18" cubed, in room responce down to 5hz without overexcersion. and it is and 18" sub vs. a 12"

It has 8.3mm of xmax, they also have a DVC 15" with 15mm xmax and a FS of 19hz.

That BIC F-12only has a 150w rms amp and the BIC PL-200 has a 250w amp btw.

EDIT: both the 18" and the 15" only use 6ish mm of excursion at 300 watts. So I would go for more surface area, plus the 18" is cheaper.

 

[alkemyst]

Ive got this one and it shakes not only my house but my neighbors. The bass is tight and movies never sounded better. When stuff blows up you feel and hear it.

not sure if lives in house.

 

[Anubis]

avs had a thread about the best sub in each of the major price categories. I wish I could find it... maybe sometime soon

this one?
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1425179/the-subwoofer-recommendation-by-pricepoint-thread/0_100

 

[glen]

I have the BIC F12 - it is amazing.
I even have it in a large room under non-ideal conditions.

 

[Soccerman06]

this one?
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1425179/the-subwoofer-recommendation-by-pricepoint-thread/0_100

yeah that one

 

[IndyColtsFan]

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-PL-200-Aco...9658403&sr=1-6

Ive got this one and it shakes not only my house but my neighbors. The bass is tight and movies never sounded better. When stuff blows up you feel and hear it.

I was going to get the F-12 but I bought this one to match the rest of my system front and rear.

You WONT be disappointed!

***EDIT***
NVM, I just noticed you had a size to go by and this one is about a inch in depth too big. Such a shame.

* Height: 17 ¼"
* Width: 14 ¾"
* Depth: 19 ½ "

This is my set up: http://www.amazon.com/BIC-Acoustech-...659008&sr=1-35

I could possibly make that sub work. I'll have to measure. I can pull the entertainment center out an inch or two and that might work.

Also, I like the rest of your setup. I'd need to convince the wife to have tower speakers in the living room, though.

 

[funboy6942]

I could possibly make that sub work. I'll have to measure. I can pull the entertainment center out an inch or two and that might work.

Also, I like the rest of your setup. I'd need to convince the wife to have tower speakers in the living room, though.

Its really nice and LOVE the way it sounds, till today
,
I was blasting my music, as usual , and of all things to blow, I blew a passive radiator on my rear right speaker. I thought for a second there I blew the speaker which I know at the level I had it at wasnt enough to do it, Ive blasted it that loud and more in the time Ive owned this set up, but when I looked around it found the radiator making the really loud popping sound every time the bass hit and not the speaker.

I removed it, and of course it stopped making the popping sound. Just got off the phone with Bic America about it. Talked to a live person who was really nice over the phone and said for me to email the usual stuff, email, name, address, model #, ect, and they will send me a new one right away. And I have had my set for over 8 months and there was no problem at all. They didnt fight with me or give me the run around. He and I couldnt believe you could blow a passive radiator, Ive never done it before in my life, and neither did he and was surprised to hear it was that part that blew.

But anyway, it looks like BIC stands behind their products 100% and am VERY glad I bought their product. But I guess 90 on the dial was too much for this radiator while blasting old 80s rap music . Other one has no problems at all. And talk about well made too. Its stuffed with cotton, and the magnet is HUGE on this speaker and shielded as well. I was not expecting that at all. And they can take a lot of volume. I got a Onkyo TX NR709 and it takes 90+ on the dial without breaking a sweat. Like I mentioned, I and the rep couldnt believe out of anything to blow at that high a volume I blew a lousy radiator

If you can get the sub to fit you will have a smile from ear to ear. I can go on the other side of my house, 2400SQFT, and the bass is still slamming making the windows rattle and the floor vibrate, not to mention still be loud as hell. My youngest makes sure I know when I got it too loud because he cant hear his minecraft game

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Its really nice and LOVE the way it sounds, till today
,
I was blasting my music, as usual , and of all things to blow, I blew a passive radiator on my rear right speaker. I thought for a second there I blew the speaker which I know at the level I had it at wasnt enough to do it, Ive blasted it that loud and more in the time Ive owned this set up, but when I looked around it found the radiator making the really loud popping sound every time the bass hit and not the speaker.

I removed it, and of course it stopped making the popping sound. Just got off the phone with Bic America about it. Talked to a live person who was really nice over the phone and said for me to email the usual stuff, email, name, address, model #, ect, and they will send me a new one right away. And I have had my set for over 8 months and there was no problem at all. They didnt fight with me or give me the run around. He and I couldnt believe you could blow a passive radiator, Ive never done it before in my life, and neither did he and was surprised to hear it was that part that blew.

But anyway, it looks like BIC stands behind their products 100% and am VERY glad I bought their product. But I guess 90 on the dial was too much for this radiator while blasting old 80s rap music . Other one has no problems at all. And talk about well made too. Its stuffed with cotton, and the magnet is HUGE on this speaker and shielded as well. I was not expecting that at all. And they can take a lot of volume. I got a Onkyo TX NR709 and it takes 90+ on the dial without breaking a sweat. Like I mentioned, I and the rep couldnt believe out of anything to blow at that high a volume I blew a lousy radiator

If you can get the sub to fit you will have a smile from ear to ear. I can go on the other side of my house, 2400SQFT, and the bass is still slamming making the windows rattle and the floor vibrate, not to mention still be loud as hell. My youngest makes sure I know when I got it too loud because he cant hear his minecraft game

Cool. My receiver is a Denon 2310CI and right now, I have pretty crappy speakers. I bought the receiver, a new TV, and a BD player a couple of years ago with the intention of upgrading the speakers. It has been a long process of convincing my wife since everything is in the living room. She came to me earlier this year complaining about the sound and I thought that was my "in," but she has backtracked a little.

My house is about 2800 sq ft and when the Infinity was working, you could feel it throughout the house. That was a 150W continuous subwoofer IIRC, so I imagine the BICs will be much stronger. The Infinity was actually a nice subwoofer but those units were notorious for the amps dying. It died once under warranty and I got it replaced and I'll probably try to fix it and move it upstairs.

 

[Plugers]

FYI. 1 18 has more surface area than 2 12s

If you are willing to DIY, that 18 will dominate any of those subwoofers....and still come in under $300 and 18x18x18

 

[LikeLinus]

Curiosity, how are you going to fit an 18" sub into an 18" box? Also, how are you going to power it?

The 15" HF series is best in a 4.6 - 5.2 cubic foot enclosure. Im using the 15" HF with a bash 500 watt amp in a 21" cube and it is simply awesome. You might want to considered the HO 15". You can put those in even smaller enclosures. They don't go as low, but the have a little less distortion. Its a trade off but might be worth it.

The issue is cost. You'll be looking around $450 - 475 when its all said and done with materials.

That is if you wanna diy

 

[sdifox]

Curiosity, how are you going to fit an 18" sub into an 18" box? Also, how are you going to power it?

The 15" HF series is best in a 4.6 - 5.2 cubic foot enclosure. Im using the 15" HF with a bash 500 watt amp in a 21" cube and it is simply awesome. You might want to considered the HO 15". You can put those in even smaller enclosures. They don't go as low, but the have a little less distortion. Its a trade off but might be worth it.

The issue is cost. You'll be looking around $450 - 475 when its all said and done with materials.

That is if you wanna diy

Me think he meant internal dimensions.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I've got this in my home theater ...
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-PL-200-Aco.../dp/B001W3FXAQ

Room is 10x25 feet, in the basement.
Easily shakes the whole house.