[JLM]

HT is a low priority to me, the audio gear in my system includes a 10 year old $150 (no HDMI) receiver and even older audio system leftover speakers.  My sub died a couple of years ago (guessing because I rarely bother turning the 'A' portion of my A/V system on), and am finally getting tired of not having deep thump.  The room is 14ft x 17ft x 8ft and has an open doorway to a hall and stairwell.  Size/weight, sealed/ported, finishes, high output, and continuously adjustable phase control are all secondary concerns.

Going used on a sub seems like buying trouble, besides local Craigslist and Agon are no help.  From my investigations cheap subs don't go deep (don't even call it a sub if it can't reach 25 Hz), the best I've found is BIC Venturi V1220 12" Powered Subwoofer ($180 from Amazon, F3 = 23Hz) and Monoprice 10-Inch Powered Studio Multimedia Subwoofer (XLR/TRS connectors, $179 on sale, F3 = 20Hz).

TIA for any suggestions.

[JCarney]

A quick search pulled multiple candidates. Yamaha has a 10" powered sub, and it has a servo circuit at Best Buy that specs says it goes down to 12hz for $130. There is a Klipsch 10" that does 32hz, and a Polk that down to 23hz.

Good luck,
JCarney

[wushuliu]

Elac 10in on sale on Amazon right now under 200. Other than that I say any of the Dayton subs at parts express will give max bang for the buck. They even have kits if you want even more value.

[WGH]

Dayton subs will give you the rumble but they are about as fast as a 3 legged turtle. I used the Dayton $100 sub in the early HT days with a Hi-Fi VCR and a NEC Dolby Surround Sound Processor; the bass was pretty ill defined and now would never keep up with the bass from DVD or Blu-ray disks.

[cliffy]

DIY bucket sub(s)?

[gab]

article from the AudioXpress Feb 2017 issue you may find interesting:

https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/more-info/audioXpress-February-2017-Perazella.pdf

gab

[stlrman]

Jcarney, please list the link for the Yamaha that goes to 12 Hz ?!
It does not seem possible for a 10 inch to reach 12 HZ. Maybe a 15 or 16 inch SVS.
I highly doubt any sub that goes down to 25hz for under $200.

[gab]

JLM - one more thought. If the sub that has gone bad is this one:

 http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2.html

I see you have listed it under your HT system, so why not just get an suitable amp replacement from Hsu for it? Its doubtful the problem is the driver as its usually the electronics that go first. They have a forum and I am sure someone there can help troubleshoot whats wrong with it.

That appears to be a very good sub! You probably won't be happy with a modern <$200 sub as its replacement IMO. Have to spend more $$$. You're a Brines Acoustics man after all! 

gab

[WGH]

Parts Express has the Yamaha NS-SW100 10" 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer with active servo amp for $179.95
Frequency response: 25 Hz – 180 Hz
https://www.parts-express.com/yamaha-ns-sw100-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer--312-646

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would also consider this BIC F12 from parts express.  Not sure if it is better than the venturi.

https://www.parts-express.com/bic-formula-f-12-12-475-watt-subwoofer--303-436#lblProductDetails

Check Ebay.  I bought 2 subs on ebay without problems.  Use paypal and you will be protected

[JLM]

Wow, thanks for all the replies.


Yeah, have heard too much bad regarding Dayton subs.

Yeah, can't believe F3 of 12Hz from a 10" sub.

This is my house, not an ice shanty (DIY bucket subs).

Elac S10 only has F3 = 28Hz

Yamaha NS-SW100 has no phase, auto-off, or cross-over adjustment, and a captive AC cable - a little too spartan for me

BIC F12 prices are now slightly over $200 (is IMO the sub to beat in this price range)

Already threw the Hsu out (a knowledgable friend couldn't figure out what was wrong with the VTF-2).  Thankfully I have a disconnect between audio and HT, so I don't compare my audio TL's to HT and really don't want to spend much on my modest HT system (I only own 8 DVD's).

[jpm]

Accessories4less is always worth a quick look. They currently show 3 Yamaha subs under $200.

[gab]

Let us know what you end up with and post a review!

gab

[poseidonsvoice]

It’s really too bad you can’t double your budget. Options are better. Especially with Black Friday deals. Like with SVS:

https://www.svsound.com/products/sb12-nsd

They have 45 day home trials.

Best ,
Anand.

[gab]

It’s really too bad you can’t double your budget. Options are better. Especially with Black Friday deals. Like with SVS:

https://www.svsound.com/products/sb12-nsd

They have 45 day home trials.

Best ,
Anand.

Agree!

[JLM]

Yes, I saw the SVS sale, but the whole AV system retailed for $800 and based on my extremely limited use of it, spending $400 for a sub is out of line.  Finding a non-offensive sub (a real sub) at a bargain price is the challenge.  Still hoping to find something around the holidays.  Did think about buying 2 or 3 SB12-NSD subs to complete an audio swarm system.

Since my AV system and interest are so old and modest, a review probably won't happen.

[maty]

Maybe is better idea to change the speakers. I do not need a subwoofer with the music I listen -off course, not hip hop. Years ago I thought so, with the same speakers (KEF Q100, -3 dB 49 Hz - 40 kHz).

Just now,

John McLaughlin Trio -  Live At The Royal Festival Hall, London (1990) (Vinyl, *******, Germany Remastered, 180g) {24-96} [FLAC]

https://www.discogs.com/John-McLaughlin-Trio-Live-At-The-Royal-Festival-Hall-London/release/7455293

I do not have problems with the electric bass played by Kai Eckhardt.

Maybe the active monitors with front bass-reflex and class AB amps like the awful Focal Alpha 80 (too big with small room) or 65. Well, now there are the same with white + blak colors, aka Limited Edition.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/focal_active_nearfield_monitors.html?oa=rat

[JCarney]

Here ya go. Scroll down a bit to the specs. 12hz did seem a bit of reach. May have mis-read, it does say in the specs minimum frequency is 12.

JCarney
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-10-100w-powered-subwoofer-black/7688987.p?skuId=7688987&ref=212&loc=1&ksid=3c525dd9-96ca-4f1c-b1df-865942141e99&ksprof_id=16&ksaffcode=pg265324&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-KzG0Jnc1wIVHp7ACh03rgWdEAQYAyABEgLJwvD_BwE

[JLM]

Thanks JCarney.

I had seen it somewhere in my wanderings.  Frequency response is down 10 dB at 25Hz (being ported it would probably be down +20 dB at the stated 12Hz), two options for crossover frequency - not impressed compared to the BIC Venturi V1220 or Monoprice 10-inch Powered Studio Multimedia Subwoofer.

Note that studio subs are usually specified very conservatively compared to consumer subs, better built, and offer flatter frequency response.

[JCarney]

You're welcome. Hope you find a good fit.

JCarney