[maty]

Again: subwoofer with adjustable phase is more easy to integrate with the speakers if you do not use mic+DSP (which is the most logical and best option: speakers+sub equalization).

I think that most users do not have well integrated the subwoofer to listen music.

[twitch54]

personally I can't imagine a sub for less than 200 bucks even being worth integrating into ones music.

Good luck.......used perhaps ?

[JLM]

maty/twitch54:

Fortunately this inquiry is for my modest (10 year old, $800 MSRP)/low priority AV system (went a year + before realizing the old sub had died and then another year + to even post this thread). 

My audio system has a nice sub and DSP.  But I agree completely regarding the value of DSP for subwoofer integration and that inexpensive subs just can't cut it in a good system (audio or HT).

[WGH]

Did you see the $89 sub in the trading post? A Pioneer sub designed by Andrew Jones, basic controls but in your budget.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154079.msg1647309#new

[poseidonsvoice]

Did you see the $89 sub in the trading post? A Pioneer sub designed by Andrew Jones, basic controls but in your budget.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154079.msg1647309#new

You get what you pay for : https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/Home/Andrew%20SW-8MK2_Single%20Sheet_new.pdf

Best,
Anand.

[twitch54]

You get what you pay for : https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/Home/Andrew%20SW-8MK2_Single%20Sheet_new.pdf

Best,
Anand.

boy that's an understatement ! My brother in-law has a pair in his HT set up and while they are marginally OK for movies (boom - boom) they are a total POS when it comes to music. Calling it a subwoofer is a joke, it doesn't even cover the bottom octave !

[JLM]

At the risk of sacrilege of Andrew Jones and of piling on, I agree with twitch54 and Anand (maybe OK for a desktop system in a tiny space, but no more).  But I never liked Jones' little Pioneer speakers either.

[poseidonsvoice]

At the risk of sacrilege of Andrew Jones and of piling on, I agree with twitch54 and Anand (maybe OK for a desktop system in a tiny space, but no more).  But I never liked Jones' little Pioneer speakers either.

I think Jones’ name is just for promotional purposes. Look. Building a strong well braced cabinet is not rocket science. It can be expensive but it’s not rocket science. The genius comes in driver design particularly the motor. Couple that with an external or plate amp with excellent DSP features and enough power that preferably is low THD and runs cool (Class D is one example), adds cost too.

Whenever you want a sub that is “small” in size, that therefore must use “small drivers” costing  “nothing”, you are going to start compromising heavily.

The options I have listed earlier in my posts are the best I have seen, as such, my advice is to capitulate and raise your budget or give up the endeavor 

Peace.

Best,
Anand.

[charmerci]

I think Jones’ name is just for promotional purposes.

Not really - there are articles and his responses in particularly in the AVS forum where he realizes the compromises that he needs to take in a low budget speaker. He's mentioned that he can't even spend an extra dollar on a crossover part for the Pioneer 22.


http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1278774-pioneer-s-speaker-genius-hits-low-price-point-160.html


I used to own one and after damping the cabinet, rather liked it.

[JeffB]

You seem to have already rejected the Martin Logan suggestion.
However, I see 4 left on Amazon for $199.
https://www.amazon.com/MartinLogan-Dynamo-300-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B004LRPXAU

Z Review of the sub.
Z does some pretty interesting informative and entertaining reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYy9-kY5Am4


Another option - Bic America F12, $212
https://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

And the Z Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id9UNYpgTdY

[JeffB]

I forget Z Reviews recommended buying guide.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/5b1u99/guide_subwoofers/
More info at the link, but in case it is unreachable in the future here is the list.
$100    Dayton Sub-800
$135    Dayton Sub-1000
$170    Earthquake FF6.5
$180    ELAC S10
$250    Yamaha SW210    AKA the flat sub.
$270    Klipsch R-10SW
$330    Jamo Sub 800
$400    Sunfire SDS8
$500    SVS SB-1000

I don't know why the Martin Logan 300 is not on here, as Zeos keeps them around and uses them in demos all the time.
I believe he thinks they are a pretty good for an inexpensive sub.  If you watch any of his reviews they are the subs at the bottom of his doom stacks; ie a bookshelf speaker stand mounted on top of the subs.

Full disclosure, I have not heard any of these.

[poseidonsvoice]

Not really - there are articles and his responses in particularly in the AVS forum where he realizes the compromises that he needs to take in a low budget speaker. He's mentioned that he can't even spend an extra dollar on a crossover part for the Pioneer 22.


http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1278774-pioneer-s-speaker-genius-hits-low-price-point-160.html


I used to own one and after damping the cabinet, rather liked it.

Thanks for the correction. Promotional wasn’t the right word - my bad. Jones is a mastermind in maximizing the dollar as he did with the Debut B6 which I own. That being said there is only so much a small woofer (in a sub) will let you do before it makes sense to just go for another design.

Best,
Anand.

[JLM]

Just to bring closure here, a fellow ACer (2oldcranks) has graciously dropped off an ARS500 sub for sale and it is more than doing the job. 


Specifications:

Used (at least 15 years old), 18" x 18" x 24" ported cabinet, 15" driver, A/B 500 watt amp, rated 18 - 120 Hz +/- 2 dB, 63 pounds.  Have it turned up to about 15% to nicely fill in.  Even has an audio (flat response) and video (6 dB boost with subsonic filter) contour switch, which with the volume slider are front mounted.  He even included the power cord and owner's manual. 


The only problem I see now is some day getting it out of the basement.