Decent sub for less than $200 new or used- experienced advice needed

bixby · « **on:** 27 Oct 2020, 03:53 pm »

I would like to ask for some experienced help. I have not used a sub before but have some nice single drivers that could use some low end help. They do okay down to about 50hz but roll off fast after that.

My budget is severely limited and I know I am not going to get the best quality, but it is a very small room and I can eq minor nits. The most likely suspect is the Dayton 1200 sub at $150. Lots of great reviews and some not so great. I need vetted advice from some folks who have owned them.

Are they a good choice given my situation and solely for music listening?

I am not too concerned if the lowest bass 20-30 is not attainable but want good articulate and textured non boom boom bass.

And if I should be on the lookout for a used sub under $200 delivered, which one is worth a punt?

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 04:24 pm »

Take a look a BIC subs, F12 and their Acoustech both around $200 shipped on amazon. A friend of my son's was looking at these.

https://www.gadgetreview.com/bic-america-f12-review

But I would look for a used Martin Logan Dynamo 500 series higher, B&W, PSB.

jonbee · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 04:35 pm »

If you can find one, the Outlaw LCM2 is a marvel for the $. Low, pretty tight bass and it integrates well with very good speakers. Best cheap sub I've heard, and I've heard lots.
I'd buy a second one if I can find one.

jmc207 · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 05:04 pm »

You may also want to check out the budget sub review at Erin's Audio Corner. Lot's of detailed info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2728kgJxCJo&t=640s

charmerci · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 05:33 pm »

I have owned the Dayton SUB-1200 and it's not a great earthshaking sub but if you keep the gain low and use it more as a filler, it can add to your bottom end very well especially in a small room.

Doublej · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 06:26 pm »

A place called Outdoor Speaker Depot has a few for under $200. I don't know anything about them.

https://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/speakers/subwoofer/powered.html

mhconley · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 06:31 pm »

Buy a pair of these: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=9723

Martin

bixby · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 07:46 pm »

Quote from: jmc207 on 27 Oct 2020, 05:04 pm

You may also want to check out the budget sub review at Erin's Audio Corner. Lot's of detailed info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2728kgJxCJo&t=640s

thanks for the link....

Wow, hideously bad performance. How can anyone call these subwoofers when the 40hz freq response is down 6db to 12db from the 100hz reference point he measured?

Let me hope this is not indicative of a 12 inch subs performance, cuz those 10 inchers suck. Maybe buyers of these just want loud and a big mid bass bump for "impactful cinema"

charmerci · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Oct 2020, 10:50 pm »

Oh yeah, I also had the Polk SW-505 and the Dayton 12" was much better.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Oct 2020, 12:11 am »

One more BIC to consider is the Acoustech H100ii which get very good reviews for a budget sub.

Phil A · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Oct 2020, 12:23 am »

I can second the above. I bought a Bic Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer ($300) new on Amazon late last year for my Master Bedroom system (5.1 with in ceiling speakers, Epson 8350 Projector and 92 inch screen) and like it tons.

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Oct 2020, 11:30 am »

Scored a nice used sub a couple of years back from a fellow AC member for under $200: An Acoustic Research ARS 500 (15 inch ported driver, rated down to 18 Hz +/- 2 dB, originally retailed for $1000 USD). Was looking for decent quality deep bass for a modest AV system. Works quite well. The point here is to be patient and carefully fish the used market.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Oct 2020, 05:48 pm »

Monoprice is a contender for ultrabudget - you can try two of them in opposing corners at your budget.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/monoprice-budget-99-12-inch-powered-subwoofer-review.16926/

Escott1377 · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Oct 2020, 07:52 pm »

Reach out to Walter at Underwood Hi fi. He had some subs listed on his last promo email. I got a pair of 500 W Gallo subs from him for a steal.

apstoltz · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 02:17 am »

I have had good luck with the original Martin Logan dynamo 10” sub that is a sealed design. You can find them on eBay around your budget. Great little sub for the money.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 02:21 am »

Quote from: apstoltz on 29 Oct 2020, 02:17 am

I have had good luck with the original Martin Logan dynamo 10” sub that is a sealed design. You can find them on eBay around your budget. Great little sub for the money.

I use 2 of the Original Dynamo's which are basically Dynamo 700's. I have them paired with my Magnepans. Picked them up off Ebay and Audiogon for about $180 each.

Craig B · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 02:59 pm »

Quote from: Escott1377 on 28 Oct 2020, 07:52 pm

Reach out to Walter at Underwood Hi fi. He had some subs listed on his last promo email. I got a pair of 500 W Gallo subs from him for a steal.

Walter is great. I've bought stuff from him before. I almost bit on a pair of Syzygy subs he had at a crazy clear-out price in his email sale a couple of weeks ago, but finally didn't. He said the mfr went out of business due to the pandemic, but that they had a lab ready to take care of any warranty repairs anyone might need. That didn't bother me; I could have lived with that easily. But these subs are controlled by a mobile app, and I could see myself stranded the first time an OS update caused problems with an orphaned app.

johnto · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 05:27 pm »

I purchased some used Sony 12" woofer subs on CL not the last word in audiophile but if you set the volume low they will fill out the bottom nicely and they claim to go down to 20hz

ArthurDent · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 06:07 pm »

Quote from: jonbee on 27 Oct 2020, 04:35 pm

If you can find one, the Outlaw LCM2 is a marvel for the $. Low, pretty tight bass and it integrates well with very good speakers. Best cheap sub I've heard, and I've heard lots.
I'd buy a second one if I can find one.

jonbee I think you mean the LFM2 (low frequency module). Agree, nice little unit. If you're in the PNW drop me a note, may be able to help you out.

Specs for info https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm2.html, 8" down-firing setup.

Delta77 · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Oct 2020, 06:28 pm »

I would look into a DYI sub unit..
Other wise at $200 you will get something your just going to replace anyway..
Tekton MIGHT have a worth wile sub for you at 2,3 times your budget..

Unless you get a great used deal , the old adage goes "you get what you pay for"..

Good luck .. I'm following to see how/what works out for you..

https://www.tektondesign.com/2-10-sub.html