[Carlman]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a very small sub for an office system. The office is small, it's really a kid's bedroom size, 10x11 or so.
I'm currently using a pair of Piega TS3's connected to a Musical Fidelity X-150 integrated.  I need just a touch more bass.  Most of my listening is at very low volume but sometimes I like to jam a bit.

The only place I really have room for one is in the knee space under my desk.  So, maybe something no bigger than 8" wide or deep but can be as tall as 20".  I need some legroom and don't want to be stumping my toe on it... and it doesn't need to be super high quality but the rest of my gear is pretty nice so I wanted some extra suggestions.  My first thought was to find an orphaned sub from a 2.1 sub/sat system for a computer system.  The sub from the Klipsch setup at Best Buy sounded OK.  But I'm open to anything under 200 at this point...

Thanks,
Carl

[audioferret]

This is what the doctor ordered...



http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

[Carlman]

This is what the doctor ordered...



http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

I know that sub would be good... but the 12 7/8" W dimension makes it a non-option.

I re-measured and I actually have more room than I thought... The back of the desk has a 14.5" opening that goes another few inches to the wall... So, a small cube could work... I found a Yamaha 8" YST-SW215 that looks good for $130 shipped. I may just go for that.  Its dimensions work perfectly. 

I will take a photo later so it's not so hard to conceptualize...

-C

[audioferret]

I know that sub would be good... but the 12 7/8" W dimension makes it a non-option.

The sub's narrowest dimension is 9"... It is a down-firing sub and you won't risk kicking the woofer.

[LadyDog]

Carl,
The Yamaha isn't a bad sub.  Believe I had the same sub with one of their htib systems in my kids ht room.  Though it may not be on par with the rest of your gear.   

I have an Harman Kardon sub which I'll measure the dimensions for you this evening, which may work for you?

May not be in the price range or easy to find one, especially used, but you may want to check out the Gallo sub.  It is a two piece "saucer or disc" style of sub which is actually pretty nice.  It won't compete with the svs/hsu/av123 sub's of the world but believe a step or so up from the Yamaha/HK/Sony.

Regards,
Jeff

[fredgarvin]

Yeah, the x-sub at av123 is only 9" wide. Great reviews. Another well reviewed 8" is the Outlaw sub but I think its about $280.

[Carlman]

I'm thinking the Yammy would be fine at $90 shipped to my door.  The current system is so sexy to look at but not so sexy to listen to... which is sad.  Trying to make hi-fi work in a real office is difficult.  I tried mounting my speakers under my hutch and now have a bass resonance issue... So, I'll have to move them farther from the back wall.  The speakers will be arm's length from me.  The volume knob is inches from my fingers while typing which is convenient.   Photos of my office are here.  The amp is different now but everything else is the same. 

I would prefer to have a really nice sub but I think it'll be a waste in the current setup.  I've been playing around with an extra sub I have that's too big and dimensionally all wrong for the space.... (16x18x10) and it sounds best firing toward me or down.  The sub doesn't blend particularly well with the speakers but I don't think anything will given the knee-space enclosure and the speaker positions.  However, downfiring seems to blend best and front firing has the most punch... I slightly prefer the former.  Feel free to measure the HK, I'd be interested.

-C

[RH Customs]

I would try this one, http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20AS1  $250

RH

[JDUBS]

This is what the doctor ordered...



http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

I know that sub would be good... but the 12 7/8" W dimension makes it a non-option.

I re-measured and I actually have more room than I thought... The back of the desk has a 14.5" opening that goes another few inches to the wall... So, a small cube could work... I found a Yamaha 8" YST-SW215 that looks good for $130 shipped. I may just go for that.  Its dimensions work perfectly. 

I will take a photo later so it's not so hard to conceptualize...

-C

The YST-SW215 is a great sub.  I'm running a pair of them with my computer setup and am really impressed by their speed (8" driver)....doesn't go super low, but is quite musical.

-Jim

[Carlman]

The B&W looks very classy.  I just found out a local dealer has an 8" Klipsch on close-out so I'm going to go take a listen....
-C

[RH Customs]

I'm a little biased, being my speakers are all B&W. But the real reason I recommend that sub is that is is very musical and goes down fairly deep.

[Carlman]

Well, the Klipsch sounded ho-hum, 1-noted and didn't do it for me sonically... It was dirty and scuffed and a floor-demo.  It looked like something you'd find in a garage under a pile of junk.  I went to a Tweeter and listened to the their Polk's at $300 and a Velodyne that was small with rounded corners (mini-something?)... but $800... It sounded pretty good but wasn't overly impressive.  So now what?  $225 wasn't good enough,$300 was as bad, $800 was good but not 'wow!' and this is all for a little office system... So, I went to Best Buy and bought the Yamaha YST-SW216 at $130 with tax.

Strangely enough, the salesmanship was at its highest at BB.  The first store was weird, the second was good but nothing special but at BB, the guy helped me find stuff, demonstrated the gear effortlessly, had a tape measure on him, etc.

If I find that B&W used, I may give it a try because the Yamaha is OK but nothing special... it's just for filler right now.  In the store it sounded like it could do 2-note bass which was nice.  Once it breaks in after a day, mine might also... you never know...

[RH Customs]

I assure you, if you give that B&W sub a listen you will be floored. I have an ASW 300 two models up from the AS1 and that thing is a monster for a small room.

RH

[fredgarvin]

The specs of the b&w are probably the worst of those compared. features as well. No phase switch? No variable crossover? (I think),just a music or movie mode. Smallest amp, smallest driver...however it may be ok for the office set-up, I suppose, and probably has good tone. The price is higher than the X-sub. I think I probably wouldn't spend that much for the little desk system either.

[Carlman]

Well, I repositioned the speakers knowing what I liked about the previous positions and used a tape measure to get everything 'right'... I got rid of a lot of the resonance and have a much better presentation now.  The sub is really adding the necessary bottom-end to the system and working in the office is now a real joy.  The system sounds almost as good as it looks.   Oh, and I connected my turntable!!!   It needs a little tweaking but is close... and sounds really good. (edit: just tweaked it all and it's sounding grrrreat... )

There are still some compromises in this VERY nearfield setup (3.5 feet from speaker to ear) but I feel I'm gettting the best I can out of the system.  If you want a good budget system that's very small or 'compact' and can find it used, I highly recommend the following:
Musical Fidelity X-150 integrated
Piega TS3
Squeezebox 3
Sub (whatever works, I'm no sub expert)

The SB3 and X150 are almost the same width at about 8 inches so they make a nice little combo.  The X150 and the SB3 have remotes.  The X150 I bought didn't come with one.  The phono section on it is pretty nice.  Nothing earth-shattering but respectable.

-C