Help with buying a subwoof/receiver/cables! (1 Viewer)

Hey guys! So I recently bought Energy Take's 5pack and am currently looking for a sub woofer, receiver, and cables to finish up my system in a small/medium room. I'm currently looking at Polk's PSW10 and Energy's ESC-C10. Just wondering what your opinions are on these subwoofs, any other suggestions are welcome too. As for a receiver, the only thing I want is to easily hook up my computer into it (mainly audio) or anything like an ipod/anything of the sort. And.... I'm pretty confused as for the wiring required for the whole system so any sort of knowledge would help!

Well, I'm leaning towards the ESC-C10 right now. So how does the difference in watts for my speakers(100 for satelites, 150 for sub) affect my receiver choice? subwoof http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269020 5 Pack: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269004

Get a BIC F-12 - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-436&utm_source=googleps (or search for the best price). As a bargain sub, it is one of the best on the market.

So how does the difference in watts for my speakers(100 for satelites, 150 for sub) affect my receiver choice?

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It does not. The wattage rating on speakers is almost useless. It is completely useless on subs.

I'm pretty confused as for the wiring required for the whole system so any sort of knowledge would help!

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Speaker wire between the receiver and the speakers. A sub cable between the receiver and the sub.

As for a receiver, the only thing I want is to easily hook up my computer into it (mainly audio) or anything like an ipod/anything of the sort.

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Connections are easy. You do want a receiver with an automatic calibration system built into it. You also want to provide a budget to us since receivers range from $100 to $1,000.

Some more info: my budget for the sub and receiver is under 200 each, more if it's just a really good deal. Wouldn't 475watt be too much for a small/medium bed room? What's your opinion on the esc-c10 for $180?

I've seen the BIC on sale for $200 so that is a viable option. No. You can always turn a sub down. Plus you never want to push them to their limits as that increases distortion. I know a guy that has a 15" sub in his bedroom but he also has a 15" sub with 3,500w amp in his Kia....Don't get hung up on wattage. It's a useless figure like horsepower by itself. If you have 2 vehicles, one with 100hp and one with 1,000hp which will win a drag race? If the 100hp vehicle is a sports car and the 1,000hp vehicle is a dump truck then we know a little more about them and can make a more informed decision. I can build a 100w sub that will crush a 1,000w sub all day long. Speaker companies make average subs most of the time. Subwoofer companies that later introduce speakers always do a better job with both. The BIC will outperform the ESC-C10 in every way.

Wouldn't 475watt be too much for a small/medium bed room?

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Cubic feet would help more than small/medium. But the BIC would not be too big for a medium room. And you can always turn it down, but if you don't have enough power (like those small Polks) then you've wasted your money.

What's your opinion on the esc-c10 for $180

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The Energy only goes down to 32Hz, the Bic goes down to 25Hz. Other than that it looks fine.

I also highly recommend the BIC F-12. I've got one in my theater and it's been great.

just took some measurements, the room is roughly 10 by 12. I went and read other reviews for the BIC f12. Seems like a quality sub and it's $188 on amazon! Any recommendations on a receiver if i were to use the BIC F12 and the 5 pack? Would Pioneer VSX-521-k work/opinions on this? -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117398

edit: sorry double post.

MrShyGuy said:

just took some measurements, the room is roughly 10 by 12. I went and read other reviews for the BIC f12. Seems like a quality sub and it's $188 on amazon! Any recommendations on a receiver if i were to use the BIC F12 and the 5 pack? Would Pioneer VSX-521-k work/opinions on this? -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117398

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That receiver should work fine, and it's a great deal. For all cables I recommend Monoprice.com

Thanks everyone for you input and recommendations! So, I'll probably get the BIC and the pioneer receiver. One last thing, for wiring, what kind/type of wires should I be looking for? My speakers have "Mini 5-Way Binding Posts" on them, not too sure what exactly that means and who if affects my wire choice. Also, I'm under the impression that sub woofers usually come with their own cord, is this true? if not what wiring/cable should I get?

It means that you can use bare wire, banana plugs, spades and 2 other ways (hence the name, 5-way) to connect speaker wire. I like the old-school method of stripping off the insulation and just tightening the posts down on the bare wire. I use 12 gauge speaker wire like this - http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901 but it is completely overkill. 14 or even 16 ga. will work fine. Subs don't normally come with their own cable. Here's a selection between 3 feet and 100 feet - http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603 . I used standard RG-6 cable that you connect your satellite dish with but I like to go real cheap and do it myself. That receiver has MCACC auto calibration so it will work just fine. My main Pioneer is 5 years old and my office one is almost 20 years old. The one I pull out every once in a while is almost 25 years old. All three still work fine.