$300-$400 subs (1 Viewer)

[CurtJ]

I am looking at a HTD III speaker system but have heard the sub is sub-par (pardon the pun) and was wondering if there are any good subs in the $300-$400 price range?

 

[Dustin B]

Adire Rava $399.

If you can DIY (ie don't have to buy tools inorder to build the enclosure), $300-$400 can build a very nice sub. If you have to buy tools the savings go out the window.

 

[Doug Smith]

Try the JBL lineup - especially the downfiring models.e. JBL PB 10 - around $500.00 in Canada, should come in around your price level. The LFE switch is a pleasant twist

 

[Nate Nelson]

I got my SVS 25-31pci for $460 from b-stock. Just a tad over your price-range and I must say it is a very nice sub (don't have anything to compare it to, though)

 

[Art_C]

PCi at B-stock already and at $460!!! Man that was surprising and I don't know why anybody would want to return it. 25-31PCi at $460 is a steal, no it's like robbing SVS. At that price maybe I need to get a second one...

Oh, I would check to make sure that JBL has really fixed their amp problem with the PB10 and PB12.

 

[Anthony_Gomez]

Parts express titanic 10" kit.

 

[Doug Smith]

To Art:

Was wondering what the amp problem was you were referring to re: the JBL PB 10's and 12's? Any more info. available?

 

[John Garcia]

Do a search, JBLs PB subs frying amps is a well known issue, supposedly fixed. I've seen a friend's fry in person, so I can definitely say it's true. It's either bad boards/components or poor assembly of the amp.

 

[Robert_Gaither]

Another one to consider is the HSU VTF-2. I would also check the classified listings for some of the subs suggested here as you might get a bigger bang for the buck in this fashion.

 

[David Head]

Nate,

Could that possibly be a 25-31PC with the new driver installed that you got as a b-stock, instead of a 25-31PCi? It would be easy to tell by looking at the amp to see if it's one of the new BASH units which would mean you have a PCi.

David

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

I had an Adire Rava paired up with a set of HTD Level III speakers and they worked very well together. The Rava is a great sub for music and home theater. Because it's a sealed design, you won't get super deep couch shaking bass, but what you will hear from it is very clean, accurate, and tight bass.

 

[Dustin B]

The B-Stock PCi could just be that an accident during assembly scratched or dented something. Doesn't necessarily have to be used in order to be B-Stock does it?

 

[Robert V]

Recently sold a SVS 25-31PC that was in a 2 channel setup. Just hooked up a HT setup and am using the audiosource sw15. It handles the low end quite well for HT. (Although the 25-31pc was never used for HT, it was tighter with music than the audiosource). For less than $250 shipped, I have no regrets, and would recommend this sub for a HT setup.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

We haven't had any returned PCi woofs yet. It must have been a 25-31PC with the new driver...which is still a deal at $460
TV

 

[Steve Stogel]

From what I've read, I think 300-400 is kind of no-man's land when it comes to subs. Less than 200, the small Sony is usually recommended. It's not really until the 400-500 area that you get the next "usual" recommendations, which are Adire (don't they have a $500 sub?), Hsu (VTF-2), Accoustic Visions probably can do something in this price range...maybe even 300-400 so maybe give them a call..., and probably a couple others that are slipping my mind.
Jump up to 500+ and you'll most definitely get directed toward SVS for the most part. The 25-31PCi goes for $550+shipping. At least that would be my suggestion (and many others as I'm sure you've gleaned if you've read many posts).
Of course, SVS can be in the lower priced ballpark, too, if you have a spare amp or get an inexpensive one (even a receiver). I got a used 25-31CS for $250 and power it with a cheap sub amp (dbx) that I got for I think $150ish. It is rated at 150W into 4 ohms, and the SVS is quite impressive with it. I think some even go to Best Buy and pick up that little stereo KLH receiver rated at 100W per channel (usually goes on sale for $80...this week as a matter of fact, I think) and power it with that.
The options are limitless, but I still think the 300-400 price range is no-man's land (unless you're willing to do a CS series sub from SVS...I sure was ).
Steve

 

[Art_C]

Adire has the Rava ($399) and the Dharman ($599).

An used SVS plus a cheap amp is probably the best deal. Acoustic Audio can probably net you pretty good home made sub too. $300-400 is probably a good used sub range.