Replacing subwoofer do I match brands or mix? (1 Viewer)

[MarkSchro]

My Mirage 10" subwoofer has been acting up and finally died. I have old speakers Mirage M3 tower speakers which put our good bass and Mirage center channel and sub. They are around 20 years old so not sure if anything new from Mirage would match anyway. With so many sub choices out there not sure if I should go with Mirage again or pick up another brand? If anyone has any recommendations for an 8" or 10" sub that they like around the $500 price range please let me know. I will be using the sub mostly for movies in a 7.1 set up with the Mirage speakers. Thanks, Mark

 

[Robert_J]

It doesn't matter at all if your sub is from a different manufacturer. Rather than 8" or 10", what are your goals? How large is your room? You have a clear budget so that is answered. What are your size constraints?

 

[MarkSchro]

The room is 16' wide by 24', we sit 12' back, the kitchen is behind us. I love music but with kids this system converted into a 7.1 system, we watch more movies so I'm looking for something to get lower end where my main speakers stop. I don't need to rattle the entire house but some shaking is always good. I am placing the sub on the left side of the room behind the main left speaker. there is a 8 wide by 4 feet deep cut out in the wall where the tv and sub go main' stand in front. I was looking for anything to replace what I had and hopefully upgrading in the process. Thanks.

 

[Mike Thomass]

how do you feel about building your own sub? (robert, this might become my standard reply)

 

[MarkSchro]

Haven't given any thought before. Depends on the time involved.

 

[Mike Thomass]

if you work straight through and keep on it, you could whack one out in a couple days once you get the parts delivered. youll need some tools of course if you want to go that route, i can list all the tools and consumables my man robert j would probably be very happy to work with you on the parts you need

 

[Robert_J]

The A3-250 - http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=951 The LSP-12 - http://www.lavasubs.com/12_inch/powered_home_subwoofer.html (With the HTF discount and upping your budget a little, you could get 2) The XREF-10 - http://emotiva.com/xref_sub10.shtm The VTF2-MK4 - http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk4.html is a little more than your budget but they also offer many more subs. As Mike mentioned - DIY. If you have the tools and knowledge to build a wooden box then you can build a sub. For $500 you could move up in quality to something similar to http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-15h.html .

 

[Iconoclast]

I have mirage speakers. Had 2003 LF 100 sub Woofer which blew in 2010 so I replaced it with Omni S10 Subwoofer & love it. You can use any brand for subs & I think surrounds. I think the L,R & CC s/b same brand for uniformity of soundstage. Opinions differ. I have the 2009 OS-3 set up with older, 2003 version Omnisats & larger sub.

 

[MarkSchro]

Thanks for the recommendations, they all look great and good prices. Iconoclast is the Omni S10 still going strong? I was looking at the S10.

 

[MarkSchro]

Robert J of the 4 you showed me have you heard any of them. They all look great and their specs look good. I haven't heard of them except the lava. Which would you choose between those? Thanks again. Mark

 

[Robert_J]

Haven't heard any ot them. Although I've owned numerous eD subwoofer drivers, just not the ones used in that line of home theater subs. Out of the 4, I'd try the Emotiva if it is in your budget. Why? It has built in DSP. That is the only sub that is able to tame in-room frequency response peaks. I haven't heard it or even heard any reviews of it but Emotiva is a quality brand of amps. Heck, at one time SVS was the new kid on the block.

 

[Iconoclast]

Thanks for the recommendations, they all look great and good prices. Iconoclast is the Omni S10 still going strong? I was looking at the S10.

Yes! I think it is awesome.