Subwoofer with range down to 20Hz under $500? (1 Viewer)

[Paul*V]

I'm looking for recommendations on a subwoofer under $500 that has a frequency range down to 20Hz. What do you guys think?

 

[Jeremy Stockwell]

Do you have any power tools? Router, jigsaw, drill, etc?

You could easily do this by building a DIY sub.

Check out the DIY Forum. Especially the Sonotube project links near the top of that page. You can get some ideas there.

I built a Tempest Sonotube for right around $300, but I had an old Pro-Logic receiver lying around that I'm using as amplification.

JKS

 

[ChadLB]

If not you can find an SVS 25-31pci for That price in B-Stock once in a while...need to look often.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

The VEL Ct120 was one of the few

 

[Arup]

Yamaha YST-SW800 for $449 at e-bay. 800Watts sub which goes down to 18Hz and sounds musical.

 

[Albert Damico]

I believe I saw somebody on Audigon who had several, brand new, Ifinity HPS1000 subs for sale. 18-120Hz, 1000 Watts, 15" downfiring woofer and two 15" passive radiators. Allows for control of Phase, gain, crossover, inputs, and EQ. This unit was ahead of its time and I have never heard a crisper, cleaner, sub. At any price IMO

 

[Frank Carter]

The Infinity HPS-1000 is a great sub but the guy at audiogon wants $699, which breaks Paul's budget.

 

[CurtisC]

I think for 50 or a 100 bucks more you can increase your choices greatly.

 

[Tom Grooms]

What about the HSU VTF-2? A lot of bang for the buck for around $450..

$0.02

 

[Frank Carter]

Paul,

You should contact Kyle at www.acoustic-visions.com or Brian Bunge at Link Removed with your budget and bass goals. They can custom build you a sub to match your needs. Both of them frequent this forum. I've never had anything done through them but their prices are quite reasonable.

 

[Paul*V]

Thanks to everyone for the input and suggestions. As with any home theater purchase, you inevitably exceed your budget, although it seems that I should be able to get what I'm looking for from Hsu or SVS (or perhaps Rutledge or Acoustic Visions?) for around $500 or perhaps just a little more than $500. I'll be replacing a JBL PSW-D110 (which still works, but I've recently started upgrading my system and, well, you all know how that goes).

 

[Lee-M]

My Hsu TN1220 was a bought for a little over $400; however, since it is a passive sub, I had to buy an amplifier, and to take advantage of the lowest response of the unit, I had to purchase a Hsu Bass Optimizer ($100, it really works!).

Factoring in the cost of amplification, it is almost impossible to get a flat response down to 20 Hz for under $500, unless you stumble upon a very good deal on a used setup.

 

[Sihan Goi]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Adire Audio subs.

 

[Frank Carter]

It is very difficult but I think it can be done without going used. The reason I recommended the custom built subs above is becuase I recently found out Kyle charged a guy(from the Klipsch forum), $500 for sub a which was comprised of a Styke AV-15, 2 18" passive radiators, and I think it had an oak finish. I don't know if that's normal pricing or if they had a special deal going on but it's one heck of a sub for $500.

Now I know that doesn't take in the cost of amplification but if you take a less expensive woofer than the AV-15(like the Tempest), go with ports instead of passive radiators(this really reduces the cost), and a black paint finish instead of veneer then this would *probably* allow for a plate amp within the $500 budget.

No way to know for sure unless Paul contacts them. Besides this or used, the best bet is DIY. With a $500 DIY budget, solid high output at 20hz(and below) is a piece of cake.

 

[Chris Quinn]

Can you do an infinite baffle sub? For more info on IB subs go to "Cult of the Infinitely Baffled" http://f20.parsimony.net/forum36475/index.htm . Two 15" Tempests drivers from Adire $300, plate amp from partsexpress approx $100, and the remaining parts- MDF or plywood, 12ga. wire, etc. with the remaining $100. Will beat any none IB sub under several times the price.

 

[Paul*V]

I've narrowed down my choices to:
SVS 20-36 PCi $599 (+~$50 shipping)
Hsu VTF-2 $449 (no shipping - I'm local and can pick up)
Adire Rava $399 (+~$50 shipping)

You guys have any thoughts as between these three?

 

[Frank Carter]

It seems as if you want the highest output you can get down low. The 20-39Pci is easily your best choice.

 

[Jeremy Stockwell]

Paul,

Among your 3 finalists, I'd go w/ HSU mainly because it's within your budget, esp. w/ no shipping.

Here's a face off review from SVS's website that you may find interesting. It's the SVS 25-31PCi vs. the HSU VTF-3, but some of the results may still be relevant and helpful as you make your decision.

JKS

 

[Dean Mar]

Paul,

Call Kyle at Acoustic-Visions.com. For your budget, you can get more bang for your buck than the three choices that you have listed. If you don't have the tools to do a DIY sub, he can sell you a complete kit that you can put together. Tell him what your goals are, he won't steer you wrong.