THIN SIDE FIRING SUBWOOFER RECOMMENDATIONS (1 Viewer)

[coramdeo]

I have a mix-match home theater system for our small family room and am looking for a "thin" powered subwoofer to fit behind our entertainment center. I have an Onkyo TX-SR309 receiver with 65w-85w/per channel. I've been looking at the Yamaha NS-SW210 (6.5" wide). The specs sound good, but the $200+ price tag is somewhat high for my budget. I would appreciate any suggestions!!
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[Jason Charlton]

There aren't a whole lot of options when it comes to those requirements.

Essentially, subwoofers are meant to "move air". Their ability to move lots of air is governed by two factors: 1) the area of the driver surface (so a larger woofer - 12" or more - is a necessity), and 2) the excursion, or travel, of the woofer (in and out) as it produces sound.

Hence, 99% of subwoofers are in big boxes.

With a small, thin enclosure, you're dramatically limiting both of these factors, so don't expect much in terms of performance.

That being said, I did a quick search on Amazon and found this option. Less than 5" deep, so it fits your geometry requirements. I have no firsthand experience with this, but the reviews seem mostly positive.

 

[coramdeo]

Thanks for your reply Jason. In your opinion, would the Yamaha Sw210's quality justify the $90 difference in price?

 

[schan1269]

Here is the best "flat" sub...and I never recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/KEF-T2-Subwoofer/dp/B004ISLCSE/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1356387407&sr=1-2&keywords=kef+t+subwoofer

 

[Jason Charlton]

Thanks for your reply Jason. In your opinion, would the Yamaha Sw210's quality justify the $90 difference in price?

Hard to say for certain. The Yamaha is smaller, but "claims" to reach 30Hz, while the other is a larger driver and has more power (subs are the only speaker where power actually matters). It's also sort of a no-name brand...
If I had to pick one, I'd probably take a chance with the one from Amazon, just because it's cheaper and I don't think a 50% price jump is going to be worth 5 Hz. With subs you want size, power, and low end. The Amazon sub has the edge in 2 out of 3...

 

[Robert_J]

Hard to say for certain. The Yamaha is smaller, but "claims" to reach 30Hz, while the other is a larger driver and has more power (subs are the only speaker where power actually matters). It's also sort of a no-name brand...
If I had to pick one, I'd probably take a chance with the one from Amazon, just because it's cheaper and I don't think a 50% price jump is going to be worth 5 Hz. With subs you want size, power, and low end. The Amazon sub has the edge in 2 out of 3...

Not really. The only true thing to say about subs (or the bass portion of any speaker) is stated in Hoffman's Iron Law - http://www.salksound.com/wp/?p=56
For an odd sized sub like this, I'd go DIY. You have 6.5" of depth but what are your other limitations on size (height and width)?

 

[coramdeo]

I don't mean to impose on your time, but I have a couple of additional questions. What are your thoughts about the Yamaha YST-SW80 and would I need to provide space between the subwoofer and the wall. It would be a perfect fit between the wall and my entertainment center.
P.S. Merry Christmas . . .

 

[schan1269]

Where are you finding a SW80? That thing didn't get love when it was new, a decade ago.

 

[coramdeo]

Enough said!! I get the message. I found the SW80 on ebay. The frequency range 23-170HZ sounded great, but I'll take your hint and stay with the amazon product. Thanks again.