Finally decided to get a subwoofer.

[strapped for cash]

After years of consideration for my neighbours, I've felt underwhelmed by the lack of low-frequency presence in my system of late and decided to invest in a (hopefully relatively unobtrusive) box to add the missing .1. Having never owned a sub (despite more than a decade of surround sound use), I'm something of a novice here, so all advice is welcomed.

It would slot into a system comprised of Yamaha 1065 receiver, B&W 602 and LCR 60 fronts (old but still good) and M1 rears. I'm not really sure what level/price of sub I should be looking at. It's also a relatively small room, so presumably something like the MJ Acoustics Pro MKII would seem a reasonable bet? The Wharfedale SW150 is also available for £150 now, but would I be selling my system short here?Perhaps I should be working with a larger budget?

Any help in compiling a shortlist for audition would be great.

 

[Anonymous]

Check out the offerings from BK here. They make excellent subs for the money. I'd start by looking at the XLS200 downward firing.

 

[Anonymous]

strapped, check out the acoustic energy radience sub, i took delivery of one on friday and i have to say im very impressed with it..its b stock, but it looks brand new to me..and comes with a year warranty. only £197 here.. suggested rrp is £510..

 

[strapped for cash]

Thanks for both replies. I just worked through the other thread on subs under £300 and saw both the BK and AE were recommended. I guess the only drawback is not being able to audition either of them. Is there anyone who has heard both and can comment on performance?

The AE deal might be too good to pass up on. As it's 'B' Stock, were there any noticable cosmetic issues with the sub you received Max?

EDIT: read post in full! You stated it looks brand new already!

 

[Anonymous]

nope..it looks brand new strapped..cosmetically perfect

 

[strapped for cash]

And with the return option it's worth a punt. My finger is hovering over the buy button. Now for the really dumb question: Do I only need a subwoofer cable to connect this to the receiver (already I'm revealing my naivete).

 

[Anonymous]

just a sub cable and you're good to go.. pistol pete has been very helpful in advising me how to setup mine.. there is a little bit of effort involved in setting them up, im still fine tuning mine, but its worth it

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Happy to help......

It's a great sub, and they have been great at sorting out my replacement sub, now the original one has died on me.......

I bought two from them, and both were like new machines.......not a scratch on them....

 

[Anonymous]

strapped, ive just read through that add on ebay, and it states that the subs are cosmetically imperfect.. i thought id better mention that seeing as you asked me.. although as i said, mine looks fine..

edit..only a one month warranty, apparently..

 

[strapped for cash]

Yes, I saw it was only a one month warranty. I thought what the hell and bought one. It's not a massive outlay and will hopefully prove a bargain; and if I'm not happy I'll return it... Now some advice on cables/connections!

 

[strapped for cash]

Pistol Pete1:
Happy to help......

It's a great sub, and they have been great at sorting out my replacement sub, now the original one has died on me.......

I bought two from them, and both were like new machines.......not a scratch on them....

The only worrying thing is of one dies soon after the warranty runs out; though by the sound of things AE CS/aftersales are pretty helpful.

 

[Pistol Pete1]

I use the QED Signature sub cable......

I spoke to AE about the one month warranty too.....as the original advert offered the year warranty.

Without saying too much, I would just contact them if you have a problem within 12 months......you never know

 

[strapped for cash]

Pistol Pete1:
I use the QED Signature sub cable......

I spoke to AE about the one month warranty too.....as the original advert offered the year warranty.

Without saying too much, I would just contact them if you have a problem within 12 months......you never know

Might be worth an email, then... cheers for the heads-up.

 

[Anonymous]

i doubt you'll be dissapointed strapped, the radience is in another league to my old brw10 anyway, even though it cost me less..

i use a poverty spec sub cable myself, though i may buy something of better quality..

(oh my god, am i going to start believing in cables now

)

 

[strapped for cash]

Cheers Max. I'm not looking to start another cable debate, but did the sub come with a cable when delivered? I can't locate the WHF sub cable reviews and I'm intrigued to see what's recommended without spending silly money.

 

[Anonymous]

no it doesnt come with a sub cable strapped, i cant find the whfi sub cable reviews either..sure there must be some though..

 

[Pistol Pete1]

This is a sensible sub cable purchase.......

http://www.hifix.co.uk/sku2.lasso?CHORD-CRIMSONPLUS&item=d69b82a8989ce27a2a5b16946cc80dd4aabb93f08ebff085

 

[strapped for cash]

Cheers for the advice guys. I bought a cheap cable for now; though may 'upgrade' later.

 

[Anonymous]

so when will you have your paws on it strapped? tmw?

 

[bigboss]

strapped for cash: After years of consideration for my neighbours

This is an option as well, if disturbance to neighbours is an issue: http://community.whathifi.com/forums/t/435879.aspx

But it's a little expensive.

 

[strapped for cash]

Sub was dispatched today Max, so it's optimistic to expect delivery tomorrow... perhaps Thursday, so I'll post my impressions soon after. How did you get on with notch-fllter adjustments?

On the Buttkicker front bigboss, it's probably well beyond my budget, though I'd be intrigued to feel/hear(?) it in action. I'll have to abandon neighbourly principles in the short term!

 

[Anonymous]

strapped for cash:
Sub was dispatched today Max, so it's optimistic to expect delivery tomorrow... perhaps Thursday, so I'll post my impressions soon after. How did you get on with notch-fllter adjustments?

On the Buttkicker front bigboss, it's probably well beyond my budget, though I'd be intrigued to feel/hear(?) it in action. I'll have to abandon neighbourly principles in the short term!

i havn't done too much fine tuning yet strapped, ive had a bit of a play with the notch filter, and it has altered the sound slightly, ill probably try and tune it to satisfaction tmw

 

[strapped for cash]

And I'm sure you'll fine-tune the settings for a while thereafter. I was interested to know how complicated it is to get right (i.e. do we need to download tests that pass different frequencies through the sub)? It sounds like something I'll be endlessly messing around with. I'm yet to decide whether this is a good or bad thing!

 

[Anonymous]

jim did reccomend downloading test frequencies, apparently someone mentioned from where on a recent thread, but i cant find it.. i dont think its that complicated to get it sounding good though, mine sounds great as is, though i agree that tuningitis may set in

 

[007L2Thrill]

strapped for cash:And I'm sure you'll fine-tune the settings for a while thereafter. I was interested to know how complicated it is to get right (i.e. do we need to download tests that pass different frequencies through the sub)? It sounds like something I'll be endlessly messing around with. I'm yet to decide whether this is a good or bad thing!

I have a notch filter on my sub and it came with a calibration CD, just play the different test tones and use a SPL meter and find where the peak frequency is and then turn it down with the notch filter and just repeat the process a few times till you get a flat ish reading from the SPL meter and that's it.

Once I calibrated mine it was super deep bass, turn the notch filter off and then there's a lot of upper bass instead, better with it on!

If you want a copy of my set-up CD that came with my sub let me know and I can do an ISO and send it to your email address.