Need Advice on Subwoofer Purchase
 

Well, my subwoofer died. :(

Now, when it is on, there is this static that plays, even when the audio signal has been disconnected from the sub. Got a friend to hook up a different speaker into the box, same problem. You just never realize how much you depend on your sub until it's not working.

Because it would probably be more economical to just a buy new one, I was looking around at what else was out there, rather than have my old one repaired. My old sub and the other speakers were JBL (all came together in a package), so I was considering buying another JBL sub. The one I had sounded good when it was working ...

Anyway, no deep pockets here, so I can't splurge too much. I was hoping to find something in the $200-$250 range. I'm pretty audio stupid so I appreciate any input. Recommendations?

These were some that I was considering:

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-SUB12-12-I...3192372&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Cinema-Sou...3192372&sr=8-6
http://www.amazon.com/SUB-Venue-500W...194682&sr=8-34

Opinions? Recommendations? Which one of those 3 would likely be the best performing?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Well without knowing how large your room is the default choices are SVS and HSU.

This HSU gets close to your budget unless you can find one used.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html

Yeah, that's not very close to my price range. I don't feel like I can justify spending $400 right now on a subwoofer. And I really don't feel like messing with the whole eBay thing to try to find it used.

Oh, and why are SVS and HSU my default choices?

Sorry I did not mean you specifically.

Just like Monoprice is the overwhelming choice for cables, SVS and HSU make the best bang for the buck subwoofers in the audio business.

Aww, I had never of either brand before; that's why I was asking. Yeah, $400 is just too much for me to fork over right now, especially considering in the last 2-3 months I have purchased a PS3, a new computer, various Blu-rays, new cables from Monoprice, and I'm sure there are a couple of other purchases in there that I'm forgetting.

Oh, and what is the advantage of having a powered sub?

A powered sub will play lower and louder. It is not drawing power from your amp.

Here you go.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm2.html

That looks tempting. You would recommend this one over the others that I linked to?

You're not going to find anything better for $200

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...06-part-1.html

Actually two subs that are better in the same price range would probably be

BIC H-100 ($229 eBay)
Rocket X-Sub ($199 ID)

Wow, starting to get a lot more information coming in. Thanks so much for the advice from everyone. Where can you buy Rocket speakers? I can't seem to find an actual retailers, just those ratings that Jake 77444 posted.

After hearing from some of you and reading some comments on other threads while looking for that Rocket X-Sub, I am considering trying to up my budget a bit, although it really wouldn't be too wise to up it too much.

I live in a house, so no neighbors to really worry about. but my living room isn't massive or anything, so I don't think I need the most intense sub out there. I use my home theater primarily for movies and TV shows, though I sometimes toss some music in there. And I probably sit about 9-10 feet away from my TV/front speakers. If it's more distance than that, it wouldn't be by too much, though I wouldn't be too surprised if it were an foot or two.

Hope this might be some help.

If you can't go SVS, then I'd go the Outlaw. Based on their reputation of receivers/amps I'd go that route even without hearing.

Yamaha has a good rep with Receivers, I would never buy their speakers.

Well no offense, but I wouldn't compare Yamaha to Outlaw. Yamaha makes some very, VERY crappy receivers. Outlaw does not.

And we are not talking speakers. We are talking a sub that has an amp in it. I would "assume" they us their own amp in the sub which can make a significant difference in quality of the sub.

You need some sort of amplification to power the sub. Pretty much any receiver you get isn't going to provide this - the sub signal is line-level unlike the front and surround channels with speaker-level outputs. So, if you were to get a passive sub you'd need something to power it, like a power amp or an additional receiver.

Yamaha makes crappy receivers? Or do you mean they make good receivers and also offer some low-end ones to appeal to the mass market?

You are one of the very few people I have ever heard say that Yamaha makes crappy receivers.

Agreed. While you may prefer another brand for some sonic trait or accessory, I have found Yamaha's general build quality second to none (for many years).

Note that Outlaw subs are actually designed by HSU. The Outlaw LFM-2 is essentially the same sub as the HSU STF-2 which sells for about $350 and has a topnotch price/quality ratio (perfect for a mid-size room). So again, the LFM-2 for $199 is a steal.

Yes, I don't consider all Yamaha receivers as crap, just some. I was commenting that they make some low end mass market type stuff (aka Sony)that I would rather not have.

There is nothing in the Outlaw line I would not like to have. They do not have a "low end mass market" line. They ONLY make quality stuff.

However, this appears to be mute. If the above poster is correct, the sub's essentially a HSU sub that are well known for their quality (construction and sound).

Take a look on here and do some reading you will find some good info on subs. I have a Epik Caliber after a lot of research at that forum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=113

^^^ Thanks, SUPERMANROB for the link. Looks like I have some investigating to do now. I think I'm leaning toward the LFM-2 right now, but we'll see. I'm still open and I'm beginning to realize that I should probably try to spend a little bit more than I was anticipating and then slowly but surely replace all the pieces of my audio equipment with higher quality stuff. After the sub, I guess a new receiver with HDMI will be in order!

Well, I might rethink that plan. The LFM-2 isn't on sale any longer. I'll have to figure out how it compares to other subs in the $299 price range now.

How do you guys think these compare to each other?

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=407
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

I'm obviously upping my budget some, so if there is something else that would be recommended, don't hesitate to toss it out there.

It really depends on what your budget is?

eD is awesome, my entire speaker system is eD, got two towers, an MTM for center, and a pair of bookers for rears. They have an amazing reputation mainly based around their subwoofers. They are just overall amazing subs(what I would go with in that price range). The wait is roughly 3 months though for the sub to be built and shipped but you wouldn't regret it. Hands down my choice. Now my opinion is based on subs in the price range of the A2-300, if you can up your price to $600 range then you get into a whole new category of subs(MFW-15 from av123.com)

I love my HSU and 3 of my friends immediately purchased one after hearing mine. It has been a workhorse for me for the past 8 years.

I have a VTF-2 in a room 15 x 16 with 2 large openings and it moves my hair and the cuffs on my pants.

Would I be able to get the HSU much quicker than the eD?