Budget Subwoofer(<12k) for Home theater

kaushik_s · 14th October 2008, 02:00

Hi all,
Desperately need some help here. Actually badly in need of adding a Subwoofer to my home-theater system( it's a low end Sony GNZ-8D). Have been thinking of upgrading the whole thing but currently low on finance to go for the plunge. So for the time being want to add a budget ACTIVE Subwoofer to the system. Something good in the range of less then 10k (ok, 12k maxxxx)?? Can anyone suggest me some Sub in that range? It's just an temporary arrangement for 6 more months or so.

Seems like few Onkyo's, Polk's, Sony etc are available at that price. And probably all these are either 6 inch or 8 inch speakers. Is it worth going for such small subs? I may sound idiot here but I had an impression that Subwoofer speakers need to be min 10 inch to deliver the goods, is it a correct assumption?
Listened to the polk once but wasn't much impressed. Auditioned one elac and kinda liked it but again was 19k around. So can someone please give some more pointers

Last but not the least, Heard good things about Wharfedale SW150 but it's 18k and currently out of scope for me and may be it'll be overkill for the kind of system I'm having now. Or better if I go for this now and then later when I upgrade I don't need to spend on the Sub? But it's almost double the current budget

Waiting for all the Guru's help. Please.

shuvc · 14th October 2008, 19:28

Within that budget you would mostly get 8". Jamo sub200 sells for 12ish at eZone. IMO wait awhile, save up and get the SW 150 or Mordaunt Short 309

kaushik_s · 14th October 2008, 19:42

Thanks Shuvc, atlast some reply. I've almost lost hope that anyone would reply to this thread. Seems like all the audio gurus are not at all shifting gears ;-)..
Actually I was going through What Hi-fi and there they've mentioned the price of SW 150 as Rs. 16.5 but the dealer here in Bangalore is still qouting 18k. Probably I'll wait for few days to see the price fall down.
How much is Mordaunt Short 309 priced?

Blue Thunder · 14th October 2008, 19:49

I put together a sub-woofer set-up for a little less than 9K for my Onkyo home theatre receiver, a couple of years back.

Bought a Dainty 12" passive subwoofer from the local electronics market, Blaupunkt 2-channel car amplifier (which can power a sub in bridged mode), and a 12V power supply for the Blaupunkt. This set-up is definitely not compact : but the sound has to be heard to be believed !

An equivalent branded system would cost upwards of 12K, I think.

.

ms001 · 14th October 2008, 20:12

try sonodyne they have some very nice subs in that range they have a showroom in forum Sonodyne

kvish · 14th October 2008, 23:11

Sonodyne subs are good. I had a choice b/w polk and sonodyne (There is very little difference in sound quality b/w the two), and chose polk PSW 10 (its their entry level sub). But sonodyne is an 8 inch and polk is a 10 inch sub. Honestly, I couldnt make out much difference.

greenhorn · 14th October 2008, 23:18

check your options in second hand

kaushik_s · 14th October 2008, 23:50

Hmm have not thought about the second hand angle, but bit worried if I get a lemon incase I go for 2nd hand.
Will take audition of Sonodyne and Wharfedale this weekend. There are few Onkyo subs also available for that price it seems.

kaushik_s · 19th October 2008, 01:25

Today I've auditioned Sonodyne Subs, tried Roarr 108 first but wasn't impressed that much for audio. For movie it sounded better, but seems like that was because of the receiver itself. But anyway thought I'll give it a pass. Then tried the Roarr 210 on a stereo set-up and yes, that was sounding quite nice (many times better atleast comparatively to the 108) to me and for 15k it's kind of tempting.
Used Dire straits and Eagles for the test. Will get Floyd and GnR and few others to check how it sounds for the kind of music I listen.
Would surely be trying out Wharfdales next before I take the plunge.

shuvc · 19th October 2008, 01:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaushik_s

How much is Mordaunt Short 309 priced?

Same range as the wharf. 18-19K.
EZone was selling the ELAC sub-50 at 40% disc. 25K mrp at 14ish. Saw an unsold piece here at Cal. You could ask them to check their inventory, in case they have some more lying around.

kaushik_s · 19th October 2008, 02:13

Thanks for the update Shuvc. Will check up with E-zone bangalore tomorrow.

Swift · 8th December 2008, 18:23

Hi Kaushik,
Did you finally manage to find one? Even I am looking for a 12K range subwoofer.

CaliforniaKnight · 11th February 2009, 10:05

Is Velodyne subwoofers available in Bangalore??

Fillmore · 11th February 2009, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaushik_s

Today I've auditioned Sonodyne Subs, tried Roarr 108 first but wasn't impressed that much for audio. For movie it sounded better, but seems like that was because of the receiver itself. But anyway thought I'll give it a pass. Then tried the Roarr 210 on a stereo set-up and yes, that was sounding quite nice (many times better atleast comparatively to the 108) to me and for 15k it's kind of tempting.
Used Dire straits and Eagles for the test. Will get Floyd and GnR and few others to check how it sounds for the kind of music I listen.
Would surely be trying out Wharfdales next before I take the plunge.

When checking out out the sub make sure you have the following setting right.

1. The Crossover frequency setting on the AVR
(via the AVR menu)
2. The Crossover frequency setting on the Sub.
(usually via a physical knob)

Both of these have to be set at the same level for correct results.

kb100 · 11th February 2009, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaKnight

Is Velodyne subwoofers available in Bangalore??

They are... but it costs TWICE As much, if not more! The CHT12 is available for the equivalent of 20k INR in Dxb. The same thing costs 53k+ here with B&W! Subs are also monstrous to transport - weighing in over 25kgs.

I saw a JBL car audio sub the other day - in a huge 2cft custom made enclosure. Believe me it sounded damn good! The JBL driver costs some 4-5k + the enclosure - you might have something approaching audiophile quality for less than 8-10k. (this set up was in an audiophile's house - and is mated to some exotic and eclectic equipment.. so he knew what he was doing)

14th October 2008, 02:00	#1
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Budget Subwoofer(<12k) for Home theater Hi all, Desperately need some help here. Actually badly in need of adding a Subwoofer to my home-theater system( it's a low end Sony GNZ-8D). Have been thinking of upgrading the whole thing but currently low on finance to go for the plunge. So for the time being want to add a budget ACTIVE Subwoofer to the system. Something good in the range of less then 10k (ok, 12k maxxxx)?? Can anyone suggest me some Sub in that range? It's just an temporary arrangement for 6 more months or so. Seems like few Onkyo's, Polk's, Sony etc are available at that price. And probably all these are either 6 inch or 8 inch speakers. Is it worth going for such small subs? I may sound idiot here but I had an impression that Subwoofer speakers need to be min 10 inch to deliver the goods, is it a correct assumption? Listened to the polk once but wasn't much impressed. Auditioned one elac and kinda liked it but again was 19k around. So can someone please give some more pointers Last but not the least, Heard good things about Wharfedale SW150 but it's 18k and currently out of scope for me and may be it'll be overkill for the kind of system I'm having now. Or better if I go for this now and then later when I upgrade I don't need to spend on the Sub? But it's almost double the current budget Waiting for all the Guru's help. Please.
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 19:28	#2
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	Within that budget you would mostly get 8". Jamo sub200 sells for 12ish at eZone. IMO wait awhile, save up and get the SW 150 or Mordaunt Short 309
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 19:42	#3
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Thanks Shuvc, atlast some reply. I've almost lost hope that anyone would reply to this thread. Seems like all the audio gurus are not at all shifting gears ;-).. Actually I was going through What Hi-fi and there they've mentioned the price of SW 150 as Rs. 16.5 but the dealer here in Bangalore is still qouting 18k. Probably I'll wait for few days to see the price fall down. How much is Mordaunt Short 309 priced?
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 19:49	#4
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 386 Times View My Garage	I put together a sub-woofer set-up for a little less than 9K for my Onkyo home theatre receiver, a couple of years back. Bought a Dainty 12" passive subwoofer from the local electronics market, Blaupunkt 2-channel car amplifier (which can power a sub in bridged mode), and a 12V power supply for the Blaupunkt. This set-up is definitely not compact : but the sound has to be heard to be believed ! An equivalent branded system would cost upwards of 12K, I think. . Last edited by Blue Thunder : 14th October 2008 at 19:51.
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 20:12	#5
ms001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,003 Thanked: 162 Times	try sonodyne they have some very nice subs in that range they have a showroom in forum Sonodyne
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 23:11	#6
kvish BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 627 Thanked: 195 Times	Sonodyne subs are good. I had a choice b/w polk and sonodyne (There is very little difference in sound quality b/w the two), and chose polk PSW 10 (its their entry level sub). But sonodyne is an 8 inch and polk is a 10 inch sub. Honestly, I couldnt make out much difference.
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 23:18	#7
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	check your options in second hand
	() Thanks

14th October 2008, 23:50	#8
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Hmm have not thought about the second hand angle, but bit worried if I get a lemon incase I go for 2nd hand. Will take audition of Sonodyne and Wharfedale this weekend. There are few Onkyo subs also available for that price it seems.
	() Thanks

19th October 2008, 01:25	#9
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Today I've auditioned Sonodyne Subs, tried Roarr 108 first but wasn't impressed that much for audio. For movie it sounded better, but seems like that was because of the receiver itself. But anyway thought I'll give it a pass. Then tried the Roarr 210 on a stereo set-up and yes, that was sounding quite nice (many times better atleast comparatively to the 108) to me and for 15k it's kind of tempting. Used Dire straits and Eagles for the test. Will get Floyd and GnR and few others to check how it sounds for the kind of music I listen. Would surely be trying out Wharfdales next before I take the plunge.
	() Thanks

19th October 2008, 02:13	#11
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	Thanks for the update Shuvc. Will check up with E-zone bangalore tomorrow.
	() Thanks

8th December 2008, 18:23	#12
Swift BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 37 Thanked: 9 Times	Hi Kaushik, Did you finally manage to find one? Even I am looking for a 12K range subwoofer.
	() Thanks

11th February 2009, 10:05	#13
CaliforniaKnight BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: IND + DXB Posts: 980 Thanked: 141 Times View My Garage	Is Velodyne subwoofers available in Bangalore??
	() Thanks