Is this subwoofer a good choice? [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

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someguy03
08-21-2006, 01:52 PM
OK, I am looking to find out what subwoofers are crap and what are not (and what is good for my massive room size)

My setup is this:

Area: 25'x23' garage
Projector: 16:9 Sanyo Projector (10' screen)
Reciever: Pioneer VSX-816 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Receiver (770 watts supposedly)
Speakers:
Fronts: 4 foot technics
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4725/p1010004hf5.jpg
Rears: Klipsch KSB 1.1
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3480/ksbex1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Sides: Jensen J052W
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005LAC5.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V57223248_.jpg

You can see that my garage is much bigger than an ordinary room. A man is offering me a 400watt Athena as-p4000 downfiring subwoofer . Would it be too small for my garage?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009WRUZ2/002-1161805-6561615?v=glance&n=172282
http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0009WRUZ2.01.PT01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V57225023_.jp g

paul_pci
08-21-2006, 01:59 PM
Typically, good subwoofers begin at around $500. Some favored branks are Velodyne, SVS, Hsu, B&W, Paradigm Def Tech etc.

someguy03
08-21-2006, 02:19 PM
500$ is sadly way too much for me. Alot of my stuff was from craigslist (I got that pair of Klipsch's for 50$ where as some people were paying 200$ for them online) and so I'm trying to keep my costs way down. Thanks for the list of subwoofers though, I look into those brands.

N. Abstentia
08-21-2006, 04:20 PM
I don't think I've ever seen a better timbre matched speaker system in my life! Where's your center channel?

someguy03
08-21-2006, 05:49 PM
Timbre matched? Doesnt that involve the tweeters being the same to some degree?

Mark_IDT
08-21-2006, 09:10 PM
Well If you are at least somewhat handy with tools I would highly suggest building a sub if your're on a budget. Check out the sub drivers and plate amps acoustic visions has that you can build a powered sub with.

www.acoustic-visions.com

For under $400 I would suggest a tempest classic 15" powered by a Rythmic Audio 350w plate amp in a vented enclosure.

Tempest classic:
www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/

Rythmic Amp:
www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_amplifiers/rythmik350/

$300 for the hardware leaves plenty for shipping cost and money to buy MDF!

This setup will simply blow anything away in the same price range.
You wanna fill a big garage with bass for $400 this is the way! :thumbsup:

N. Abstentia
08-21-2006, 09:43 PM
Timbre matched? Doesnt that involve the tweeters being the same to some degree?

It actually involves all your speakers being identical. It was a joke, see...since every one of your speakers are polar opposites of each other. Audiophile humor I guess :ihih:

someguy03
08-21-2006, 10:38 PM
It actually involves all your speakers being identical. It was a joke, see...since every one of your speakers are polar opposites of each other. Audiophile humor I guess :ihih:

It was kind of thrown together based on my best attempts to get good speakers at low prices. If I plug in a mic to the reciever, it can adjust the distance/levels of all the speakers for me. CNET said the reciever does a fairly good job of auto adjusting it with the mic, and after some tweaking, I have it all sounding pretty even in my opinion. The large front speakers are good because they are placed so far from me (I have to sit pretty far back from the screen). The Klipsch's are mounted at head level and are only a few feet behind where I sit so they have no problem with being drowned out by the fronts. The sides are OK. I'm currently working on replacing the center. Maybe I would have more money for same-type speakers if I hadn't gone and bought myself an X-Fi Fa1ality for my PC (I'm a total computer IT/hardware guy, but when it comes to home audio, I'm just getting into it). I wouldn't be so screwed in terms of money if I didn't live in Orange County, CA (where housing costs 30x what its supposed to!)



Well If you are at least somewhat handy with tools I would highly suggest building a sub if your're on a budget. Check out the sub drivers and plate amps acoustic visions has that you can build a powered sub with.

www.acoustic-visions.com

For under $400 I would suggest a tempest classic 15" powered by a Rythmic Audio 350w plate amp in a vented enclosure.

Tempest classic:
www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/

Rythmic Amp:
www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_amplifiers/rythmik350/

$300 for the hardware leaves plenty for shipping cost and money to buy MDF!

This setup will simply blow anything away in the same price range.
You wanna fill a big garage with bass for $400 this is the way! :thumbsup:

I see ALOT of drivers floating around being sold on craigslist and ebay that are already in enclosures. But I think some of them are for cars. Should I stay away from them? Here are some examples: (I'm aware that alot of these don't have amps):

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/197237164.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/194959181.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/187094418.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/194058598.html

kexodusc
08-22-2006, 05:21 AM
Well, for a big garage based home theater like that, you'll want something better than that Athena sub. It's not big/strong enough for your garage...best to keep saving money rather than buying something insufficient. Be patient, there's better deals out there.

What is your max budget?

Mark_IDT
08-23-2006, 02:51 AM
Ya thoese are all car subs which could be used in a house but there usually built for spl (sound pressure level) so they just tend to try and make them loud with little clarity.

The first auction has an amp but it's for a car it won't work in a home without modification

The second has a 12 and box for $150 it's a sealed box which wouldnt be good for your room you want a ported box for more spl

The third has 2 15's in a box for $300 but you'll never find an amp that can power both for a reasonable price. you would have to spend more on an amp than your entire budget.

the fourth is a 12" again with a car amp which is run 12v DC your wall puts out AC maybe with a convertor it could be done.


Beside all thoese speakers can't touch the tempest in terms of sound quality and only the dual 15's would be louder. in reality the sub I parted together for you can beat home audio subs costing thousands more. You just have to cut the pieces out of mdf and glue them together. Then cover the box somehow carpet for cars Paint and laminate's for home. I'm making one now that I'm just gonna use satin black truck bed liner to make a textured black satin finish. If making it is what is deturing you maybe a buddy has better building skills.

With a $400 budget I see no better that a ported tempest clasic to fill your large room.

JoeE SP9
08-23-2006, 08:15 AM
The best reasonably priced subwoofers out there are from www.parts-express.com (http://www.parts-express.com) . Get one of their Titanic subs and you won't be disappointed.:cool: