I read through this thread and the one that was previously closed about cheap subwoofer comparisons. I also looked at the google spreadsheets. I am looking at all of this and still finding it hard to figure out which inexpensive subwoofer makes sense for me. I want something reliable that I don't have to play with too much to fill in the musical range (rock and classical music) from around 40 or 50Hz to 100Hz. Also a subwoofer that is on the smallish size (eg, cubic foot). I have OK bookshelf speakers for 100Hz and above, not too big a room, not too loud. I got a Klipsch RS-12SW on sale at Costco if I want something big and loud for movies. Looking for something that sounds good, not just over the top bass.
I have toyed with the idea of building my own with the Dayton Audio SD215A-88 8" DVC Subwoofer because it seems to have decent specs in the frequency range I want (and decent reviews) and could be fitted to a 1 cubic foot box however, I really do not want to go through the trouble of building something if I can get something in the $100 to $150 range that will do as well. As someone mentioned on the previous thread, finishing a speaker box can be more than half the work.