Subwoofer Suggestion & Advice

[Antz123]

Hello,

I am looking for a Subwoofer. There are many challenges at my end when it comes to audio devices, I have to buy online, and I have very limited access to audition. I am in India, and the audition and prices are different here. The prices would be way higher because of the taxes on foreign goods.

I had taken suggestions from the community and around a year and a half back got myself Kali LP 6 V2. I am pretty happy with the speakers. They are great for my close distance use – I use them with my computer. They are without background noise and great musically. My PC’s motherboard takes in only 3.5mm jacks (6 slots) as most of the regular motherboards have similar configurations.

I want to slowly upgrade my setup. Thus, I plan to get myself a Subwoofer and maybe a few months down the line, I will go for a DAC. The room size is not massive, it is a 3.5m X 5m X 3M (LXBXH) (9.8ft X 16.4ft X 11.5ft) or 53 Mt cube (1871 ft cube) in dimensions.

These are the probable list of subwoofers that I could find in my region. The prices might go up or down by 10$-15$ if there is a sale. My budget at max is 400$ thus, Yamaha HS8S or Kali are beyond my budget.

Subwoofer Brand & Model	Price USD
Yamaha NS SW050	186​
BIC Venturi V80	240​
Elac Debut S8.2	260​
Polk PSW 111	264​
Yamaha NS SW100	276​
Mission MS 200	288​
Polk PSW110	300​
Presonus Eris Sub-8	300​
Yamaha NS SW200	324​
BIC Venturi V1020	336​
Polk PSW-10	348​
Yamaha HS8S	504​
Kali WS6.2	660​

Do guide if you have used any of them, or if you want me to avoid any of them. – Thank You.

 

[kemmler3D]

Haven't used any of these personally although I do have a pair of BIC F12 in my office, which I got second hand, no real complaints so far.

I would advise you to check this document by @sweetchaos first, it compiles a huge number of subwoofer reviews:

Subwoofer Comparison (by @sweetchaos)

docs.google.com

Some of your options should be in here and you can judge which is best according to your priorities.

 

[Antz123]

@kemmler3D - Thank you for pointing me in that direction. I downloaded that Excel and filtered the options that I had. And I think by room measurements I am more towards Medium Bass-Badge. (1871 sqft)

Though, I don't know if any would work well with Kali, or if there have been some good or bad experiences for any of them. I will try and read up on each of the ones from my list.

Thanks again.

 

[ry_]

You could also consider the RSL10e for $300.

 

[Antz123]

@ry_ RSL 10E looks good - but I am limited by brands available here. RSL sadly isn't imported by anyone.

 

[kemmler3D]

I don't know if any would work well with Kali

The task of integrating a subwoofer is really difficult without EQ, way easier with EQ. Since you are using a WiiM you can use the PEQ function to beat pretty much any sub into shape. So I would concern myself most with overall performance and assume they will all integrate equally well.

That said, look for a variable low pass / crossover and variable phase knob, these help with integrating the sub (along with EQ) if you can find them inside your budget.

 

[Antz123]

Since I read up on some threads, I realized many are using WiiM as streaming. I don't have WiiM device. I still am a noob I think, I still use my VLC and my Desktop PC as my music source. I have Equalizer APO for EQ settings. Also, I have a DAP that at times I connect to the speakers. in Future with a DAC the changeover between PC and DAP would get smoother I think.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

I wouldn’t buy any subwoofer that is unable to set phase with precision. Avoid those subs with 0/180º switch only. Any DSP will provide frequency adjustment ( high pass filter or q value) but delay and phase is mandatory to align bass with other speakers.

 

[Antz123]

@Miniyouuuu I saw the Excel file and it had a - High Pass Filter for Mains / Output - column. For the "delay and phase" do I need to check on each subwoofer's specifications?
Sorry if this is a very noob question. I am learning as I explore.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

Phase or delay for cheap subwoofers is a switch button between 0 and 180º. Better subwoofers have a knob that you can regulate between 0 and 180. Just look at the back of the subwoofer loooking for the knob

 

[Hexspa]

It's not always mandatory to have variable delay. Sometimes applying pass filters is enough to rotate the phase so that there is no cancellation. Of course, having as much control at your disposal is great, but it's not impossible with minimal options.

I have an iteration of the Yamaha HS subwoofer. It's alright, I guess. Extension to 32 Hz. However, since getting the KH80, I don't want to listen to anything other than Neumann speakers now. In either case, I saw an Erin's review on the Kali and it is better. They say never skimp on bass, and that seems to be true. Subwoofers can last a long time, I've had mine since around 2012, so $100 this way or that will be long forgotten but the sound you hear every day will be ever present.

 

[Antz123]

@Miniyouuuu - that's a good way, I would look at them and try to create a filter in my list. Thank You.

@Hexspa - You are completely right.... I pushed my budget for Kali LP6 as well, I was going to settle for a JBL which was 350$ for a pair vs Kali's which costed me around 430$. However, the gap is going from an average of 300$ to 660$ for Kali. If it were 80-100 I would have pushed or waited. at 500$ I am stretched and Kali needs 160$ more. . Thank You.

 

[Hexspa]

@Miniyouuuu - that's a good way, I would look at them and try to create a filter in my list. Thank You.

@Hexspa - You are completely right.... I pushed my budget for Kali LP6 as well, I was going to settle for a JBL which was 350$ for a pair vs Kali's which costed me around 430$. However, the gap is going from an average of 300$ to 660$ for Kali. If it were 80-100 I would have pushed or waited. at 500$ I am stretched and Kali needs 160$ more. . Thank You.

Kali is a solid buy. Enjoy.