Small active subwoofer

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Discussion

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I appreciate that there are physics which dictate that small subwoofers are always going to be compromised, but is there such a thing as a small active subwoofer that can just add a bit more punch and depth to a music system. I don't want furniture shaking power, just a bit of extra power. Tightness and agility more important than oomph.

Space is at a premium, and with a young family, it would be great to have something that can easily be hidden away due to being small. The amount of lego my brother in law found posted through the port on his old Bose sub, suggests this is probably a good idea. Budget up to about £200 - would consider secondhand too.

Moon on a stick?


darreni

3,759 posts

269 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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The BK Gemini has some great reviews - often avaliable on ebay from their outlet store too:

http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/Gemini.htm

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Thanks, looks good and on the list, I'd still like something smaller if possible...I'll struggle to tuck that away I think.

Crackie

6,386 posts

241 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Crackie said:
That Fostex looks the part. Type of thing I had in mind! I wonder what it sounds like! Good shout, thanks.

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I was advised that for music it is better to use a subwoofer with high level connection; REL and BK both offer kit with this connection. I'm not sure if they do a 'little one' though.

I was looking at buying a small sub a year or so ago, it was a Goldenear Forcefield. At £600 I wasn't buying new but saw one for about £200 secondhand - I procrastinated and it was gone. You might want to look out for one like that. (edited to add: that model doesn't have a high level input)

My sub, a REL Q100E, is quite a big beast and is not wife friendly at all (hence the reason for the Goldenear) but it does a good job of providing tight bass where the Spendor S3/5R2 are lacking, due to size.

Sford

427 posts

149 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I've a REL T Zero and found it to be pretty fit and forget. It replaced a Kef PSW1000 that had the usual failure. Smaller and perfect for the room it's in.

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Sford said:
I've a REL T Zero and found it to be pretty fit and forget. It replaced a Kef PSW1000 that had the usual failure. Smaller and perfect for the room it's in.
Funnily enough I've been looking at these today, there's one local to me secondhand for £120.

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Cambridge Audio Minx x201 gets good reviews too, and is tiny.

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
cbmotorsport said:
Cambridge Audio Minx x201 gets good reviews too, and is tiny.
I wouldn't look past REL/BK if you want the best solution for music - the high level input feeds the same signal to the sub as the speakers, whereas the low level RCA input is more designed for Home Theatre. However, if size is the priority, that Minx is going to be hard to beat.

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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The active speakers I want to pair it with have a dedicated sub out, does that make a difference?

Pinoyuk

422 posts

55 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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The amp plate on the Fostex is god quality . Most subs are actually good. Most people set them up and get the placement wrong !

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Pinoyuk said:
The amp plate on the Fostex is god quality . Most subs are actually good. Most people set them up and get the placement wrong !
Aren't sealed subs better for providing tighter response bass, hence better for music?

selym

9,539 posts

170 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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cbmotorsport said:
The active speakers I want to pair it with have a dedicated sub out, does that make a difference?
Im not sure, to be honest. I do know the high level connection takes the full range signal straight off the speaker posts. Someone with more knowledge then me can advise on sub out.

legzr1

3,843 posts

138 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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What model are your active speakers?

I always preferred low level RCA connection for subs - one less ‘box’ to mess around with the signal from the amp.

aquarianone

498 posts

176 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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cbmotorsport said:
Funnily enough I've been looking at these today, there's one local to me secondhand for £120.
I bought the same thing for around £160 ish from Ebay, just to add a bit fill to a Stereo system. (Anthony Gallo speakers)

Brilliant little thing, its punchy enough for me, and I don't need super deeeep lows...great value for it's size / finish / quality

Crackie

6,386 posts

241 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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cbmotorsport said:
That Fostex looks the part. Type of thing I had in mind! I wonder what it sounds like! Good shout, thanks.
Not heard one myself but Fostex have been in the game for along time. They are better known for their pro products than on the UK domestic scene. Don't let that put you off though, people who are involved with recording and monitoring are usually worth listening to when it comes to the performance side of things. The reviews of the Fostex are very positive https://m.thomannmusic.com/fostex_pm_submini_2.htm

cbmotorsport

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

117 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
quotequote all
legzr1 said:
What model are your active speakers?

I always preferred low level RCA connection for subs - one less ‘box’ to mess around with the signal from the amp.
Q Acoustic BT3's. I'm very impressed with them indeed, but feel they would be fantastic with a bit more bass extension.

Sford

427 posts

149 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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aquarianone said:
I bought the same thing for around £160 ish from Ebay, just to add a bit fill to a Stereo system. (Anthony Gallo speakers)

Brilliant little thing, its punchy enough for me, and I don't need super deeeep lows...great value for it's size / finish / quality
For my old speakers I was using the high level output from my two channel setup to bolster the bass a bit. Was going to do the same when I switched to the Kef R500's however they were more than capable and I was just adding complication.

It's a really nice small sub with great sound and great build quality. I think I made the right choice for what I wanted it for.

mgv8

1,631 posts

270 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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