What Active Subwoofer

[TheGreatDane]

Currently I have a makeshift setup in my home gym of a pioneer receiver and some mission bookshelf speakers, sounds pretty decent for what it is.

I had been using an old Sony active home cinema sub which seems to have died (it was over 15 years old I believe).

I don't need anything spectacular but I'm unsure what to get next?

The receiver has a single coaxial sub out so I'd need the new subwoofer to be the same.

Thanks!

[The_Burg]

Second hand REL, can be bought quite cheaply for the older models. Don't be put off the low end Q50 etc. They may sound like they are low powered but will push out actual bass not the woofly boff, boff noise.

[TheGreatDane]

The_Burg said:

Second hand REL, can be bought quite cheaply for the older models. Don't be put off the low end Q50 etc. They may sound like they are low powered but will push out actual bass not the woofly boff, boff noise.

I see most of them have L + R inputs - How would I make this work with a single sub out? With a splitter?

[archie456]

BK Electronics used to make REL subs and I believe still manufacture for other brands but also sell direct.

Excellent products and great value.

[darreni]

I have the BK XLS 200 & very pleased with it. Great service/ advice too.
Check out their factory seconds ebay listings for bargains.

[markj113]

TheGreatDane said:

I see most of them have L + R inputs - How would I make this work with a single sub out? With a splitter?

you only need to use 1 input

[Tony Starks]

markj113 said:

TheGreatDane said:

I see most of them have L + R inputs - How would I make this work with a single sub out? With a splitter?

you only need to use 1 input

Generally just input into the L input

[heisthegaffer]

I bought a Wharfedale sw150 for 40 quid off avforums which is pretty good and has both LFE (phono) and speaker level inputs.

It's not as good as my BK Gemini II but it was much cheaper, even if bought new.

[VEX]

Really depends on budget.

Monitor Audio & KEF are both good at the budget end. R-100SW is only £350

SVS offer real bang for buck, but start at £500, then you can go upwards.

I have some THX Certified 15"ers arriving tomorrow, but their RRP is £1500 and they are MAHOOSIVE!

Further savings can be had if you know who to ask

[Deranged Rover]

VEX said:

Really depends on budget.

Monitor Audio & KEF are both good at the budget end. R-100SW is only £350

These are good suggestions, and some of the budget Wharfedale subs are also pretty good.

I personally wouldn't touch any REL with a barge pole but some people seem to like them.

[JulianHJ]

I bought a Yamaha YSTFSW050 earlier this year and whilst it’s fairly compact it’s very capable. Richer Sounds have them for £119 at the moment.

[normalbloke]

VEX said:

Really depends on budget.

Monitor Audio & KEF are both good at the budget end. R-100SW is only £350

SVS offer real bang for buck, but start at £500, then you can go upwards.

I have some THX Certified 15"ers arriving tomorrow, but their RRP is £1500 and they are MAHOOSIVE!

Further savings can be had if you know who to ask

15’ers. That is truly massive..

[Crafty_]

I've got a Bk Electric P12-300 which I'm happy with. With everything going on right now I'm not sure what their production schedule is but there used to be what they claimed to be "Grade B" units (i.e. scratched) on ebay for less money - they didn't have what I wanted so I sent them a message asking if they had any on the way and just by chance they did and it'd be listed in a few days, what luck ! Couldn't see any defect at all when it arrived.

If I recall, it was a different ebay account to the main one.

From what I remember at the time when I was researching BK were highly rated considering their cost.

[heisthegaffer]

BK are brilliant. My little Gemini II is loud but controlled and subtle when needed. Beautiful in gloss black and worth the additional money for that finish.