Subwoofer suggestions for budget system?


My current setup is a pair of Magnepan 1.6 speakers, a pair of Schiit Vidars, Schiit Sol turntable w/Goldring E3 cartridge (I have a VAS-rebuilt Denon DL-103 with Ebony shell and microridge stylus when I can get someone to come set it up for me), Mani 2 phono stage, Asgard 3 headphone amp acting as preamp, Schiit SYS as source selector, Modi 3+ connected to Volumio for streaming digital and an Orchard Audio RCA-to-XLR converter to drive the Vidars in monoblock mode.

I'd like to add a subwoofer to the mix that can keep bass out of the Maggies.  I'd, of course, prefer a dipole sub to go with the dipole speakers, but not terribly picky ATM.  My budget is around $200 to $300 for now.  I have been very tempted to build a pair of my own subs, but that's not in my budget right now.

Suggestions?

technotoad

I keep the crossover low (50-ish) since the Dyna's claim 40Hz–23kHz
I need to figure out if the phase change helps, if only my CFO would do the nob turning for me :)
I'd say the best part is, when the SVS works right, the 3D effect really kicks in. I am all about vocals so my main concern is to keep it bright, forward as if the singer was right in front of me, not behind the drums and I sense that deep bass can swallow the room easily

 

Evoke 20s on my custom stands
 

 

Maybe try reducing crossover closer to 40Hz and see what that does at higher volumes?  Sounds like you might be getting too much overlap between sub and speakers as volume increases.  Just a thought, but I totally hear ya on the 3D imaging thing.  It’s amazing what subs can do in that regard.  Try turning it off in the middle of a song and watch how everything collapses.  Crazy. 

so I just listened to Bohemian Rhapsody and I was like: wow, it's finally come together. And then I noticed the sub wasn't on. Baby steps....

@soix so I was confused about the SVS, and went out and picked up a Klipsch Reference R-120SW sub and I am glad I did. It’s a much bigger box and sounds profoundly different. If the SVS is a bobcat, the Klipsch is a lion. It makes the room feel much bigger. However it’s very raw, aggressive, a bit tiring. I feel like I was in a DISCO for an hour and I just spent 20 minutes with it, my head is buzzing. So the ideal solution must be somewhere in between. (And I am still not a Klipsch fan but I appreciate the scale)

It feels like it’s absolutely possible to live without a sub but may not be worth all that much without it :)

@grislybutter If I was you I’d search out a Rhythmic sub.  I think, if using the techniques you used with the SVS, you might find what you’re looking for although maybe at a slightly higher price.  Or even better yet, a used Vandersteen 2wq.  That’d be your best bet.