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Best pre-owned subs below $1k?

It's about time I finally add a sub to my system, which I've been piece-mealing together. I'm a big believer in taking advantage of audiophile nervosa and grabbing a bargain on the pre-owned market.

As far as what I'm looking for, if there is such a thing, is the sub-woofer that provides the least (read idiot-proof) placement challenges. I should add this will be for an HT-only rig -- I have a dedicated 2-channel system in my living room.

The room itself is not a large one, say ~20' wide and ~11' deep. Because of varying reasons, my viewing position must be in the center of the backwall of this 20' wide room, placing me about ~10' from the system. My processor will be upgraded later (it's just an older Fosgate pro-logic processor right now), but my amplification consists of a 200w x 3 B&K amp for the front three channels, and a 200w x 2 B&K amp for the rears, all driving NHT VS-2s.

All that said, are there any no-brainer choices on the pre-owned market between $500 and $1,000? And, among those, are some less room/placement dependent than others?

Thanks in advance!
kitchener
kitchener OP
18 posts
 
An added question, given the above -- would a pair suit better (a couple of Sunfire Jrs or something)?
jafox
1,447 posts
 
I paid $1100 for a used pair of Velodyne ULD-12 powered subs a few years ago. These work so very well in a Home Theatre application. Having two of these allows for better bass balance around the room. My only complaint is that they are walnut which does not match well with the maple speakers in the room but it's often tough to have it all. At least they look more like end tables as they are down firing.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I have an HSU Reseach 12v down-firing sub that looks like a table aswell, but it is my opinion that in your case a front firing sub may be easier to place, like in a corner "toe-in" a bit....or a few feet in front of speakers on side of room again toed in a bit, down firing subs are more tricky because the sound fires down and spreads out, making walls more fussy with ideal bass response...good luck and have some fun with tweaking the placement! Chad
flrnlamb
508 posts
 
Yeah, placed up agains the back wall YOU WILL HEAR nothing but boomy "non-flat"/accurate sound! BAsically, it will sound like a small room boom box.
However, if you can't move things around, you should consider something with a parametric EQ to cutt your inevitable nasty peaks!...this will help.
Infinity makes some "RABOS" subs with EQ's in them, or you could add a parametric to a good sub. Servo 15's are super good, and can be had under $1k used.
Still, where are you planning on sticking the sub? That will have huge impact on choices as well.
Anyway, there are tons of choices of course. However, your best results, by far, are going to be not so much in what sub you get, but in how well you set it up!....GARANTEED!
With bass, the room/setup/calibration/placment/tweaking of the sub is 90% of the sound...NO JOKE!
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