Subwoofer for home theatre system

frugal_mike

My AV receiver recently broke. I've replaced it with one recommended to me by richer sounds, however the one I replaced had an integrated subwoofer and the new one doesn't.

What specs should I be looking for in a subwoofer? My room is relatively small (about 11' x 12').

It isn't a top of the range AV receiver by any means (Yamaha RX-V375) but i don't want to end up with a subwoofer that isn't right.

It will be used for movies and games, not so much for music.

Any recommendations welcome

Thanks.

almillar

Subwoofers are a bit of a minefield.
First, the easy bit, what output do you have on your amp - a single phono, for your sub? This will be an active sub (speaker, plus amp) you want. There are some passive ones still around (just the speaker in the box, would connect to speaker outputs), but note that you'll have to run a phono cable, and mains power, to your sub. That will guide you on placement.
The speaker diametre is what people usually refer to, often 8, 10 or 12 inch. Guess which is best? Guess which is biggest and most expensive?!
You'll be looking to spend £100-£200 on a sub (consider 2nd hand, locally as they're very heavy to post). Placement and setup is as important as the unit you actually buy, any sub can sound boomy and terrible.
If your amp has a setup mic - do the calibration once you've set up.
One final thing - sometimes my sub sounds great and sometimes terrible - depending on the programme I'm watching. Films are usually better, but some TV will make you think there's something wrong.
Sorry I haven't actually given any advice about what sub to actually buy!

frugal_mike

That's ok, all good advice still!

I definitely need an active sub, its just a phono out from the amp. It does have a setup mic so I'll be running that as soon as I get the sub and its early enough to not annoy the neighbours (the manual says its very loud).

What sort of frequency response range sounds reasonable for movies? I'm sure the lower the better, but I can't spend huge amounts.

I've been offered a sub by a colleague at work so I'll see how it sounds. At the very least it will let me test one out to see how it sounds in my room.

teddysmum

If you are buying from richer Sounds, why not go along and ask for demos of various ones ? Our local has a special demo room.

frugal_mike

teddysmum wrote: »

If you are buying from richer Sounds, why not go along and ask for demos of various ones ? Our local has a special demo room.

Because I was visiting parents over Christmas when I went in there. Now I'm back home and there isn't a physical shop within about 30 miles of me.

Quiet_Spark

almillar wrote: »

The speaker diametre is what people usually refer to, often 8, 10 or 12 inch. Guess which is best?

Not necessarily the 12" one, in fact the 10" will probably produce a tighter bassline.

almillar wrote: »

Guess which is biggest

The 12" one?

almillar wrote: »

and most expensive?!

Cost isn't down to driver size.