A common misconception is that subwoofers are loud, boomy thump machines that simply make a lot of noise in dramatic movie action scenes, or shake your insides with the very loud beat emanating from the car next to you at the lights, or to add some boxy upper bass to a tiny tinny sounding mass market satellite system --nothing should be further from the truth.
A true subwoofer faithfully extends the music/sound on your CD, DVD, etc. to the frequency region below the reach of your normal speakers (or the crossover point set on your home theatre amplifier). It should simply continue the bass down, and down, without being too loud, too slow, too uneven in response, coloured or boomy. A good subwoofer is musical, accurate, has a fast response and is uncoloured; it enhances the realism of your music/movie, and your listening pleasure, and does not stand out like the throbbing of a sore thumb!
Here are five models. All have been carefully designed with musicality and affordability in mind. The 1022 and 1220 are for small to medium systems; the 1222 and 21030 are for medium to large systems; All models are musical, accurate and controlled, and they perform beautifully and delicately at low volume levels as well.
Remember, the power of the subwoofer should be at least double the power of one channel of your main amplifier. For instance, the 1022 subwoofer would suit amplifiers of 50 -- 100 wrms per channel; or a more powerful amplifier used only to levels less than 100 watts per channel. The 21030 suits amplifiers up to 200 wrms per channel.
Price: $595 (or $395 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 500h x 300w x400d sealed box 40
litres
Amplifier: 225 wrms
Controls: on/auto/off; level; crossover; phase
switch
Crossover Control: adjustable 50 -- 160 hertz
Frequency Response: 32 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 310mm large magnet long throw;
Comments: The sub allows placement along a side
wall; design gives very good control of sound; usable output below 25hz;
very satisfying and suitable for small to medium rooms.
Price: $650 (or $450 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 520h x 400w x 470d unique short transmission line design
Amplifier: 225 wrms
Controls: on/auto/off; level; crossover; phase switch
Crossover Control: adjustable 35 -- 160 hertz
Frequency Response: 25 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 260mm extra long throw subwoofer with enhanced gauss
Comments: extended deep and clean bass for a
sub of this price; does not have any extraneous overtones; huge power,
especially in the low end where you want it; effortless, performs like a much
bigger sub The 1022RTL variant is $595.
Price: $695 (or $500 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 520h x 400w x 470d unique transmission line design
Amplifier: 225 wrms
Controls: on/auto/off; level; crossover; phase switch
Crossover Control: adjustable 35 -- 160 hertz
Frequency Response: 22 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 310mm large magnet extra long throw subwoofer with enhanced gauss
Comments:
This unique, simple transmission line gives ultra low authoritative and very
tight bass with usable output below 20 hertz. This subwoofer comes in
two versions, this one and the 1222PTL below.
Price: $950 (or $750 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 520h x 400w x 470d unique transmission line design
Amplifier: 225 wrms
Controls: on/auto/off; level; crossover; phase switch
Crossover Control: adjustable 25 -- 160 hertz
Frequency Response: 20 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 310mm double magnet extra long stroke die cast basket Peerless high end subwoofer driver
Comments:
This has all the advanced and unique design features of the 1222VTL
above, but uses a high end Peerless XXLS driver with a slight increase
in efficiency, power and bass extension. This is one of the
better subwoofers made in Australia and compares to high end brands many
times the price.
Price: $1595 (or $1250 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 620h x 400w x 610d unique transmission line design using 2 x 10 inch drivers
Amplifier: 300 wrms high end, high current Redgum amplifier panel
Controls: on/off; level; crossover; phase switch
Crossover Control: adjustable 20 -- 150 hertz
Frequency Response: 20 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 2 x 265mm Peerless double magnet long throw subwoofers
Comments:
The 10 inch drivers have a delightfully free, natural and very extended
audio
response in this larger transmission line cabinet. A version of this
subwoofer for $1995 uses Peerless XXLS drivers by request. The
Redgum amp uses the same ultra high end components and circuits as in
their other highly regarded audiophile range.
Price: $1795 (or $1295 kit less cabinet)
Finish: Satin/gloss American Oak veneer (can be stained Jarrah, Maple, Walnut, Rosewood or charcoal black)
Cabinet: 620h x 410w x 610d unique transmission line design
Amplifier: 400 wrms
Controls: Crossover defeat and adjustment; EQ level and frequency adjustment; Phase 0-360
Crossover Control: adjustable 30 -- 120 hertz
Frequency Response: 18 hertz -- crossover
+/-3db
Inputs: low level phono and high level (speaker leads)
Driver: 395mm double magnet extra long throw, high power, die cast basket Exodus high end subwoofer driver
Comments:
The 15 inch driver used in this subwoofer has a delightful, natural and very extended response in this larger Transmission Line cabinet; This is an amazing performer, one of the best subs you will ever hear, especially at this price. The response is very flat and musical right down to below 18hz.