Hey, I'm in the market for my first sub. I don't want to spend a lot, but I don't want to end up buying crap I'll want to replace in a couple of months. This will probably be used for 65% movies, 35% music.

I have considered all three of the following:

Acoustic Research S108PS $199
--8in 120W frequency response 30-150 Hz (±3dB)
*AR known for quality speakers

Sony SAWM40 $199
--12in 120W Frequency Range 20Hz - 200Hz
*Sony not known for quality speakers

Home Theater Direct Level II powered sub $179
--10in 125W Frequency Response 30 Hz-150 Hz
*Have not heard anything of this company

Any other suggestions will be considered, but these sound as though they may be good deals.

------------------
~J

Go to www.Pricescan.com . They'll give you the best prices on the subs your considering. Out of the three that you're looking at, I'd choose the Acoustic Research. It's received good reviews for the money AND on Pricescan you'll notice that AOKnet has that sub for $154.00. Take that price to www.soundcity.com and they'll pricematch that and you still might be able to get in on their free shipping deal that ends today I believe. You won't find anyone with anything bad to say about Soundcity.

I highly recommend you look at some of the less expensive Velodyne models (like the Classic Theater series). The one I have was about $330, and I absolutely love it. The sound quality difference between a $300 and $200 sub is quite noticeable.

Happy shopping!

I suggest doing listening tests. All subs are not the same.

Acoustic Suspension/Sealed:
In general these subs are tighter and more accurate, but do not have as high of an SPL and require more power to drive. This is the type I prefer.

Bass Reflex/Ported:
These provide higher SPL at lower power. They are also extremely boomy if not tuned properly and placed correctly.

If you like tight punchier bass(rock) get a 8-12" sealed sub. Any bigger than 12" and the cone can't keep up.

If you like big boom(rap) and high SPL get a 10-18" ported sub.

Good Luck!

Well, I just contacted Sound City. It sounds like they only do price matching for authorized dealers. How to find out if a dealer is authorized is beyond me. Also, they are sold out of the S108PS. The rep thought they were discontinued. Oh well, back to the searching.



------------------
~J

I guess I got the last Acoustic S108PS yesterday...

Just curious but which rep did you speak with?

[This message has been edited by jdpatri (edited August 04, 2000).]

I forget. I think his name was Rich. He didn't seem too concerned with selling me something else since those were gone

------------------
~J

You could try talking to Joe at ext. 704. I've spoken with both Rich and Joe. But Rich may be right about the Sub being discontinued. That would explain why I got the last S108PS.

Joe might be of some help explaining the price-matching system to you. Just a thought.