Sub Novice - active or passive?

[sharkey0903]

Have a bedroom setup which as bedrooms go isnt that bad = 28" JVC true flatscreen, lg3200e dvd player, linked through my sanyo hifi seperates system.

Amp for the system is 130 watt, and two main speakers can output 100w each.

No option for dd or even prologic but my hifi does have a sub output, so can add a sub to my system to add a bit of depth, and since it is only the bedroom decided not to bother upgrading player or getting an amp with decoders.


Not looking to spend a mint (would imagine 100 quid or so), and no idea where to start looking for a half decent sub that will suit my needs.....

Any ideas or rough prices, or even recommendations would be much appreciated cheers.

[lynx]

Sub---£100----and decent,don't really go in the same sentance m8.Sorry but you may have to up your budget a bit. :nuts:
Edit, what about the Paradigm subs that Richers sell?They seem to be well thought of around here,i belive they are around £150 or thereabouts.

[sharkey0903]

half decent sub that will suit my needs.....



Originally posted by lynx
Sub---£100----and decent,don't really go in the same sentance m8.Sorry but you may have to up your budget a bit. :nuts:


Not true:


My mate just bought a 400W passive sub for 40 quid to go with his 40 inch tv, yamaha amp and set of 4 b and w speakers, and it sounds top notch. He's using his old aiwa hifi as the amp for the sub, since i dont need an amp to power the sub, (my hifi has its own sub output) I'm looking for the same kind of deal.


My problem is that i'm not sure if my hifi will drive the sub or if i'll need an active sub, and i agree that these do tend to be a tad more pricy.

Does anyone know if the single composite socket on the back of my stereo will do the job for a passive sub.


As i said i'm a novice......!

:p

[Dave B]

Picked up the new RS catalogue today and they have an active sub for £39.95. It is a Aiwa TSW37 and they have a Gale SW5 for £59.95.

Dave

[sharkey0903]

So in general which is recommended - active or passive, and what exactly is the difference in quality?

[john316]

Active is far better than passive - your amp has to do all the work for Passive subs whilst Actives have their own amplifier built-in thus being very effective.

[lynx]

Originally posted by sharkey0903
half decent sub that will suit my needs.....

My mate just bought a 400W passive sub for 40 and it sounds top notch.

As i said i'm a novice......!

:p
Then buy the same kit. Sorted.

[sharkey0903]

Originally posted by lynx

Then buy the same kit. Sorted.

Hmm me thinks not, My hifi system main speakers only output 100W each so a 400watt sub would kinda over basify things!

looking for a sub of roughly the same power rating somewhere between 80 and 150 watt with its own volume control so it can be easily adjusted to suit the speakers ive already got.

Would be nice to adjust it to a lower volume for music and higher for film.

[samuelowens]

Erk... Ignore the wattage of your speakers (you will rarely, if ever reach the point where you draw on all that power). This is not relevant in determining which sub to buy. If your sub out is an RCA plug (which I suspect it will be), then you will have to buy an active one (I think passive subs require your hardware to have a dedicated amp for the sub). Also, active subs can be easily adjusted for volume.

To cut to the chase, it seems you are going to have to get (and should get) an active sub. Read more at

http://www.getplugged.com/ha_learn/GPHALEARNTOPIC_379114.html