Bigger Better Bass

10 subwoofers that aim to give the best bass for the buck
(continued)

PSB SubSonic 5i ($449)
Another small sub that lays claim to a big, deep sound.

bigger bass - psb

bigger bass - psb backWhat’s in the Box?
Cabinet design ported
Finish black ash vinyl
Driver size 10 inches
Rated Power 150 watts continuous, 225 watts dynamic, 450 watts peak
Controls front-mounted variable 50- to 150-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, phase switch, auto-on
Warranty 1 year

How Big Is It?
Dimensions (WxHxD) 12 3/8 x 17 x 15 1/2 inches
Volume 2 cubic feet
Footprint 1 3/8 square feet
Weight 31 pounds

Ins & Outs
line-level input
speaker-level input and output

How Low Does It Go?
Bass limit 25 Hz at 87 dB SPL
The PSB produced the kind of full, deep bass you’d expect from a far larger and more expensive sub.

How Big the Bang?
Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 98.1 dB
Maximum SPL 102 dB at 62 Hz
Dollars per dB $4.58
Its amazingly even output means this sub will sound more powerful than its SPL figures suggest without ever being boomy.

The Bottom Line
PSB’s SubSonic 5i is compact in dimensions, heft, and price. While it could produce only moderate SPLs, it delivered more uniform output over its bandwidth than any other subwoofer in this group.

Manufacturer PSB Speakers, www.psbspeakers.com, 888-772-0000

MORE
PDF: In the Lab

PDF: Subwoofer Setup Secrets

Subwoofer Serenades
Test Tracks

 


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