The day has finally arrived when you can legitimately call yourself a Home Theater Enthusiast. You’ve got your HDTV, and you’ve upgraded from a nice enough home-theater-in-a-box system to a decent set of surround speakers. But you’re missing the icing on the surround sound cake — the subwoofer, that unassuming black cube that supplies the big blasts in war movies, the visceral crunch in football games, and the pulsing low end in pop music.

Well, you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve lined up ten models that will give you a good idea of what to expect from subs in the $500 to $1,000 price range. And to keep things interesting, we’ve thrown in a couple of outrageous, megabuck entries from Genelec and Velodyne just to show what a winning lottery ticket can get you (click to read more).

The first thing you might notice about our grouping is how big the drivers are, with three of the subs sporting 10-inchers and seven carrying 12-inchers. Along with having larger drivers, these subwoofers play louder and deeper than the similar group of subs we tested last year. Higher performance has to cost more, right? Nope. These models are actually a little cheaper on average than their predecessors.

Another refreshing trend is that manufacturers are moving away from publishing power ratings for subs. Why is this refreshing? While amplifier power is definitely an important factor in a subwoofer’s performance, there are no consistent standards for measuring it, which can lead to wildly exaggerated claims. We’re interested in what comes out of the subwoofer — which is what we measure. It doesn’t matter if a manufacturer boasts that its sub uses 1,000 watts if another sub can achieve the same result with 100 watts. Other things being equal, I’ll always go with the lower-powered one — especially since I pay the electric bill!

It’s obvious that any of our ten “average” subs has the potential of being a great bargain. So let’s take a closer look and see if we can find the one that’s right for you.    

Subwoofers

Canton AS 50 SC
Earthquake Super Nova MK-IV 10
Energy S12.3
Infinity SW-12
JBL S120P II
Outlaw Audio LFM-1
Phase Technology HV-1000
PSB SubSonic 6i
RBH MS-10.1
Velodyne DPS-12

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Big, Bad Bass Tracks
Subwoofer Setup Secrets
Extreme Bass                                                  

Canton AS 50 SC
  ($999)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power  250 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black matte with black front or beech with silver front
• Controls variable 60- to 200-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, phase knob
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs and outputs
• Warranty 2 years

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 14 1/8 x 22 1/8 x 18 1/8  inches
• Volume 3 1/4 cubic feet
• Footprint 1 3/4 square feet
• Weight 57 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 67 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 103 dB
• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $9.70

What About Setup?
The Canton’s operating controls should allow you to use it with most systems. The sub’s measured frequency response extended above 100 Hz, though not as far as the 200-Hz marking on the dial would indicate. Still, you should be able to get a good blend with satellite speakers rated to play down to 100 Hz or so.

How Does It Sound?
The AS 50 SC delivered clean, even bass without intruding on lower-frequency voices and acoustic instruments. But it couldn’t play very low or create a strong sense of envelopment.

The Bottom Line
It couldn’t play as loud at 20 Hz as some of the others here, but this attractive, Euro-styled sub provided good, clean sound.

Manufacturer Canton Electronics, www.cantonusa.com, 612-706-9250

PDF: In the Lab

Earthquake Super Nova MK-IV 10
($840)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 10 inches
• Rated power not specified
• Cabinet design passive radiator
• Finish black or cherry veneer
• Controls variable 40- to 160-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, phase switch
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs and outputs
• Warranty 2 years

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 14 1/8 x 12 1/4 x 13 inches
• Volume 1 3/8  cubic feet
• Footprint 1 1/4  square feet
• Weight 48 1/2  pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit32 Hz at 88 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 32 to 62 Hz 101 dB
• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $8.36

What About Setup?
The controls are flexible enough to get a smooth blend with most systems, but it isn’t easy. The measured crossover range was narrow, and the controls don’t play nice together — changes in the crossover affected the output level by as much as 6 dB.

How Does It Sound?
A little uneven — for example, I heard some “blooming” of certain notes on acoustic-bass tracks. And since the sub couldn’t reproduce the bottom octave and a half (10 to 32 Hz), it didn’t provide the envelopment and sense of the room shaking you get when subs go that low. 

The Bottom Line
The Super Nova is best suited for smaller home theater setups where the deepest of deep bass isn’t essential.

Manufacturer Earthquake Sound, www.earthquakesound.com, 510-732-1000

PDF: In the Lab

Energy S12.3
($800)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power not specified
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black woodgrain
• Controls variable 50- to 110-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, front-mounted level, auto-on, phase knob
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs, no outputs
• Warranty 1 year

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 16 1/2 x 19 1/2 x 18 1/8  inches
• Volume 3 3/8  cubic feet
• Footprint 2 1/8  square feet
• Weight 44 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 87 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 110 dB
• Maximum SPL  113 dB at 32 Hz
• Dollars per dB $7.27

What About Setup?
The Energy has no speaker- or line-level outputs, which limits — or simplifies — your setup options. Also, the crossover and level controls interacted with each other to make setup tricky.

How Does It Sound?
The S12.3 delivered smooth, deep bass and is capable of unusually powerful dynamic punch. For example, the sliding rocks in The Lion King 1 1/2 “test” DVD sounded tremendous, without diluting the dialogue.

The Bottom Line
My patience during setup was rewarded with outrageously good sound.

Manufacturer Energy, www.energyspeakers.ca, 416-321-1800

PDF: In the Lab

Infinity SW-12
($799)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power 500 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black or cherry woodgrain
• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, phase switch, RABOS EQ (see below)
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs, speaker-level output
• Warranty 5 years speaker, 3 years electronics

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 14 7/8 x 17 3/4 x 20 1/8  inches
• Volume 3 1/8 cubic feet
• Footprint 2 square feet
• Weight 57 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 85 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 107 dB
• Maximum SPL 113 dB at 50 Hz
• Dollars per dB $7.45

What About Setup?
Infinity’s Room-Adaptive Bass Optimization System (RABOS), which includes a sound-level meter, a test disc, and instructions, greatly improves the SW-12’s ability to cope with room interactions, which can make any sub sound louder or softer at certain frequencies. I measured the crossover control’s range as 58 to 78 Hz (not 50 to 150 Hz, as marked), which means the sub will work best in systems with front speakers that can play down to 80 Hz or so.

How Does It Sound?
The Infinity delivered strong, deep bass. It was especially powerful in the upper range, making midbass notes — like those from a tuba or an acoustic bass — a bit too prominent at times.

The Bottom Line
Its combination of good looks, healthy deep-bass output, and RABOS room-tuning system make the SW-12 an attractive choice.

Manufacturer Infinity Systems, www.infinitysystems.com, 516-674-4463

PDF: In the Lab

JBL S120P II
($699)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power 400 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black woodgrain
• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, phase switch
• Ins & outs LFE and line- and speaker-level inputs, speaker-level output with 150-Hz high-pass filter
• Warranty 5 years speaker, 1 year electronics

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 16 1/4 x 17 1/4 x 19 1/8  inches
• Volume 3 1/8 cubic feet
• Footprint 2 square feet
• Weight 60 1/2  pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 76 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 105 dB
• Maximum SPL 112 dB at 50 Hz
• Dollars per dB $6.66

What About Setup? 
I measured the crossover range as only 65 to 80 Hz, so you’ll need main speakers with solid bass capability for a smooth blend.

How Does It Sound? 
The S120P II delivered strong bass — better than 107 dB at frequencies above 32 Hz — but it couldn’t play loud enough at the lowest frequencies to provide a strong sense of envelopment and thunder.

The Bottom Line
A nicely styled, high-performance sub at an even nicer price.

Manufacturer JBL, www.jbl.com, 516-496-3400

PDF: In the Lab

Outlaw Audio LFM-1
($579)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power 325 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish satin black
• Controls variable 40- to 180-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, crossover bypass, phase switch
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs, speaker-level output
• Warranty 3 years

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 15 x 21 3/8 x 22 5/8 inches
• Volume 4 1/4 cubic feet
• Footprint 2 3/8 square feet
• Weight 62 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 83 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 108 dB
• Maximum SPL 113 dB at 32 Hz
• Dollars per dB $5.39

What About Setup?
I measured the crossover range as 50 to 75 Hz, so the sub will integrate best with main speakers that can play pretty low. It took a delicate touch to blend its output with my reference system.

How Does It Sound?
Acoustic bass sounded superb, with natural tone and a good sense of stage depth. The tomato squish in The Matrix Reloaded “test” DVD wasn’t masked by the low-bass rumble.

The Bottom Line
An outstanding value. It usually takes at least $700 to get a sub this powerful.

Manufacturer Outlaw Audio, www.outlawaudio.com, 866-688-5297

PDF: In the Lab

Phase Technology HV-1000
($475)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 10 inches
• Rated power unspecified
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black rosewood or maple
• Controls variable 40- to 110-Hz low-pass crossover, level, auto-on, phase switch
• Ins & outs LFE and line- and speaker-level inputs, speaker-level outputs
• Warranty 10 years speaker, 3 years electronics

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 11 3/4 x 16 5/8 x 14 5/8  inches
• Volume 1 5/8 cubic feet
• Footprint 1 1/4 square feet
• Weight 32 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 25 Hz at 92 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 102 dB
• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $4.65

What About Setup?
The sub was easy to handle and position, and accurate markings on the crossover dial and limited level/crossover interaction made it simple to install. Its limited overall dynamic punch makes it best suited for smaller satellite speakers.

How Does It Sound?
Greater output in the upper bass sometimes made male vocals sound a little tubby and constricted the soundstage depth. The stone slide in The Lion King 1 1/2  “test” DVD wasn’t as enveloping and floor rattling as you can get from a bigger sub.

The Bottom Line
High value, petite size, and strong styling make this a great sub for a small system.

Manufacturer Phase Technology, www.phasetech.com, 888-742-7385

PDF: In the Lab

PSB SubSonic 6i
($699)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power 225 watts continuous
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black ash vinyl
• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, front-panel level, auto-on, phase switch
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs, line-level output and speaker-level output with 80-Hz high-pass filter
• Warranty 1 year

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 15 x 20 1/8 x 21 inches
• Volume 3 5/8  cubic feet
• Footprint 2 1/4  square feet
• Weight 49 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 94 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 108 dB
• Maximum SPL  110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $6.48

What About Setup?
The consistent control action, wide acoustical crossover range, and uniform sound made the PSB sub a joy to set up.

How Does It Sound?
The SubSonic 6i sounded utterly clean. Low bass had excellent depth and envelopment, allowing precise positioning of higher-frequency sounds from the main speakers. I could clearly hear the tomato squish in Chapter 15 of The Matrix Reloaded “test” DVD.

The Bottom Line
The SubSonic 6i delivers powerfully deep bass in an affordable, easy-to-use package.

RBH MS-10.1
($800)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 10 inches (two)
• Rated power 250 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish matte black or white
• Controls variable 50- to 160-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, auto-on, phase knob
• Ins & outs line- and speaker-level inputs, line-level outputs and speaker-level outputs with 80-Hz high-pass filter
• Warranty 5 years speaker, 1 year amplifier

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 13 x 14 1/2 x 17 1/4  inches
• Volume 1 7/8 cubic feet
• Footprint 1 1/2 square feet
• Weight 41 pounds

How Low Does It Go?
• Bass limit 20 Hz at 77 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 103 dB
• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $7.78

What About Setup?
Because this sub’s output peaks in the upper bass, balancing it with satellite speakers can be difficult unless they can play low enough not to be overpowered in the crossover region by the sub.

How Does It Sound?
Bass was uneven, making Johnny Cash’s baritone in the American Recordings “test” CD sound unnaturally exaggerated. Movie soundtracks with deep bass often lacked body, while the upper bass tended to be overemphasized, as when the sub ignored the 16-Hz peak in Chapter 2 of The Lion King 1 1/2 .

The Bottom Line
Although this sub can play low, its inability to play very loud makes it best suited for use with smaller satellite speakers.

Manufacturer RBH Sound, www.rbhsound.com, 800-543-2200

PDF: In the Lab

Velodyne DPS-12
($549)

What’s in the Box?
• Driver size 12 inches
• Rated power 200 watts
• Cabinet design ported
• Finish black lacquer top, black vinyl cabinet
• Controls variable 40- to 120-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, auto-on, phase switch, four digital EQ settings selectable from front panel
• Ins and outs line- and speaker-level inputs, line-level output and speaker outputs with 85-Hz high-pass filter
• Warranty 2 years

How Big Is It?
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 14 1/2 x 18 1/4 x 20 1/2 inches
• Volume 3 1/4 cubic feet
• Footprint 2 1/4 square feet
• Weight 51 pounds

How Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 20 Hz at 80 dB

How Big the Bang?
• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 103 dB
• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz
• Dollars per dB $5.31

How Does It Sound?
The DPS-12 sounded smooth and even on both music and movies. Dialogue never sounded tubby or dull.

The Bottom Line
The DPS-12 packs a tremendous amount of flexibility and punch into a surprisingly inexpensive package. And the gently sloping cabinet top is a welcome
deviation from the typical black box.

Manufacturer Velodyne Acoustics, www.velodyne.com, 408-465-2800

PDF: In the Lab