27 replies to this topic

[Suprathai]

Hi everyone,
Just like an opinion based on peoples experience or just plain bias for them. I'm going to be putting a small sub into my rolla. I've checked strathfield cars and they have a 12" sony sub in a enclosure for $129, or a 10" pioneer sub for $99. Which do you think would represent more value for money?. I can build an enclosure (simple as). But alot of people say that the sony subs are not very good. Also i've always regarded Pioneer as the better brand. So i was just wondering would the 10" sound better really.

So would just want to know what everyone else thinks of them.

Pioneer
http://www.strathfield.com.au/Product.asp?ProdID=271#
Sony
http://www.strathfield.com.au/Product.asp?ProdID=272

[Anonymous]

IMO any $100.00 will be a complete waste of money.

neither pioneer or sony make high quality subwoofers below $600.00 as both of their lower range of stuff is quite poor, it doesnt improve until u get into a very high end range.

For a good budget subwoofer i would go fora 12", 'sq' will be very similar between both a 10 and a 12. I personally wouldnt look past the Phoenix Gold Octane R sub, installed one in a Volvo here in perth and the SQ of it was sensational for under $200.00

When choosing between sizes of subs your three main considerations should be:

**Size available (12" subs generally require more box space)
**Power available (10" sub will sound 'better' off less power than a 12", however 200wrms will be OK for either size in the Octane R Range'
**type of music, 12"s play lower and louder so suit more 'popular' styles of music such as RnB, Rap, Pop etc etc. Techno, Dance and other electronic music may be more suited to a 10" driver. the only way to find out this though is to take one of yoru favorite albums along to a store and do a side by side comparison on the same model lineup between a 10" and a 12"

hope that helps

[clarkstrrr]

i've had the sealed version of the pioneer, it was 12 inches tho. Distorted, didnt go loud, and couldnt handle and high frequencies. DONT BOTHER

[DG Phil]

$100 is a tiny budget for a sub and enclosure, either of those is a bargain.

Don't expect huge results though, but you'd be happy for $100!

Phil

[poeee]

I agree with NUMB. $100 is gunna get ya nowhere! Check out www.webaudiodirect.com for the PG Octane R 12" (free postage also!).

What sort of amp will you be running the sub off? Do you own one or do you have to buy it?

[smt_007]

Whats your budget?, the best bang for buck sub would be the Phoenix Gold: http://www.webaudiodirect.com/prod196.htm

You can spend $100 or $1000 dollars on a subwoofer, as long as your happy with it doesnt matter what you get, just remember you get what you pay for.

[ January 03, 2004, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: SMT_007 ]

[Damon]

Pioneer and Sony don;t make good sounding woofers under $600?

What a load of rubbish!

I've reviewed literally hundreds of woofers over the years, and currently use a Pioneers TSW-2005C (sell price $160 at JB or wherever) and it sound very good indeed. I've also been impressed by Sony's Pentagram woofers too.

While you do get what you pay for, I've found that woofer represent the most notable area in car audio where too much money is wasted and that there's is little benefit for spending innordinate amounts of money for regular listening.

[Suprathai]

Thanks for all the replies.

I knew i forgot something in the orginal post. Well since everyone saying that about $100 is not really worth it. I guess i'll expand it till about $200 max.

I'm a uni student and income is pretty damn poor at the moment. So i'm not after earth shattering SPL, just something that will be adequate for everyday listening. I've did lots of reading on car audio since high school (about 5 years ago), and never put anything into a car before. So its all kinda new to me i guess in a way.

At the moment the system is stock. What i plan to do is put splits up front (running off the HU), HU (off my bro, its a pioneer cost him about $500 about 3 years ago), an amp and sub ($400), and also sound deadening(about $150) the doors up front. The HU first then amp and sub, followed by splits. So i'm really after best bang for my bucks component.

Thanks all

P.S. Limited budget, about $1000. Installing it by myself.

[Anonymous]

Quote

Originally posted by Damon:
Pioneer and Sony don;t make good sounding woofers under $600?

What a load of rubbish!

While you do get what you pay for, I've found that woofer represent the most notable area in car audio where too much money is wasted and that there's is little benefit for spending innordinate amounts of money for regular listening.

What a load of rubbish!

well in that case lets all rush out, sell our 9515s, brahmas, inhumans etc and all buy sony!!!

I like ot be able to feed my woofers 1500wrms+ daily driving and still keep it at a very very high sq. sure, i have to spend money to be able to achieve this, and do so happily as im sure as hell your $160.00 sony's wont do this.

Sony and pioneer IMO do not make a worthy subwoofer under $600.00, woofers are very competitive and nobody in their right mind would choose sony and pioneer in the lower end above another manufactuers. so sorry, i should let you know, i consider worthy as the same as competitive.

[clarkstrrr]

Have you head the lower end sony/pioneer's, they dont play music they go BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM rather quietly as well.

Its better money spent on splits or SD.

[Suprathai]

Woah!!, Chill people plz...
That was the whole point of asking this, i guess the only way i'll know is if i listen to it myself really. But i just need some pointers from the crowd. I know that other brands produce much better subs, but budget is tight. So do you think it would be more wise to invest in better splits and SD and drop the sub??. Cause i think the sub would make a bigger difference then say slightly better splits. Plz correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks All

I think i'm going to get the PG Octane R 12"

[ January 03, 2004, 11:48 PM: Message edited by: Suprathai ]

[clarkstrrr]

Good choice

[Javed]

How much power you got on tap for the sub?

[Anonymous]

a sub is the most rewarding upgrade a person with a reasonable system can make

Balance is the key, if you have a balanced system (which will happen with nice splits, sound deadening, nice hu's and nicely powerful amps, nice subs etc) you will be very happy for a long time to come

[Macca]

[quote]Originally posted by NUMB:
[QB][QUOTE]What a load of rubbish!

well in that case lets all rush out, sell our 9515s, brahmas, inhumans etc and all buy sony!!!

I like ot be able to feed my woofers 1500wrms+ daily driving and still keep it at a very very high sq. [QB][/quote]Well Damon does know his thing when it comes to car audio after all, he has been in the industry for a long time.

But NUMB as you noticed that the original post was of a $100 sub, now if he is only willing to spend around that price on a sub there no point going on about much more expencive gear.

A cheep sub in a well built enclosure can be just as good as a higher end sub where your not needed to take it to its limits.

[quote] While you do get what you pay for, I've found that woofer represent the most notable area in car audio where too much money is wasted and that there's is little benefit for spending innordinate amounts of money for regular listening [/quote]This is totally true... Spend more on your front stage remember a sub plays a bandwith of say 40Hz where as the fronts play the rest, front stage also provides detail for the sub... is it more obvious where the money should be spent