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First impressions were that it's a fairly hefty sub for a 10", 6.34 kg according to the packaging.Dimensions are:
- overall width 270mm
- cut-out 240mm
- mounting depth 136mm
- width of the magnet is about 132mm.
IMG_3105_sm.JPG 116.5K
25 downloads
IMG_3106_sm.JPG 130.54K
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IMG_3109_sm.JPG 134.72K
16 downloadsBuild quality looks good and the frame and basket are solid. Terminals are simple push-down style and take up to 8 gauge cable.
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16 downloadsEnclosure
I've mounted the 830876 in a sealed box of approx 0.6 cu ft made of 16mm MDF, glued with PVA, reinforced with a couple of layers fibreglass weave and additional 10mm layer on the face - plenty strong and very heavy.
Madisound recommend "1/2 to 3/4 Cubic Foot Sealed Box with 50% pillow stuffing". Initially I tried 1 layer of Jaycar speaker dampening against the back face, which I guesstimated to be around 50% as recommended, and sounded fine. I then tried a second layer which effectively filled the remainder of the enclosure but didn't like the results. Currently it has no fill but sounds fairly similar to the 50% fill level.
The Sound
The best term to use for this subwoofer is refined. After listening to this for a week I now appreciate the difference between a 'regular' subwoofer and an 'SQ' subwoofer. In terms of a reference point, I've only had one other subwoofer (a JBL GTO 12") so have to provide feedback with that in mind.
As a subwoofer it doesn't dominate the music and its sound integrates much better into the system and is a lot harder to pick as coming from the rear. Compared to the JBL, the Peerless is more present at lower volumes and maintains a consistent sound all the way through the volume range until about 80%. I know that's a subjective description but it does lose its composure at very high volumes. It has oomph but doesn't get as ultimately loud as the JBL did.
It's consistent in volume at all frequencies in the music that I listen and doesn't have any noticeable peaks or troughs. My everyday-listening tracks include Run DMC, Lily Allen, New Order, Dire Straits, Guns N Roses and Pendulum (ie all over the show) and I love how the XXLS sounds for all of them up to that 80% mark. At that point I fade the subwoofer channel a bit to wind up the volume some more. Kick drums are tight and punchy, low notes really rumble without being boomy. Although subjective, and probably related to the lower outright volume, there isn't anywhere near as much panel resonance or vibration which is great.
Conclusion
In the 25-50% volume range, which is most of the time for me, the 830876 kicks ass in that it's always present, is always tight and controlled but never dominating or overpowering. It's what I would expect from a SQ sub so for the price and the small footprint I think it's fantastic.
