Today we have many wonderful subwoofer offerings that run $1200 or under! I want to use this space to brag them up a bit.

         What most companies want to sell you for a grand (give or take) is a large stamped driver, with a light magnet structure and a generic plate amp right out of the Parts Express catalog. They slap it in a skinny box and boom- they’re in the subwoofer business. You read about how fantabulous they are on line. Of course you can’t actually HEAR them until you’ve risked your Master Card. You can do better!

$1200 B&W ASW-610XP (12 1/4h, 12 1/4w, 14 3/4d)

        The B&W ASW-610XP is a remarkably clean, fast sub, for just over a grand. It starts with a very heavy, cast frame 10” subwoofer driver. It has a 4” voice coil. The magnet is heavy. The cast metal is heavy. The woofer cone itself is constructed of Kevlar/Pulp Fiber. B&W’s scientists feel this material is the best choice for providing a strong kick, without endemic ringing. Virtually all competitors use paper, poly or aluminum- all of which have less than ideal properties.

        The amp is a class D, 500w ICEpower design. B&W has offered this amp in years past in much higher end models. Due to economies of scale, this 500w amp can now be used in the 610XP!

        The sealed cabinet is 1” thick MDF and has internal bracing. This is no flimsy cardboard box!

        B&W goes the extra mile to give us more adjustments than anyone else to tailor the sound to our taste, and room. This is valuable if your goal is to use the sub for music as much as movies. B&W offers the standard adjustments for crossover point and volume. But they go further!

        B&W offers an A-B EQ choice. A is tighter and leaner- the audiophile choice. B is skewed a bit stronger which is more of a movie selection. B&W offers three bass extension choices as well:

        Position A: -6dB @ 18Hz

        Position B: -6dB @ 23Hz

        Position C: -6dB @ 28Hz

Each choice presents a different balance of “thickness” that you, or your room, may prefer!

Another important point is that all B&W subs offer a sub bypass position. If you’re using the crossover in your receiver or preamp, you don’t want to be stuck having to use a crossover in the sub. You don’t want to be “double-crossed” as it would be termed!

$1000 Paradigm DSP-3400 (21h, 15 3/4w, 19d)

        Paradigm didn’t quite invent the powered subwoofer. But Paradigm has made more high quality, affordable subs than anyone in the history of the audio biz. Back in the 80s when early powered subs were resonant “rattle-traps” Paradigm came out with its classic PS-1000, a $500 sub featuring a 10” cast frame woofer and discrete amp. The rest is history- as Paradigms have only gotten better!

        DSP-3400 is a gorilla! It is made for moving floors- but minimizing boom in the process. It starts with a spectacular 14” cast frame subwoofer driver. Sheer size does help- if it is cast and not stamped! This driver is a combination of Carbon/Aramid-Fiber & Polypropylene. Paradigm selects this concoction to generate strength without breaking up.

        DSP-3400 features a heavy, ported cabinet (dual ports actually) that provides maximum SPL. Its crossover adjustment is variable from 35Hz up to 150Hz and offers a bypass position.

        DSP-3400 uses a Paradigm built 300w amp (900w peak power!) for muscle.

        The term DSP stand for Digital Signal Processing. All of Paradigm’s DSP models are EQ’d to extend low end response- which makes them sound uniquely fuller- even at low volume.

$800 Paradigm DSP-3200 (17 1/2h, 14w, 17 1/2d)

        As you might have guessed, this is a slightly smaller brother. Let’s show your wife DSP-3400 and then she’ll think DSP-3200 is quite reasonable! DSP-3200 uses a 12” driver and 300w amp.

$650 B&W ASW-610 (12 1/4h, 12 3/8w, 14 3/4d)

        ASW-610 is in the same box as ASW-610XP above. The 10” driver is not as Herculean as the XP and the amp is 200w instead of 500w. But if you’re after the sealed sub design for under a grand, this is it!

$600 Paradigm DSP-3100 (15 1/2h, 12 1/4w, 15d)

        After seeing DSP-3400 and DSP-3200, she’ll be thrilled to see this, still, extremely manly subwoofer! DSP-3100 is the evolution of the classic PS-1000, With 10” cast woof and 200w amp, DSP-3100 offers one of the best values in our business!

$500 B&W ASW-608 (10 1/4h, 10 38w, 13d)

        ASW-608 is THE tiny sub choice! With smallish cabinet housing an 8” driver & 200w amp, it offers the same dial in features of 610 and 610XP above!