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Trying to select a Sub Woofer


ebaer

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Hi,
 

I'm really not up on the current Audio Technology.
I had an older JBL PWS-1200 Sub Woofer that has died.
I am trying to select a Klipsch Sub Woofer to replace it.
However, I am confused by so many of the Klipsch Subs having what appear to be the same specifications.
They are all < $100 difference, so any one of them is within my budget.

Can anyone tell me the difference between the following and why I would want to get one particular one over the others ?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-12SW-Subwoofer/dp/B00MJ1YR8Y/ref=sr_1_4?sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Wireless-Subwoofer-Brushed-R-12SWi/dp/B01N0HJEOX/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synergy-Subwoofer-Cerametallic-Front-Firing/dp/B0849XQJF4/ref=sr_1_8_sspa?sr=8-8-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-120SW-Subwoofer/dp/B07FK2WNW4/ref=sr_1_5?sr=8-5

 

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Do yourself a favor and look at other brands.  I really like Klipsch speakers, but their subs traditionally have been plagued with amplifier issues that other brands simply do not have in such great numbers.  Have you thought about picking up used ones?  You can get a much better sub at a lower price.  Brands to explore: SVS, HSU, Monoprice, Velodyne, etc.

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12 hours ago, John Chi-town said:

What model of main speakers will they be working with?

Hey guys, thanks for the quick response on these.
The basic answer to this question is a couple of no-name bookshelf speakers and sound bar.
I am not really looking for an optimal sound eproduction situation here, I am far from an audiophile.
I really just need a decent (not super) sub woofer to fill out the low end that can't be produced by the other speakers.

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3 minutes ago, ebaer said:

Hey guys, thanks for the quick response on these.
The basic answer to this question is a couple of no-name bookshelf speakers and sound bar.
I am not really looking for an optimal sound eproduction situation here, I am far from an audiophile.
I really just need a decent (not super) sub woofer to fill out the low end that can't be produced by the other speakers.

Take a look at the SVS Micro 3000  Should fit the bill based on your response.

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Quote

Do yourself a favor and look at other brands. 

So, because I am not up on the current state of audio equipment, I really have no idea what to consider.
I was thinking I read somwhere that Monoprice was acquired by Klipsch ?
Anyway, the JBL PSW-1200 was fine as far as I was concerned. However it's amplifier board burned up, and again from my reading this was a common thing with the JBL Sub Woofers of the time.

I don't need anything great, just a decent one that can handle a room that is about 15x20 feet with good non-distorted base.
It doesn't have to be able to crack my walls, or knock things off shelves in my second story.
Honestly, reliability is probably one of my more important considerations.

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Quote

Take a look at the SVS Micro 3000  Should fit the bill based on your response.

John, thanks for the suggestion, but that is way out of my budget.
I was looking for something in the $250 $300 range.
Again, it doesn't have to be anything fantastic.
I could go a bit higher if there is a compelling reason, but I'm not looking for a reference standard quality component here.
It would be "putting Gold Hubcaps on a Volkswagen" ...

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Posted (edited)
Quote

definitely... buy used.

When you say used, to you actually mean used ?
Or, refurbished.
I am worried about not having any recourse if the used Sub is Defective, or was abuse by the previous owner.
Also, shipping alone seems like it would be an issue here.  These things are big and heavy and would likely get damaged by a normal carrier ...

Where would I even go about looking for a used one for a reliable source ?

Edited by ebaer
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25 minutes ago, ebaer said:


It would be "putting Gold Hubcaps on a Volkswagen" ...

 

I assume most members here are like me and given the choice between a crappy non musical subwoofer or no subwoofer the choice would be no subwoofer.

 

So maybe more like putting large spongy wheels on a VW.

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Does anyone know why this one is getting such good ratings ?
It looks like it is an older version of one of their reference standard Subs.
I was afraid to consider this one because of the comments about it being sold by a non-authorized dealer, so it wouldn't have any warranty.
Seems hard to believe it could get a 4.8 on 5,000+ reviews without being somewhat decent, no ... ?

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-12SW-Subwoofer/dp/B00MJ1YR8Y/ref=sr_1_4?sr=8-4

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@ebaer Well...

 

If you decided to go towards better lifelike sound?

Been using RP-600M IIs with an SVS SB-3000 not micro for a couple years. Can control it with your phone.

Have box for the bookshelf speakers but not the sub, I bought both new.

Just listed the RPs for $450 but would sell the sub with them for $1k (it cost that by itself) If you're not too far away from me!

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Posted (edited)
7 minutes ago, JohnJ said:

@ebaer Well...

 

If you decided to go towards better lifelike sound?

Been using RP-600M IIs with an SVS SB-3000 not micro for a couple years. Can control it with your phone.

Have box for the bookshelf speakers but not the sub, I bought both new.

Just listed the RPs for $450 but would sell the sub with them for $1k (it cost that by itself) If you're not too far away from me!

I live in the Dallas Texas area, so that would be a bit of a drive, but thanks for the offer.

Also, really not wanting to invest $1k in this.  I rarely use the sound system with the Sub and everything.  I mostly just use it if I am watching a Movie that has big sound and/or a Music program.  Both of which are relatively infrequent ...

Edited by ebaer
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Posted (edited)
20 hours ago, 1MoreFord said:

Here are the basic specs for your JBL sub.

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/jbl/psw1200.shtml

 

Looking thru the Amazon info you'll be hard pressed to find this info but if you do you'll find many/most of the Klipsch won't meet them.

 

I second the previous suggestion.  Expand your search.

 

@1MoreFord

Thanks for the manuals lead, however, I can't download without registering and it won't allow any new registrations.
If I had the Service Manual, I could likely repair the JBL PSW-1200, as I am pretty electronically literate.
Without that manual it wasn't worth even trying for me.
Is that something you could get for me, or is that not allowed ?


https://www.hifiengine.com/register_an_account.shtml
https://www.hifiengine.com/register/register.php

Edited by ebaer
To Tag another user I forgot in the original message.
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Check Facebook marketplace for used subs.  Make sure you audition them, don't meet in a parking lot and take their word that it works.  Talk to them, listen to the sub.  If you get a weird feeling from them, walk away.... they are probably trying to sell you something that doesn't work correctly.  However, meeting at their home usually eliminates a lot of the shady stuff.

 

I purchased 4 Velodyne subs over a span of about year and all 4 have no issues.  They have been going strong with daily use.  The most I paid for an individual sub is $100.  If you're not in a hurry you'll find the right deal.

 

This is the link to the Velodyne subs I purchased: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-U4ejwQnL8iX/p_2323750RB/Velodyne-DLS-3750R-Black.html

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45 minutes ago, Iteachstem said:

I purchased 4 Velodyne subs over a span of about year and all 4 have no issues.  They have been going strong with daily use.  The most I paid for an individual sub is $100.  If you're not in a hurry you'll find the right deal.

 

This is the link to the Velodyne subs I purchased: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-U4ejwQnL8iX/p_2323750RB/Velodyne-DLS-3750R-Black.html

@Iteachstem
Just confirming, you bought those from that Crutchfield site, or from the Facebook Marketplace ?
Did they just go on sale periodically (for $100) ?
Is there a way to get notified if/when a particular item is available ?
The one you listed looks pretty interesting, but is no longer available.  (I guess you know that already)
Is that why you were able to get them so cheaply ?

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I bought them used from Marketplace.... they are around 20 years old.  I'm not saying you have to buy that model, but they were pretty decent subs for the money back then, and you can find them or similar ones today for around $100 each.

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8 hours ago, ebaer said:

@1MoreFord

Thanks for the manuals lead, however, I can't download without registering and it won't allow any new registrations.
If I had the Service Manual, I could likely repair the JBL PSW-1200, as I am pretty electronically literate.
Without that manual it wasn't worth even trying for me.
Is that something you could get for me, or is that not allowed ?


https://www.hifiengine.com/register_an_account.shtml
https://www.hifiengine.com/register/register.php

I was looking for the basic specs for the JBL subwoofers to give you a starting point for reference.

 

I found the page I linked to thru a basic search for "JBL PSW-1200 owners manual".  There were several hits to choose from and I chose that one since it referenced the specs  prominently.  More searching may turn up better info for your purposes.

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