How low $ can I go (subwoofer)?

[brady7]

Thinking of trying a subwoofer in my basement set-up, where I have a wiim amp connected to an LG tv, & sometimes listen to music. Speakers are Heybrook HB1s,

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/heybrook/hb1.shtml

...which were a well thought of speaker back in the '80s, & still work perfectly. I'm now deaf on 1 side so never bothered with 5.1, but since the wiim amp has a sub out, I thought I'd give it a shot. But since my hearing is now way less than optimal, I don't think I'd really benefit from spending too much. & since I have zero sense of hearing directionality, I'm presuming I wouldn't benefit from more than 1 sub even if the wiim had another output. What's the lowest I can go & have it not sound so bad it's worse than what I've got?(!). It's a fairly large basement, but doesn't need to play loud, because anything above low level volume gives me tinnitus.

Thanks!

 

[EddNog]

Thinking of trying a subwoofer in my basement set-up, where I have a wiim amp connected to an LG tv, & sometimes listen to music. Speakers are Heybrook HB1s,

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/heybrook/hb1.shtml

...which were a well thought of speaker back in the '80s, & still work perfectly. I'm now deaf on 1 side so never bothered with 5.1, but since the wiim amp has a sub out, I thought I'd give it a shot. But since my hearing is now way less than optimal, I don't think I'd really benefit from spending too much. & since I have zero sense of hearing directionality, I'm presuming I wouldn't benefit from more than 1 sub even if the wiim had another output. What's the lowest I can go & have it not sound so bad it's worse than what I've got?(!). It's a fairly large basement, but doesn't need to play loud, because anything above low level volume gives me tinnitus.

Thanks!

Are you in the US?

If so, this is the value sub to get: https://rslspeakers.com/pages/landing-page-10e

-Ed

 

[brady7]

Yes, in the US.

Thanks, will check it out

 

[harkpabst]

That sub looks very reasonably priced for what it does. I don't see any mention of DSP, which is a good thing because the WiiM Amp will provide everything that's needed. It also has a home theatre setting (LFE input), which is perfectly suited for use with the Amp.

 

[harkpabst]

One more note: @brady7, if you still think this is too much money to spend (although it looks like great value to me) don't consider any product using a woofer smaller than 8" (I'm not talking about $1000+ high end models like e.g. the KEF KC62).

Avoid any products with speaker level inputs, especially the cheap clamp connection type.

Ideally go with a model where the upper frequency limit can be set to >180 Hz.

Even if you are not going to listen very loud, bass needs power. 100 W is not a lot of (claimed) power, more is better.

 

[Doublej]

In addition to RSL, names that come up regularly in budget subwoofer discussions are Monoprice, Parts Express (Dayton), Polk and Klipsch. You only need one sub as bass frequencies are non directional. Depending upon how large a fairly large basement is you might be better served with a 12" sub.

Reliability of the plate amps in budget subs is a weak spot.