[AV정보] Sound&Vision 선정 가격대비 성능우수 10대 서브우퍼

Bigger Better
Bass

10 subwoofers that aim to give the best bass for the
buck

By Tom Nousaine

$399 ~ $1690 에 이르는 가격대의, 8~15 인치의 Driver Size 를 가진 이 서브우퍼들에게 공통점이 있는가?

바로 오디오 애호가들과 홈시어터 애호가들에게 지금 현재 사용하고 있는 서브우퍼를 바꾼다면 어떤 제품을 선택하겠느냐고 했을 때 선택된 제품들이다.

선정기준은 가격대비 성능이 우수한 제품들이다.

Canton AS 20 SC
($399)

bigger bass - canton

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design bandpass

• Finish flat black or silver

• Driver size 8 inches

• Rated Power 60 watts continuous,
120 watts peak

• Controls variable 80- to 140-Hz
low-pass crossover, level, phase switch, auto-on

• Warranty 2 years

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 10 1/4 x 15 3/8
x 16 7/8 inches

• Volume 1 1/2 cubic feet

• Footprint 1 1/4 square feet

• Weight 27 pounds

Ins
& Outs

• line- and speaker-level inputs and outputs

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 32 Hz at 88 dB SPL

The Canton was the only sub here to come up short of 25 Hz. Then again, it’s
only $399.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 32 to 62 Hz 96.7
dB

• Maximum SPL 106 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $4.12

The sub’s sound-pressure level (SPL) was modest, falling off rapidly at lower
frequencies.

The
Bottom Line

The Canton AS 20 C has both a small cabinet and a nice sense of style in its
favor. And while it doesn’t go as deep as some of the bigger models, it’s the
least expensive sub in the group when it comes to Dollars per dB.

Manufacturer

Canton Electronics,
www.cantonusa.com, 612-706-9250

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design sealed

• Finish black ash vinyl laminate

• Driver size 10 inches

• Rated Power 125 watts

• Controls variable 40- to 140-Hz
low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, phase switch, auto-on

• Warranty 90 days with free
extension to 1 year with registration

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 11 3/8 x 16 x 15
1/2 inches

• Volume 1 3/4 cubic feet

• Footprint 1 1/4 square feet

• Weight 38 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 25 Hz at 82 dB SPL

This small sub gives you deep enough bass to keep up with any CD or DVD.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 94.7
dB

• Maximum SPL 103.5 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $4.48

The sub’s peak SPLs were moderate, but well distributed over its frequency
range.

The
Bottom Line

The ability to reach down deep into the 25-Hz region and still produce solid
sound, combined with its low price and full feature set, make the T70.1 PBM a
good value. (I’d like a little better warranty, though.)

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design ported

• Finish black ash vinyl

• Driver size 10 inches

• Rated Power 150 watts
continuous, 225 watts dynamic, 450 watts peak

• Controls front-mounted
variable 50- to 150-Hz low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, phase
switch, auto-on

• Warranty 1 year

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 12 3/8 x 17 x 15
1/2 inches

• Volume 2 cubic feet

• Footprint 1 3/8 square feet

• Weight 31 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 25 Hz at 87 dB SPL

The PSB produced the kind of full, deep bass you’d expect from a far larger and
more expensive sub.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz
98.1 dB

• Maximum SPL 102 dB at 62
Hz

• Dollars per dB $4.58

Its amazingly even output means this sub will sound more powerful than its SPL
figures suggest without ever being boomy.

The
Bottom Line

PSB’s SubSonic 5i is compact in dimensions, heft, and price.
While it could produce only moderate SPLs, it delivered more uniform output over
its bandwidth than any other subwoofer in this group.

What’s in the Box

• Cabinet design ported

• Finish flat black

• Driver size 15 inches

• Rated Power 300 watts

• Controls 40- to 120-Hz variable
low-pass crossover, 80/100-Hz selectable high-pass filter, level, variable
phase, audio and video EQ switch, auto-on

• Warranty 2 years

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 18 1/4 x 21 x 23
inches

• Volume 5 cubic feet

• Footprint 3 square feet

• Weight 83 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

•Bass limit 25 Hz at 92 dB SPL

The Velodyne had 6 to 12 dB higher SPL at 25 Hz than any other sub tested.
Translation: It kicks major butt.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 107.3 dB

• Maximum SPL 116 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $6.51

The CHT-15 can produce peak SPLs that beat subs costing three to four times as
much.

The
Bottom Line

The Velodyne CHT-15 delivered the biggest bang of the lot, hitting a
tooth-rattling 116 dB max SPL. Its all-black styling can be considered either
mysterious or menacing depending on your perspective.

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design sealed

• Finish flat black

• Driver size 12 inches

• Rated Power 75 watts

• Controls variable 50- to 125-Hz
low-pass crossover, level, phase switch; no on/off switch

• Warranty 10 years speaker, 5 years
amplifier

How Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 15 3/8 x 18 x 19
7/8 inches

• Volume 3 1/8 cubic feet

• Footprint 2 1/8 square feet

• Weight 48 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 16 Hz at 71 dB SPL

Pipe-organ lovers will rejoice over the M&K’s deep, deep bass.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 98.8
dB

• Maximum SPL 106 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $7.07

That deep, deep bass is helped by consistently strong output levels.

The
Bottom Line

The V-76 offers the best value of any M&K subwoofer I’ve tested. The precise
controls, extended warranty, and ability to go down to an impressive,
teeth-rattling 16 Hz will offset its limited feature set for many users.

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design ported

• Finish black maple

• Driver size 12 inches

• Rated Power 400 watts

• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz
low-pass crossover, level, phase switch, auto-on

• Warranty 5 years

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 16 1/4
x 16 x 19 7/8 inches

• Volume 3 1/8 cubic feet

• Footprint 2 1/4 square
feet

• Weight 56 pounds

Ins
& Outs

• line- and speaker-level inputs

• speaker-level output

• input and output for future
bass-equalization feature

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 25 Hz at 86 dB SPL

The JBL produced deep, robust bass without breaking a sweat.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 104.4
dB

• Maximum SPL 111 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $7.65

The sub’s strong output was evenly distributed over its frequency range.

The
Bottom Line

Strong output capability (107+ dB SPL) at all frequencies above 25 Hz, tight,
powerful, and smooth low bass, a great warranty, and a reasonable price make
this moderately large subwoofer a real value. Its high-tech styling is
appealing, too.

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design sealed

• Finish blond maple or mahogany
veneer, or slate gray

• Driver size 8 inches (two)

• Rated Power 500 watts

• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz
low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, high-pass filter, low-pass equalizer,
level, variable phase, auto-on; outboard control box

• Warranty 10 years
speaker/cabinet, 2 years amplifier and electronics

How Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 13 x 14 x 12
inches

• Volume 1 1/8 cubic feet

• Footprint 1 square foot

• Weight 35 pounds

Ins
& Outs

•speaker-level, line-level, and LFE inputs

• L/R high-pass line-level output

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 25 Hz at 70 dB SPL

The Newton’s output at 25 Hz was 14 dB below the average for the subs in the
test group.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 90.8
dB

• Maximum SPL 106.5 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $8.81

The sub’s already average levels fell off rapidly below 62 Hz.

The
Bottom Line

The P500 is pricey, but its small cabinet, deep bass, remote control, and other
options might justify the cost for many people. Its setup flexibility is
unmatched by the other subs here, but using the outboard control box does mean
running more wires.

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design sealed

• Finish flat black vinyl

• Driver size 8 inches (two)

• Rated Power 600 watts

• Controls variable 50- to 150-Hz
low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, level, phase switch, auto-on

• Warranty 7 years parts and labor, 2
years amplifier

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 11 1/2 x 10 x 11
inches

• Volume 3/4 cubic foot

• Footprint 7/8 square foot

• Weight 30 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 20 Hz at 74 dB SPL

This is astonishing performance for a sub that measures less than a cubic foot.

How
Big the Bang?

•Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 93.2 dB

• Maximum SPL 104 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $9.10

The Baby Boomer’s peak SPLs and their distribution over its frequency range were
below average.

The
Bottom Line

The Baby Boomer had excellent extension, but like many super-small subs, its
output diminished quickly at lower frequencies. Its extended upper range,
however, means that the Pinnacle could be a good match for many satellite
speakers.

What’s in the Box?

• Cabinet design sealed

• Finish black ash or light oak vinyl

• Driver size 10 inches

• Rated Power 500 watts continuous

• Controls variable 40- to 140-Hz
low-pass crossover, crossover bypass, selectable 80-Hz high-pass filter, A/B EQ,
level, phase switch, auto-on

• Warranty 5 years speaker, 2 years
amplifier

•
Dimensions (WxHxD) 13 3/8 x 13 3/8 x 15 3/4 inches

• Volume 1 3/4 cubic feet

• Footprint 1 1/2 square feet

• Weight 56 pounds

Ins
& Outs

• line-level input, two line-level outputs

• no speaker-level input or output

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit

16 Hz at 73 dB SPL (EQ mode A)

25 Hz at 89 dB SPL (EQ mode B)

The B&W exhibited terrific deep bass in both of its EQ modes.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 98.6
dB (EQ mode A); 99.2 dB (EQ mode B)

• Maximum SPL 106 dB at 62 Hz (both
EQ modes)

• Dollars per dB $10.14

This sub gave average or above-average performance in every respect and produced
a nice even output across its entire frequency range.

The
Bottom Line

The ASW 675 delivers excellent deep bass, uniform output across its dynamic
range, high-quality styling and finish, and an exceptional warranty, but at a
relatively stiff price.

•
Cabinet design sealed, magnetically shielded

• Electronics proprietary ELF
(Extended Low Frequency) processor

• Finish black textured paint

• Driver size 12 inches

• Rated Power 400 watts continuous

• Controls fixed 95-Hz low-pass
filter, fixed 95-Hz high-pass filter (line only), phase switch, level, on/off

• Warranty 1 year

How
Big Is It?

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 18 x 15 1/2 x 15
1/4 inches

• Volume 1 1/2 cubic feet

• Footprint 2 square feet

• Weight 56 pounds

How
Low Does It Go?

• Bass limit 16 Hz at 65 dB SPL

While the Bag End showed it could plumb the depths, it produced only modest SPLs.

How
Big the Bang?

• Average SPL from 25 to 62 Hz 96.1
dB

• Maximum SPL 110 dB at 62 Hz

• Dollars per dB $17.58

The sub produced impressive levels at 62 Hz but was 3 to 5 dB below average from
50 Hz on down.

The
Bottom Line

While the Infrasub-12 can go all the way to 16 Hz, its limited feature set and
high cost put it on par with similarly equipped but considerably less expensive
competitors.

CDs

• Bass Connection, Drivin’ Bass (Neurodisc)
The first track, “Pure and Perfect Bass,” is very loud and goes very low. In
fact, the infrasonic content is so strong that you should use this cut with
caution.

• The Great Fantasy and Adventure Album (Telarc)
At about 12 seconds into “Jurassic Lunch,” listen for the T. Rex footfalls,
which go all the way down to 10 Hz. With a good sub, the subsequent attack will
leave both you and your house seriously shaken.

• Bass Erotica, Bass Ecstasy (Neurodisc)
Listen in particular for the strong, isolated fundamental bass tone at 22 Hz in
“976-BASS.” If a sub can’t reproduce it cleanly, it’s time to move on to the
next one.

DVDs

• U-571 (Universal) Check out
the depth-charge scenes about 2 minutes in and again in Chapter 15, and listen
for the strong low-frequency aftershocks that follow the explosions. Also listen
to the quieter scenes that follow. The low-frequency background sounds should be
evident without intruding on the voices and other foreground sounds.

• Godzilla (Columbia TriStar)
There’s plenty of deep-bass action throughout, but the main menu just keeps
looping through the room-rumbling 25-Hz monster stomps until you make a
selection.

• DVD Space Spectacular (Delos)
The start of Thus Spake Zarathustra (Chapter 1) has deep, powerful organ
notes and a thunderous climax. Set your player for repeat, and you can keep
looping this segment to your heart’s desire.