Help an audio noob get started ($~1500 budget)

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apieceofpie

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2612489 28-Nov-2020 21:45

ShinyChrome:

There is a SVS PB-1000 on TradeMe for a decent price at the moment that you might consider with any leftover budget. Q150/S15 + a PB-1000 would be a killer budget setup.

Managed to save $500 today on a couch today after a great deal on FB, so may be able to get the sub after all.

The SVS PB-1000 looks great but sadly I'm in Hamilton, sister's going to Wellington and back in Jan but can't imagine they'll still be around by then.

There's a JAMO J-10 Active Subwoofer on Trademe for $400 new, but I can't find much out about them online. Seems to sell for ~600/700 new but googling also showed me Newegg has sold then at $100 before- which was just another depressing reminder that living in the US occasionally has its benefits.

Any other suggestions? Not really looking to spend past $500 unless it's a bargain (like the SVS PB 1000).

ShinyChrome

1575 posts

Uber Geek

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Trusted

#2612530 29-Nov-2020 09:16

Nice job on the couch.

Have you asked them if they would look at shipping? There are also options like Pack n Send which will pick it up, box it, and ship it to you, but expect to pay $60-$90 for the service. Otherwise, see if they want to work something out? Its probably one of the better deals I have seen in awhile on TM.

While that J10 would be an improvement for bookshelves, its still pretty weak and would be shown up by a decent set of towers. Its peak wattage is what the PB-1000 produces RMS and the -3db point of 31hz is not great considering movie LFE soundtracks frequently go down into the 20s and even lower into the infrasonics (Edge of Tomorrow is famous for its subwoofer destroying 5hz point).

For a subwoofer, I'd want something that can play as close as you can get to 20hz with authority for HT. There is a lot more to it then just that naturally, but it is a good place to start. Personally, I would save up for a decent subwoofer like the SVS than buy a sub-par product that fits your budget.

Unfortunately SVS is about as good as it gets here, until you start spending mega-bucks. The US is overwhelmed with choices for bang-for-buck internet direct companies.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2612707 29-Nov-2020 17:48

The Jamo sub is going to be a version of a Klipsch design (Voxx owns both companies).

I would keep looking personally...

apieceofpie

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2613383 30-Nov-2020 14:31

Ended up getting the Sony STRDN1080 and the Q150s. Going to try sort out a shipping plan with the seller of the SVS. So total cost will be about $2.1k.

A wee bit above budget but can justify it to myself on the $500 saved on the couch, and more importantly my partner seems to be happy enough lol.

Planning on building a basic entertainment unit with a friend, which should save some coin on the stands, and allow me to try match it to the walnut Q150s, which my partner will find very important I'm sure.

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