Cheap-O sub that will do Paradigm Atoms right?

[LingLing1337]

Since I'm looking to do a setup in a smaller room, I'm now busy scavenging for a pair of Paradigm Atoms, which I should be able to score under $160 easily enough. Now I'm looking for a nice subwoofer to go along with them, since bass reportedly isn't their forte. Does anyone have suggestions for a nice sub that I could pick up at or under $150 used? If there's no such thing, I guess I'll put that money towards a new t-amp.

[Paul J.]

The cheap Parts Express subs are great for the $$. $25 more gets you the 12" if $155 +shipping is in the budget. That line of PE subs is not capable of the home theater antics that the big, tough ones are, but it will certainly keep pace dynamically with the Atoms. If you aren't attempting 120db peaks, the sound quality of similar subs (sealed or vented boxes of a similar size) will vary little when compared to the difference that room placement and setup will make.

I doubt you'll do better on the used market, unless you find something incredible on craigslist. I also think used subs are more prone to have been abused, when compared to something like a used CD player.

And of course, keep in mind that T-amps are difficult to connect to subs at speaker level. Most sub amps sum the signal grounds of the two channels, which is a no-no with a balanced amp. You can work around it, but it takes more thought than implementing a sub with a typical amp.

It is slightly more expensive, but you might also consider a pair of the smaller PE subs (the Elite 8 for example). They'd be easy to hook to a T-amp.

Paul

[LingLing1337]

OK, I'll certainly check into those. THanks.

[scootermafia]

I've got an 8" Yamaha sub and it's quite nice for music listening. Was under $100, too. I wouldn't consider any sub unless you live in a freestanding house, though. Mine gathers dust because I live in an apartment.

[iriverdude]

I've got a Yamaha YST. It's crap, music sounds better with it switched off. Save up for a good one.

[DeusEx]

Personally, I'd go for an HSU STF-1 or 2 for my Energy RC-10 setup, but one of those Dayton subs for a Franklin would probably cut it for you, since Atoms aren't exactly high-end...great for the money, though