M-Audio AV40 Subwoofer suggestions

[aznofazns]

I just received my AV40 yesterday and have been listening to a variety of music with them since. Its mids and treble are noticeably richer and crisper than my old Z-2300's, but I'm really missing the deep bass impact of the Z-2300 sub. I know, I know, the Z-2300's sub is boomy, messy, whatever you want to call it, but that's why I want some expert opinions. The AV40's woofers just don't get the job done for dubstep and hip-hop, even with the Bass Boost switch on.
 
So... my question to you all is: which subwoofer matches the AV40 well without leaving any holes in either the frequency spectrum OR my wallet? My budget is pretty limited at <$100, but realize that I'm not looking for a massive 12" behemoth. I just want deep, extended bass with enough impact to fill a medium-sized apartment. Also, how should I go about hooking up the sub? My Z-2300's sub has a built in amp with RCA out... so I'm assuming I could test my AV40 with it. But I'm worried that the crossover isn't designed with this setup in mind... and the same thing applies for other subs. I'm kind of a newbie to Hi-Fi audio so all of your suggestions are welcome!

 

[JRG1990]

Don't connect the av-40 to the z2300's rca out's, because there a speaker level signal not a line level signal you could connect passive speakers to them providing there the same ohm's as the z2300 satilites not not actives.
Easyest way to connect the av-40's to a sub is to get a sub with a rca pass-through rca inputs and outputs.

 

[aznofazns]

Quote:

Don't connect the av-40 to the z2300's rca out's, because there a speaker level signal not a line level signal you could connect passive speakers to them providing there the same ohm's as the z2300 satilites not not actives.
Easyest way to connect the av-40's to a sub is to get a sub with a rca pass-through rca inputs and outputs.

Could you explain how the RCA pass-through works?

 

[JRG1990]

The sub has stereo rca in and outputs, you connect your source dac or whatever to the subs rca inputs and connect your monitors to the subs rca outputs.

 

[aznofazns]

Ah I see. Any suggestions for a sub?
 
Also, my dad got his new Audioengine 5's today and they sound noticeably better than my AV40's... the bass is much more pronounced (though it doesn't extend very low) and they just sound crisper overall. I've also noticed that the bass boost switch on the AV40's makes the bass somewhat boomy and unpleasant.

 

[JRG1990]

For that budget no, and the a5's are £200 more than the av40's and have a 5" woofer compared to the av-40's 4" , for the same price or less than the av-40's you could have had the Edifier Studio R1900 , it has a 5" woofer and handles bass better and sounds a bit more fuller and warmer compared to the av-40s.

 

[sizzlincok]

Why don't you just split the signal from your audio source to both the AV40's and your Z2300?
 
You can use your Z2300's as a sub. 
 
I'm currently using my AudioEngine A5's with my Z680 sub.
Like you, the bass is obviously lacking for us who are used to a subwoofer.
 
My Z680 is hooked up, and I don't turn it up to pounding levels, but to only fill in the low end.

 

[JRG1990]

Splitting the signal you also loose some, how much you loose depends on the impedence of the device but it's generally around -3db.

 

[sizzlincok]

^ I know you do. But that's not much especially both the AV40's and the Z2300 sub are amped. 
 
You just need to turn the volume up a bit higher on either the source or the speakers.
 
That's the only way to do it, other than buying another sub that has an input, and then line level out.
More costly than a cheap $1 splitter at the cost of 3db loss.
 

 

[aznofazns]

JRG, are you saying that that $100 won't get me a sub that's better than my Z-2300?
 
I tried hooking the Z-2300 via 3.5mm jack from my soundcard's center/sub out and it worked... but then I would have no use for the two satellites. I'm going to sell my Z-2300 for $80 and use that money + some out-of-pocket on a new sub. Any suggestions? Do I need a powered sub or do I have other options? I'm really looking to spend no more than $150 and want something that's clearly better than the Z-2300's sub.
 
Thanks.

 

[aznofazns]

Can I just purchase a powered sub, such as a Polk PSW110, and then connect its line level RCA inputs to my soundcard's 3.5mm sub out using something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Mini-Plug-Computer-Stereo/dp/B000FEHO0U

 

[tmars78]

Quote:

Can I just purchase a powered sub, such as a Polk PSW110, and then connect its line level RCA inputs to my soundcard's 3.5mm sub out using something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Mini-Plug-Computer-Stereo/dp/B000FEHO0U

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this:
 
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-631
 
 
While I have never heard it, it should more than suffice for what you are looking for. 

 

[JRG1990]

That dayton looks ok for the price, and it has the rca pass-thru so connecting it up will be easy.

 

[trog]

 
Hi i love this forum and lurked for a long time Anyway on the matter of active monitors/speakers when paired with Dayton Sub i think this would help hehe
 
I recently got a Edifier R1900TII for my niece and my bro heard it and is thinking of hitting one with a Dayton SUB-80 for his room. So i might as well share my findings after playing curious cat with the PE tech support team hehe Ok 1st off he has a pair of rather long 3.5mm-to RCA (the ones 1900TII came with is rather short for where he intends to place the sub) and RCA patch cable idling at his house

 

According to PE tech it's all good and sounds like his idea would be good to go with any/all active speakers i would think hehe

Sub connectors

R1900TII