Do non-powered subwoofers exist ... ?

[mgard]

I start with my first sub woofer in the early 1980's. It was a RH Labs SB3 passive with 12" woofer in a large oak veneer cabinet. I was powering it with a McIntosh 2205 amp at the time. It didn't sound to bad and was a nice addition to the Spica TC 50's. The first of this year I had a cabinet maker put a Dayton amplified crossover unit in it. The bass control just wasn't as good so I sold it. My living room is not very large where my current system resides. I have been reading about JL subs on this site for over a year and have been wanting two pretty bad. Everyone recommends two. I decided on a pair of JL F110's in gloss black. I read every review on them that I could get my eye balls on. Each review was just stellar. But one of the last reviews I read by Michael Galvin at JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofer was going great till he received a JL F112. You know the story, the bass with the F112 raised everything to a whole new level. Aw nuts.... I thought. You will have to read the article because it is a little humorous when he plugs in the JL F112 into his system. I decided to stay with a pair of F110's in my room and plus the F112 is too heavy for me to move. I would like to mention that I just place my order for a pair of F110's from Legend Audio & Video. And what was really cool, the guy that took my order was the President and CEO of the company. Somebody named Ivan. He gave me one killer deal and those bad boys are already on their way.


Thanks Ivan!

[Masterlu]

Thanks Mike, enjoy them!

[Uberbrown]

Wilson Audio makes two passive subwoofer systems; the Watch Dog and Thor's Hammer.

[Haurock]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Joe, get an F112 and never look back.

Don't you just get a kick as to how Ivan always cuts to the chase with a simple clear definitive statement! A man of few words.

[Robert_Anderson]

Not to seem like an opportunist, but I have one I want to sell, it is made by Green Mountain Audio, 12", very controlled. The manufacturer is a friend of long standing, althought currently pissed at me because I went Avalon and Magnepan.

[joeinid]

I'm hoping a local AA member upgrades his system so I can relieve him of his old stuff . I'm just doing my part to help out my AA friends during these difficult times .

Joe

[Mctwins]

Hi
It exists, Cinema subs from JBL like 4641 and 4642A. Beats any high-end subs out there. But off course, one need a good amplifier to drive these.

I have 4641 and it works perfectly.
Thanks

[Vintage Pete]

Absolutely love my JBL B460 connected with active crossover and driven by a McIntosh MC501; also love my JBL 2241-based sub (courtesy of Ivan ) connected similarly and driven by a bridged Hafler DH-500A. Superb performance in both systems.

Pete

[bradleyc]

The JL F-212 I bought from Ivan a few months ago has some serious kick to it. The footprint is small like my F-113 in the man cave, and the 212 looks like a speaker with the grill cover on. When non-audiophile friends come over for a listen they are startled at the depth of the bass that appears to be coming out of my speakers, little do they know it's that 212 that looks like a speaker doing all the damage

[trponhunter]

gnerally, the best subs are non powered. Most powered subs today are in enclosures that are really too small for the woofer, and electronic equalization or correction is needed to force the woofer to extends its frequency response down lower than it wants to in the enclosure it is in.. This uses up driver excursion and headroom, and tends to increase distortion. The absolute best woofers I've heard are all passive, or at least in a proper sized enclose for the woofer - generally something that cannot occur in a relatively small cube.