Active Subwoofer

[Slpbass81]

We recently added a lead guitar player that has a PA for his solo/duo gigs which would only need 1-2 subs added for bigger gigs. Can anyone recommend some solid active subs that don't break the bank. Trying to stay in the $300-500 range with $600 max.

 

[RoadRanger]

Trying to stay in the $300-500 range with $600 max.

For about twice that you can get one good one...

 

[Slpbass81]

For about twice that you can get one good one...

Not that concerned about it being

For about twice that you can get one good one...

I know that. I'm looking for the best in the $300-600 range. We are starting with 1 and adding a 2nd if needed. 75% of the time we hire a sound company for corporate events but for some gigs we want to start splitting the extra cash between the band.

 

[modulusman]

What PA tops will you be using?

 

[Slpbass81]

What PA tops will you be using?

QSC

 

[And I]

In that price range new, you are looking at Behringer, Samson, Peavy, Turbosound... With QSCs on top, that'd be like wearing sandals with a 3 piece suit. Check eBay for something used and of higher quality?

 

[DWBass]

In that price range, find a decent passive sub or 2 and buy a Crest PowerLite 2.0 or 3.0, Crown DriveCore or similar power amp in the same price range.

Also check your local Craigslist.

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[4Mal]

You really want the QsC KW-181 at 1204 delivered in a soft case from ProAudioStar. The QSC integration is as good as it gets... Barring that, get an older passive 18. pAS, RCF, EAW, even Peavey and selected JBL models - add an active crossover. Set it for 100 hz and goose the low's tab. That will be close to what the QSC setup is doing. And you need a decent power amp to drive it. Skip the class D stuff and go led sled.

You're going to be into this in the $700 to $800 range when you're done... Used K-Subs are in the 800 range and used KW-181's are more expensive than new with ProAudioStar. My advice is spend up to the 181 and recover. They Rock, really, really hard...

 

[tubster]

OP, you are probably not enjoying responses so far as they seem to rule out all the ideas that you had. For sure, $300 for an active sub is not going to get you anything decent, so your options are:

1. Up the budget
2. Go passive
3. Go used
4. all of the above

There is another route that I don't think has been yet mentioned - rent one or more of the units that you had in mind and see if they meet your expectations.

I have a similar quest and i came up with the following list:
Yamaha DSR12 sub
Electrovoice ZXA1 sub
Behringer B1200d sub
Turbosound iq15 sub
My plan is to find a way to beg, borrow or rent each one and give it a whirl. Afterwards, I will be in a much stronger position to make an informed decision.

My former band had a QSC KW181 and it more than did the job but I want something physically smaller and lighter. I recognize that this might be defying the basic laws of physics but I am prepared to take the time to find out.

Good luck.

 

[Tunaman]

Used Mackie SRS 1500 or SWA 1501. $350-400 is the market & they pound UNTIL you have the funds for the KW-181