Needing Subwoofer Advice...

[slamjet]

I've been rebuilding my PA system and so far, I've acquired four 12" speakers (one pair is the cheap Kustom, but for $85 on sale, I couldn't resist). so now I'm looking at subwoofers. I don't pull out my amps and speakers but a few times a year but I'm missing some low end so I've been looking at subwoofers. I have two criteria:
1) It cannot be huge, I need to fit it into my little Mustang along with my other speakers.
2) It cannot be really expensive, I'm looking at $200 - $400 depending on the model.

So my dilemma is should I consider two 10" or 12"-ers or one 15" or 18" or will one 12" do the job? How many subs does one truly need? I don't have crowds more than 100 - 150 folks, mostly general purpose PA stuff and music, the gigs are all indoors, and I'm not looking to pound people into submission.

Decades ago I had a couple humongous speaker cabs with 21" subs that I bi-amped (yea, the mids were 12") so this is my first foray into separate subs and I'd appreciate any guidance.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Subs and Mustang not compatible.

 

[lelandcrooks]

What kind of music? Loud, low or small. Pick 2. If you don't need to get low, you can get pretty loud with a small sub.

 

[Daedraziel]

Yeah, you seem like you want the answer we have all been waiting for... Cheap, Small, Loud...
You wont find too much in that price range to begin with short of used stuff (old peaveys) or junk (Seismic Audio).
Size is an issue to be sure, but subs are almost ALWAYS big even when loaded with 12 inch speakers. The only notable exception are the Bose systems, but those are far out of your price bracket.

I sincerely wish I had a better answer for you or that someone would chime in with a good suggestion. These are the reasons my band has a 5x8 enclosed trailer full of stuff we tow to every show.

 

[slamjet]

I kind-of figured I was asking for a lot with a little. I'll put that dream on hold and go get a wireless mic instead.

 

[modulusman]

I kind-of figured I was asking for a lot with a little. I'll put that dream on hold and go get a wireless mic instead.

buy some decent speakers instead.

 

[MakoMan]

Here's what would help with recommendations: what exactly do you have so far? You say 4 speakers... what are they exactly? (I promise I won't laugh... can't speak for the rest of TB...) Powered or unpowered? If unpowered, what amp are you using? How much do you want/have to spend?
While I agree that spending some dough to get the best equipment is the ultimate solution, I also have a fair bit of experience with cheaper systems and do believe that cheap, small and loud is possible within reason. No, you can't get QSC quality of sound and volume for a few hundred bucks, but there are some 'bang for buck' items out there that you can at least get by on and get most of your money back when you upgrade (and you will LOL!)

 

[slamjet]

Here's what would help with recommendations: what exactly do you have so far? You say 4 speakers... what are they exactly? (I promise I won't laugh... can't speak for the rest of TB...) Powered or unpowered? If unpowered, what amp are you using? How much do you want/have to spend?
While I agree that spending some dough to get the best equipment is the ultimate solution, I also have a fair bit of experience with cheaper systems and do believe that cheap, small and loud is possible within reason. No, you can't get QSC quality of sound and volume for a few hundred bucks, but there are some 'bang for buck' items out there that you can at least get by on and get most of your money back when you upgrade (and you will LOL!)

QSC quality sound is a dream, but then, with the audience I play for, I'd be the only one who would hear the difference. In any case, this is what I have:

2x Yamaha S112 IV
2x Kustom KPX112
2x Crown XLS1000
1x Behringer XR18

So next to being limited by my little Mustang, I live in a studio apartment so size matters. My budget is the same - The most I can do is $400 so I know that I'm limiting thumping power so I'm looking at filling in the deeper low-end.

 

[Robroy]

I love these guys:
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I replaced my twin 8" subs and filled a couple of PA cabs with everything, including the crossover on the cheap and they sound absolutely fantastic. Using one as a stage monitor for a local TV show, one of the singers came off the stage and said, "that is the best I've ever heard myself through a monitor".

 

[4Mal]

Build a fEarful 12 sub. In one itteratipn of my pa, I put 2 of those under a set of Maxkie 1x10 passive tops. I powered them with a plx 2402 - which was overkill for the application but really then again audio gear loafing generally sounds better than the stuff working hard... Crossed into the Mackies between 120 and 150 depending on the room. Nice compact setup and you shld be able to pull it off in your budget if you or a buddy have even modest wood working skills...