My current computer/desktop speaker rig consists of the super over hyped Pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers bs22lr ($77/pr) sw8mk2 sub ($90) and a Parasound Zamp v3.  Needless to say I've had a bunch of speakers and amps in this position over the past few years and the current setup I am very happy with.

  I just bought a sw8mk2 for my mini while-the-kids-grow-up home theater some few days ago! It should arrive anytime now.

The story is that my Mirage mini-sub plate amp died. The plate amp is a weird form factor and the candidate replacements were more expensive than the sub itself. Of course I opened the sub and besides finding some caps blown in the amp (woofer is in good condition) I found some Legos and toys stuffed inside...

Both subs are 8", and cover more or less the same frequencies. Bigger, more powerful and expensive subs will definitively dig down deeper and harder ... Good things come to those who wait... or so I keep telling my sorry self...

Quote from: munch on July 11, 2013, 02:45:32 AM

I have the smallest version of the Emotiva, at bass set to -2 and treble 0 they sound quite balanced to me. not at all bass bloated. I find them to be really good for their size and price. also look really cool.
sucks that they demo'ed them that way, they aren't bad at all.

Possible. IMO Emotiva could have done a better job at setting up their demo room.

do you remember which model they were? I haven't heard the bigger ones.
and uh, dumb question but how much difference do stands make for bass? I'm debating whether I should get some yoga blocks or something to put under them.

There's also these. I don't know how much absorbing the Audioengine wedges are going to do, they're just plastic aren't they?

K, I was a little wrong about the little budget  Pioneer sw8mk2 sub. The thickness of the cabinet of the Pioneer is 10/16", while the Mirage is 12/16" (i.e. not that much different). I think it's sort of optical illusion. The Pioneer is a great little sub for the price (definitively better than what came with the old Nano-sat combo).

Pics:

Pioneer cabinet thickness, top/left/right damping, and port


Mirage cabinet thickness, left afterthough damping, speaker magnet/basket(plastic) and port


Pioneer speaker magnet/basket(steel)


Mirage speaker cone and surround


Pioneer speaker cone and surround


The two subs (not much different in terms of dimensions... seems more like an optical illusion as well)


Sound:

The Mirage is IMO more punchy than the Pioneer, but the Pioneer is much more accurate and fills the low end void better than the Mirage. Certain percussion sounds that were absent in the Mirage are making their way out of the Pioneer. Given the nano-sats roll off way too soon, the fact that the Pioneer has a way to dial the cross-over all the way to 150 Hz is a good reason to kick the Mirage sub in ass and out the door.

Neither one of these subs is the ultimate expression of hi-fi, but the Pioneer does a great job in complementing small HT satellites in situations were placement/space is severely constrained (I may be able to condition another room for some better gear... later), and where a more serious sub may be threatened by little plastic soldiers looking for cover.

Possibly much better small subs are out there commercially and for the DIYer.