Good sub mainly for stereo with good integration?

[Tarquinius]

Hi folks.

First time for me in the murky underworld of the Subs board.

I know nothing about subs, so any advice very welcome. I've read a fair few threads, but I'm still not sure which one is better for my particular needs which are:


First my budget:
Probably £300. Less would be fantastic. I would need very good reason to go above around £350.

My room
is 4m x 4.5m and will be quite bear (painted walls) and a wood floor. I'm no expert I'm guessing this could be quite 'boomy' if the sub is the least bit exuberant. I would like a sub that is either small or medium sized, and I would prefer downward firing (due to little fingers around!)

My speakers: I'm about to buy an MA Radius 5.1 setup (probably either R90s or R180s at the front and then R45s at the rear). Centre will be an R250.

The 45s only go down to 120 Hz though The 90s go down to 85Hz or if I get the 180s at the front they go down to 60Hz.

Now I just need me sub

What is it for? I'll be using the setup 50% of the time at least in stereo, so the key for me is tight, clean, controlled bass, and crucially I want it to integrate well with my speakers and sound like it is part of the setup, not something seperate. I can't emphasise this enough; especially with my wood floor I'm worried that its going get out of control.

But of course a bit of THUMP would most welcome for movies too !

So heres my list.
(Other suggestions welcome though)


BK XLS 200
MS 309i
Wharfedale Diamond 150
REL Quake
MJ Pro 50 MkII
MA R360 or R720 (because they are from same range as speakers?)

Thanks to all in advance

[Cool-hand]

All very good subs but I have to say I heard the MJ Pro 50 recently and it was shockingly good! As was the mk1!! It was deep tight and fast. You must demo one of these first!

Rgds

CH

[SJC]

If you're single, have an unusually accomodating wife, are lucky enough to have enough space, or are prepared to sit in your garage to watch a film then there's no substitute for a huge great beast of a sub like a BK Monolith or Paradigm Servo.
If however you live in an average house (like me) and want to integrate your AV in to your lounge and keep your wife happy then something smaller is the only option.
The MJ50 Mk II gives tight, fast, clean bass that sounds great with music and gives a decent enough rumble to make movies entertaining. It won't shake your foundations but for its size it's really very good.

[Tarquinius]

Thanks - 2 votes for the MJ Pro 50 Mk2 then. This one is now therefore top of my list, and more especially since it is very small box, so Mrs J should be (relatively) happy!

I was expecting a number of recommendations for the BK XLS200 as so many people on this forum seem to rave about them, so I can't put the BK out of my mind. Any views on how it would compare to the MJ for my setup? I read somewhere on the board that BK manufacture subs for MJ - but that MJ charge more for essentially the same kit - can anyone confirm if I understood correctly?

Decsions....

The MS 309i, also gets rave reviews but physically is just a little too large for me ideally.

Mixed views about the Wharfedale on these boards. But WHF S&V do rave about it

[Cool-hand]

Im sure your do your own research but www.superfi.co.uk are selling the Pro50 for £299 including delivery right now. So thats in keeping with your original budget here