New Klipsch Icon Series Subwoofers

[allstar780]

We just got the XW-300d subwoofer from Klipsch in at my work, and I was very surprised by it... at 11" tall by 10" wide by 14.25" deep and a measly 24lbs with only an 8 inch driver, I wasn't expecting much out of this sub, but I figured I might as well hook it up and give it a shot.

I was very surprised by the sub, not only by the fact that i could stack 2 shoeboxes together and they'd be the same size (if not larger), but also by the depth, punch, and loudness of the sub. Obviously it's not quite as loud as my RW-12d but it sure is a pound-for-pound more impressive sub. The Klipsch website lists it at 22-120Hz (with a maximum sonic output of 105db @ 30Hz) but I didn't have any bass test tracks on hand to confirm this, so I used some songs of the new T.I. CD, as well as Billie Jean from the 25th Anniversary remaster of Thriller.

We will be getting the XW-500d in soon and I can only imagine it will be an even more impressive sub, although at a considerably larger 13"x14.25"x17.5" and a considerably heavier (twice the weight actually) 48lbs and a 10 inch driver, the 500d isn't exactly going to surprise me if it is a real earth-shaker.


Anybody else have any input on these subs?

[Driver_King]

They're way too expensive and for the money, you could do way better.

[JJ]

The catch is their price. Why, for the price of the first one, at any Best Buy that sells them, you could get a Martin Logan Dynamo and be much more satisfied. And with vast internet options ranging from eD, HSU, SVS, av123, Epik, etc - the price of the second becomes folly. $1,000 MSRP? Are you mad? They are stylish, no doubt about that; but with subwoofers, honestly - most chaps here would rather have an aesthetically-challenged eD or Epik subwoofer that performs well at low levels than a Klipsch subwoofer that the wife might approve of that doesn't match the performance of another. Besides, like I've said for some time - there are speaker companies out there I would never buy a subwoofer from - heck, even my own B&W - I wouldn't buy one of theirs! Klipsch is the same.

[crazyBLUE]

My polk PSW125 LIST :400.--PAID 325. , I'd say is as good or better than either of those subs . For less money !

[Driver_King]

eD's new finish (glossy black) looks a lot better on the subs than the Rhino liner type finish (Oyde) that used to be the only option. Plus, it makes it look more attractive and improves the WAF. As for the size, well...

[allstar780]

well thats the thing that got me, i never heard a sub that small sound any good... i guess it's more for the person who doesnt want their system to take up a lot of space