Ron Gerber

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $50.00 from pawn shop

Summary:
My Sony MHC-BX6AV has been long overdue for a powered or active subwoofer. Finally settled on the Infinity BU-1 and I'm not at all disappointed. This Sony Mini-Hi-Fi Component System is a popular priced 5.1 audio system. For a source with 5.1 outputs I'm using a Sony DVP-NS775V for DVD, SA-CD, and conventional CD playback. The addtion of the Infinity BU-1has made this a phenominal set-up for a modest financial outlay.
Whether it's Frank Sinatra walking through a Vegas casino with a string bass thumping in the background in the original Ocean's 11 (mono) or cannon firing and the subsequent damage it inflicts in Master and Commander (DTS) the BU-1 delivers. It thankfully rounds out the audio in the concert DVD "High Wire Act" by Little Feat. I used to find it nearly unlistenable, now I find it quite amazing. Like being at a show.
The Infinity BU-1 has become the perfect choice to complete my modest yet impressive home theater.

Strengths:
Not boomy, will shake the floor, will kick you in the gut!

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Price Paid:  $56.00 from eBay

Summary:
For my first subwoofer, I didn't want to spend too much. I paid $56 on eBay and I was pleasantly surprised at the BU1's commanding presence at the low ends, even for a relatively small 8" subwoofer. My system: Yamaha HTR-5240 receiver, Signet 260B/U's for front left and right, Infinity Video-1 for center channel, Yamaha satellites for rear, and the BU1. If you can find the BU1 cheap, it's definitely worth a trial run.

Strengths:
- Booming at low frequencies. - Compact

Weaknesses:
- Hard to find replacement parts. (Anybody know where I can get an Infinity logo for this one?)

Similar Products Used:
Sony

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Stereo Advantage

Summary:
very watered down. Tells you in the manual not to run it very hard. has been very dependable. I run it hard as it goes day in and day out, no problems.

Strengths:
Sound Quality, just moved it in to my dorm room and sounds much better(room is half the size0

Weaknesses:
sub tends to throw at high volumes.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
I originally bought this unit to supplement a pair of Infinity two way bookshelf speakers with 6.5 inch woofer. It did an admirable job at this. Bass output is good, but, probably not adequate for home theatre use. I use it for audio only. I was pleased with this unit until I upgraded the satelite speakers to a pair of Magnepan MMGs. The Magnepans bass rolls off quickly below 60 Hz, but, the bass they do have is quick and precise. In comparison the BU1 sounds slow and muddy. I may invest in a faster sub (if I can find one), or, just remove the BU1 and live with the MMGs alone. Overall, this is a very good unit in its price class and works well in a small, or, medium sized room for ausio only, or, light home theatre use.

Strengths:
Good clean base for its price class. Small. Reliable if not asked to do more than it was designed to do.

Weaknesses:
Not quick enough to keep up with my magnepans

Similar Products Used:
None, but have heard velodyne

Price Paid:  $230.00 from Ultimate Electronics

Summary:
This has been a great subwoofer. It puts out awesome sound and really kicks ass for small-midsize rooms. It gets as loud as some 10's I've heard that cost more. I had it in a system with a pair of Bose 701's and a pair of Klipsch KSB 3.1's and the sound was amazing...all except for the Bose. Now I have it mixed with the Klipsch KSB's and Klipsch KG3.5's and it is remarkable how great they all sound togethor. However, now that I'm moving into a larger place I must sell and get a larger sub...Klipsch KSW-12. I would definitely recommend this sub to anyone who just wants a little more bass or someone who can't afford the truly awesome subs like Sunfire.

Strengths:
Nice low bass with great thumping

Weaknesses:
Nothing

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch 8" sub