Yamaha YST-SW80 Subwoofers Reviews

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Excelent subwoofer. I have been using ot for the past 13 years and I am still reluctant in upgrading it.

12am

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $300.00 from A&B Sound

Summary:
Well, this was my entry into the subwoofer world and what an intro it was. Granted compared to today's subs this one is quite slow and doesn't sound as deep but don't be fooled. If you can find one it would be a great starter sub for anyone. As stated before, location and room size play a big factor with this sub. As long as you aren't jaded this sub will fill any small-middle sized living room with decent bass. Reccomended settings with this sub are this: High cut filter=70-80hz Volume=5-7 on the dial. The major problem I've found with this sub is that if you turn it too loud/have the high cut settings too high the sub will cut out "emit that sort of farting noise" quite easily, especially when you get into those sub 50hz frequencies. Additional bass may be added by placing this sub in a corner or under something. Ex: I have the sub in a corner where it is enclosed by a desk/shelf and it delivers quite punchy bass, while slow it will empress someone who has had no previous run ins with quality subs. To sum up, a great starter sub for music, not that great at home theatre. This is the kind of sub you give your children so that they can venture into the world of bass without breaking the bank/thier/your eardrums.

Strengths:
Very inexpensive these days Quite punchy for a 8" 80w sub Lasts quite long (as long as you take care of it, infact this sub has a place in my Pc's sound system even after 8 years of use) Pretty compact design For the price, probably one of the best starter subs out there. Decent music performance.

Weaknesses:
Muddy sound when compared to modern subs. Cannot fill large areas with adequate bass. Speaker grille cannot be removed without causing permanent damage to the cabinet. Turning high cut knob above 100hz will cause sub to bottom out quickly. Turning volume to 7+ on the knob will cause sub to bottom out quickly. Low frequencies (35hz and below) will cause sub to bottom out quickly. Not that great for home theatre applications.

Similar Products Used:
Subs I've Owned: Logitech z560 Sub, Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Sub, Mission MS10 Sub, David Dbox 303 Sub, Mach 4000 Sub, Various Cerwin Vega subs, Subs I've auditioned: Velodyne CHT Series, Infinity 1200 sub, various home built subs.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Well after gettin this sub from my older brother....(because he bought a Klipsch reference series sub)and no longer needed this one, i have had no complaints. It does sound best in a smaller room but my room is small so there is no complaints. It is also best for movies but it is satisfactory for music. It has plenty of power and blends well with any kind of music. If you are lookin for a sub that sounds like car subs that just shake everything dont buy this sub. But if you are lookin for a sub that blends well with music and movies and performs pretty good bass in each. Then this sub is perfect for you.

Strengths:
Blends well with movies or music. It has pretty good bass and performs at low htz capturing levels that you dont here with regular speakers. Great for small rooms

Weaknesses:
Not enough power for bigger rooms. Other than that no complaints

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Hong Kong

Summary:
I bought this aftering reading comments from "What Hi-fi". It was awarded 4 stars. I have used it for more than four years. I find many listeners' opinion are either misleading or not objective enough in the sense that they tend compare it with those having larger driver units and those of prices much higher. Some of them found it not suitable for larger rooms. In my opinion, it performs well at room size of 150 sq. ft. for less. When listening to music, its bass is not slow at all and musical. I note it is puchy and there is sufficient low frequency when I use it watching DVD. Of course, a decent amplifier is a must to make it performing its job.

Strengths:
Price and performance

Weaknesses:
require suitable amplifiers

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha YST-SW320

Price Paid:  $230.00 from Harrow Audio Mail order U.K.

Summary:
Quite honestly sold this speaker second hand after owning it for over 18 months.I moved house and had a slightly larger living room and the power of this sub just did not impress me at all.However to be fair at the pricepoint there is not much competition.I would not recommend this sub even as a starter but I would recommend for a very small room.

Strengths:
In a small room this may be o.k.
Blends into the overall sound of movies.

Weaknesses:
Lacks power to be considered in a larger room.
Not ideal for music at all.
Has not got the grunt for action movies.

Similar Products Used:
None