Customer Reviews

KLH ASW10-120 Powered Subwoofer

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have been a stereo enthusiast since 1967, and have been a home theater enthusiast since 1988. Over the years I have owned many systems. Currently, I own three (3) complete home theater systems, including my main one which cost over $30,000. I just bought a KLH ASW10-120 for a desktop system in my office. Reason: Amazon's cost was right, the size is right, and KLH is an old, well respected name. Readers should know that the complaints about excessive hum is most likely caused by a bad cable running to subwoofer, and NOT by the subwoofer itself. Also, about the complaints about distortion when running at high volume: this is going to happen with a < $300 subwoofer! These low cost subwoofers are appropriate for computer systems, desktop stereos, and low-cost home theaters. Don't expect high end sound from this class of speaker. In fact, these are not really subwoofers in the true sense of the word. Better look at Velodyne, Definitive, Bag End, Linn, Ariel Acoustics if you want a true high quality subwoofer. Be prepared to spend the bucks too! There is a saying in high end audio: the bottom octave is the most expensive.

Amazon was out of stock, picked up at Costco (sorry Amazon). Had looked at the ASW10 for sometime due to that price, so I gave it a try; could always take it back.Besides, my mains are KLH sat/passive sub combo and center is KLH also. Surrounds are Atlantic Technology. Got it home, and was surprised. This was not the same sub they had on display. The woofer is much better quality, and the cabinet seems to be 1/2". The display looked to be maybe 1/4". 35lbs. Knocking on the cabinet produced a hollow tone. Not good. Oh well; I had an issue of Sound and Vision, great article on setting up subs I couldn't wait to try. Raced through the setup, and was disappointed at the pink noise level from the sub. I was already gathering up the packing stuff to take it back, but tried some music anyway. Wow! I thought the bass drum from my Bootsy Collins CD was going to bust my windows! I jumped back over to the sub to turn the level down. Way down. Now it was bearable, but had to drop the crossover too.I was amazed at the sound coming from this sub! It hung on some notes but its not in the best location right now. Have it connected with a 26' Monster sub cable, mono jack. Yamaha receiver, all speakers set to small, all bass to sub. Movies were next, Star Trek VI. The opening score was fantastic, and there's an explosion at the conclusion that put a big grin on my face. I made adjustments during the movie until it sounded pretty good. Also watched Predator and The Matrix, very happy. Of course, I couldn't leave it alone; wanted to see how much boom I could eliminate. Went to Radio Shack, got a bag of acoustic insulation (fiberglass) and a sound level meter. Used the meter to calibrate all speakers to 75db. Found the actual setting for the sub was almost 90db, still sounded good at 80db and left it there.I was nervous, but took out the four screws holding the woofer and lifted. The cables are short, but they have clip connectors that slide right off the speaker terminals. Unfastened them and put the woofer aside. No internal bracing causes the hollow sound, but for $99... I lined the top, bottom, left and right sides. Added extra at the bottom next to the "port" (cardboard tube, $99...)got the whole bag in. Replaced the speaker and tried a movie I had just played (Predator, Rebel Camp scene). The insulation made a big diference, bass was clearer, and the motoring noise was gone. Final settings; level at 3, crossover at 85-80db, depending on the movie. $99, a little effort and time with adjustments and stuffing have me very happy right now. I know its not the best, but until I can freely spend $500 on a sub, this one stays.

I searched the internet and offline stores for a new subwoofer to finish off my low cost home theater setup. I ended up purchasing it from costco for $99 (list price: $290). The KLH-ASW10-120 is the best subwoofer you can buy for the price. You wont find a ten inch driver paired with a 120 watt amp for less anywhere. i have read that this model outputs a hum and is not loud until you turn it up all the way. I found it to be just the opposite. This woofer produces great deep and tight bass and at times a rumble that you can feel but not hear(at half volume), it's great. The woofer is great because you can tweek all of the settings to match your equipment setup perfectly (not to boomy and yet enough to rock the room). Pair the woofer's settings with the setup on your reciever and you can achieve great sounding results. this model also offeres such niceties as: auto on/off, phase inverter, frequency response selector, and speaker and line level inputs (making it compatible with basically any home theater system). I also found the quality to be high (solid box). I have not experienced any of the sortcomings the others have written about. It is just what I was looking for, great sound for a great price.

If you have a minor league home theater (mine's a 220w Aiwa shelf system), this'll add plenty of rumble, boom and fill. Just don't turn the volume and crossover up to 10 at the same time. Has all the basic options you need. The one nominal detraction is it can get a little sloppy on rapid bass kicks, ala a double bass fill.

I bought this sub... after reading amazons reviews. Hooked it up(through the mono jack) and it adds great bass to my system - Onkyo receiver, Polk Audio Fronts, mini advents rear, alpine center channel. The instructions are clear on setting it up, but there was nothing to tell you where to set the controls. I checked out my father-in-laws instructions to his $400 sub and it said to set it to 85Hz- so thats what I set mine at. This sub is as good as his. I keep the gain(volume) around 7- gives lots of deep bass. A good deal for the $.

Shopper obviously never had a good set of KLH speakers Match KLH with any other speaker of the similar cost BRAND NEW and i am sure that KLH will blow the heck out of them I have never had a better set of speakers for that price.... Give KLH a chance and i am sure you will not regret it

I have a mid grade home entertainment center. I added this sub to my Sony system with 5 JBL mid rear and front speakers. I was only going to get a JBL Sub to complete my system but could not pass up this deal. .... This sub is worth every penny. I did no think it would make that much of a difference considering my front JBL speakers were 3 way speakers with a 15 inch woofer. I was wrong. I am hearing much better low end and a cleaner response.

NOTE TO EVERYONE: IF your experience a hum comming from the sub. it is because of your RCA cable you are running to it. I had a really cheap cord running to it and I experienced the humm noise. I then went and bought a good gold RCA connection and the sub was perfect. SO get a good conector. I recommend turning the crossover to about 110 to 120 and the volume to 4 or 5. I am still playing with this but I think it works good.

So for being a college student with not much dough and wanting good quality at a good price, I could not have asked for better.

I bought this KLH subwoofer a couple of days ago ... . I hooked it up to my computer to go along with my existing 5 piece surround sound system. This speaker rattles the walls! (Literally! ) I love it! It's every bit (if not better) than my friend's subwoofer made by Boston Accoustics (which costs A LOT more). Buy this and your ears will be happy. VERY rich quality bass!

In response to the review of the KLH asw 10-120 powered subwoofer submitted by Linda Greenberg.... Have you tried tinkering with the crossover settings on your sub? I also have a receiver that operates with 100 watts a channel. My receiver has a subwoofer out jack as well, which puts about 100 watts to my sub. This "car exhaust" noise you hear is the result of too much strain on your sub.It can be remedied. Personally, I rate this sub 4 stars. It gives plenty of bang for the buck! My advice for new owners is to play around with the crossover settings to try to match the subwoofer's sound to your system, and the rest of your room. There are certain factors in a room that can hamper potentially good sound quality. First, check the placement of the sub. Is there an obstruction blocking the port? Subs tend to sound best in a corner of a room. The wall acts as a sound reflector and enhances the bass ( this of course is by my own experience). However, anyone can modify placement and frequency to their own personal needs. My KLH sub has operated without a problem for almost 2 years now, and it adds plenty of thump to my system. So, in the case of Ms. Greenberg, check your settings and try not to turn other people off to the product because you don't know what you're doing! This is a good sub, and an affordable one as well. Granted, the bass is a little boomy, but I have yet to experience a problem with this sub that cannot be rectified by a simple tweaking of the knobs. Yes, there are better subs out there, but for the money, you can't go wrong here!

Some people say it is bad, but i found it to be excellent when you hook it up in a certain way. If you hook it up through the speaker wires it will distort when you turn it up loud, but if you connect it to the subwoofer preout on your reciever it will not distort. It sounds excellent. It rumbles the floors incredibly. I would buy one of theses subwoofers before i would buy a JBL powered subwoofer. THe price is excellent. Non J B