Easy to setup, low price, solid build, nice finish

Underpowered, Not suitable in large areas or coupled with large powered front mains

Took a stab with the 112 for HT use because of the low price that could be had @ Sears along with their 30 day return policy. I figured I had very little to lose except some time. The sub looked good from a quality standpoint and I had high hopes of getting a solid performing sub for a low price. I stuck it in a corner per the AR instructions. My living room environment is on the large end. Used a monster sub cable and overall setup was quick during speaker channel calibration, crossover and volume fine tuning. Autopower switching seemed to work fine w/o issues.

But during HT play it lacked testosterone (tried it with U571, Gladiator and T2). I ran this sub along with AR1 mains, AR11 surrounds and the 112 many times seemed reserved. Tried several other options such as configuring the front main channel as "small" within my receiver to better accentuate the 112 and it still sounded anemic at times. Moved it out of the corner to another location and no improvement. I also gave it a try with 2 channel stereo and again the fronts simply outmuscled the 112.

I liked the simplicity, low cost, quality and setup of this sub. I think this sub really thrives in small-mdeium room environments.

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JBL

See Previous Review

See Previous Review

Just wanted to add to my previous review:

This sub is excellent, the only flaw (which really isn't a flaw @ under $500.00) is that the sound seems "directional" meaning I can tell where the sub is placed. I believe that bass should be invisible and just fill the room.

I like this sub so much that I will getting another to balance out the sound (Stereo Bass, Mmmmmmm, Mmmmmmm, Mmmmmmm). Can't wait to watch U-571!!!

xDarius

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See Previous Review

Low price
Great sound quality for musical

Too big for 120W sub
too low watt for its size
I found a bit boomy from movie.

After I bought AR216PS for my home theater, I'd researched again for my subwoofer to be added to my HT system. It's not easy to get a good sound from the cheap subwoofer. However, AR S112PS does the job.

I audited JBL PSW112. It's nothing compared to this AR. That sub is boomy and a horrible speaker. Klipsch SW12 is the only sub I preferred but it's too expensive for my budget. So does Velodyne even though I was so impressed with Velodyne and Klipsch but I absolutely couldn't afford it.

I changed my mind and looked back to this AR brand, the sub that I didn't look it before. I didn't audit it before I purchased because it's not available around here. I took a chance buying it because of its reputation of good sound and low price together with my experience with AR216PS I already own.

I got this from netmarket.com for 209 bucks total. Amazingly cheap!!! Luckily in good condition unlike the one who posted review before. I agree that the packaging of this sub hardly survive the aggressive shipping method of UPS but anyhow, it came in good condition to me.

I tuned it to lowest frequency, 80Hz, and volume about 1 o'clock position. For musical it blends well with AR216PS with a little bit calibrating according to the type of music.

However, I found a bit boomy with the movie and it also doesn't response quick enough for movie. I'm not sure about my subwoofer placement. I might need to relocate it in the future for good sound in movie.

The auto switch works properly. I don't have a problem with it. It turns on right after sound goes in. However, it needs around 20 minutes to automatically shut down (the manual states 17 minutes or so).

For its value, I'm with no hesitation to give it 5. This sub sounds great with music. Hit low!!! 4 stars for overall.

Rumbling Base - fills the entire house.

Bottoms out occasionally - crossover a bit high.

I was going to either buy the Sony SA-WM40 or the AR108PS based on the reviews here but when I got to Sears, they had the Sony and this one. After waiting 20 minutes to get them set up, I auditioned both and I liked the downfiring setup better - plus the AR has a 5 year warranty. I also picked up the 25' Pro Series cable for $17 from the Sears website.

Provides superb base for the $. Although the crossover is high, it still fills the void of the fronts. According to my demo disk, the low end of the frequency response is right at 20HZ.

I spent a few hours "tweeking" my system and found the best place was in the corner and turning the sub sideways and reflecting off the outside wall. Can't say enough about proper placement - makes a huge difference.

I've listened to all types of music - rap, classic, c/w, and rock and the AR112PS does a great job throughout. On HT it's awesome - Saving Private Ryan or ID4 - give you that gut wrenching feeling without being loud.

In summary, this is a great sub for the price - it's 300% better than what I had. If you want to spend $100-200 more please do - but I'm extremely satisfied with the AR112PS. I'm going to buy 10-20 more DVDs with the money I didn't spend...

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Technics AS-40

performance, finish, price!

not clean sound

For the money, if you are limited to $200 or so, this is the sub to get. Paid $200 plus shipping from Uncle Stereo in NYC. The sub has a great finish quality and looks great. This sub does a great job. The only complaint I have is that it is just a little small for my 20x20 room, and the sound is kind of muddy at times due to the port. But, it works excellent for the price, and I couldn't find anything to match it. The amp comes on quietly and shuts off quietly, and there's no hum like a lot of subs out there. I highly recommend it if you are on a budget. If you have $500 to spend, get the next level AR with the Carver amp, or go with the Cambridge (which is huge, but sounds great). The manual states to place it in a corner. I've found that placing it about 4-5" from each wall in the corner makes it come alive - it is literally sensitive down to the inch, so take your time in placing it and experiment with the phase shift! I play it at about 1/4 volume, crossing over about 120 hz.

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Cambridge Soundworks Powered Sub

NONE, WELL IT DID LOOK NICE

TOO MANY TO LIST (SORRY ITS THE TRUTH)

ITS TRUE, ITS TURE, THIS SUB IS NO COUNT.. THIS IS MY 2 CENTS. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE FROM A FELLA ON EBAY AND WHEN I RECEIVED IT HOME PLUGGED IT UP AND MAN.... WHERES ALL THIS (BIG BASS, BEST SUB FOR THE MONEY, AWESOME SUB) AT.??? I TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THIS TO WORK, EVEN CALLED THERE TECH SUPPORT LINE AND HE SAID AS LONG AS THE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS PLAYING IT WAS OK. LUCKLEY I WAS ABLE TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND HE WAS HAPPY WITH IT. MAYBE I WAS EXPECTING MORE THAN I GOT BECAUSE OF THE MISLEAD PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD THAT HAS ONE OF THESE SUBS... MAYBE MY LIVING ROOM WAS TO BIG FOR THE 120 WATT 12 INCH SPEAKER. I HERE THERE IS NIGHT AN DAY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONES THAT HAVE THE SUNFIRE AMP IN THEM.. I PURCHASED A KLIPSCH KSW-12 FOR 150.00 MORE AND HOOKED IT UP THE SAME WAY AND AT THE POINT I BEGAN TO SMILE. WHAT A SUB!

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KLIPSCH KSW 12

Clean Tight Bass, very LOUD, insane amount of BASS, speaker level line inputs, down firing, front port

can get BOOMY at loud volumes, but for $195 its HOT, a EVER SO SLIGHT HUM when all components are off and Sub is idle

First of all I want everyone to know Infinity makes Acoustic Research.....Nuff said.

Well I must say I picked this sub up, first of all its huge looks like a freakin coffee table...But honestly I love electronics..listen to a lot of Bass heavy music (RAP) and I have to say that the sub is AMAZING. I mean yes if I had 400-500$ then I could get something better, but for the price I got a great piece of equipment. I do notice a little bit of a HUM when the sub is on and its not putting out any bass...it says a peak of 480 watts that's a load of horse doodoo...its a coffee table I can sit on it and i'm 200lbs...but its tight, fairly clean bass from music boomy when set very loud, but I'm very happy with my purchase, and TRUST ME I LOVE BASS just go look in the trunk of my car....for HT use its actually pretty decent..I dont have the $$$ yet to get a pair of really nice fronts...I have average fronts and rears but pretty decent components...I LOVE THE SUB <--nuff said.

My system:
Yamaha HTR5440 Receiever
Onkyo DVD Player using optical out
SONY CE375 5disc carousel using optical out
gemini turntable
panasonic hifi stereo vcr
Infinity/AR 112 SUB obviously!
bose 100 fronts and rears
audiosource 20band graphic eq

yes i know the 100's suck but i dont have cash yet to buy better speakers.

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KSW-12, Aiwa 8"

Nice looking sub. Ok sound on Radio.

Very under rated amp.

Ok , ok. I had to believe everyone and go out and buy this, since almost all the reviews said it had super bass and was the best bang for the buck.. Ha. It seems like the sub has a SUPER AMOUNT OF DISTORTION, because you have to really crank up the amp to get any volume. Though I did find the sub worked better with the port sealed up.(stuffed polyfill in the hole.) For me to get any.. any volume off of it I have to turn my sony receiver up to 20+..And my front and surrounds were way over powering the sub. I even hooked it up on my friends Yamaha receiver which is awesome and it still was very disapointing. For 230-250 dollars you can get a Klipsch ksw10 or 12, save your self some time and dissapointment and get this. There are really worth the extra money if you are looking for room shaking bass. I am glad I got rid of this sub. I know there is nothing wrong with the sub, but I don't like the sound quality. I think if AR would beef up there amp this sub would really be better. Sorry but the real truth on the sub is that it has less than average sound on home theaters and ok sound on the radio.

My home system:
Sony STR-DE545
Sony DVP-S306 DVD player
Klipsch 3.1 Synergy Bookshelfs
Klipsch Quintets (surrond)
Soon to be Klipsch KSW-12 Powered Subwoofer.
Cerwin Vega HT-CTR
Toshiba Theater View 50" Projection

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Klipsch, Cerwin Vega

sound

haven't had enough time yet to actually comment on this sub

I wanted to post this to let people know that in sound and vision mag. they offer this sub [oct issue]on an ad for $175.00 i took ad to sears and they matched it and sold me this sub for $175.00. This is a great buy for this sub. haven't had time to really evalulate this sub yet, since i just got it today. I just wanted to let ya know of the deal you can get.I will give this 5 stars for value, i have watched 2 movies so far so i will give it 4 stars. there are certainly better subs out there, so i can't give this 5 stars.

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none i've used at this price

A very good subwoofer for the price I paid. All the elements :speaker,crossover and cabinet worked well together.

Doesn't appear to have any satellite output binding posts. Crossover different than one appearing in manual. Must be placed in a corner for maximum bass.

After reading the reviews in AudioReview I purchased my AR S112PS at my local Sears store for $200. They were selling them for $300., but matched the web price of $200.
I have been using the subs for 2 weeks now -mostly for music listening . They are integrating well with my large homebrew horn speakers that go down to 50 hz themselves. The manufacturer seems to have done a good job of designing the units for a specific price range. My caveats are : the units did not come with a manual- I had to get one from AR; The crossover in the unit is different from the one pictured in the manual, and its lowest xover is 80hz- rather then 40hz as advertised; the manual states that the unit was designed to sit in a corner ; and the woofer driver -althought it appears to have a hefty magnet, and vented vc - has a very thin stamped basket. On the plus side the cabinet appears to be very well made- of non- resonate material- and the crossover is nicely inset into it. A quick fix to lower the crossover is to install FMODS from ,Harrison Labs' in the interconnects from the preamp or receiver. If you don't have one get a manual from AR and
then dial up www.apexjr.com,and see what the crossover "you didn't get" looks like. There's not much you can do if you don't have a corner - just experiment around till you get maximum bass output. I think most music listeners will be happy with the subs -if they're listening at reasonable levels --it's for sure they can't beat the price ;if they get them for $200. as I did.

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First subwoofer purchased