tipstir's Full Review: AudioSource AS8SW Subwoofer Speaker
AudioSource SW 80: features are plenty for this well built small size power subwoofer that puts out 100 watts!
I had purchased for AudioSource System 380 which includes SW 80 100 watt amp power subwoofer, 4- LS300 and 1- LS300/C for only $79.99 at Costco. AudioSource has this system designed (tuned and imaged) for DTS, Dolby Digital surround sound.
Main reason why this package was needed for my master bedroom surround sound system using a Pioneer VSX 509S 5x100 watts DTS/Dolby Digital. But I needed something smaller than what was available. SW 80 sold me on the fact it was a very small 100 watt subwoofer long with four 2 way 4" LS300 satellite speakers with dual 3 way dual 4" LS300/C satellite speaker center. In all they sound imaging is excellent when matched up together. I did try using larger bookshelf cone size like 6" to 8" but with the SW 80 the sound imaging wasn't that good as compared with 3" to 4" cone woofers.
Out of the box experience:
Setup and Connection Guide
SW 80 Powered Subwoofer
AC Power Supply
10 ft RCA Type L-R Subwoofer Connection Cable
RCA Type L-R Y Connector to use with above Cable
Note: Monster 300 Subwoofer cable does a better job and gives you a tight bass image. What AudioSource bundles is a cheap subwoofer cable more like a regular RCA Audio cables no gold connectors.
Specs
100 watt Powered Amplifier
Passive low frequency crossover (no adjustments)
30 Hz - 250 Hz
Inputs: Hi Level (L-RSpeaker)
RCA L-R Line
Output: Hi Level (Speaker)
Front Side Subwoofer
Front Side Bass Port
8" reinforced driver
Mono
Rear
Volume Level Knob
On and Off Switch
L-R Line Level Input RCA Gold Type Connector
Satellite speaker connections
L-R Speaker Out - Speakers
L-R Speaker In - Receivers Speakers Connections
Color: Black
Grill: Removable (Easy)
On the ground: No
Power LCD: Red
Weight: less than 20 lbs
Dimensions: 13" 1/2 x 11" 3/4 x 11" 3/4
Hook-up experience:
Pioneer VSX 509S has a single subwoofer mono pre-out, to SW 80 L-Line In, which I connect using the Monster 300 subwoofer cable, you can use what is supplied with the SW 80 but its to unstable and the Y connector is suited here. That's why I ran out and go the Monster 300 subwoofer cable, featuring a excellent connection between the receiver to the SW 80 producing tight bass image.
AudioSource recommends you using the Y connector for sending the signal to both left and right inputs. I see not difference in doing that, I get the same effect when just using the L-mono side.
If you don't have a medium to high end surround sound receiver you can use the optional connections on the rear of the SW 8. You would connect your rear surround speakers to Speaker Out of the SW 80 and Speaker In would connect to your h medium to high end surround sound system were your reard surround sound speakers would have connected to.
Actual there are 3 different ways to hook-up the SW 80
1. You can connect it directly to your TV variable stereo output
2. Line Level ConnectionSubwoofer line output or pre-output as describe above
3. Hi-level Connections where the SW 80 would amplified your left or right speakers
Best Placement:
Front Side near the Right Front Speaker, for best results a corner would do a better job.
How does SW 80 sound?
Note: No Crossover Level Adjustment (passive type)
Volume level on the SW 8 has to be turned up for better results and the automatic crossover matches what you set the volume for. Does a good job, but would be nice to have your own crossover adjustment.
Using DVD Player and using:
DTS - providing excellent well balanced deep bass
Dolby Digital - providing excellent well balanced deep bass
Dolby Pro Logic - providing well balanced deep bass
Using Digital Stereo Audio Player Devices:
CD Audio - Excellent deep bass response
Using Analog Stereo
VCR Hi-Fi Stereo - Very Good deep bass response
FM Stereo - Good deep bass response
For the money, SW 80 produces deep sounding bass when you need it and makes any satellite speakers 3" to 4" rated at 100 watts sound so good you would think that the bass was coming out from them.
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