Home > Consumer Reviews > KLH ASW10-120 Powered Subwoofer

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.

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