Home > Consumer Reviews > JBL S120P II 12" 400-Watt Front-Firing Powered Subwoofer (Black Maple)

Have been using this excellent product for less than a month, but I think it's a great choice. I connected the S120PII with a Transparent Cable Link 200 cable after hearing and reading about complaints concerning subwoofer buzz and hum. As a side note, I would recommend getting a good cable. I say this after upgrading the Monster cables to my front speaker pair with something called Synergistic Research. The improvement was immediate; an extended audio image and larger bass notes (without subwoofer).

Anyways, my receiver only sends frequencies under 100Hz to the sub; so when I first listen to the sub, I momentarily thought the sub was defective. The cable and sub combination puts out tight and very clean sound.

After playing with the level control, I realized the low frequencies were there. I didn't have it very loud at this point and at lower volumes, frequencies under 100Hz seem to contribute more to audio imaging than to a louder bass presence. I later did the wall shaking drill; with 400 watts, this sub does a nice job of it.

The directionality of the bass notes from the sub will depend on the frequencies sent to it. According to tech literature, somewhere between 80 to 100Hz the location of the LFE speaker will become slightly evident at higher volume levels. At 100Hz, I did not detect any obvious directionality.

This is a great subwoofer. Invest in good wire; you will not be disappointed.

I did extensive research and listening and this unit if worth every bit the original asking price; at the Amazon price, this subwoofer is a steal. Its in the ballpark of Velodyne and B&W (see Sound and Vision magazines Review) at less cost be watt. I've had mine for 4 months and the bass is tight and thudering without the boomyness you find on lesser-powered subs. A friend has a 700 watt Velodyne and the 400 watt JBL delivers the bass just as impressively. Unless you have the need (and finances) for 1,000+ watts of power, you can get BIG bass for an unheard of price from this well-made and solid JBL sub.

I had always stayed away from subwoffers due to often exaggerated muddy lows. This one delivers clean and very contollable lows. Very easy to set-up with a modern receiver. Often goes om sale at amazon. The technology is a little older but the best of older designs. You can get better, smaller, lighter for a whole lot more money with only a subtle improvement.

If you can get your hands on the 2-part review Sound & Vision Magazine did comparing many of the top rated subs, you will begin to understand what these Amazon reviewers are trying to say regarding the quality. Combine that with the extrordinarily low price, and you have an absolute steal when it comes to supplying your home theater with the low end required to make movies and music come to life. I've had mine for about 2 yrs now and couldn't be happier. At these prices, why not buy two if your room is a little on the large side, or even if you just are looking for that absolute bass "holy grail" in a conventionally sized room. You won't regret either.

I purchased this sub to complement two polk audio speakers for a 2.1 system. After browsing around online as well as some in person visits to stores, this is the most bang for the buck one could get from a sub. Whether watching a movie, or listening to music, the sub adds such rich bottoms, I'm very happy.