Dayton Audio SUB-800 Review – The Baby Subwoofer with a Big Sound

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Overall

You wouldn’t expect much punch to be coming from an 8” subwoofer, but the Dayton Audio SUB-800 really has a lot of guts and can drive the bass frequencies with ease. Although it isn’t as capable in the lowest frequencies when compared to the other offerings in the Dayton Audio SUB- range, its tiny size and price tag make it an ultra appealing option.

Pros

  • Low cost
  • Compact design
  • Flared down-firing bass port

Cons

  • 80w RMS
  • Non-removable grille
  • Small driver not suitable for large rooms

The SUB-800 has rounded sides which is a nice unexpected design touch for such a cheap subwoofer.

The cabinet is constructed with MDF with a vinyl wrap.

The sub port is flared and downward-facing to help combat any unwanted vibration.

There are RCA inputs as well as spring in/out attachments.

This sub also comes with controls for gain and crossover built into the box providing you with the ability to fine-tune your listening experience.

Sound

At only 80w RMS these subs will not be as loud as some others on the market. However, they do still produce a thumping sound that can give the listener a real feeling of presence when used as part of a home theatre setup.

Dayton Audio SUB-800 8' 80...

The sound is clear and precise for the most part but they can begin to lose that precision at high volumes coupled with a little vibration from the cabinet. This sub pairs well with many budget bookshelf and other loudspeakers as it fills in the missing frequencies without overpowering them.

The small 8” speaker also helps prevent a particularly boomy sound that can dwarf the middle frequencies in a hi-fi setup.

Specs

Dimensions – 12.75” x 12.18” x 14.125”
Driver – 8” heavy-duty, long-throw woofer
Frequency Response – 40Hz – 140Hz
Built-in Amplifier Power – 80w RMS

Dayton Audio SUB-800 vs Polk PSW10

Both of these subs are well suited for a small room and are not ideal for use in a large media room. The Dayton SUB-800 has a quieter port than the Polk PSW10 due to its flared design causing less internal vibration.

The ports are placed in different positions with the PSW10 having a front-facing bass port. This could suit better if you have downstairs neighbors as there will be less vibration on your floor.

The PSW10 has a larger driver at 10” to the SUB-800 having an 8” driver. The Polk PSW10 has lower RMS power at 50w meaning that it also has less volume and drive if it is needed.

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Last update on 2022-03-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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