Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Dayton (Parts Express) DAYTON 10 Speakers by JimOfOakCreek

Model:	DAYTON 10
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$124.88 ($99.87 When On Sale)
Description:	An Inexpensive 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer With A 10
Manufacturer URL:	Dayton (Parts Express)
Model Picture:	View

Review by JimOfOakCreek ( A ) on November 25, 2004 at 07:05:27
IP Address: 65.26.193.58

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for the DAYTON 10

No one has ever done a review of the inexpensive Dayton 100 Watt subwoofer for some reason. I recently purchased one for my Magnepan MMG speakers so I thought I would give it a shot.

I purchased this subwoofer from Parts Express 'on sale' for pennies under $100. Fit and finish is amazingly good. The enclosure is made from solid MDF and comes very nicely finished in a black mahogany vinyl (couldn't possibly real veneer at that price) that looks REALY good. The 100 watt plate amp has the following controls: Phase Switch, On-AutoOn-Off Switch, On-Off Green-Red LED, Variable X-Over 40hz-160hz, and Volume Control. The driver is a plastic vinyl 10â€ long throw woofer. The enclosure is ported with a nice plastic port hole. This makes it a bass reflex design. It weighs about 40 lbs and is built like a tank. YOU COULD NOT POSSIBLY BUILD THIS SUBWOOFER WITH NEW PARTS FOR $100! I donâ€™t know how Dayton can sell this sub at that price considering it absolutely blows away those cheap plastic Sony subs that sell for $100!!

I bought this subwoofer with the attitude that it would be a temporary solution until I can afford something "better". I spent an entire day of tweaking the integration using a CD called "Bass Mekanik". I spent another week of auditioning the Dayton Subwoofer before writing this review.

My idea of integrating a subwoofer is bass reinforcement without the thing booming. I don't want it to sound like trunk speakers playing Rap music. I want it to sound natural but SOLID. This sub will shake your floors if you want it to though.

My Maggies put out solid bass down to about 60hz before they quickly roll off to about 50hz. There is some miniscule bass below 50hz but it's too weak to be useful. That's where the Dayton kicks in.

The Dayton's variable x-over ranges from 40hz to 160 hz. I use it at 40hz setting and the volume at about 1/3 maximum. It seamlessly reinforces the Maggies' response in the 50hz-60hz region and takes the bass down all the way to 25hz without drawing attention to itself. The bass is clean and solid. On some recordings with extremely strong drum solos you can feel the bass drum in the floor with a solid THUMP....but no "boomyness".

Stand-up bass has that deep deep twang....but no "boomyness". I was able to play "It Ain't over Till It's Over" by fast Eddied Clark at LOUD volumes and groove to the solid response of my system. This subwoofer can ROCK!

I donâ€™t have an SPL meter so I use my ears to gauge frequency. The Daytonâ€™s response is flat to about 40hz. It very gently rolls off to about 25hz with some useful bass to 20hz. Thereâ€™s even some response below 20hz if you crank up the volume. I had to compromise on the placement of the sub. I wanted it in a corner but it conflicted with my wifeâ€™s decor. As it is, hidden along a side wall, it performs beautifully.

I highly recommend it!

Product Weakness: Lacks Snob Appeal, Weak Response Below 25hz, Will Boom If You Push It Hard
Product Strengths: Low Price, Quality Parts, Fit And Finish, Good Clean Response With sensible Use, Good Controls,

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Panny XR50
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Onkyo CDP
Speakers:	Magnaplan MMG
Cables/Interconnects:	mundane
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, 1970's ECM, Rock, Zappa
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 17 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Carpeted, Draperies, Furnature, etc.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 Week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Lacks Snob Appeal, Weak Response Below 25hz, Will Boom If You Push It Hard
Product Strengths:	Low Price, Quality Parts, Fit And Finish, Good Clean Response With sensible Use, Good Controls,