BIC Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer Review: Loud, Impactful and Dynamic Bass

Last updated on 2022-09-19
By Yvonne

BIC Acoustech PL-200 II Review: Powerful, Effective, and Dynamic. We tested this subwoofer, which is extremely affordable at a price that's very reasonable.

BIC Acoustec PL-200 II Subwoofer

We like this

For a low price, high specs
Massive peak power of 1000 watts
Ports with dual frontal views
Terminals with gold plating
It is sturdy and has a great look.

The Things We Hate

Smaller spaces are overwhelmed
There is no shielding
Rattles in high volumes
Cabinet very large

BIC Acoustech's PL-200II subwoofer is among the most affordable on the market. It costs less than $300. This subwoofer is a great addition to any home theatre thanks to its high quality construction and powerful sound. It's hard to find a subwoofer with similar specs for this price.

This article explains.

Design
Installation
Sound Quality
Prices
Concurrence
Final Verdict
Specifications

The BIC Acoustech PL-200 II Subwoofer was purchased by us so that our expert reviewer could fully test it and evaluate it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

BIC America is back with the Acoustech PL-200 II subwoofer. This sub is powerful enough to fill any space with loud and impactful low-end. It has a massive 1000 watts dynamic peak power. Its construction quality, sound quality and overall cost were all considered to determine if this sub is a better budget option than the Formula F12.

Design: This looks like an higher-end sub

The BIC Acoustech PL 200 II Subwoofer might look similar to other subwoofers within its price range, but underneath the grill there are some important differences. The PL-200 II features a higher quality subwoofer, a more powerful amplifier and flared dual ports at the front.

The PL-200 sub measures 17.25 x 14.875 x 19.9 inches and weighs 45 pounds. The cabinet, like all budget subs, is made of MDF. However, instead of using the black laminate we often see on many audio products at a low price, BIC used hand-rubbed lacquer to some surfaces. It has a shiny, black top with a little strip on the bottom that feels and looks like piano keys.

On the front, you will find the 12 inch poly-injected driver. The speaker has a black removable grill, but its shiny metallic centre is quite attractive so users might prefer to keep it open. The PL-200II has two ports, which is unusual for subwoofers of this price range. Both are front-facing, measuring 9x2 inches in size to reduce noise and turbulence.

Dual porting is a great feature that makes the PL-200 II stand out from other subs of this price. This sub is great value for the money and looks twice as expensive.

Installation: It's so easy and fast

It's easy to set up. It is easy to place the air compressor with its dual front-facing ports. We didn't have to move it much to get to the right spot. These ports reduce the noise and rattle and allow for the driver to still push air. They also make it easier to check rear clearance to your wall.

It is easy to set up.

Once we had found the right spot for us, we connected our power cable to the receiver's RCA output, and then turned on the sub. To adjust volume and frequency, we started by playing bass-heavy music to test the sub. After we had it in the right range, we tried other music to find settings that would work well with a variety of genres. We didn't need to switch the phase and left it on 0°.

This subwoofer was easy to use and produces a great sound. BIC includes an excellent manual, and is reputed to have great customer service.

Sound Quality - Excellent, very loud

We were impressed by the PL-200 II's high quality audio. While budget subwoofers can often break down when pushed too hard, the PL-200 II occasionally needs a gentle push to let its audio quality shine. Sometimes pushing it helped to improve the signal quality and make it clearer.

This subwoofer handles limitations much better than budget subs. The driver did not make any distressing noises, such as distortion or port noises. It may be that it doesn't push the driver to extreme depths, but instead rolls off at 30Hz. BIC might have also added power to the 50-60Hz frequency range. This is the same range that we feel in our chests.

We were impressed with the PL-200 II's quality and price.

It makes it so much more enjoyable to watch movies. The sub can make your skin feel even more vibrate and the sound is loud enough to send the walls and floors squealing when it hits. It is also very good at handling detail and the 'quieter" bass parts are clear and concise.

Even though it can't accurately reproduce frequencies below 30Hz, the PL-200 II is very good for movie productions. The PL-200 II's quality is excellent and hides these flaws very well. The sub was very capable with music but lost some quality with MP3s of lower quality.

Prices: Amazingly Affordable

Although there's no MSRP on the BIC America site, we found other websites listing it as $330. BIC America doesn't have an online direct website. However, they can be easily found through most of the major distributors. The PL-200 II is $300 and sold by almost every distributor that we met. This makes it $80 less than their Formula F12 sub.

BIC Acoustech PL-200 II, a major upgrade to the Formula F12, is a substantial improvement in sound quality, power and construction. BIC is an established company within the home theatre and audio industry. Their speakers come with generous warranties and are affordable, but they have high quality. This subwoofer is a fantastic addition to any home and we believe the price is very reasonable.

BIC Acoustech PL-220 II Subwoofer vs. BIC Formula F12

BIC Formula F12 is the little brother of the BIC Acoustech PL-200II Subwoofer. It is a subwoofer with a smaller peak power of 475W and 150 watts RMS. Although it has less power than the PL-200 II, this can be a positive thing in certain cases. The PL-200 II was louder than the Formula F12, which was perfect for our area.

The subs both produce excellent audio quality, but the Formula F12 has the edge due to the PL-200 II's higher power rating. The PL-200 II, Formula F12 and Formula F12 were our top picks out of many budget subs. The PL-200 II will work if you have enough space and the ability to turn it while you watch movies. The Formula F12 is a great option for those who live in smaller apartments.

BIC Acoustech's PL-200II subwoofer is among the most affordable on the market. The PL-200 II was a great subwoofer. We wish there were more space, however it will easily overwhelm smaller rooms. We'll continue to use our beloved classic, the BIC America F12 subwoofer.

Specifications

Product Name Acoustec PL-200 II Subwoofer
Products Brand: BIC
MPN PL-200 II
Prices from $330.00
Weighing 45 lbs.
Product dimensions 17.25x14.875x19.5in
For woofers, extended speaker warranty of 8 years
5-year warranty on amplifiers and related electronics
Design A front-firing 12-inch long-throw subwoofer that can be powered by dual flared front ports.
Frequency Response 21Hz - 200Hz (+/- 3db)
Sensitivity at 30Hz: 110dB
Drivers 12 inch heavy duty poly-injected woofer for drivers with high power magnet & long excursion surround
Magnetic Shielding No
BASH Amplifier with Built-In Amplifier Power BASH Amplifier. 1000 Watts Dynamic Peak Output. 250 watts Continuous.