2 Subwoofers or 1?

Many. It's Audio Advice in Raleigh. Audioadvice.com. This is my first time thinking about subwoofers, so I am really starting from scratch. I appreciate all the advice.

Howard

Terrific! So you had a chance to audition with what looks like a very wide selection. 

My only experience with REL was the British made Studio III, a two-10" downward facing. We eventually scrapped the manufacturer's setup process and ran it on its side along with a few other changes.  

Welcome to the deep end. All the best with your search.

The guys I hang with enclose the slot on RELs. Bottom ported or downward firing subs are as old as dirt. You can't decouple them. If you don't decouple, you screw the timing up at the seated position. There is a SUB signal coming to that position from the floor a lot quicker than through the air.. It's called smear. When you eliminate the "smear" the BASS not the sub clears right up along with lower volumes in the mids and highs.. I call it HiFi. You never notice it until you decouple.

I use an air ride system. OHM design.. It's 15 years old. I started with 2 8" IB subs. I use 8 12" OB servos now. GRs. I don't know of anyone that doesn't use Rythmik plates or at least DSP for the Bass. You better know what your doing if you want it to sound GOOD. Room first, then see if you need subs. I have a couple of rooms subs don't work. They're just too small after 200.00 dollars of room treatment..