I do own another sub I use in my recording studio. It’s a Mackie HR120 (no longer made) with 500 a/b watts, an EAT pro 12" driver and a 12" passive radiator. Good to a very real 19hz, and many more adjustment possibilities than most home audio subs. Look it up as it's interesting. 92lbs makes it a pain to move anywhere but I have schlepped it into my hifi rig and man...what an effortless bit of woofing it woofs. That said, it’s unnecessary (one of the RELs gets into the low 30s) and the 2 RELs work so well that I’m happy as a clam in the sand with those things. Like I said...bought used el cheapo and I pat myself on the back and feel slightly superior for my sensible taste. You could do the same with your back, but don’t touch me. I’m sensitive.
Are REL the most Musical Subs?
Forgive me if I have created a redundant thread. I don’t usually post in the Speakers area.
I have a Paradigm sub in my basement HT that has apparently given up the ghost after about 20 years. I’m not a huge bass listener. We used to use the area for movies but lately a different room of the home has taken that over. I listen to classical music and the system gets used primarily for SACD and Blu Ray. No desire for multiple subs. The front speakers are full range, setup is 5.1
I added a REL sub to my 2 channel system a few years ago, an REL, and have been delighted with the results. It doesn’t boom at me. What it does do is add the low level percussion effects that composers such as Mahler, Shostakovich , and modernist composers add to reinforce bass lines. I never realized, for example, how many gentle tympani and gong effects are in Shostakovich Babi Yar symphony.
The REL integrates all of this naturally without calling attention to itself. The Paradigm in the basement never did this but it was an older design and more budget friendly.
So I am inclined to replace the Paradigm with another REL in the basement but was wondering what the current thinking is with subs. I haven’t paid much attention lately and the stuff that I have pulled discusses multiple subs, Atmos, etc, and doesn’t seem to address my needs.
Placement will be different as well. The current sub is placed between the front speakers, and the gear rack is on the other side of the room. 20 years ago I had the energy to bury the cables next to a baseboard heat along the all, after schlepping the sub over the basement testing placement spots,but with advances in DSP I’m now hoping to place the sub next to the rack
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@lono24 Sorry to hear about those reliability issues, I get that. From the ULD to the DD Plus my only issue was a faulty IR receiver on a Plus. They repaired it for free along with a new remote and well out of warrantee. For Velodyne it wasn't noted until the early 80's release of the DD series. Sadly, it seems you may have overlooked the About Room Placement and Tip sections on pages 22-23 of the User's Manual describing the "first step" which would have eliminated the trial and error and vastly improved your DD's presentation. https://velodyneacoustics.com/pdf/digitaldrive/DDManual.pdf
You were just one model away. The completely redesigned DD Plus provided foolproof twenty minute Auto/Manual EQ room optimization for dummies like me. In the User's Manual on page 25, again the first step out of the box, the "crawl test". Manual adjustments were amazingly simplified with the unreviewed Frequency Response and Parameters Screen function of pages 10-11. http://www.velodyneacoustics.com/.webloc Regardless of the vast differences in our rooms and systems and my own in home comparison with a $9K Studio III, I'm certain had you properly positioned the DD's and used low frequency test tones played through your mains and adjusted the DD-18's accordingly you would have returned the sub-bass speaker. I'm a hack hobbyist and its clear what led to your subwoofer dissatisfaction, again, I get it. In my experience as a Bassist, due to their rolled off -6dB I respectfully disagree with your final statement. As with most things in this adventure your personal satisfaction is what matters in the end. All the best. m |
i would watch some of these comparison videos on YT at various price points to get the BEST one for your needs you can send them messages and ask questions too ! -i do ! they answer too! nice to have a free qualified , objective unbiased audio engineer accessible Allison made a A COUPLE SMALL 8" AND 10" BASIC sub wooferS BACK IN THE DAY & the electronic booster "electronic subwoofer" LOL I got this 15" sub fr parts express for less than $191 W/ PROMO CODE New! also got two klipsch 12" wireless subs fr COSTCO for $211 each ! and a Rockville 12" sub for $194 ! ALL these w/ free shipping ! I will also try the DSP dongle ! $62.00 ? does it make sense to upgrade the 15" & 12 " speakers w/ some better drivers ? $100-200 that have better specs ( go down to 20Hz or less )? I tried some cheap $200 each ! black Friday deal Klipsch wireless subs ( 2 ) yes you need 2 subs they say i got fr Costco prob waaay too lo fi just wanted to see what cheap would sound like ( = NOT good! ) |
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