The Rythmik A370 plate amp (the amp in the OB/Dipole Sub) is no ordinary amp. It is a well designed 370 watt class A/B analog amp, controlling the dual 12" woofers in a servo-feedback circuit. The front-to-back cancellation inherent in dipoles is counteracted with a 6dB/octave shelving circuit, providing response to below 20Hz at sufficient SPL for most music. The dipole operation of the sub works particularly well with dipole speakers for the obvious reason, as well as exciting one less room mode than monopole subs.
Clio, if you ever see an Electron Kinetics Eagle 2 amp at a reasonable price (less than $500 or so), consider getting it for your 8" woofers. It is a KILLER bass amp!