Larry
@bdp24 has been giving you the best advice so far. Don't worry so much about what others like, buy what sounds good to you. Now having said that here is my opinion.
If you do not want to make another mistake do not buy the REL. Buy any other sealed subwoofer that has already been mentioned. I currently own a REL S5/SHO and I am looking to replace it, Probably with a Rythmik or a SVS. The back panels between the REL and the Rythmik are not that much different. They both have a low pass filter AKA a crossover. The Rythmik has a phase control where the REL only has a polarity switch. The phase control helps with the intergration two or more subs but you can ignore it if it is too complex. The Rythmik I believe also has a limiter which when engaged will help keep you form overdriving the speaker at high volumes. They both have line in and speaker level inputs as well as LFE inputs. Rythmik also has an amp option that has an adjustable parametric equalizer (PEQ) to reuduce/eliminate possible excessive bass boom. They both also have a volume control so if there is too much bass you can turn them down.
The REL is more likely to be boomy because of its tuned enclosure and passive radiator.
The main thing is you need a sealed sub for music and a ported sub for HT. A larger sealed sub is a good compromise.
@bdp24 has been giving you the best advice so far. Don't worry so much about what others like, buy what sounds good to you. Now having said that here is my opinion.
If you do not want to make another mistake do not buy the REL. Buy any other sealed subwoofer that has already been mentioned. I currently own a REL S5/SHO and I am looking to replace it, Probably with a Rythmik or a SVS. The back panels between the REL and the Rythmik are not that much different. They both have a low pass filter AKA a crossover. The Rythmik has a phase control where the REL only has a polarity switch. The phase control helps with the intergration two or more subs but you can ignore it if it is too complex. The Rythmik I believe also has a limiter which when engaged will help keep you form overdriving the speaker at high volumes. They both have line in and speaker level inputs as well as LFE inputs. Rythmik also has an amp option that has an adjustable parametric equalizer (PEQ) to reuduce/eliminate possible excessive bass boom. They both also have a volume control so if there is too much bass you can turn them down.
The REL is more likely to be boomy because of its tuned enclosure and passive radiator.
The main thing is you need a sealed sub for music and a ported sub for HT. A larger sealed sub is a good compromise.