Sub suggestions please

I will keep up the Audiogon tradition of giving advice you didn't ask for.  Are you sure you need a sub?   I was of the opinion that the JBL L100 Classics had great bass that was well-synced with the mid and tweeter of that classic speaker.  You know best - I had two Rythmic subs and don't feel I need them anymore.  

Good point 12many!  I ran my system with the sub turned off for a while when I first hooked up the JBLs, and I agree that the bass is very nice from those, alone.  But, then I turned on the sub...and it is just that bit better to my ear and my soul.  I am sure that, for a lot of guys, the JBLs would be plenty good without the additional support.  

I own the JBL Classic speakers and the bass is not that great,, specs put the bass response at 40hz.  I am using a SVS 2000 sub and it works wonders.  JBL makes subwoofers to compliment the L100 speakers starting at $600.00.  They did not make them when I bought the speakers in 2020. They are designed to work with the JBL speakers.  Music Direct has 4 or 5 different JBL subs.  I would call them and ask for recommendations before buying anything. 

Thanks Stereo5.  I looked at the JBL L10cs that is in the same family as the L100 Classics, and they are on my radar.  I am afraid they are going to be a bit punchier than I'm looking for, and I think I'm nearly decided on the REL 98 -- looks great, and I think it may offer the sort of transparency that I'm hoping for.  The SVS was REALLY interesting to me, but I can't find it in the right finish.  I will use your recommendation, though, and talk to Music Direct to see what they have to say.  Thanks again!

Find some vinyl wrap on the web and cover the Klipsch with it, then save up for two of them 98’s or the 99’s even. Life needs to be lived.

I have a pair of Volti Razz horn speakers. The bass is pretty good in my room, but bottom out around 35-38 hz. Also, the bass is just a little - imprecise? I'm sure it is a room issue, not a Volti issue.

I decided to try a sub, to go just a bit lower, and to focus the pitch a little. My first try worked great - a KEF KC92. It is small, but very mighty. Two woofers, both facing outwards, each with its own 500 wpc amp. It has clever DSP settings that really worked in my room. And the blend is better than I hoped. I love its size, it wonderful tone, and the fact that it is easy to blend with the room and with the main speakers. 

I'd take a listen, if you can...

See if you can swing two SVS SB-2000 Pro.  The app makes adjusting them easier and having two should reduces node and dips.

Horizontally opposed dual 15 inch  Rhythmik G25HP. 

I have a pair of Rhytmik F12s that made a huge difference in the music reproduction with my Fyne F-702s, which have only 8” woofers.  Not available in walnut, but the walnut vinyl wrap suggestion from gkelly has me thinking.  Price was right at under $2500 for the pair.

Have been searching for new sub with walnut aesthetic myself.  Another possibility is Vandersteen.  Only issue is that their walnut, to my eyes, looks a little more like cherry - reddish tint in the finish.  But really nice subs.

Just purchased 2x the Rel S 510 , couldn’t be happier.They blend in nicely with my Deville SQ , took my listening experience to another level.Sounds more live and beautifully more coherent all together.

Have you considered Next Level Acoustics subwoofers?  They have a 10” and 12” model with two amplifier options and almost any finish.  They are only available through their CI network. I could get you the name of one I know. Excellent products built in the USA. 

 The Rel S 510 subs are excellent! Good luck !

I'm sure most experienced people here would strongly suggest getting two subs not just one.  Two subs are exponentially easier to integrate to the mains and always sound much better.  Good luck and cheers.

Look for Vandersteen 2Wq used.  Fantastic sub provided your mains go down to 40Hz.  I have a pair, purchased used, along with a pair of the M5-HP battery biased crossovers.  Deep, clean bass that never gets in the way of higher frequencies, and they disappear into the room.  Designed for corner placement, unlike many other subs.

Two subs is good subs. Read why on other threads. 

I know the general recommendation is two subs are better, but that wasn't my experience. I started with a single SB1000 and liked it so much, I bought a second. I spent weeks trying to integrate the two, trying different locations and numerous DSP adjustments. I finally concluded I liked the sound of a single one better. I returned the two SB1000s and got an SB2000. It not only sounds better, measurements show a nice flat response below 80hz. 

I really like my HSU VTF-TN1.  Tons of output.

I'd go with the Rel 99 or a pair of 98's without question.

I cannot figure out how to respond to particular people on this forum, lol -- but I appreciate everyone's suggestions - you've given me a lot to research!  Thank you!

For purely aesthetic reasons I went from a Rythmik F12G with paper-based driver to a Classic 98. Their sound profile is more similar than different - they were both a little more rounded with not as much punch, but both integrated well. The F12G dug deeper with exponentially more tuning capability which I played around with for three years. This is the weakness of the 98, especially since it doesn’t have variable phase. Beyond aesthetics, and only speaking for myself, one of the greatest strengths of the 98 is actually SpeakOn cable and the flexibility it provides if you don’t have a sub output or want to utilize high level input on the sub.

From a SQ perspective there’s differences between both subs, but I definitely don’t regret selling the F12G and purchasing the 98. For what it’s worth and YMMV.

Walnut is important in this case

JBL HDI-1200p, satin walnut is one of the finishes, is a 3000 dollar sub. It appears to be currently on what i think is a closeout sale for 1200...might as well hop on it. I certainly wouldn’t pay 3000 for it. The audioholics guys gave it a decent review, believe it has a relatively high quality low distortion driver in it. But, when a driver gets deeper down is when distortion parameters skyrocket (The Jbl factory jiggle guy played it safe...)

It won’t explore the deep low depths of your soul like a Rythmik F18, for example.(Nevertheless, don’t end up buying some trash just for the walnut finish. You could always put a walnut finish to a sub cabinet in your garage, y’know, i.e., with a good subwoofer.. It’s what the garage’s for...)

There are some great suggestions in this thread but, not surprisingly, nobody is mentioning the exquisite Perlisten line.  Perlisten has a low profile on Audiogon, perhaps because the company rarely submits its products for review.  But  make no mistake, these subs are pretty incredible, deep low-end extension (12 Hz with built-in bass boost), effortless, transparent transient response, extraordinary detail.

They're not cheap, starting at around $2000, and don't offer a ton of bells and whistles, but they cover all the bases most important to audiophiles -- especially SQ.  IMHO, they're definitely worth at least seeking out. 

These are available in Walnut.  

https://gr-research.com/product/finished-sealed-servo-subwoofer-single/

I am not sure why the walnut finish is so important, but buying a sub that performs well would be my first priority and then add your own finish and get what you really want I would think adding some walnut veneer would not be that difficult. Time consuming maybe but not difficult. The SVS subs offer a lot of bang for the buck and their customer service is said to be pretty darn good.

I can recommend the SVS. You can buy and try for 45 days and return them for a full refund if you’re not satisfied. Their customer service is excellent. You can get on the phone with someone that will walk you through your setup and answer questions. The app is very easy to use. They do not come in walnut though so that may be a deal breaker. I also have experience with RSL and they are a good deal but no app unfortunately.

I think you should clarify some of your preferences.  I mean there are vast differences in subs. Movie or audio? Classical, rock, various? The speed of your existing woofers to match? Detail or impact? Do you want the sub to compliment your speakers in a subtle way not hearing where the speaker ends and the sub starts or do you want to feel your subs on your chest? Subs that pressurize the room or not so much. There is a reviewer on yt nemo propaganda that does sub reviews. He's on of the better audio reviewers I've run across and he happens to have lots of videos on subs. He is thorough and detailed and is great at articulating sound characteristics in his reviews. He also compares the subs he's reviewing with other ones in it's class. Anyways hope this helps to narrow your search down. Best of luck and happy huntings.

Huge problem most dealers don’t carry lots of subwoofers to listen to. So what the person supposed to do? I’ve seen REL subs all over the place and people seem to be thrilled with them so if I want to sub I would buy that.

If you have main speakers go down to 20 Hz and do a good job with bass why would you wanna deal with a sub. I would advocate a sub for home theater so when the tanks are on the screen you can actually feel them.

sad making decisions based on asthetics THE fix for subs is a 12"  dual open baffle GR research servo sub !  you can get them as a DIY kit and finish them however you like and / or pay a pro to do it !  up to you not much doubt they are superior to about all other for price ! $1,700 
https://youtu.be/5gQVcHgijeQ?si=HvycCE67kY5iIjN2
https://youtu.be/jbZDg6MC_gk?si=YjQSWH0CDMUdzYGI
https://youtu.be/1Q3QQPO7y04?si=gKfRUr53A_7J4JtQhttps://youtu.be/1Q3QQPO7y04?si=gKfRUr53A_7J4JtQ

photo GR research open baffle subs 

HSU VTF-TN1. End game for your needs. 

Von Schweikert Audio Shockwave V-12XS Subwoofer = superior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRIN0_Mr2fQ How subs work by Damon Von Schweikert  $33,000 pair.  

Also in 15" currently.   2025 10" version at much reduced price   At shows, sensational combined with even the lowest priced Endeavor speakers-sounded huge 

These are high end subs that do more than the typical sub.  Based on the speaker line (I have 15" subs with the same new Foundation 1000 watt Class D amps in my VR9 SE Mk2 as the upgrade).