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Subwoofer Recommendations for Audiophile Monitors

Do any of my fellow Audiogon members have any subwoofer recommendations that might play well with Harbeth 7ES-2 speakers? I love these speakers. With my ARC VSi55, these speakers make beautiful music… unless I chose something like the Bach Cello Concertos or Beethoven’s 3rd. In these cases, it seems like a different piece of music. The fact is, with most of the sub-60 Hz missing, it simply does not sound “good enough”. Yes, I am spoiled. Most of the time I am enjoying my Coincident Total Victory speakers. There is nothing lacking here that I particularly miss. It just seems that these nice speakers need some help. To that end, I have tried several solutions. I tried my home-theater system’s Klipsch RW-8 with the Harbeth. That sound was simply NASTY! This sub does fantastic auto crashes and star cruiser impulse power, but terrible Bach. My dealer was kind enough to lone me a REL Studio III (the only sub he carries, aside from the Klipsch). I must admit, it did sound quite nice. The problem here is that it is large enough to be mistaken for a steamer trunk. Just out of proportion with the rest of this office-size system.

The other subs that have been recommended to me are the Spendor SUB-3, Epos ELS-SUB, and the Monitor Radius 360. The problem is that none of these are available for audition to someone living in the center of the Pennsylvania forests. Has anyone had any first-hand experience with any of these subs?

Thanks in Advance,
Lance
128x128lanceo
9rw's avatar
9rw
318 posts
 
For a two-channel system, you might consider the new REL subs, which are a bit smaller and offer better performance than the ST series. I had a Stadium III for a few years and bought a B1 a few months ago. I haven't heard everything, but I think the REL subs offer great build quality, integrate well and are competitively priced. I am in no way affiliated with REL or Sumiko.

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/idx_b.htm
crest
22 posts
 
I own a REL Q108 sub bass system, small, with unbelievable sound, very happy with it.
lissnr
365 posts
 
I have had a Rel Stadium 2 for several years and it is an excellent integrater with many speakers but if size really matters what about those little Carver subs, they are only about 1 foot square? Good luck.
sundance45
63 posts
 
Lanceo, I think your dealer's recommendation is right on the mark, However; if your room is normal size I think a Rel Strata 111 is more than enough. If you think your Harbeth speakers sound good now, adding the Rel will not only supply integrated seamless base, your speakers themselves will sound better. I have a Rel Strata 3 in my system now with Eggleston speakers and it is nearly impossible to perceive there is a sub in the system. Over the years, I've owned Klipch, several Velodynes, Entecs and a Janis and without a doubt the Rel integrated seamlessly with more pairs of speakers. IMHO one of the best.
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