SVS or REVEL Subwoofer

Just added the Rel T7x to my LRS pluses. I drive these with a Rogue Sphinx3.  I was able to compare the SVS with the REL side by side in a controlled switchable environment.  The test song I use for bass is "Sixteen Tons" by Geoff Castellucci.

My experience would define the SVS as a rock and roll speaker, in the sound room environment it had tremendous bass, yet lots of overhang that muddy the accuracy.  The Rel was as stable as the rock of Gibraltar.  

My take is if you are listening to stereo, that is simply compilations on the left and right side.  They are different, so technically you need two woofers.  I bought one, because that is all I could afford $990, this new hi-fi biz, is far more expensive than when I was in the business 50 years ago.  And pricing is not relative to the years that have passed.  There was no such thing as a $100,000 turntable, cartridge back then.  I was a hi end dealer, Mac, Magnapan, Yamaha,  Advent etc.  I had to retire to live a real life (kids, family, college). Loved hi fi then, love it now.  Just cant afford it now either.  Two woofers, starting at a T7 like product and up.

B&Ws DB series woofers are excellent. As you know they have sophisticated and highly effective digital room compensation adjustments which are accomplished via your Bluetooth connected smart phone. The series includes the smaller DB3s in their top group. A pair of these fine subs is most certainly all you need for music reproduction. I use them to supplement my Wilsons in a large room.  The fake home theater soundtrack noise isn’t present in music reproduction.

I would check out REL's HT lineup.  Obviously great subs, at a very reasonable price.  After my Paradigm sub ($2000) died, I decided that I didn't want to spend that much (just like you apparently) on something that might die in a decade.  The subs cannot be repaired.

The REL HT/1205 MkII (get the newer MKII, not the original version 1), which just came out within the last year, can be found on sale, new, for $699 (from $849 list).

Personally I think that it's a fantastic deal.

Driver: 12 in., 300mm long-throw, CarbonGlas cone structure, inverted carbon fibre dust cap, steel chassis
Low Frequency Extension: -6dB at 22 Hz
Input Connectors: Dual purpose Low Level stereo RCA or LFE RCA
Output Connectors: Daisy Chain Low Level stereo RCA or LFE RCA
Power Output: 500 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type: NextGen5 Class D

Dimensions (WHD): 16.25" x 15.25" x 17.25"
Weight: 43.2 lbs.

Yes the REL HT’s are great.  But do they have ‘high level’ inputs?  This is where the 2 channel magic happens, tapping off the actual L and R amplifier outputs.

BTW, this seems unique to REL, but can be done with any sub that has ‘speaker level’ inputs.  I do it in a vaca home with old M&K subs.

@fastfreight I made the comment up the thread that the REL HT series does not have the high level inputs.  One has to go up the line to the REL T series to have that input option.