Subwoofer for Magnepan 1.6's


I have a pair of Magnepan 1.6's, connected to a McCormack DNA 1 amp and tlc1 preamp. Eventually I will be incorporating them into a surround system, using the Arcam AVR 300. I am looking for a good subwoofer to go with the Maggies. I have a small listening room 11 x 14 and don't like boomy bass. I have heard good things about the Rel 3 and Vandersteen subs.
dgplo
Check out the Nola Thunderbolt, a terrific sub for music and HT. It retails for around $1700, although every once in a while a version one pops up for 1K +/-. The TB doesn't take up a lot of room and is relatively easy to place.

It will integrate well with your 1.6s - the TB was designed to be "fast" since it was intended to be mated with Alon's (now Nola Speakers) high end dipole speakers.

The Thunderbolt has very tuneful, *musical* and deep bass - bass impact but no boom. Much of the technology incorporated into this sub was developed through the designer's experience implementing his SOTA kilobuck reference system the Grand Exoticas (Harry Pearson's reference at The Absolute Sound.)

I attempted to mate subs with Maggies 10 years ago. It weren't easy. Wish I'd had the Thunderbolts back then.
The Vandersteen sub has a really execellent way of integrating the subs with the Mags since they are connected via speaker cable they can control the subs to match the speakers.. I butchered this description but someone else can fill in the details or check out their website. Not to mention they are pretty affordable subs..
I've got 1.6's mated with a pair of Strata III's. They
are a very synergistic match. The REL has a highly
adaptable crossover network which is easy to integrate
with Magnepans. A pair is not necessary, I'm just
obsessive-compulsive about my system. A single Strata III
served me will for several years.