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Aerial 5b and subs

I have been looking for a sub to put a little floor under my Aerial 5b monitors powered by Primare I30. I already have a B&W asw 608 which sounded quite okay but lacked power. I have tried the Velodyne HGS10/DD10 and was disappointed, it sounded heavy and not a good match for the Aerials. I am guessing that it has to do with the servo which seems to have an iron fisted mechanical quality. My thought over this disappointment is that a downfiring sub would interfere less with the sound signature of a monitor and that the REL approach is the way to go. My problem is the size of a Strata and am looking for suggestions in the foot cube range. Opinions on the Schweikert VRS1 or other options appreciated.
hflook
maineiac
649 posts
 
You just see so much great feedback about REL that it seems like an option you would have to really explore if you could make it work. I bought a VS-VRS1 sub to match an all VSA system and it has been an excellent performer. I never used it with 2 channel listening but do use it for surround sound concert DVDs, etc. and it is just really nice, easily integrated, and powerful sub. In a stereo set-up I would think about getting two.
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martykl
3,578 posts
 
Just a note regarding REL. Judging from test results at AVTalk.com and HTshack.com (look under "forums" for "subwoofer tests"), REL subs perform very well on Group Delay tests ("fast or tight") but generally poorly for clean output at high levels at low frequencies. Most of these models appear to be excellent woofers but not great subwoofers.

That may not matter in most music set-ups. In fact, the Rythmic subs I chose involve a similar trade-off. However, the Rythmiks fare much better than most RELs at low frequencies and are cheaper, to boot. BTW, they are available in a downward firing configuration. Caveat: numbers may not tell the whole story. Still, when it came time to lay out my own cash, I went Rythmik. SVS was right there, but RELs never made my personal short list. Now, if I could just turn out to be right about all this....

Marty
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martykl
3,578 posts
 
Bob,

I'll do my best to climb out of my shell and voice an opinion.

Marty
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