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So how many people are using subwoofers

with full range floorstanders? I need just a little more bass weight out of my system and have vascilated between REL subwoofer or upgrading my amp from Conrad Johnson MF-2200 to an MF-2500. 60-70% of the music doesn't need a sub,but that other 30% keeps me off balance. Is the amp upgrade going to give me more bass weight (along with other benefits) or should I just go for the sub? I think I know the answer but would like to hear other opinions.
existing system=
CJ PFR pre
CJ MF-2200 amp
Theta Miles cdp
Silverline Sonata speakers
Homegrown silver lace ic's
MIT-2 bi-wire
128x128artemus_5
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dcbingaman
93 posts
 
Look into the Audiokinesis SWARM subwoofer system.  Four passive subs that you ASYMMETRICALLY distribute around the room with a 1000W amplifier to drive them.  No single sub, (even Vandersteen or REL), can compete with this system, if set up right, and its relatively inexpensive - about $2500.00 for the whole deal.  

Also see Robert Greene's review in TAS from last summer.  He said it was the BEST bass he has ever heard, (and he's heard it all).  I am using it in a Vandersteen 5.1 set-up and I can vouch for REG's observations.  It KILLS my single V2W.

srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg
209 posts
 
to add to the excellent subs already mentioned here (Rythmik, SVS, Audiokinesis, etc) i will also suggest Seaton Sound.  i recently added a seaton submersive f2 and am EXTREMELY impressed with it's performance for music (for movies, a distant second consideration for me, it's staggeringly good).  for reference, i've also owned subs from JL Audio, Vandersteen and SVS and prefer the seaton sub to all others.
wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
The Swarm system just seems cool and inexpensive…if I wasn't happy with my RELs I'd seriously consider those things. It's true that a lot of music doesn't get to sub territory, but I like the ambient aspect of the sub adding that airy reality to the mix a much as the direct bass reproduction...systems need that to seem more like natural sound.
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
608 posts
 
I like the REL a lot, but you should also look at the Hsu brand - I use a couple for cinema use only and they meld well and are quite tunable, depending on which model you get.  I do use them for music play back with organ - my main speakers are 3db down at 20 Hz while the Hsu go down to 16 Hz (what you need to reproduce a 32' organ stop, which you feel rather than hear)
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