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Subwoofer Decision

I have narrowed my search to two choices though I am sure I will get comments steering me away from these.
Contrast Rythmik Audio 12G with Vandersteen 2Wq. I would like to get only one though I know a pair are best choice. Could maybe afford 2 Rythmik, but only 1 Vandersteen for now. The subwoofer would support Dali Helicons (4 ohms) biwired and driven by 2 mono McIntosh MC 252's at 500 watts each into 4 ohms. Living room size aprox. 24'x16'x8' placement not centered on 16' wall due to furniture (wife) constraints must stay put. Subwoofer placement needs also to stay there as well, I know this limits possible best choice for placement, my bad. There is room behind, next to, and between speakers. Any help help is appreciated.
128x128lowfreqguy
gdnrbob
4,457 posts
 
I have a pair of Hsu subs for my office. They are good, but not as good as my Vandersteen 2w's. 
B
wolf_garcia
6,723 posts
 
I saw "Dunkirk" at an Imax theater when it first came out and the empty seat next to me rattled (amusingly) with the strangely staged bass under the seats…I've always thought Imax visuals are amazing, and Imax sound shamefully bad. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,873 posts
 

I saw one sub designer’s quip: "A fast woofer is a tweeter". Fast in regards to a woofer is not used literally, but to it’s perceived lack of boom. Many factors contribute to boom, mostly the room. But Arnie Nudell didn’t employ servo-feedback woofers in his IRS, RS-1b, and other speakers for marketing reasons, and neither does Brian Ding in his Rythmik subs. Nor does Richard Vandersteen employ feed-forward in his for no good reason.

If you want to see the woofer that hardcore home theater DIY’ers have for years put in their subs, check out the TC Sounds LMS Ultra 5400 18" woofer. When last available (from Parts Express) it was $900-$1000 for just the driver. Insane motor (magnet structure), extremely high excursion (2"!) and SPL capability.

invictus005
597 posts
 
@wolf_garcia Dunkirk sucked. And what does an empty rattling seat have to do with IMAX subwoofers?
wolf_garcia
6,723 posts
 
Some of the flying bits were well done, but I guess you missed a few points…the empty rattling seat has everything to do with Imax subs as it was an Imax theater hewing to Imax design parameters. The sudden eruption of seat rattling bass tones is more of a distraction than sounding anything like reality, unless bombs explode in your pants from time to time (!). Disconnected bass tone elsewhere during the show isn't part of something other than an Imax theater experience. Movie sound is sort of a joke generally, designed to appeal to people who like bad popcorn and don't mind "sub" standard sound.
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