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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
wolf_garcia
6,711 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
9,865 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
6,711 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.
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
207 posts
 
FWIW, I picked up a used F12G here on Agon about two years ago and it matches superfluously with my MMGs for the various types of jazz and Steely Dan-ish music I prefer.
I just inserted a B&K EX-442 Sonata into the system to replace my modded Hafler DH-220 (I was curious as to the Hafler's limitations and had nothing to compare it to) and have been very pleasantly surprised.
I thought the system sounded pretty damned good before, but sitting here listening to "Chester and Lester", I couldn't be happier.
The extra juice of the 442 into the Maggies matched with that Rythmik sub produce a wonderful, wonderful sound to my ear. 
I don't care to get into any debate about "fast" subs and whether that's an accurate statement or not, but the adjustability of the Rhythmik (along with the speaker distance setting off my pre/pro) marry that sub and Maggies very, very well.  I get very taut, deep, authoritative and controlled bass out of this match.
Can't speak to the Vandersteen, but I wholeheartedly recommend the Rythmik sub.
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