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Vandersteen Sub woofers v Rythmik Subs

I really love the idea of the Vandersteen Subs where they are connected with the mains via extra speaker cable off right and left channels off the main amplifier, which is supposed to provide better bass transition from the mains while keeping the signature from the main amplifier. My question is with Vandersteen coming out with the SUB THREE and the price going significantly higher, I was wondering if there are other subs for less that you could integrate in the same way. (Most subs seem to rely on the line level input which is just a sub-woofer RCA going from the pre-amp to the amp on the sub). Can this same Vandersteen set-up be achieved with other subs?
I picked Rythmik since they are known (in the home theater community anyway) for being one of the best bang for the buck subs and the most "musical" of the bunch. (between Hsu, SVS, PSA).
And could I possibly achieve even greater sub-woofer nirvana since I could get an 18" for around $1500? Vandies only have 3 eight inchers.

I am a Vandersteen fanboy and I would like to support RV whenever I can, but don’t know much about my other sub-woofer options so looking for some feedback. Doesn’t even have to be related to Rythmik necessarily. If you know of other subs that can integrate the same way I want to know about it!

Thanks
bstatmeister
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@wolf_garcia  +1  Listening for a difference!  What a concept.😬
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Great thread.  I personally listen with my ears and then make decisions.  I have owned the first Treo's adn now own the Quatro CT painted (an option for the Treo on up and worth it if you love the painted look). 

What Richard has done with carbon fiber and drivers is amazing.  He has designed and built his own cones and sends them out to be finished by a top manufacturer.  That's proprietary to say the least and it shows in the sound.  Those 7's to my ears are as good or better than anything I've heard.  He actually spend a lot of time and money using different CF fabrics to chose the one he felt was teh best sounding.  It's actually similar to the fabric that is used in my walking sticks (I have MS and use a rollator, but have sticks to get around in the house when needed etc...).  

The 9's are very special subs in their CF build to their ability to fill large spaces etc...  The new Sub 3's are affordable and have built in EQ as we spoke about earlier.  Set up properly, they will smooth out the bass just as good as a swarm or any of the subs.  

What the swarm is, can be done with any sub.  I personally would rather just get two great subs rather than 4 subs that may or may not sound as good.  Just because a sub can be purchased for half of the cost of another one doesn't mean it will sound nearly as good as the other one. 

I have a close audio buddy who auditioned the AK swarm vs many other subs and went with the Vandy 2's. It's always a personal choice as we know. Back to listening.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Funny thread.....

maybe i I do need sub 9 ?????


mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Tomic601.
Jim,
A sub for you?????? NNNnnnoooooooo!
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
i was poking at those who have never heard a pair of properly setup 7’s yet devote paragraphs......

i guess that is why we have these forum.....


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