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I need a subwoofer/sub-bass opinion from you

Hello All--

I have a large room (well large to me).  It's 20' long, 15 wide, and 10' tall.  I run either Klipsch Forte IIIs or PSB Imagine T2s through a tube amp.  I have plenty of volume with either loudspeaker.  

What I want to accomplish is to add sub bass.  I did this previously in a smaller room with a Sumiko S5 (I believe it's the same or similar to the REL T5).    When I had the Sumiko dialed in, the system congealed into a wonderful sound.  There was no noticeably appreciable sound coming from the sub.  Instead, it merely filled out the lowest octave and added space, dynamics, and really made the highs seem less harsh.  

The Sumiko S5 does help in this setup but it's just not enough to charge the room or at least add enough.  

I'm thinking REL.  Thoughts? 

PS  When I ran the Sumiko, it sounded clearly better when I ran it off the amp speaker outs than off my Primaluna's dedicated subwoofer out. 
128x128jbhiller
usery
131 posts
 

"Rythmik, HSU, SVS and PowerSoundAudio ... are much better for the money than REL."

@mzkmxcv - why are those brands better for the money than REL?

@big_greg: do you run a 2x sub config for 2ch hifi?  If yes which brand and model?
big_greg
6,672 posts
 
I run two SVS SB13 Ultra subs for 2 channel listening.  It's overkill, mostly because I don't have enough room to put them in separate locations.  They are stacked on top of each other in between my speakers near a corner.  It would be better to have them in separate spots.  My speakers are Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 (three 12" drivers per speaker).  The subs are dialed down pretty far and blend nicely to provide the lower frequency response that the 20/20s can't reach.  One of these subs would be more than sufficient. 

The SB-3000 specs are close to the SB13 Ultra (a little less power, but 800 watts is more than enough).

The Rythmik F15HP would be better.  I really like Rythmik's subs, very tight and well made.  A bit more money though.  I have two F25's in my home theater setup.  

A great bang for the buck option would be a pair of Power Sound Audio S1510s.  I have an S1500 and it's a nice little sub.  Not as pretty as the SVS subs but it gets the job done.




jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,443 posts
 
@@mzkmxcv,  any information on why you (or others) like the other brands over REL?  I'd love to get some intel. 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,764 posts
 
Check out JL Audio!
http://www.jlaudio.com/home-audio-powered-subwoofers
wolf_garcia
6,734 posts
 
One of the things that attracted me to my RELs other than the deal I got buying them, is the "high level" input system from the amp, which allows a reproduction of the amp's tone and doesn't require long runs of single ended cable...simple speaker wire does the job. This series of RELs also has adjustability to fine tune the phase, crossover points and level that newer versions may not have in as much detail. Also, although I haven't tried newer versions of RELs, I can say the "Q" series I own sound spectacular within their limits...and those limits (low frequency range and level) are well within what's needed to charge the room with controllable bass for music...I have swapped in my 92 lb studio sub that's flat to 19hz, and found that extra low range didn't improve anything relative to what the RELs are doing with the music I like...plenty of drive and heft with the RELs.
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