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How do SVS subwoofers compare to REL?

I'm looking for subwoofers (one or two) that have a very "tight" natural sound and are not overly boomy. In the future I hope to pair them with some Magnepan speakers. Magnepans are known for having a natural sound, and I want to compliment that.

I've been told that the REL subwoofers (e.g.,T/9i or S/3 SHO, etc., are a good match for Magnepan speakers. However, SVS subwoofers have also been recommended to me.

I don't have any background in high-end audio, so I am interested in opinions of folks here. Are SVS subwoofers considered generally as good as REL in regard to the features I'm interested in? Is either clearly superior? (I had never heard of SVS before yesterday.)

Which subwoofer size (in REL or SVS) would be a good match for a pair of Magnepan 1.7i in an 18 foot x 15 foot room (ceiling about 10 feet) with carpet on floor?

I'm looking at these so far:

REL T/9i Subwoofer about $1300
REL Acoustics S/3 SHO Subwoofer (Super High Output) about $2100
SVS SB-4000 13.5" 1200W about $1600
Any other recommendations?

Total subwoofer budget is around $2600 max. ($2000 or less would be better.)

Also, I believe it is better to buy two smaller subwoofers, compared to one larger one, right? (I'm just not sure where I would put two. Placing one is easier in this room. And I plan to connect everything with speaker wires, not wireless.)

Thanks

lowoverdrive
lowoverdrive OP
169 posts
 
I tried a REL subwoofer and I was not happy with it at all. After trying a couple other options, I am now trying two SVS SB-2000 (in limited edition piano white). I think these will be the keepers. They are a good size for my room, look nice, are very affordable and they sound better than the other options I have tried. I think they make my Maggies sound much better.

I have them set at a low volume. I have not done any adjustment for room nodes yet. But already there is a big improvement in the sound of my system.
hifidream's avatar
hifidream
136 posts
 
Congrats. It’s such a reward when you can get things to mesh! Are you still liking the SVS? Had time to play with any room nodes?


lowoverdrive OP
169 posts
 
Congrats. It’s such a reward when you can get things to mesh! Are you still liking the SVS? Had time to play with any room nodes?

Yes, I am very happy with the SVS SB-2000 and PC-2000. I think those ended up being very good recommendations for me.

I have not played around with room nodes yet. It's on my todo list.
I recently purchased a pair of SVS SB-12 NSD for another room and I expected them to have similar output to the SB-2000, but they seem much less powerful.
hifidream's avatar
hifidream
136 posts
 
Awesome. I’ve had to buy a PS audio P15 due to a lightening strike and it’s msde a big difference in the system. Just did room correction in my new place last week and the results are amazing. The dog is fooled regularly now that there are people, doorbells, and animals all over the house. Music is even better. . . 
jetter
3,052 posts
 
lowoverdrive, the SB-2000 is nearly twice the price as the SB-12NSD, so overall the difference probably should be expected.  I once called SVS asking about the difference in these two subs, and the difference between the perceived output of the two per the gentleman I talked with was surprising (in favor of the SB-2000) for only a 100 watt amp difference.  Must be other factors, like speaker design, at play.
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