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subwoofer to digital music and movies

I am a bit confused on how to best play music and watch movies with my new subwoofer. My recent purchase was an Earthquake Supernova MIV 15 inch sub. My 2 channel music listening is all digital via Benchmark DAC1 used as a preamp and for home theater using my Marantz AV7005 preamp. Question is: how do I best connect the subwoofer such that it is part of the 2 channel listening experience (Benchmark) and playing movies using my Marantz preamp? 

Simaudio w5 (2 channel amp)
Earthquake Cinova Grande (5 channel amp)
Von Schweikerts VR4 + center + surrounds 
Benchmark DAC1 
Earthquake Supernova MIV 15
Marantz AV7005
OPPO 105
128x128ghulamr
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Earthquake is great. The form factor is big and not pleasing to the eyes in the Family TV room. What I’ve heard of the REL’s is that they are for both music and HT and can be connected to both at the same time. Not sure if Earthquake can. 
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
REL is garbage for home theater and any music with real deep bass. Only good >35Hz.

Rythmik, HSU, JTR, PowerSoundAudio, and SVS. These are the only major brands selling >$500 subs that have a good bang for buck.
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 

@ghulamr Go for the REL. Have a look at their official website and see if you can match your speakers to a recommendation on their site. Yes, they do have .LFE and stereo pair on separate connections. HT for Home Theatre subs, or up unto the S Serie if you have the dough. The HT/7i is a great model for HT first and also stereo. They have good woofer size to "move the air". I was a MK person but decided on RELs for music. :)

m-db's avatar
m-db
972 posts
 
There are a number of subwoofers that offer dual system connectivity. You may need to do some homework and ask questions via email. Keep in mind a subwoofer purchase should last you through many system changes. 

After reading Stereophile's Larry Greenhill review of the $800 MartinLogan Dynamo 800X were he needed to use a $3500 crossover to reign in the effects of the designs built in nature. I'm reminded of a similar experience with a friends $8000 British made REL Studio III.

Aside from moving production offshore REL hasn't done much in the way equalization R&D. Continuing to take the signal from one's amplifier as a means of extension or whatever they call it didn't begin to cut it when we stacked it up against a couple of modern designs. I guess I stand next to mzkmxcv in my regard for the brand.

There are subwoofers that can easily integrate unnoticeably with any speaker whether its playing music or a movie. A subwoofer / speaker matching list? WTF! 
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 

@m-db Please don’t denigrate other peoples opinions. You may have your own opinions, but unless you are faulting the REL website and their attempt to match speakers and subwoofers from their range, please don’t be rude to me.

REL have been making only subwoofers for 2 decades according to their website. Other brands have added to their list of equipment with speakers and so on.

I can only offer my opinion as read from the REL website, my Hi Fi dealer, and my own experience with various manufacturers subwoofer speakers. I prefer MK for subs, but I have good experience with my current REL S/3 pair.

If you think there are better subwoofers, please state what they are and your experience with them.

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