Subs: sealed vs. ported

Everyone has their preferences. Some "Audiophiles" would even gasp at the thought of using sub woofers in a 2-channel rig.

Your initial findings are generally correct. I would first look at your intended uses. Mostly home theater and lots of Deceptacons roaming through your living room? Large ported subs might be to your liking. Want to break out your Massive Attack and Victor Wooten collection? A stereo pair of sealed (REL, SVS SB13s) would probably work better.

Also consider integration with your mains. What are you using, and how low can they go? How about your room size? Do you need stealth for WAF, or can you plop a large ported box anywhere you damn well choose?

I haven't heard any of the ported/sealed hybrid designs, but to me they seem a bit gimmicky. I'm all for tuning (a parametric EQ is a nice feature), but it seems the hybrids are trying too hard to be all things to all people.

REL subwoofer(s) are the best in the business, IMO.
By design, those are sealed sub(s). Even the smallest models sound excellent, very musical.

I use a Rel Storm III in one of my 2 channel systems - it's a ported design and sounds awesome.

My current mains are Infinity Kappa 7's, circa 1988, which I still like, most days, but they need to be upgraded. Someone here opined that they are 3db down at around 37Hz and that seems about right. I have liked some B&W's, but the PSB Synchrony are what is highest on my radar now. (Subject to change without notice). WAF is less of a concern than for some, she's very indulgent.

I am building as I go, and the mains will stay for a while longer. I have read a lot, since getting time at a dealer with good stuff is kinda tough. The Hsu, SVS, and others get lots of good press, and I'm not opposed to going internet-direct, since they offer trials, and whatever I hear in a store is not likely to bear much resemblance to what I hear at home.

Yes, the most common use will be movies, so dramatic effect is important, but 2 channel is when I'm going to care most about sound quality and integration with the mains and the room. Music is all over the map, from Pink Floyd to Enya, Diana Krall to Dire Straits. My initial thoughts were that the sub would be movies-only, but then reality came home, and to have mains that wouldn't need a sub would cause divorce for cost and WAF reasons.

Sounds like a sealed sub is my best bet - give a little on the explosions, but have better music. I have read good reports on REL as well, but not really looked into them much yet. Not sure I could 'sell' the idea of two subs, but again, that seems to be the preferred option for music. How does that math work? 2 10" = 1 13", for example? All other things being equal?

Thanks again!! I probably have too many questions, but I am not the kind to buy 'something' just to have 'something', I want to get what I will be happy with first time. If that means waiting to save up the $2K, instead of getting the $500 one, then I'd rather do that.

REL subs are simply excellent subs. There are many good companies that make good subs. Personally I have a Revel B15; and if I hadn't gone Revel, then REL and JL Fathom would have been the other two to consider. You owe it to yourself to have REL on your super-short list.