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Subwoofer Choice Question SVS, Majico, JL Audio, REL

I have a pair of SVS-3000 subs. I have enjoyed them and they offer  a lot of bang for the buck.  I recently purchased a pair of the Fleetwood Devilles which I like very much.  Looking to upgrade my subs to match really well with my Devilles. Will be used for 2 channel music only. Want musical and  articulate bass that enhances and integrates well with the Devilles.  

Options are :

(1) SVS only this time going to the SVS-4000. Relatively inexpensive and I love their setup app.

(2) Magico A3Sub-built like  a tank, expensive though I can get a reasonable deal on  a pair and Magico will assist with the setup through REW

(3) JL Audio Fathom F112 or 113 V2- Good bang for the buck, lots of fine tuning available

(4) Rel (any of their carbon based subs)-Biggest concern is no phase adjustment. I am limited to where the subs can go so don't understand why they provide no variable phase adjustment.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

 

 

fooolish1
emailists
923 posts
 

I’m a big fan of Velodyne.  They sold the subwoofer line and it’s now being manufactured and supported again.  I’m using 2 of the 10” DDplus in a very large space and up on stands (which means it doesn’t get the boundary gain being on the floor, but it more articulate) and still provides amazing bass. 

fastfreight
783 posts
 

I am very happy with REL Carbon Special and Carbon Limited subs.  I have a pair of each in my two systems. They are not located inside or right beside my speakers, as I found better blend when placed off to the sides with one angled in more than the other.  This helped blend into the room much better.  I replaced Paradigm studio 15's, which were very low and deep, but the REL's blend and support my stereo much better.  I Found the phase switch adequate but of course did not have variable to play with  Both of the Carbon's have great resale.  The Paradigm not so much.  I have also heard those SVS and the app and control is cool, but I thought they did not disappear nearly as well.  With them you need the app to turn them down when the are to much.  Once dialed in I never mess with my sub controls.

fastfreight
783 posts
 

Also I have never had a reliability issue with my ?carbons.  I have not heard god things about JL audio reliability, but have no personal experience.

For REL pricing PAV in Chicago was good to me..

donvito
400 posts
 

Add Vandersteen to your candidates!

https://www.vandersteen.com/categories/subwoofers

avanti1960
1,474 posts
 

REL are the easiest subs to integrate perfectly despite not having a variable phase.  i had jl audio and martin logan dynamo and after months the integration still had occasional issues like peaks, midrange coloration from enclosure resonance and hard sounding lack of quality.  

Note, this is for 2.2 channel music.  HT is a different animal.  

RELs have solid non resonating enclosures.  Follow their break in and positioning guidelines and you can get an excellent integration in a few days.  

RELs play low in room despite the specs and have plenty of power.  Properly adjusted they offer depth, punch and do not color the midrange and are fast and non lagging.  

I believe they are not so critical about phase adjustment because they are so fast and have a down firing passive radiator (my T9is)  that balances the sound pulses.  

finally i like the sound quality of their bass, a nice pleasing tone that is not too dry and tight or loose and flabby.  

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