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Subwoofer Choice

I am in the process of building out my system. I have the end goal in mind, and ticking off the equipment as I get them. I do need some advice in the subwoofer category.

I am currently driving Monitor Audio Silver 500s with a Michi X5 integrated amp (600w @ 4Ohms RMS). This is way overkill for these speakers. But my purchase (coming in August) will be the Focal Sopra No. 3s.

That being said, I am looking also to add a subwoofer and I’ve settled between two (2) REL T/9x’s or one (1) REL S/510. T/9X is $1,249 vs S/510 at $2,749.

There is a REL youtube video from their chief designer comparing (briefly) the two and actually stating that "just because one S/510 costs twice as much as 2 T/9x don’t think you can equate them with 2 vs 1". I paraphrased a bit.

But the below is only 3min long please watch and let me know!

What are your thoughts. Obviously 2 subs are better balanced than 1, I get that. But given the specs here am I better at buying up for the better 10"?

Listening room is carpet, 16’ x 24’. 384sqft. 8ft ceilings. What info did I leave out?

 

bound4h
bound4h OP
25 posts
 

Thank you for so much good information, this forum never disappoints and is always so knowledgeable!

So, after further thought (and contrary to my follow up post above) I decided to stick with the REL and buy up to the S line.  I picked up two S/812s.  Maybe the JL hits harder and lower, but hopefully I'll be just as happy with the 812s.  

Someone mentioned the JLA CR-1 which I was considering.  However, can i use it with my integrated amp (Michi X5)?  I don't think i can pre-out and then back in to the same amp can I?

Thank you

 

 

@james633 @ozzy 

 

scm
314 posts
 

HSU ULS-15 MK2ULS-15 mk2 Subwoofer

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

@bound4h , The JLA crossover is a good analog crossover however the best sub management systems/crossovers are digital. Check Out MiniDSP which makes several reasonably priced units. They also have room control features, Dirac Live I think. There are now several digital preamps that have sub management, room control and EQ built in, MiniDSP, Anthem, DEQX and Trinnov to name a few. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

All subwoofers that have only one driver are compromised by Newton's third law. Sub drivers are heavy and play low frequencies at higher volumes will cause the entire enclose to vibrate/shake. This creates distortion and compromises dynamics. It does not matter how heavy the enclosure is. You just raise the frequency the enclosure shakes at. Some manufacturers have taken this into account in newer designs that use two opposing drivers that balance each other eliminating this shaking problem. KEF, Magico and Martin Logan all make "balanced force" subwoofers. 

grislybutter
3,270 posts
 

I would also add, I had way better results with down firing subs. Much easier to match and place them.

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