No not even close JL Audio Fathoms much better and have Sub EQ built in with
a microphone, and microprocessor built in .
Are REL the most Musical Subs?
Forgive me if I have created a redundant thread. I don’t usually post in the Speakers area.
I have a Paradigm sub in my basement HT that has apparently given up the ghost after about 20 years. I’m not a huge bass listener. We used to use the area for movies but lately a different room of the home has taken that over. I listen to classical music and the system gets used primarily for SACD and Blu Ray. No desire for multiple subs. The front speakers are full range, setup is 5.1
I added a REL sub to my 2 channel system a few years ago, an REL, and have been delighted with the results. It doesn’t boom at me. What it does do is add the low level percussion effects that composers such as Mahler, Shostakovich , and modernist composers add to reinforce bass lines. I never realized, for example, how many gentle tympani and gong effects are in Shostakovich Babi Yar symphony.
The REL integrates all of this naturally without calling attention to itself. The Paradigm in the basement never did this but it was an older design and more budget friendly.
So I am inclined to replace the Paradigm with another REL in the basement but was wondering what the current thinking is with subs. I haven’t paid much attention lately and the stuff that I have pulled discusses multiple subs, Atmos, etc, and doesn’t seem to address my needs.
Placement will be different as well. The current sub is placed between the front speakers, and the gear rack is on the other side of the room. 20 years ago I had the energy to bury the cables next to a baseboard heat along the all, after schlepping the sub over the basement testing placement spots,but with advances in DSP I’m now hoping to place the sub next to the rack
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I'm wondering if your question "most musical" can be answered as "what sub fits my room and equipment best." I think the answer is "whichever sub is easiest to adjust for my situation". And even for the song being played. I'm particularly fond of the SVS SB16 Ultra (have two paired with Bowers800s) because they come with an iPhone app that lets you make all the adjustments with tremendous ease. There may be "better" subs out there (not sure; probably, there's always something better), but the app is literally the most intuitive, easy-to-use, app, to make the bass fit your room, main speakers, and song that I've ever seen. They are also priced very reasonably for a Stereophile Class A product. |
I wonder... how many people have experienced servo controlled subwoofers? I do mean "experienced". I've heard sealed and an open baffle triple stacked pair of 12" servo subs... it's the best bass I've ever heard. It is not even "just a little bit" better, it is clearly superior. I can't imagine I would ever go back to non-servo tech for bass. |
Purchased my first servo sub from Jonas Miller and Ken Kreisel at their Wilshire Blvd. store 1978. In 1983 the Velodyne ULD-18 provided more control far less distortion and loop time. Being just over the hill I found their innovations miles ahead then and now and still use two DD Plus. |
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