BEST SUB FOR MUSIC

I second Perfectimage's comments (and will elaborate more than my first post). I also went from a 15" Velodyne (the FSR-15) to a Storm-III. I can't bring down the walls as much with the Rel, but the Rel plays deeper, more accurately, faster, etc. True, the HGS series is supposed to be somewhat better than the FSR series, but I've heard them at audio shops, and they're really only marginally better. The Storm (and it only gets better as you go up to the stadium and stentor) is a true audiophile sub. As some have already mentioned, I hardly notice it's there until I turn it off. The slower rolloff (12db/octave vs. 24 in the Velodyne and most subs) is key - the velodyne 'jumps out' at you because it's thumping the mid-bass but can't keep up at the real deep bass and rolls off quickly as you get to higher frequencies. It creates a very noticeable presence for a certain frequency, unless you just turn it down, at which point you're REALLY missing the deep bass, which is what the sub is for, particularly if you have mains that go pretty deep (forgive the run-on). I hope this post adds, rather than just piling on / ganging up. Anyway, as everyone always says, opinions do vary, and home-demo if possible.

the Aerial SW12 is a stretch, but an amazing sub. The REL's are nice, sure. I have Rega Vulcan, which is made by REL. Great little sub for the kitchen system. The ML sub is worth listening to, and looks better in person than in pictures. The Revel B15 is worth a listen too.

The ultimate bang for the buck is doing homebrew subs however. I have a pair of 12" subs I built using the NHT 1259 drivers, in multi-layered-laminated sonotube enclosures. They are as dead acoustically (the enclosures) as any sub I have seen in the store or my house, and with a Bryston 10b and Classe CA200 powering them, as good a sub solution as I have heard too. And, they would run equally well with a cheaper (Paradigm X-30) Crossover and a cheaper amp. One driver I've been itching to try is the Stryke HE15, made by TC Sounds. (www.stryke.com). The Shiva has had good reviews as well.

-Ed

Thanks for all your help,,,its gonna have to be REL.......

It sounds like you're obviously being overwhelmed here with the REL responses... but I have to join the party too. I've got a Stadium II which I absolutely love and couldn't possibly be without, now that its spoiled me so... I've used it with Martin Login Aerius i's and am currently using it with Audio Physic Tempo III's. It's a GREAT "integrater" and will keenly improve the image roundness, sense of depth and space... and add a virtually seamless bottom extension which never draws attention to itself in any unnatural way.... Just deep,fast,articulate bass. A real gem, and an excellent customer support outfit. Good luck and enjoy.