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Subwoofer recommendations for this system?

I am in the process of seting up a new system:

Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CDP with all upgrades
Bottlehead Foreplay preamp
Wright Audio 2A3 monoblocks (3.5 watts)
Reimer McCullough speakers (+/-3db 42 to 20 khz, 94dB efficient)

Room size is 15x20 ft with a cathedral ceiling sloping from 10-18 ft, and opening into a very large and high hallway. I listen to many styles of music, but mostly jazz (both acoustic and electric). This room can quickly become "boomy" with too much volume or too much bass, but the Reimers alone do not provide enough low end.

I am looking for a very musical subwoofer that will fill in the lower octaves, and integrate seamlessly. There is no home theater requirement. Budget is $1000 max.

Thanks in advance
Jim
jdombrow
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Without ever hearing one myself, the first sub I'd recommend for your application would be the REL Strata III. I think for your power and musical requirements it would be very tough to beat. Hopefully some people that own the Strata III and have a similar rig to yours can offer some real experience.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
A few days ago, there was a used Bag End Infrasub 18" subwoofer for $900. It could have been an auction but it was here on AG.

I've had one in my home for about 2 weeks some time ago. Very musical. I had no idea at that time that an 18inch sub could be so well defined and tight in the bass down to an unbelievable 8Hz they say. I do not doubt it.

Stereophile had very good things to say about this subwoofer also.

I stepped down a notch from the sound of the Bag End because I wanted a few more bells and whistles and ended up with a Triad Platinum 18inch subwoofer. The Triad is much like the Bag End, just not quite as tight and will not go down to 8Hz(not many will). You could find a Triad for about $1k used also.

The Bag End is not the best fit'n finish, nor the most easily configurable, nor the most options, but for $1k used, I do not believe there's a sub out there than can hold a candle to the Bag End's performance from a musical perspective.

-IMO
postmodpm's avatar
postmodpm
29 posts
 
Easy one. ACI Force. One of the most musical subs you can buy with surprisingly high clean output capability. Having compared directly to REL Strata III and Storm III, the Force was the winner as far as my friends and I determined. Looks very cool as well!
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Check this out. I know it's never recommended because it's not really advertised by Sunfire that much. Give a listen to their Architectural Series. It is designed for two channel systems. One front firing 10" or 12" woofer, depending on model. I did tons of research and listening when possible. Spoke to Bob Carver and others. You can find this baby, brand spanking new, nicely discounted. It's fast,very low extension and seamless with my system. I have the Revel M20s and set the sub's x over to handle the lowest end. Does everything a quality sub shoud do. I listen to mostly jazz, but his baby, if you want to show it off, will rattle windows and pictures. I love mine.
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