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Subwoofer Recommendations for Audiophile Monitors

Do any of my fellow Audiogon members have any subwoofer recommendations that might play well with Harbeth 7ES-2 speakers? I love these speakers. With my ARC VSi55, these speakers make beautiful music… unless I chose something like the Bach Cello Concertos or Beethoven’s 3rd. In these cases, it seems like a different piece of music. The fact is, with most of the sub-60 Hz missing, it simply does not sound “good enough”. Yes, I am spoiled. Most of the time I am enjoying my Coincident Total Victory speakers. There is nothing lacking here that I particularly miss. It just seems that these nice speakers need some help. To that end, I have tried several solutions. I tried my home-theater system’s Klipsch RW-8 with the Harbeth. That sound was simply NASTY! This sub does fantastic auto crashes and star cruiser impulse power, but terrible Bach. My dealer was kind enough to lone me a REL Studio III (the only sub he carries, aside from the Klipsch). I must admit, it did sound quite nice. The problem here is that it is large enough to be mistaken for a steamer trunk. Just out of proportion with the rest of this office-size system.

The other subs that have been recommended to me are the Spendor SUB-3, Epos ELS-SUB, and the Monitor Radius 360. The problem is that none of these are available for audition to someone living in the center of the Pennsylvania forests. Has anyone had any first-hand experience with any of these subs?

Thanks in Advance,
Lance
128x128lanceo
bignerd100
515 posts
 
Blending a sub with monitors is tedious. Your Harbeth's are similar to teh Spendors. The Spendor sub is very musical and a pair would blend well with your speakers. However teh Spendor subs are NOT very dynamic.

Martin Logan makes great subs. A pair of Grottos would work nicely. Their Depth is great but pricey.

I've hear lots of good things about the Vandersteen subs and the design is very logical.

Good luck!
9rw's avatar
9rw
318 posts
 
Lanceo: Please re-read my post about the new B (Britannia) series REL subs, which indeed are available. Statement Audio in Knoxville, Tenn., has sold several during the last few months. They start at $1,995 retail and are A LOT SMALLER than the ST series. So my point is that not everyone is urging you to buy a Studio, Stentor, Stadium, Storm or Strata sub.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,901 posts
 
Dear Lance: First, I really like your Harbeths ( btw, any Harbeth ): great speakers.

There are many sub choices out there: The REL subs are very good ones but my advise is that you try the Velodyne HGS 12 or 15 ( second hand at very good prices ) or the new DD series. In my experience no one have the sub experience than Velodyne people and their today electronics ( internal crossover and amplifier ) are first rate.

I own Velodyne, two HGS-15, and before I buy it I test: Aerial, Revel, REL, Paradigm and Krell. The Velodyne's meets better and closer to my music/sound reproduction priorities.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
You might want to look at Art of Sound subs. They use an amp that I understand is from the same mfgr as the REL. I use the Tycus and it blends well with my Tannoys. Hookup is preety much the same. Just a thought.
semi
649 posts
 
9rw is correct, B-series are available now and I own a B1 as well. In fact, there was a B3 for sale on Audiogon a while back and a B1 right now.

I had a Stadium III before, B1 is significantly smaller and easier to place due to front firing configuration. Like all REL, it integrates with just about any speakers out there. A bargain consider how much more you will have to pay if you were to get a floor standing speaker that can go down to 20 Hz with the same visceral impact.
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