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
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.
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.
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.
Gentlemen,

I wish to thank all of you for the excellent advice. I managed (after considerable pleading) to audition my dealer’s STRATA. This subwoofer is (and has been for quite some time) a fixture in his Vandersteen demonstration system. After being reminded that it is not (and probably never will be) for sale, he allowed me to have an in-home audition. I have found my subwoofer. Now the task of finding one begins.

Thanks Again,
Lance