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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

mahler123
sparksgja
37 posts
 

I have recently bought a new sub from Arendal, their 1723 1S. They are a Norwegian direct to consumer manufacturer with distribution in Chicago (I believe) in the USA. They offer a range of both speakers and subwoofers that all come highly recommended by their customers, plus there are some very good online reviews. What I especially like is that they are designed to be corner (speaker ) facing in, plus they offer an excellent app for both Apple and Android that allows easy fine tuning and really straightforward integration. They also offer RCA and XLR inputs, plus a 10 years warranty and 60-day auditioning period, and free pre-purchase advice. I use my Arendal sub with my Sonus Faber VIII’s in a 2 channel HiFi setup. The sub is great and very musical. My only comment is they are about to release a brand new range very soon. So I’d speak to them about that timing, even though they offer an upgrade path to recent purchasers. I also looked at REL, SVS and Rythmik but both REL and Rythmik rely on speaker output for integration, which is not as flexible from a room correction perspective as that provided by Arendal and SBS. Hope that helps.

 

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,270 posts
 

At it’s $3K cap pricepoint, the  ATC C1 Sub Mk2 bested all comers in my system.

Highly recommended.

dinov's avatar
dinov
845 posts
 

Although I can’t vouch for REL, I do have an SVS sub and feel they are not only a great subwoofer, but are an excellent value.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,034 posts
 

The key is to get a pair! 

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

Dual Rythmick F-12s owner here. Flawless integration. Soix is 100% correct, two subs is a must in stereo application. Placement is also paramount. They should be on different walls at different location. I have one a third down along the left wall, the other near the front of the right wall. Placing them by the speakers for a stereo effect is fruitless. All that did in my house of stereo is causing major booming along the rear wall. Finding the right setup is a lengthy process but necessary. Nothing is easy in the pursuit of the best sound. Good luck to you.

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