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How do SVS subwoofers compare to REL?

I'm looking for subwoofers (one or two) that have a very "tight" natural sound and are not overly boomy. In the future I hope to pair them with some Magnepan speakers. Magnepans are known for having a natural sound, and I want to compliment that.

I've been told that the REL subwoofers (e.g.,T/9i or S/3 SHO, etc., are a good match for Magnepan speakers. However, SVS subwoofers have also been recommended to me.

I don't have any background in high-end audio, so I am interested in opinions of folks here. Are SVS subwoofers considered generally as good as REL in regard to the features I'm interested in? Is either clearly superior? (I had never heard of SVS before yesterday.)

Which subwoofer size (in REL or SVS) would be a good match for a pair of Magnepan 1.7i in an 18 foot x 15 foot room (ceiling about 10 feet) with carpet on floor?

I'm looking at these so far:

REL T/9i Subwoofer about $1300
REL Acoustics S/3 SHO Subwoofer (Super High Output) about $2100
SVS SB-4000 13.5" 1200W about $1600
Any other recommendations?

Total subwoofer budget is around $2600 max. ($2000 or less would be better.)

Also, I believe it is better to buy two smaller subwoofers, compared to one larger one, right? (I'm just not sure where I would put two. Placing one is easier in this room. And I plan to connect everything with speaker wires, not wireless.)

Thanks

lowoverdrive
106 responses Add your response
lowoverdrive OP
169 posts
 
@stevecham thanks for the positive recommendation for SVS... Just when it seemed that REL was going to be the hands-down favorite. As usual, it's never a simple decision when it comes to audio gear!

@dlcockrum  Very interesting info about REL sw's. That does sound like a good match for the Magnepans. And it further complicates my decision in regard to one vs two subwoofers. I guess I can always start with one and add a second later...


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dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
REL is a sub-bass system vs a subwoofer per se. They are not designed to be used with speakers with significant bass deficiencies (ie small monitors) or with crossovers that divide frequencies between the main speakers and a subwoofer.

RELs actually pressurize the room with very low frequency soundwaves that add heft and punch to the lowest frequency portion of the music while opening up the entire soundstage across all frequencies. They should provide a great seamless pairing with your Magnepans as they are a full range speaker with good bass extension already.

My experience over many years of using multiple RELs is that they should be connected to the amplifier’s speaker outputs (vs XLR or RCA line level connection) for two channel listening and should be adjusted such that they are not heard but felt, ie the crossover level set at the lowest position and the gain setting kept very low such that you never sense that they are playing until you shut them off and immediately notice the loss of low frequency energy in the room and the reduction in soundstage size of the performance.

Contrary to some others, I would recommend that you go with one BETTER sub than two lesser ones, ie one SHO vs two T/9i’s, but two SHOs will certainly be better still as two will load the room more uniformly.

JMHO. Hope it is helpful to you.

Dave
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I recently bought and installed two SVS SB2000 subs in my system. Couldn’t ask for tighter or more highly defined bass with extension that well exceeds my expectations. Continously adjustable phase, crossover and level ensure you can optimize it in any system. I couldn’t make a stronger recommendation and I am not affiliated with SVS. Their amp and driver designs and build quality are top notch. I believe they are the dark horse of the powered subwoofer industry.
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astewart8944
499 posts
 
+1 two subs much better than one. I can't help on the SVS v. REL comparison. I own two REL R-328 subwoofers and am happy with how they respond in a 16x20x10 room that has a stair case that leads into it with a 20 foot ceiling above the stair case. I don't lack for bass and it is tight--not boomy. Importantly, REL subs are designed to operate differently than other subs. REL wants its owners to use the high level input and attach the REL subs directly to the same amp posts as the main speakers. This is REL's solution to main/sub speaker integration issues that are a reality. I think the method works well. Finally, I recommend you put an Auralex Acoustics sub stands underneath whatever you purchase. Inexpensive and improves SQ considerably. 
limniscate
241 posts
 
I had the SVS SB13 Ultra and didn’t think it was better than the Rythmik F12G, so I ended up with two F12Gs with my Magnepan 1.7i’s. Now I have the 3.7i’s.

Two subs is much better than one. 
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