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Subwoofer Decisions - REL/Rythmik, Pair/Single, Paper/Aluminum Driver, etc.

I have decided to upgrade my subwoofers. I have a 15x12 room with an open side wall that I use for 2 channel and HT. Two channel music performance is the priority. We don’t listen to either very loud or need the room to shake. I am considering the REL S/510 and the Rythmik F12, F12G, FM8, L22 and E22. I have an all Linn vintage system. My speakers are Aktiv by installing special crossover cards in the 5 channel Class V amp. It outputs to the speakers in a bi-wire configuration. If I used a high level speaker connection I guess I would have to tie into the speaker wires connected to the Bass/Mid card.

Any thoughts on Rythmik v REL? You seem to get a lot more for your money with Rythmik and they also offer more options - finish, sizes, configurations, etc. Supporting a Texas based business is also nice. Do they offer equal or better quality and performance? There seem to be many fans that think so.

Any thoughts on Rythmik’s paper v aluminum drivers? The owner says that the aluminum driver retains its shape faster and is more detailed. He recommended the aluminum in my system over the paper even for 2 channel. The paper is lighter and has better extension above 80Hz. I’ve also heard that it is better at low volumes because it easier to move. My current subs have paper drivers and paper seems to be greatly preferred in the audiophile community.

Any thoughts on pair v single sub in my size room? One 10 or 12 is probably enough to pressurize the room but will a pair of dual 8 or 12’s make everything easier and better? Is there a point where they will overwhelm the room?

Things are pretty tight in my room so the smaller footprint of the vertically stacked FM8 and L22/E22 are appealing. Also stacked drivers look badass right? The FM8 with its dual 8 inch drivers will probably be faster than the larger 10 and 12 models. It also appears to go plenty low enough to keep up for basic HT needs. The L22/E22 have a smaller footprint than the single driver F12 but I’m concerned that those might be overkill.

High level speaker connection? REL recommends it. Rythmik offers it but recommends using other methods. Anyone know if using it with a Class V amp and tying it only to the bass/mid speaker output will perform well? I’m not sure how REL implements its filters to make this work. Is the high level connection really better in performance?

Thanks for the help.
128x128snatex
big_greg
6,627 posts
 
There's no such thing as "overkill", but at the same time, your goal shouldn't be to "pressurize" the room (unless you're listening to Bassnectar at 11), but to seamlessly blend them with your speakers so that they don't call attention to themselves.  You want them to deliver all the bass that's there in the music, the lower frequencies that most speakers can't deliver, but not overpower the midrange and treble. 

I think you get a lot of bang for your buck with Rythmik and I like their servo technology, but also like SVS and Power Sound Audio.  Get as much and as many subs as you can afford.  Spreading out the load and using multiple subs to cancel out peaks and nulls is a good thing.  My room is a little bigger than yours and opens into a kitchen/dining room area.  I have two Rythmik F25s and two SVS SB13 Ultras (both are sealed subs).  Not overkill.  
audiorusty
270 posts
 

In my system I am currently using a REL S5 SHO, a Rythmik F12SE and two SVS SB4000’s. My room is 10 x 14. When I first started using the REL, I used the speaker level input but have since changed to using the rca inputs. To me using the line level inputs there was slightly less distortion giving me a slightly cleaner sound. The Rythmik has the best sound of all three though it has a little less output power. The SVS has the most output power of the three, but the sound quality is not quite as good as the Rythmik but a little better that the REL. The sound quality differences between the three are noticeable but not substantial. If you are not using some type of external crossover the Rythmik and SVS also give you more tools to help with integration.

If multiple subs overwhelm a room that is just an integration error and can be easily fixed. The intent of multiple subs is not to create more bass, it is to balance out the bass through out the room. It is a type of acoustical treatment for the room as explained by MC and Big Greg. 


snatex's avatar
snatex OP
16 posts
 
Went with a pair of Rythmik E22. Will report back. 
mesonto
89 posts
 
Why a pair of "Rythmik E22" instead of a single F12? I ask because this is my dilemma. The F12 has an AB amp while the E22 has the Class D amp. And I was thinking for musicality I would prefer the F12SE...

But sight unseen and no listening tests make any purchase a leap of faith. I was also interested in the REL S/812, but for all their (paid) reviews, I have heard more than a few personal horror stories about them not integrating properly.

Still would love to sit down with the REL s/812 and both the Rythmik E22 and F12SE and put them to an A/B/C listening comparison test. (price is less consequential as I have already placed money aside)
m-db's avatar
m-db
972 posts
 
snatex, way to go. Two smalls mo betta den one biggie for me too. 

Enjoy
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