Gentlemen,
I am very appreciative of your recommendations; however, there is one overwhelming problem… REL “ST” series subs are no longer available to my dealer. Fact is, he has ordered every single sub listed on the Sumiko Audio web site, and he can get NONE. Furthermore, the most widely suggested STRATA has been discontinued (the only ST series currently listed on the web site are the STENTOR and the STUDIO). It is his belief that the B series will eventually replace all of the ST series subs, but these are not currently available either. My dealer also informed me that REL’s senior designer has left to start his own company. And last of all, I will not pay $9,000 (the current retail price for the Studio III) for an auditorium-size subwoofer, which my dealer can provide only in walnut finish.
My point is: I need a reasonably sized subwoofer, which is intended for in-home use. I agree that the REL STRATA is a wonderful sub… but if it is no longer available, isn’t this simply beating a dead horse? And for those unfamiliar with the REL STUDIO, it is a 65 liter, 300 pound behemoth, over twice the size of the STRATA. I realize that used STRATA do become available, but I would rather not purchase a used subwoofer because it seems that these speakers are the most prone to abuse. This is precisely why I have been asking about the Spendor, Monitor, and Epos subwoofers. All three are widely available on-line, seem to have garnered some fine reviews in 2-channel applications, and are of appropriate size for the Harbeth speakers. The prices also seem to be quite reasonable, with the Spendor being the most expensive, at $1,199. Problem is; I have no dealers available to me locally, so audition samples are not available. I have been fortunate to have received some very good advice from this forum in the past, and it would make me feel much more confident to hear the first hand observations of this learned body. And, if anyone is aware of any other “2-channel friendly” subwoofers, that are currently available, I would be delighted to hear about them also.
Many Thanks,
Lance