The 2 RELs I've used for years work beautifully and add zero noise to my systems (they've survived changes to everything else in the rig), and with them the soundstage is utterly enhanced and a sense of realism is added to the entire thing. If this isn't the case with anybody else's system it certainly isn't due to REL's well regarded designs. I'm not a DSP fan as I don't need it in my listening room, and I think DSP gizmos take a little of the soul out of systems by notching out a naturally occurring frequency, and add extra circuitry and tone decisions decided by whomever designed the thing. For "home theater" I use an old pair of good sounding box speakers and a simple receiver (2 channel…yeah man) so clearly I'm not part of that world. Other than that, DSP is great.
Subwoofer: Watts or Brand Name?
I've read numerous forums and reviews looking for a musical (fast, accurate) subwoofer to pair with my Harbeth P3ESRs (no movie use planned). When comparing my Harbeths to previously owned bookshelfs ($400-500) they sound tighter and less sloppy. I'm looking for the same in a subwoofer. I've owned plenty of $200-$300 subs that are a let down. I currently own an Energy S10.3 (10", 200W RMS, ported) sub. It performs very well as an invisible fill, but I want to hear "detail" in the bass. I want to hear the shape of the bass guitar string, not just that a bass guitar string was plucked. I realize that a JL Audio E110 or Rythmik F12 would do this, but I can't go more than say $500 used. Am I dreaming? I have considered a REL T5 or T5i, but I have trouble believing that replacing my 10", 200W, ported sub with a 8", 125W, sealed sub would be an improvement. Compactness isn't important. In the end I wonder if watts are the determining factor. A 10" 200W sub from a high-end brand name (REL, Rythmik, Vandersteen) versus a 10" 500W sub from a mid-level brand name (Energy, SVS, HSU, Klipsch, etc)... which do you think would perform better? The main reason I ask is that in my $500-used price range I don't know if an entry level sub from a brand name would be better than a upper range sub from a mid-level brand. Or to make life simpler, do you have any recommendations for a $500 sub (used or new) that is tight, detailed, and accurate? Maybe an 8" would accomplish this more than a 10".
I've read over and over again that subs are expensive because they need (1) high watts and (2) thick walls/bracing. I wonder if I focus on the heaviest, highest watt subwoofer I can find from a mid-level brand...maybe it will outperform an entry level sub like the Rel T5 based purely on physics.
I've read over and over again that subs are expensive because they need (1) high watts and (2) thick walls/bracing. I wonder if I focus on the heaviest, highest watt subwoofer I can find from a mid-level brand...maybe it will outperform an entry level sub like the Rel T5 based purely on physics.