Subwoofers: add a JL Audio or switch to 2 Rythmic subs?

Have you tried the highpass in your E112? You just loop it in/out between the pre and amp. It will add some hiss for sure as JL’s electronics are very questionable but it should be night and day better. I would highpass at 60hz. If you like the sound of that the CR-1 would clean up the hiss as it is made much better than the junk in the E112 (I own two, no hate just calling it how it is). The E112 is a great driver backed by garbage electronics. 

The job of speaker positioning is to prioritizes sound stage. The job of a -3dB subwoofer position is to evenly load the room with low frequency. Don’t be confused by the sight of -6dB sub-bass speakers stacked next to main speakers. Sub-bass speakers roll of much earlier than subwoofers and barely begin to excite the rooms modes compared to subwoofers. The only relation subwoofer/s have to the speakers is within the subwoofers crossover region which gets accomplished from an unnoticeable distance.

A single sub without any signal processing located in the rooms loudest mode will most likely provide an increasingly unnoticeable integration at the listening position and require the least amount of the subwoofers volume. Two and three subwoofers in the rooms other modes can compound the size of the listening position, further reduce the rooms modes as well as the individual subwoofer volume. Four subwoofers become a distributed bass array requiring far less, if any, room mode attention.

Do the test before you spend a dime.

Add another E112 and get a real two way crossover. JL makes one. 1/2 the benefit of using subs is being able to remove the low bass from the main speakers which lowers distortion dramatically. With two subs up against the wall between the main speakers you can run them up higher without affecting the image, 80 Hz or even higher in some instances. The ultimate set up would be to use digital bass management but as an AR buff you probably will not want a digital conversion at the output of your system. Do not mix subs! Now, in a room your size you will not get the ultimate slam factor out of two 12 inch subs. In a room about your size I use eight 12" drivers in 4 enclosures. You could probably do it with 4 subs. 

The E112 is located near one of the main speakers - outside it closer to the side wall.

As stated the low pass crossover is set to 40 herz range; in effect, we’re talking 40 foot long sound waves.  Mid and upper bass from the A5’s is ample.  Low bass from the sub is good but not quite at same level.  If I crank up the output of the sub more, it becomes audible which obviously is a no no.

Basically, I’m seeking the best path for improvement.  I was under the impression that mixing different subs (such as a JL F series) is also undesirable.  Maybe not?

Thanks again.

@ozzy point/good question that should be examined. Don’t just go with your thoughts bobbydd. Listen to these bass hounds!!!

You don't say where or how your subwoofer was located. Sounds like your subwoofer is choking in a bass null. Map the rooms bass modes by using the crawl test then position your E112 in the loudest mode. All you may need are a pair of long cables from Blue Jeans or a WiFi devise.

+1 Ozzy. If needed a used F110 series v2 would make a sensible master controller. There's a very good reason JL's cost more. You only need to do the test once.   

@bdp24 If you try a Swiss Digital Fuse Box on your dual-opposed Rythmiks, your jaw will drop. Bass hounds only 💚

For home theater applications, Rythmik Audio offers ported subs, still featuring Brian Ding's patented servo-feedback design. For real bass hounds, he now also has models featuring dual-opposed 12" woofers, dual-opposed 15" woofers, and an 18" woofer. As with all Rythmik models, featuring his servo-feedback design.

Agree with the comments above, except to say that I’m more in the Rythmik type of sub-bass camp. My single Rythmik can shake the room in the 25-35hz-ish range the way I have it positioned, though. Still, not an ideal home theater sub at all.

JL and Rythmic do bass differently. My complaint about my Rythmic is the lack of punch. Not saying there is none but not like the JL punch you in the gut bass. The Rythmic does blend very well. Personally I would pony up for the JL. 

Well, I don’t think you could go wrong either way, but the Rhythmic subs go down to 14Hz while the E112 “only” goes down to about 20Hz (both -2dB).  Since you could sell your E112 you could have the two F12SE subs at considerably lower net cost than adding another E112, so that combined with the higher output in the lower bass that you’re apparently looking for would point me in that direction.  But alternatively you could buy a used E112 and that’d probably be comparable cost wise as buying the two new Rythmics.  Personally I’d do the Rhythmics, but it’s a bit of a toss up, and like I said before I really don’t seeing you going wrong either way.  Just adding a second sub is gonna make the biggest difference regardless of which brand you pick.  FWIW, and best of luck.