VMPS Subwoofers--Opinions

i have a pair of the vmps larger subs, crossed over w/a deluxe version of marchand's xm9 active x-over, and the sound is *anything* but that described by sean. i wouldn't trade my current sub set-up straight across for any pair of velodyne, rel, muse, or sunfire subs, which are all the rage, even if only *one* of those costs more than my vmps-based system, which includes the marchand, & a pair of bridged adcom gfa555's, & except for the sunfires, they *do* cost more. i *might* consider the kinergetics research's now-discontued top-model subs (sw-8000?), or a pair of the bag-ends' top-model, w/their best electronic box, but i'd wanna give a careful audition 1st. (and come into some funny-money!)

in short, this is the most musically natural bass response i've heard in a stereo system. the only time i ever heard anything its equal was a pair of the infinity irs-lll's i heard a long time ago - ya know, the ones w/the separate woofer-towers - six 12" drivers per side, servo-statically driven.... the top end of that system was a mite better than the top end of my current system, btw... ;~)

as for home-theatre, well... i don't watch movies, & i see mebbe an hour total, of tv a week.

ymmv, doug

i agree w/sean - let your ears be the judge. i am not knocking rel or the other powered subs out there, i yust think they are not cost effective - it's more expensive to get accurate, undistorted, deep bass out of a smaller box than it is to do it as vmps does. it's true that it's hard to fit a pair of vmps' larger subs into many decors.

as far as integration, i believe that having a hi-quality, flexible x-over is the key to using passive subs. the marchand is both. i also believe it's far better than the electronics built-in to most powered subs. and, you have your choice of amplification.

the marchand's flexibility has allowed me to successfully use thiel 3.5's & meret re's w/my subs, as well as audition proac tablette signatures, totem arro's, & even some nht super-ones. i'm looking forward to my brother-in-law bringing over his proac 2.5's to try.

as far as a mfr having negative things to say about vmps, i have spoken w/several over the past few months, and they all had nothing but good things to say about 'em - melos, cary, newform research, rogue audio... also, a couple dealers (who don't carry vmps) had positive comments about 'em.

again, these are my opinions only - ymmv.

doug