Best sub for music,

I love subs in my system! I’m currently running two JL Audio F113 Fathoms in stereo using balanced cables running from my Ayre preamp. When setup and tuned correctly they sound amazing! They work very well with my Egglestonworks Andra II’s. 

@jheppe815 --

18’s in a home? That seems illogical and nonsense. However, those cones simply don’t move at low to moderate levels. Again, goes back to what mijostyn states about low distortion levels when the cones (air pistons really) are not moving much. I have zero vent noise or chuffing. Again, being a sealed cabinet guy, I was quite hesitant on these cabinets but after implementation of the system, that large driver (and it’s construction) simply sounds good. At full tilt with the drivers reproducing frequencies in the 20’s, it’s scary as to how much fun it is. I have other systems in the house in smaller rooms with tiny cabinets (and one system with a tiny subwoofer) and 50 watts of power, but I hardly listen to them anymore due to just how much fun it is to listen to a large system with subs driven by big power in a big room.

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for chiming in with your experience - the specifics or nature of which I find is sorely needed around this place. Practically it’s not about having too much bass/sub capacity (i.e.: displacement area) than it is typically having all too little and badly implemented at that. I can certainly vouch for the importance of headroom, in effect for reasons you and a few others have already pointed out, so "18’s in a home" would seem the logical choice that actually does make sense.

I’ll probably get promptly booted out of here and banned for life for suggesting 18" JBL drivers on an audiophile forum, but just wanted to share my experiences and I’m having a ton of fun with this setup. ...

Years ago I had my stare at a friend’s home set-up with twin EV TL880D ported cinema subs (2 x 18" per cab), not to mention their sonic impact both quantitatively and qualitatively. I’ve since gone on to acquire a pair of 15"-loaded horn-based subs instead, as I find their imprinting in the lowest octaves to be the most natural I’ve heard among any bass principles. They kick harder in the central to upper bass, even tuned as low as their direct radiating 18"-loaded EV counterparts, yet have a more "liquid," smooth and enveloping presentation. Few know of the sound of horn subs, let alone ones covering the "power region" - that’s a shame.

 I have owned over 20 subs and the tightest most accurate bass I’ve ever heard for music is with subs from Stereo Integrity

I concur with MC and atmosphere, et al, that four subwoofers are the way to go. If you can drop $3k on a good sub, there are many modern mfrs that can sell you 4 subs at $750. When positioned properly, they will shock you with the far better sound you'll get in your room when compared to any other single sub. No kidding.

Having talked myself out of "no sub is the best sub' (based on multiple sub failures) I was willing to try again based on the sheer logic of roll off on Klipsch Lascala under 50 hz. (But what can possibly be added with such a low frequency?) A LOT or so I am hearing. I think my sub negativity was based on sloppy subs.  Velodyne, Boston Acoustics, Sunfire, all complete fails. Blobby, sloppy, intrusive, distracting, these sub par experiences turned me sour on the whole idea. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to SVS subs. Bought the sealed box SB-2000 pro thinking to probably upgrade with Crutchfield deal. Only $800. Crazy cheap, expected to be wasting my time. Hard to express how wrong i've been to avoid a quality subwoofer. Added super AC cord (helped alot!)