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Subwoofer Decisions - REL/Rythmik, Pair/Single, Paper/Aluminum Driver, etc.

I have decided to upgrade my subwoofers. I have a 15x12 room with an open side wall that I use for 2 channel and HT. Two channel music performance is the priority. We don’t listen to either very loud or need the room to shake. I am considering the REL S/510 and the Rythmik F12, F12G, FM8, L22 and E22. I have an all Linn vintage system. My speakers are Aktiv by installing special crossover cards in the 5 channel Class V amp. It outputs to the speakers in a bi-wire configuration. If I used a high level speaker connection I guess I would have to tie into the speaker wires connected to the Bass/Mid card.

Any thoughts on Rythmik v REL? You seem to get a lot more for your money with Rythmik and they also offer more options - finish, sizes, configurations, etc. Supporting a Texas based business is also nice. Do they offer equal or better quality and performance? There seem to be many fans that think so.

Any thoughts on Rythmik’s paper v aluminum drivers? The owner says that the aluminum driver retains its shape faster and is more detailed. He recommended the aluminum in my system over the paper even for 2 channel. The paper is lighter and has better extension above 80Hz. I’ve also heard that it is better at low volumes because it easier to move. My current subs have paper drivers and paper seems to be greatly preferred in the audiophile community.

Any thoughts on pair v single sub in my size room? One 10 or 12 is probably enough to pressurize the room but will a pair of dual 8 or 12’s make everything easier and better? Is there a point where they will overwhelm the room?

Things are pretty tight in my room so the smaller footprint of the vertically stacked FM8 and L22/E22 are appealing. Also stacked drivers look badass right? The FM8 with its dual 8 inch drivers will probably be faster than the larger 10 and 12 models. It also appears to go plenty low enough to keep up for basic HT needs. The L22/E22 have a smaller footprint than the single driver F12 but I’m concerned that those might be overkill.

High level speaker connection? REL recommends it. Rythmik offers it but recommends using other methods. Anyone know if using it with a Class V amp and tying it only to the bass/mid speaker output will perform well? I’m not sure how REL implements its filters to make this work. Is the high level connection really better in performance?

Thanks for the help.
128x128snatex

Showing 4 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,813 posts
 
@snatex I made exactly this decision recently and went with F12SE Rythmiks for the reasons you mentioned -- ability to dial them in to a pretty tricky room. I got a pair. Trying them out. Have an older REL which I love, too, but didn’t want to buy a new matching pair. I will do measurements, soon, and really appreciate the ability to adjust a number of various factors on the Rythmik. I did a little listening last night without doing much more than playing with some dials and they sounded great. I put my REL at a distance and ran it, too. I think something nice is happening with all 3 subs and I may not sell the REL after all.

There is so much to love about both companies and products that there's really no shade to throw toward either. Both are excellent options and since I use REW/Umik, too, I wanted a subwoofer with variability I could both hear and measure. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,813 posts
 
Quick update -- the Rythmiks work beautifully, and the extra controls on them were very helpful for adjusting them to the room. I have kept the REL also, and it’s now adding something to the mix as a third sub, further away in the room. Adjustable phase is really valuable, and this was proved beyond a doubt both in measurements and in how it all blends in listening. There is no peak or dip greater than 6 db and mostly much less. My room has 6.5 ft. ceilings, so this is a major accomplishment for me.

P.S. Ascend Acoustics, the Rythmik dealer I used, were great to deal with.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,813 posts
 
Thanks, golfnutz. Actually, it's within 5 db. In a room where I had very very awful problems!

It wouldn't be worth buying another sub, yet — from what I read, if one is within 5 db they should count their coins and leave the betting table.

I will try to amend the photo with some details, but they're really only relevant to my room.

Also: I will move to another room within a year, I think, so it's not clear yet what that room will require.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,813 posts
 
I have three subs in a room with a ceiling that is 6'5" high. It's a very difficult room. What allowed me to manage the bass with the Rythmik's adjustable phase. The left Rythmik is set at 270; the right Rythmik is set at 30. The REL is further away and set at 0. I could never accomplish what I did without the adjustable phase. Take a look at my system, the first picture and see what it's made possible. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9064
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