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Please recommend a musical sub for me

Hello folks, I am wondering if you could recommend a sub for a music only system. I alternate between four vintage 80s speakers (Spendor SP1s, Spica TC50s, Linn Kans, EPI 100s) and all are classics and excellent within their specific parameters but they are all somewhat deficient in the bass. I alternate speakers depending upon my mood and musical selection. I am running Quad separates (909 power and QC pre) and listen to everything except classical. I would like a sub under $1000 (new or used) that is flexible enough to blend with these speakers for a music only application. I am not interested in reproducing earthquakes and sound effects, just a seamless integration and a fast, quick, precise bass that keeps pace with the music and doesn't seem to be disjointed from the speakers named above. My room is fairly small (13 X 14) so this might be an important factor in your recommendations. Thanks for your advice.
mp666
steidlguitars
90 posts
 
I'm hardly an expert, but after a similar hunt I wound up with an SVS SB12-Plus:

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

SB stands for sealed box, which while not quite plumbing depths as low as ported boxes, many seem to prefer sealed for music. It goes plenty low...

Lots of connection options on the amp, a simple equalizer (that works!), and reasonably priced. I like what it's done for my two-channel rig.
bigshutterbug
379 posts
 
I have a small music room with dimensions similar to yours, and have tried quite a few different subs to match with my 3A de Capo i's. Good room treatments are a MUST, and I ended up with 2 large tube traps in the front corners, 2 smaller ones in back, and 6 total 2'x 4' diffusion panels on the walls. The best results I obtained were with an MJ Acoustics Ref. 100MkII sub. It is very un-colored and non-boomy. It does not over power the room, and is relatively easy to adjust using the remote control and LED display. They are priced well below the smaller REL subs and have very attractive finishes.
bondmanp
1,788 posts
 
Well, it aint small, but my Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofers are very musical - fast, clean, and easy to blend with my mains. Used, this sub can be had for under $1000, somtimes under $900.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
The TBI subwoofers are by far the most musical I've heard. In fact they are the only subs I've heard that deserve such a qualifier IMO. Well, maybe the $10K Wilson Benesch Torus also.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
You might want to search these threads for Velodyne SMS-1. It's a $450 subwoofer controller that I've commented on pretty extensively. Add one of these guys and the $500 sub of your choice (I use Rythmik, they're great but I suspect that there are many other fine subs out there as well) for excellent results.

Good Luck

Marty
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