Rel vs the world

I've owned the Martin Logan Depth i, HSU, dual SVS SB Ultra 15s & 16s, dual JL Audio F110 v2s with their CR1 external crossover, JL Audio F112 v2, dual REL Carbon Limited, and now I have dual REL G1 MKII subwoofers. In my system I prefer RELs for 2-channel. RELs simply disappear in my system and you really don't know they're on, until you turn them off. In my opinion JL Audio hit harder, but I could never get either the F110s or F112 to disappear. If I required a subwoofer for HT only, I would choose SVS. If 50/50 music and HT I would choose JL Audio. For music and occasionally HT, RELs are my preferred subwoofers. 

@smodtactical, the pair of Rythmik F12Gs replaced a pair of Rel S series 812s

@bjesien , If you a) have a dedicated room for music b) comfortable working with flatpacks/woodworking (a.k.a going the DIY route) c) don't mind the towering size (a.k.a very low WifeApprovalFactor), i would recommend the GR Research open baffle dipoles. It is hands down the best you can do for music, IMO. I have these in a dedicated 2 channel music room.

Otherwise, your next best option would be the sealed Rythmik F12G which have the GR research drivers. I use them for 80ish% music (20ish% movies) in a 5.2 setup with the Elac Adante series speakers. I use it for 2 channel and multichannel music (SACDs, blu-ray audio). For movies, i tend to crank up the sub levels on my receiver about 3 db and i have a 1 click setting for making the change. They dig real low btw and makes you feel things your soul's been craving all along (lol). I have not felt the need to try ported options just for movies.

With companies like SVS, REL, etc, you are also paying 40 to 50% of the cost to the dealer middleman for not doing much these days. Rythmik sells manufacturer direct and they are a Texas homegrown company. You tend to get better quality drivers etc at the same pricepoint. Our new political enterprise has been slapping tariffs on European imports as well. So, you may be paying that in your price on some imports these days too (not too sure). This becomes a contentious topic, so i'll leave it there. With Rythmiks, you also get more DOFs (variable phase, peq, etc) for better manual integration if you don't have bass management. Don't let anyone tell you that manual integration is a easy peasy thing to do and the RELs do it just so seamlessly. It is simply not true and proper integration takes a significant amount of measurements, time and effort. As a music guy mostly, I have been hitting my head with frustration on various subwoofers i've owned for 20 years. Long story short, my frustration has ended and i'm extremely happy and content after my Rythmik+GR research discovery. This is my personal experience. Other forum opinions/experiences may differ, of course.

Don't let anyone tell you that manual integration is a easy peasy thing to do and the RELs do it just so seamlessly. It is simply not true

Maybe it didn't work that way for you, in your room, with your system.  It did for me.

The Rythmiks might be fantastic subs.  If I tried them, I might like them even better than RELs.  I simply have no idea; I've never heard them.  Regardless, there was nothing in what I said about my experience integrating REL subs that is "simply not true."  Following the manual process outlined by REL gave me, and apparently others, results I am extremely happy with. 

Acoustics is hard.  Perceived acoustics, even harder.  Anybody's mileage may vary.  But "simply not true" is just rude and silly.

@trentmemphis, Ah yes, the longstanding REL marketing magic of "seamless integration" like no other sub out there apparently! I guess the power of suggestion can work wonders too...Make some other guy who spent years with it look rude and silly (when i said it was my personal experience and there may be differing opinions/experiences).

Either way, good for you.