Rythmik G25HP are great! I bought a pair before Christmas. It was Hsu or Rythmik and I’m happy with them.
User feedback on subs
While it’s not a path I want to go down, it turns out I need some subs for my cabin system. After trying lots of positions with little success, and after having discussions with people who’s experience and knowledge I respect, I’ve concluded it’s the only way for me to deal with some serious modes in an odd shaped room and to produce adequate bass in the large volume. Sigh.
Subs are relatively unfamiliar territory for me. Based on the conversations noted, I am leaning toward sealed subs - no ports/passive radiators - to better blend with my main speakers.
While I’m leaning toward REL #31s, also under consideration are Sonus Faber Gravis VI, Perlisten D series, and Martin Logan Balanced Force (now Depth?). All are subs I can get from dealers in my home state. The SF dealer also carries Paradigm but he hasn’t suggested any of those models - even their reference ones. While available at the same dealer who can provide Perlisten, I’ve ruled out JL Audio for reasons I’d rather not discuss here.
The SF have a high level connection very similar to REL - intuitively my preferred connection. SF and Perlisten (I’m unsure about ML) have an app which assists in setup though I’ve been reviewing enough setup routines that I “think” I’ll get better results with a manual process.
The Perlistens are completely unfamiliar though appear well designed and solidly built. However, they do not have a high level connection which means I’d have to send my preamp feed to them and output from there to the amps. I have what I think is a very nice sounding preamp and I do not want to harm that purity. Perhaps my worry is misplaced. I have the same concern with the ML.
All the subs under consideration can do what I need. But they are obviously not all equal. The REL is the easy (safe?) choice, though significantly more expensive than the others. The Gravis can be ordered to match the finish on my main speakers - not important, but nice to have.
So - given the above, any user feedback on the subs I’m considering? I welcome pros and cons.
Importantly, auditioning them in system is not possible as that location is a 4 hour drive each way from any of the dealers. So, I want to get it right.
TIA
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Sibelius is indeed a favorite escape. Finlandia and the 2nd obviously but I like most of it. Copland too. His 3rd on reference recordings w/ Minnesota is both well played and recorded, and I have a particular affection for an old record of Appalachian Spring w/ the composer conducting Boston. Really loose playing (the piece is deceptively difficult to play well) and the recording is only so so. Yet, I must have listened to it 100 times. Literally. I will certainly be getting two subs and appreciate the input and feedback so far. The Perlisten dealer has spoken w/ the company and they have indicated the pass through does not alter the signal (no EQ, no gain - just pass through) so connecting this way appears an option. I’ll read my owners manual from T+A to ensure it’s not a problem to drive though they surely account for this. |
Hello, @mgrif104 that is probably the most well-informed question I’ve ever read on this forum! I think you have really asked and answered all of your questions. Don’t let others knock you off your game! I also would always want to use the high level input. REL explains the advantage of this clearly in their website. I doubt you would have any issue dialing them in. While a second person is helpful. I guess, it doesn’t really work for me. One, they would run out of patience long before I was happy! And two, I want to know with my fingers exactly how much I am turning which dials. But you don’t have to worry about that with the number 31 with its nice remote control. I really didn’t have room for the number 31s, but I bet they are just simply amazing. The carbon specials and limiteds are the best I have heard in a home system. But in my basement, I had issues with nodes and booming. Upstairs in the family room I tried different spots for them, and they looked and sounded best tucking them off to the sides. Similarly but much more dramatically, in my basement they disappeared completely way over on the side walls. In the traditional location, no sub worked well. My point here is how much I recommend the REL Airship 2 Wireless connections. It allows wireless high-level connection without messing with your speaker wires at all. Without the wireless, I never would have dragged my subs to the locations where they sound excellent. Upstairs, I did wire them, and recommend at least the REL baseline blue wires. I’m surprised they don’t come with that level of sub, but they are worth it. Plenty of aftermarket high level sub wires also. At you level, The wireless is worth it just to experiment with sub location , and then wire them once you know the best spots. The rest of the subs you mentioned are certainly esoteric expensive and wonderful looking. But I doubt they’re any better than what you describe is the safe choice. I would call the new carbon specials a safe choice. I would call the number 31 a wonderful indulgence.
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@fastfreight - thanks for the thoughtful guidance. Your experience seems particularly relevant. Like you, I’m skeptical of DSP and am leery of something diminishing the quality of my preamp’s feed. I did have to chuckle at the “they would run out of patience long before I was happy” comment. Spot on. Just ask my wife… The remote function w/ the REL 31s is particularly appealing for set up and noted on the wireless suggestion. My local dealer has also suggested the carbon specials as an option so I do take note that it should be a safe option as you indicate. Curiously, no one has also suggested the 212. Of course, and not surprisingly, the REL rep to my dealer feels “strongly” I should get a six pack… While I’m sure 6 of the #31s would be fun and exceptional, that’s a no go. Again, just ask my wife… I wish i had made it to CAF. I would have enjoyed connecting and would love to hear your system some time. I’m pretty sure your DAC and clock are in/near the top tier extant. Best, |
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