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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

mgrif104
mgrif104 OP
574 posts
 

A longish update for those of you interested. 

I had multiple lengthy conversations with Jason Melman of Boutique Audio Gallery (“BAG”) in Toronto and Dr. Michael Plessmann of SoundSpace Systems, a speaker mfg in Berlin to address my room issues. Separately I will be doing business with Jason as I started my conversations with him regarding a streamer. Even though he no has products he represents which might solve my bass issues at my budget, he enthusiastically jumped in to help.  He is a fantastic and honest resource - highly, highly recommended.

Jason brought Michael into the discussion because he knows of no one better in addressing problematic rooms and bass issues.

First let me say I was humbled by their generosity with their time and in sharing their experience and knowledge. We had multiple video calls with three time zones across two continents on weekends - at times we were talking with Michael around midnight.

Let me also say that I have heard the SoundSpace Robin and I agree with Jason’s sentiment - Michael is a speaker savant. 

For those of you interested, here is a review of his “entry” level speakers:https://pt.audio/2025/09/28/soundspace-systems-robin-loudspeakers-review/

Let me echo the review - the speakers are truly spectacular. Open, articulate, resolving, deep reaching, balanced, dynamic. Apply any superlative you wish. They are worth going out of your way to audition if you get a chance.Yes, I would have purchased SoundSpace Robins had I heard them before purchasing my Il Cremonese. And I really like my SFs. I will be making my way to Toronto to hear his top speakers at BAG. Though they’re out of my budget, I want to hear them. 

After lots of fiddling with placement, I am getting some output at 25hz, and near but not quite full output at 30hz with my Il Cremonese. Far better than where I started. But, given that I’ve gone this far with the system, I want that last octave to give that sense of space of the recording venue many of you have talked about. Not slam - the hall. I don’t want to hear my subwoofers, I want to hear all of the music and the ambiance. 

So, I took the safe choice and ordered a pair of REL #31s. I wanted #32s but genuinely feared I wouldn’t be able to safely get them up my stairwell. I’m in the middle of nowhere up there and moving help isn’t really available. I expect it’ll take a couple of weeks to get them, and then another couple to dial them in. I’ll report back to the group my results.  

 

ricred1
2,147 posts
 

mgrif104,

I don’t tell people what they should or shouldn't purchase, but I try hard to explain why I purchased something, with the understanding that there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences. I’ve owned Martin Logan, HSU, SVS, JL Audio, and REL subwoofers. I prefer REL No. 32 subwoofers to all of the aforementioned subwoofers that I’ve owned. I prefer the No. 32s for the exact reasons that you stated, "sense of space of the recording venue, Not slam - the hall, and I don’t want to hear my subwoofers". I don’t "hear" the 32s, unless I turn them off!

mgrif104 OP
574 posts
 

@ricred1 

Thanks for the feedback. BTW - You have a beautiful system!  

While it was a lengthy process for me to get to this point, and there is a great deal I didn’t share in my post above, I was fairly comfortable with the decision. Though I sure would have liked to go with the 32s!  

Best,

fastfreight
1,292 posts
 

Congrats @mgrif104 !  Can't wait to hear your thoughts and results!!  Do the 31's come with the Baseline Blue upgraded REL high level wires?  Or are you doing something else??

mgrif104 OP
574 posts
 

Thanks @fastfreight !

I ordered the upgraded wires too. Pretty much everyone says they are an important improvement. Looking forward to getting this going!

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