Add another sub or go with F30's?

Hey Y'all,

I have about the same room set up as you, Garyb6, and I have two Strata IIIs. They are just what the doctor ordered. My room is 22'L x 12.5'w x 9'h and the back of the room, opposite the system, is open to the foyer. I've gone through three other subs, B&W ASW-500, no big deal, Velodyne FSX-12, better, and the Rel Q100. Every time I made a change, the system sounded better but there was something missing. After reading the recommendations hear on the 'Gon, I decided to try two subs. The result is amazing! First off, no standing waves, the opposing subs cancel them out. Second, you have two drivers and two amps doing the work of one. I've got all the output I can handle in a room that is pretty big and they are still as musical as all get out. I also have both of them set up behind my system in opposite corners; I was told, by a rep at Rel, that this is the best way to get the most from these subs. If you check the instructions, it will give you that as well. It is time consuming and tedious but, in the end, very much worth the work. Sugarbrie is correct that these subs do not go down enough to match well with a full range speaker in the future. But, if you get the second sub and set them up right, you won't ever want for full range speaker.

As for under the sub, I replaced the original spikes with Audiopoints on both subs and it tightened up the bass very nicely. I've also had great success with the Shunyata Diamondback power cords. They are not too expensive and you will hear an improvement.......John

So, how did this end? Had you tried B15?

I hope somebody might pick up this old thread. I have the M20s and the B15 that a friend wants to sell set up in my living room. I've hooked them up to my current reference system using a Classe Six preamp and Levinson 23.5 amp. WOW! very impressive. The guy also let me take home his Levinson 383 that he had used with the M20s. I am considering buying all his gear for another system. I was wondering if there is any way to use the 383 with the B15, since there is no "pre out" on this integrated amp.

I could use the B15 and the M20s with my Melos SHA-1 preamp and a Levinson 27.5 if need be. The other major concern would be the need for 2 long interconnect runs of ten feet or more so the B15 can be placed in a corner like the instructions state. It seems to me that such long runs and the need to have two sets of interconnects and a subwoofer's electronics in the path between the amp and preamp would be deleterious to the sound. Not only that, but it will be deleterious to the wallet!! It would cost big bucks for 20 ft. of quality ICs. I was thinking of trying Signal Cables Silver Resolutions which could be bought for around $600 for two 10 foot pairs. Ar least you get the option of returning them in 30 days if you don't like the sound. I would have to use a single-ended cable from the Melos to the sub, but I could run balanced from the sub to the ML 23.5.

Any thoughts from those with experience are appreciated.

Try the VenHaus cables they are reasonable and sound great. Also, there are many opinions on sub placement. I know that Revel recommneds however, I've read many accounts that subs sound cleaner on the same plane as your main speakers. I think some of the decision may need to be based on one sub vs. two. One sub may indeed like corner placement, but I suspect two would sound better as they may sound too boomy in the corners, and the nodes might cancel each other out. By all accounts two subs are better than one!

Sell the REL and buy the Velodyne DD-15 or DD-18. The on board digital room correction system will take away all the boominess. The new DD series subs from Velodyne are going to change the way all subs are made.