Subwoofer recommendations for mostly music

Thanks Dave! I know that the sub may bottom out on some of the action movies, but I think it will do just the same. It is definitely better than the Velodyne I have, which only had an 8" driver and (I think) only went down to the mid 30's in low frequency Hz. And, I wanted a musical sub, so I got one. Maybe next year I'll add a second UFW-10 - or go for the 12" model Rocket is supposed to have out later this year.

I just purchased an REL sub The Q150E. One of the main reasons is the unique set up which provides a high level and low level input. The low level is the traditional rca input that is used for the LFE. The high level is a proprietary connector (sub-side). The other connection is down at your main speaker connections on your receiver or amp. They provide a level control for both the high and low level inputs. The idea is that for music the high level signal sends the same signal as your main speakers and the roll-off is controlled by the sub. It works great at filling out the bottom end on music and even SACD and DVD-Audio. The key is you must set up the main speakers for "large" so a full bandwidth signal is sent to the sub.

My experience is new with this brand, model and hook-up but my first impressions is that it is the most versatile sub I have seen for music and providing accurate control for music.

I recently replaced the Velodyne HGS-10 I used with my KEF 104/2s with a Velodyne HGS-15. Both the 10 and 15 integrate seamlessly with the 104/2s, but the 15 provides more definition of very low frequencies and much more punch for movies. The sub sits out from the corner behind the right 104/2 in accordance with the Rives guidelines (and my own listening), and the Proceed preamp sends everything below 80 Hz to it. I'll start watching Audiogon for a second HGS-15 for the other corner.

I use a KEF 200C for the center channel and KEF 102/2s for surrounds. I'm very please with the sound of this system for both stereo music and movies.

db

I haven't yet watched any DVDs since I installed my new sub, but I have played a lot of CDs, and the Rocket UFW10 is wonderful for music! I hope to watch some DVDs later this week to see how it does with them.

Thanks again for the recommendation, Newbie13. :-)

Interesting thread. I've never seen so many recommendations for Velodyne subs on a'gon! I own a Velodyne myself and have been quite happy with it, but I haven't shopped subs, so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing.

I have two follow-ups that may also help the original poster:
1.) ported or sealed for 2-channel audio?
2.) what size driver is ideal for 2-channel audio?

I recently subscribed to Richard Hardesty's "Audio Perfectionist Journal." Hardesy argues ported subs are fine for HT but NEVER acceptable for hi-fi music. I found this very interesting, since Hsu Research, a highly-regarded subwoofer researcher/manufacturer, claims its 1220HO (ported) subs are better for music than their sealed models. Most of the sub threads I've seen recommend the 1220HO's for hi-end two-channel audio. I understand why they (the 1220HO's) aren't as recommended on this thread, given the parameters the original poster gave.

However, the conflicting thoughts of Hsu and Hardesty intrigue me, and I wonder how many a'goners have found ported subs adequate or superior choices to sealed.

Also, I believe there's a general principle that the larger the driver the less tight the sound, so is a 10" sub the ideal solution for 2-channel audio, or do you need the extra expense of a 12" with even better quality and engineering (to be as tight as a good 10")?

Thanks!