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How do SVS subwoofers compare to REL?

I'm looking for subwoofers (one or two) that have a very "tight" natural sound and are not overly boomy. In the future I hope to pair them with some Magnepan speakers. Magnepans are known for having a natural sound, and I want to compliment that.

I've been told that the REL subwoofers (e.g.,T/9i or S/3 SHO, etc., are a good match for Magnepan speakers. However, SVS subwoofers have also been recommended to me.

I don't have any background in high-end audio, so I am interested in opinions of folks here. Are SVS subwoofers considered generally as good as REL in regard to the features I'm interested in? Is either clearly superior? (I had never heard of SVS before yesterday.)

Which subwoofer size (in REL or SVS) would be a good match for a pair of Magnepan 1.7i in an 18 foot x 15 foot room (ceiling about 10 feet) with carpet on floor?

I'm looking at these so far:

REL T/9i Subwoofer about $1300
REL Acoustics S/3 SHO Subwoofer (Super High Output) about $2100
SVS SB-4000 13.5" 1200W about $1600
Any other recommendations?

Total subwoofer budget is around $2600 max. ($2000 or less would be better.)

Also, I believe it is better to buy two smaller subwoofers, compared to one larger one, right? (I'm just not sure where I would put two. Placing one is easier in this room. And I plan to connect everything with speaker wires, not wireless.)

Thanks

lowoverdrive
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
I mix live shows for world class musicians, and if their "pace" or "timing" is off they may have been drinking, however that rarely happens (see "world class"). PRAT came along as a catch phrase implying "generates toe tapping" or something and I actually DON'T get it, illustrated by my discussions with impassioned Linn salesmen years ago (ironically I own a Linn)…if it sounds good, it's good, and pace, rhythm, and timing are the same damn thing to me (see Grumpy Old Man). Attack could possibly mean dynamics for which there is already a word…dynamics...unless it implies throwing beer bottles at the performers which may actually be necessary at times. I understand playing behind the beat, on the beat, rushing the beat, being in the pocket, being out of the pocket, pocket lint, mono dynamics (common among many modern guitar based bands), regular dynamics, and dynamos…and in comedy, timing is everything.
lowoverdrive OP
147 posts
 
@axememan Thanks for the suggestion. The BEHRINGER ULTRA-DI PRO DI800 looks lnteresting.
elf1
12 posts
 
while I cannot add to the above suggestions do to my lack of electronic knowledge, I would like my questions answered. I am currently testing Rythmik L12 (entry level) subs. I have connected the left channel from sub to left out channel of AR SP6 using a Y splitter. The other end of Y  rca splitter goes to left channel of amp. I repeat the procedure for right channel. My speakers are Magnepan 1.6. 
Am I loosing sound quality using this connection as compared to high level connections to my main speakers?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ed
hifidream's avatar
hifidream
47 posts
 
I run Magnepan 20.1 speakers supplemented by two Kinergetics SW-800 and two SVS 16-Ultra subs. All this is in a studio apartment and has eerie 3D sound, I don’t believe you can have speakers too big for any space. SVS makes great subs which are built like tanks and have great control. I recommend getting four smaller sealed subwoofers rather than one large one. The sound advantage gained from being able to control the room nodes is better than the few octaves gained with a more expensive larger subwoofer. How do you control all that sound? Use Room EQ Wizard to measure the room, speakers, and listening positions and plug the data into Multi Sub Optimizer and let it crunch out crossovers, timing delay, and signal inversion. Add that data into a Mini DSP running balanced connections to everything and you will have musical bliss. Good luck on your project!

- Steve
lowoverdrive OP
147 posts
 
I don’t believe you can have speakers too big for any space.

Well, I just received the two SVS PC-2000 subs I ordered, and I think they are too big for my space! I might have to send them back and get something smaller. Seriously. I am shocked at how big they are.

How do you control all that sound? ...
Your solution sounds sophisticated and impressive. It will be a while before I have the time to invest in understanding an approach like yours. I admire it, but I need a simpler solution while I continue up the learning curve -- otherwise, I might as well stop listening to music and use my time to go back and earn a degree in electrical engineering. One day I might do that, but for now, I want to take simple steps while I focus mainly on enjoying my music :-)

I started this music hobby to shift gears and turn my brain off from work.


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