Focal Scala or Diablos with subs?

Bo1972, I believe your comment about the REL was address to me. Firstly, IMO the concept of slow subwoofer is a misnomer. Most often it is the resonances in the room that give one the impression that a sub is slow, i.e. bass notes hang into the room too long. This is most often a problem with the set-up and with the room. Secondly, while indeed a old subwoofer, the REL Stentor 3 is certainly not a bad subwoofer (I had great results with it with and without electronic room correction). Surely, there are much better subs these days, but this has nothing to do with the OP's original question. Finally, thanks for reminding me to update my system page.

Neuphonix, I have re-read me initial post. I am sorry for being so bold. I was probably not that happy to realize that in 10-15 year my daughter me also not know that much about drums or speaker set-up or things that I do for living (e.g. physics, math, programing). :)

I sold the more expensive Rel subwoofers in the past. The difference for newer subwoofers is quite big. Downfyring and bassreflex does not make is more easy. Bassreflex makes a sub always slower. Downfyring means bigger chanches for acoustic problems. The older Rel subwoofers are difficult to use in higher freq. like 120 hz. The become noisy and the sound is not that tight anymore. The use of Audessey Pro and my Monitor Audio PlW-15 makes is very easy to use to 120 hz. The integration with the speakers become extreemly stealth. To be unnest I never thought this would be even possible. To use it to 120 hz makes the integration go to a new level which most people never heard. Voices and instruments are so much better focussed and more 3d as well. I had a few highend systems always without sub's Like The Nautilus 800S. Now with Audessey pro and my Monitor Audio PLW-15 I have superior low freq starting from 16hz. Many of my clients with highend systems call my subwoofer voodoo. Because they are stunned about the stealth integration of the whole sound.

Bo1972, I agree with what you are saying. Electronic correction has come a very
long way in the last years. I use an Accuphase room correction unit for some
time now with wonderful results. IMO it is a must for SOTA bass and stereo
image.

Initially I though that we are digressing but not anymore. The OP should be
made aware of how seaming-less subs and monitors can be integrated these
days using room correction units.

Hi all,

apologies for not responding earlier, hadn't looked at the thread for a while & didn't realise that there were more responses.

Quick update, the Scalas have been sold, so for better or worse that option is off the table. The dealer does have a pair of Watt puppies 8 for sale though, hmmm.

Over christmas I ended up grabbing a second sub, JL-F112 & was able to find a Bryston active crossover from a seller on here. Will eventually sell the smaller 10" sub & buy another 12.

In the end there were just too many little doubts to justify the expense of the Scalas.

So now for the process of getting the subs integrated as well as I can. The crossover is proving trickier than I thought, getting some really bad humming?

NVP: no offence taken at all. You're right I don't know much, that's why I came here to get thoughts and advice from people like yourself who do have more expertise. I'm here to learn.

I read your thread about the price on the Scalas & how they seemed to be pretty easy to buy at a greatly reduced price. The dealer that I bought my Diablos from in France offered to sell me his demo units for $12k euro. Not sure exactly why this is, probably just economic pressures, they're not selling well enough for dealers to have them sitting on the floor, perhaps overpriced/better options in this price range?

I should have noted that although my father is a qualified sound engineer he hasn't actually worked in that field for a while. One most definite thought that he did have was that i was totally crazy for even considering spending that sort of cash on a pair of speakers!!!

The testing process that we carried out was a definite eye opener, really highlighted for me the impact the room can have. I have been able to move the speakers out from the corner & away from the walls a little bit (they now have a little more than a foot of space behind them) & this has helped. Also spiked the stands.

So plan to try & spend some time over the next few weeks trying to get the subs dialled in. Have read the thread you posted (thanks for that) as well as another pretty good one I found by the sound doctor ( http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm#2SUBS ).

Unfortunately I'm pretty limited in where I can place the subs, have been able to build them into my unit so that they sit side by side under my front speaker. Will be doing the crawl test to find out where the optimal position might be, but for aesthetic/space reasons they probably going to have to stay where they are. This allows me to keep the Diablos on their stands.

Have been reading a bit about the Velodyne SMS-1 EQ & have heard rumours that JL might be releasing their own active crossover. Any thoughts on these or alternatives?

Should I be considering room EQ instead? Rives PARC, Lygdorf, Accuphase?

not sure why that last response didn't jump up the thread? try again