[sharpsuxx]

I guess enclosures is the best place to put this, feel free to move it if there is a better circle for this.  I am looking for a stereo subwoofer set up for my listening room.  I have a limited but I think fair budget of hopefully less than $1500.  I have looked at a few subs and I am really looking for something that is flat down to 30hz and effective down to 25 or lower.  I listen at reasonable levels and these will be focused on 100% music, any HT benefits are just a bonus.  My room is around 2100ft^3 and I run my crossover at 60hz so so I don't really need anything above that, I might run 80hz for movies. 

So far I have looked at the Velodyne EQ-Max 12
http://velodyne.com/subwoofers/eq-max-12.html

and the Emotiva X-Ref 12
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/xref12

I really like the idea of an auto EQ with the Velodyne but I do have an SPL meter if I feel like putting my own EQ adjustments in.  Anything anyone heard lately they were very impressed with.  I lived with a 10" HSU STF sub for a while and it is fine for the money but I want something with smoother tighter bass and better integration with high end monitors.

[mcgsxr]

A servo sub will likely prove best for integration with mains for music.

DIY designs with Rythmic seem good (I heard one 2 years ago and was impressed), and many Velodynes have that too. 

Some of the best HT bass I have heard was the Paradigm Servo 15.  Apparent,y decent with music too, but I only heard a movie and it killed.

[Miney]

Been pondering a sub upgrade myself.  The Rytnmik is pretty appealing the the money.  Better yet, for a few more bucks, have Jim Salk build one with your favorite veneer.

[kip_]

The Rythmik subwoofers and the Salk sub that uses those drivers are both excellent choices. Have you considered 2 12" subwoofers instead of one larger one? If placement allows, this should give you a flatter response.

[bakufu]

you might want to have a look at subs from nathan funk:

http://www.funkaudio.ca
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1283555

after researching the usual suspects among commercial subs for my music system,
i went with funk.  nathan is building me a pair of his 18.3's (i have an enormous
listening room.)

tremendous craftsmanship, and as you can see, very fine components. 

[jonbee]

You didn't mention size. For a larger sub, the VMPS subs are the best I've heard. Very deep and powerful, but also tight and very low distortion. Fairly cheap, too. Will work well with the most transparent satellites.
For smaller subs, the James EMB subs are the best I've encountered. I live in a condo so I'm stuck with small, and I've tried at least a dozen smaller subs, such as Carvers, ACI, Def Tech, Velodyne, Legacy, etc. The James subs operate on a different driver loading principle than others, which I won't go into, but the result is much better defined, fast bass than the others, and the differnce is not slight. Still not the VMPS, but quite close.
My room is a bit larger than yours, and leaks bass, and I use one the smallest subs, the EMB-1000. One works just fine, but if you need a lot of output two would be better . Used EMB-1000s (1500 retail) sell for half price or less. EMB-1200s, which were reviewed very positively in Stereophile, have a lot more output.
Good luck!

[Letitroll98]

you might want to have a look at subs from nathan funk:

http://www.funkaudio.ca
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1283555

after researching the usual suspects among commercial subs for my music system,
i went with funk.  nathan is building me a pair of his 18.3's (i have an enormous
listening room.)

tremendous craftsmanship, and as you can see, very fine components.

Welcome aboard bakufu.  When you get another post in you won't have to wait for authorization.  While the Funks are awesome products, perhaps a bit out of the price range for our OP (see below).  I didn't see any prices for the 15" new models that are coming out, perhaps they are closer to the OP's price range?  Worth looking at the link for the eye candy in any case.

I have a limited but I think fair budget of hopefully less than $1500. 

[JLM]

Look into Epik subs.  Dual in-phase woofers mounted on opposite sides of the cabinet (passive radiators and dipoles are out of phase, ports may be out of phase).  By design cabinet vibration is reduced.  Dual 15 inchers with 500 watt BASH amp or dual 12 inchers with 300 watt BASH amp.  Prices are quite competitive (someone here at AC is selling one), so buy a pair!

[bakufu]

thank you letitroll.

i think 1500 might be at the very lowest end of nathan's subs, which is why i decided to toss this option into the mix.  and while i haven't yet received my subs, i hope to write up a review once they've arrived.  meanwhile, i can say that it's been a definite pleasure to work with nathan over the last few months. 

also on my task-list is a review of the system i've put together with walter liederman and the guys from spatial computer:  a pair of emerald physics cs1.3's, which i'm currently driving with wyred4sound st 250, 500, and 1000 amps, and a prism orpheus dac/preamp.  as a long-time planar enthusiast (martin-logan sequel IIs, apogee divas) i recently took the leap to open baffle and computer-based audio.  preview:  spectacular.

[sharpsuxx]

I have heard lots of good things about rhytmik.  That is near the top of my list, but I would probably DIY with those bad boys.  I do plan on doing 2 12s I guess there isn't anyone out there that has heard the two subs mentioned above.  I guess I need to check out a bunch of new companies.

[Chris Adams]

I have this Rythmik:
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12G.html
It is fast, clean, goes deep (14hz) and integrates with my MMGs so that I can't tell where the speakers stop and the sub starts. It replaced an Elemental Designs A3s-250 (10" 300w sealed). No contest. The ED was good for the money but the Rythmik is just plain great. I'm hearing low frequency stuff on some CDs that I didn't know existed.

I just checked the Rythmik site and it looks like the price has gone up a bit, so now 2 would be over your limit. If you could live with 1 for a while and purchase the other down the road, I can't think of a better deal.

[Eric]

I use 2 of the Rythmik F12's and love them

[Letitroll98]

I guess there isn't anyone out there that has heard the two subs mentioned above.  I guess I need to check out a bunch of new companies.

I would hang in there a bit, it's only been three days and with Velodynes being so popular I'm sure someone has owned at least a close model.  The Emotiva X-Ref is pretty new.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Go with a Velodyne with a remote control.  The remote is a very nice feature to have and you can store your settings for different music and HT.  I would consider a used SPL sub, Optimum or Digital Drive.  All the Velodyne's I mentioned sound great and are nice and tight, they are not ported, high power subs, some are servo controlled.  Consider REL's and Martin Logan Grotto as well.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/velodyne-digital-drive-dd-15-subwoofer-gloss-black-fi

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/velodyne-dd-12-subwoofer-gloss-black-2-available

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/velodyne-dd-10-new-ref-sub-woofer--2

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/velodyne-optimum-series-12-inch-lowest-prive-ever-tak

REL subs are excellent and you can get some good deals on used Britanica subs which must be heard.  They are very musical, fast and are great for music (they can keep up with Magnepans) and HT.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/rel-b3-subwoofer

[sharpsuxx]

Is there any audible difference between the Rythmik F12 and the F12S (signature) or is it just the piano black finish you are paying for? 

I also see on their website they are back ordered.  I take that, that means there is no room for negotiations on pricing?

[Brad]

The F12 and F12S are identical except for the finish

The F12G uses the 12" GR paper driver

[2gumby2]

I have a couple of Elemental Designs A5s subwoofers that I've been very happy with. Great sound quality and plenty of output. I built a couple of Rythmik subs and while the sound quality was fine they just did not have the output I was looking for. Check out  http://www.edesignaudio.com

[jtwrace]

Rythmik.  I could build you some nice aluminum ones.   

[Chris Adams]

Is there any audible difference between the Rythmik F12 and the F12S (signature) or is it just the piano black finish you are paying for? 

I also see on their website they are back ordered.  I take that, that means there is no room for negotiations on pricing?

If you buy two in black oak, they are $787 each plus shipping.

[TomS]

For $1445 you can get 2 Chase Home Theater SS18.1 sealed 18" subs with a Dayton SA1000 amp, including shipping.

http://www.chasehometheater.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=586&category_id=29&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=143

I bought the pair of SS18.1 subs by themselves ($1045 shipped) and used a Crown K2 amp I had on hand. So far I am very pleased with the result in my multi-sub (5) setup and CHT was great to deal with.

I've owned SVS, ACI Titans, GR servos, both sealed and open baffle. The ACI's are no longer made, and of course the GR/Rythmik offerings are all very solid, with the option to DIY or have Jim Salk build some beauties.

All are good choices but set up, measuring, and integration is everything. Good luck!

Tom