[IanATC]

Here is the situation:
  My residence has an 18x 12' listening area.  Currently, I have a small powered REL sub.  It is better for HT than music IMO.

Due to shipping practicalities, I have decided to go one or two routes:

1) NHT 1259 powered sub in 4 cu ft box.  

2)  Sunfire truesub signiture.

I am leaning heavily on the Sunfire because of size.  I have seen very positive reviews, and it is supposed to be a big improvement over any previous model Sunfire.

I have no doubt it has massive output, but would like some opinions of it with music.

I am looking for a controlled/sealed sounding bass, not a loose ported sound.

Thanks

[Val]

I guess by "small powered REL sub" you mean one cheaper/older than the III series. Have you tried another, more modern small REL? I am sure either a Strata III or Storm III would blend perfectly with your SCM12 (which I like very much and deserves the best ancillaries). My experience with both REL and Sunfire subwoofers is that, if you're only looking for augmenting bass in a music system, the REL easily wins by reasons of much easier blending due to the speaker-level connection. Although I haven't tried them, http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/">MJ Acoustics subs (Pro 100, Reference 150) are very similar to REL in design and have also received rave reviews.

If you want to go the biamping + crossover route to benefit from less midrange distortion at a higher crossover frequency, I would recommend a pair of custom http://www.adireaudio.com/diy_audio/drivers/adire/dpl12.htm">Adire DPL12s in a 3.12 cu.ft. (88.5 liters) box (http://www.acoustic-visions.com/">Acoustic Visions makes them to order) and a Marchand http://www.marchandelec.com/xm44.htm">XM44 or http://www.marchandelec.com/xm9.htm">XM9L crossover. The DPL12 is head and shoulders above its competition (it was originally made to order for Mirage speakers), even above some larger-diameter drivers, and I know the Marchands are very transparent.

Yet another alternative is the new Velodyne http://www.velodyne.com/pages/productsp/DigitalDrive.html">Digital Drive series, whose many digital-domain features are priceless, in my opinion. They also have a transparent, passive, 6dB high pass crossover at 80Hz while allowing for parametric control of room-induced bass problems and several other goodies. I think a DD-10 would be superior to any Sunfire for augmenting bass and you can always add a second one later for biamping and stereo bass with a high crossover frequency.

[IanATC]

I guess by "small powered REL sub" you mean one cheaper/older than the III series. Have you tried another, more modern small REL? I am sure either a Strata III or Storm III would blend perfectly with your SCM12 (which I like very much and deserves the best ancillaries). My experience with both REL and Sunfire subwoofers is that, if you're only looking for augmenting bass in a music system, the REL easily wins by reasons of much easier blending due to the speaker-level connection. Although I haven't tried th ...

The REL are nice, but the bigger ones [like ATC also] are brutally expensive.

The IPL use an Audax driver which is too soft and slow, and more suitable for HT with it's short xmax.  I will sift through the other suggestions.

[Val]

For a room like yours even MJ's Pro 50 might be enough at reasonable volumes, though I would suggest a home trial and again, you can always buy a second one later.

[doug s.]

get a pair of vmps smaller subs, an outboard x-over, (i am partial to marchand),  & a used s/s amp.   besides giving the best sound for audio, it will likely also be the least expensive.   if shipping the vmps' is an issue, get kits w/o cabinets, & have a local woodshop do 'em up for ya.  

doug s., two subs or none for audio, imo...