Discussion
allnighter said:
As far as reliability and quality you cannot beat the REL subs. I have had the original REL Strata which has been shaking my lounge for the last 15 years no problem.
Another happy REL user here.
Have had a REL Storm 5 for about 10 years now.
The sheer power and thump of the thing never fails to put a smile on my face.
Just bought a couple of Pioneer S-SLW500 for £4.99 each! Not quite sure what I'll do with them yet though.
I'm not expecting much, but can't resist a bargain!
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/pioneer-sslw500-su...
I'm not expecting much, but can't resist a bargain!
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/pioneer-sslw500-su...
Has anybody tried the P12-300SB-DF http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/P12300SB-DF... as I'm very tempted for the DF in Light Oak for our living room...
tvrforever said:
Has anybody tried the P12-300SB-DF http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/P12300SB-DF... as I'm very tempted for the DF in Light Oak for our living room...
There's a thread on AVF about it: https://www.avforums.com/threads/bk-platinum-p12-3...Personally I'd look out for a used XXLS-400 instead.
Whilst many argue there are likely better subs for the money, I love the way my B&W ASW610XP works with the rest of my B&W setup. It also sounds great for a small sub, in a neat and unobtrusive package. Build quality has proven great over the last 2-3 years, and it works well with music and movies.
allnighter said:
As far as reliability and quality you cannot beat the REL subs. I have had the original REL Strata which has been shaking my lounge for the last 15 years no problem.
I shall second that, I wish I had never sold mine 5 years ago!!Running through a good amp.......never fails to impress.
IceBoy
Edited by IceBoy on Monday 22 June 14:52
I have been through a number of subs, but there was always a compromise between punch and depth. Ported subs delivering the depth I wanted (at the expense of being responsive), and sealed subs giving that punch I want to hear especially with music, but then lacking during movie LFE.
I have finally found something that satisfies both: An 18" Fi sealed sub powered by an iNuke 3,000 power amplifier.
It is tight, responsive, musical... and will also delivery real depth... best of both worlds. It was a DIY job by the way... wrapped in wood veneer which matches my floor. Would highly recommend it, in fact, unless you're spending £2,000+ nothing that I have heard compares.
TX1 said:
The BK subs are great value for money, have the XLS200 MK2 which I find gives a nice boom when needed and also offers subtle when needed.
Be hard pressed to find something £ for £ as good.
Me too - Works really well when placed properly in the room - Plenty of oomph when required, yet subtle tooBe hard pressed to find something £ for £ as good.
ok so now looking towards the BK XXLS400-DF http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XXLS400DF.h... - any experiences? and how sensitive to room location placement are they?
Like any sub, room placement is important. In fact in the wrong place even the most powerful sub won't produce the bass at the listening position: If I have a single sub at the front left (or right) of my room, then I end up with a big null around 40Hz which really weakens the LFE on films. I found that I needed a second sub at the back of the room to remove the null (you can't eq out a null before anyone suggests this 
).
In practice not everyone can manage to fit even one decent sized sub in the living room, so as usual it's a compromise, that if you're lucky will work out anyway. At least room eq in modern AVRs can help to tame the peaks caused by the room, so you don't get a 'boomy' or 'one note' effect.
I used to own the ported BK Monolith, which was actually a decent performer in a 13 x 21' room, the XLS400 is sealed and may be easier to integrate in the room because of this. I've not heard a '400 though (still own a '200 in my conservatory set up), but anecdotally the XLS400 is considered better with music than the Monolith, but still gives plenty of LFE for films, at least in smaller rooms. Just be realistic with what you expect it to do: It won't give reference level bass in a large room (to be fair even my two 15" sealed 1500 watt subs don't), but I think you'd have to spend a fair amount more to get a worthwhile improvement (XTZ or PSA subs come to mind there).
).In practice not everyone can manage to fit even one decent sized sub in the living room, so as usual it's a compromise, that if you're lucky will work out anyway. At least room eq in modern AVRs can help to tame the peaks caused by the room, so you don't get a 'boomy' or 'one note' effect.
I used to own the ported BK Monolith, which was actually a decent performer in a 13 x 21' room, the XLS400 is sealed and may be easier to integrate in the room because of this. I've not heard a '400 though (still own a '200 in my conservatory set up), but anecdotally the XLS400 is considered better with music than the Monolith, but still gives plenty of LFE for films, at least in smaller rooms. Just be realistic with what you expect it to do: It won't give reference level bass in a large room (to be fair even my two 15" sealed 1500 watt subs don't), but I think you'd have to spend a fair amount more to get a worthwhile improvement (XTZ or PSA subs come to mind there).
tvrforever said:
ok so now looking towards the BK XXLS400-DF http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XXLS400DF.h... - any experiences? and how sensitive to room location placement are they?
I just upgraded from a Gemini II to an XXLS400-FF and the difference is big. Being able to shift more air means you actually feel the LFE rather than just hear it and that really changes the experience. If you're going to use it for music too then the XXLS400 is a good choice, otherwise also consider a Monolith. Basically, get the biggest you can.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff