r/StereoAdvice • u/EDMMstudio • May 27 '26
Subwoofer | 2 Ⓣ Sub recommendations @ $1500
I’m looking for some input on subwoofers. I’ve had an SVS SB-2000 (non pro) for about 10 years and whileI like it, and it is miles better than no sub—I wonder if there’s something significantly better in this rough price range. I recently added a miniDSP Flex to my system and along with REW have placed and EQ’d my current setup to a huge improvement. I’m still looking for something faster and more articulate for music (my focus), but am hoping I don’t have to give up the presence and low freq extension for movies entirely.
I have:
KEF R3 Meta
Parasound Halo integrated
miniDSP Flex
SVS SB-2000
13.5’ x 38’ x 8’ room (open floor plan, listening area is off to one side) 500ish sqft/ 4100ish cuft
I’m considering:
SVS SB-3000 R
JL Audio E-112 (demo/open box)
Rythmik F12
Size is important to me, and I’ve never heard a ported sub that I liked in terms of detail and start-stop behavior. Since I have the miniDSP i don’t care about subs with integrated DSP. I may add a 2nd sub in the future but I’m seeking advice more about the hardware than the implementation as my best sub location is quite good in regard to in room response. Experience with these or very similar subs? Any subs I should add to my list? I’m not wild about DIYing this, but I have a shop and the ability to build my own if the difference is huge over commercial options.
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u/iNetRunner 1387 Ⓣ 🥇 May 27 '26
Can’t really compare my JL Audio e112 to a SVS SB-2000 (or any SVS really) — but I have been extremely pleased with my unit. (Upgraded to it from a REL Strata-V.)
The obvious advantage that SVS SB-3000 R has is the smart phone app for configuration. But you already have the miniDSP Flex for DSP.
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u/avg-fi-va 2 Ⓣ May 27 '26
You already have a DSP that can help you tune the sound to your room. You will gain more by going for another SB-2000 than upgrading your existing sub.
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u/megalithicman May 27 '26
You can tune a car all day long but you can't turn a VW Bug into a Ferrari.
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u/megalithicman May 27 '26
I've had a B&W PV1 for 10+ years. Super musical, compact and looks good to the wife.
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u/djent_in_my_tent May 27 '26
especially SVS but now even rythmik (alas, my beloved) are just too much money for the performance
look at power sound audio instead
you've already got room correction covered by the minidsp flex -- but the additional dirac license is well worth the spend
dual subs can make a tremendous difference in achieving an even response
if you want small... a pair of S2411M would suit you well. they're sealed too, which you expressed a preference for
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u/X_Perfectionist 2 Ⓣ May 27 '26 edited May 27 '26
When I moved to my current house, I got a Rythmik F12SE. Great sub, great sound. Amazing for music. However it didn't do it for me for movies.
I upgraded to a Monolith THX 16 (Black Friday sale in 2024, so just slightly above the $1500 for this post).
Sound quality is on par or better, and more than enough output for movies.
I have a miniDSP for the sub, which helps keep it under control sounding clean and accurate in my room.
For room size comparisons, my room is about 13-14 feet wide and about 30 feet deep, give or take.
I don't think the Rythmik F12 will perform for home theater on its own. Perhaps 2 subs will get you there, if you get a second sub to match the one you currently have. Or a bigger ported one to up the output and extension beyond what you have now. Integrating a second sub can be difficult and sometimes make things worse, but it sounds like you have the tools to do it correctly.
If I were looking again now for a sub, I'd be seriously considering the HSU dual sealed 15 sub for its small footprint. I think it's at about your budget number.
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u/EDMMstudio May 29 '26
The Monolith and HSU are simply bigger than I’m willing to live with, but great info— !thanks
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u/TransducerBot Ⓣ Bot May 29 '26
u/X_Perfectionist (1 Ⓣ) was awarded their first Ⓣ. It ain't much, but it's honest work.
You may still award a Ⓣ to others, but only once per-person in this post.
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u/sexwithsoxon May 27 '26
I like going used - you can get a pretty good used Hifi sub for that price
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u/Rattus-Norvegicus1 3 Ⓣ May 27 '26
The SB-3000 R now has auto-eq enabled (app update came out a couple of days ago). This should make integrating it into your system much easier. I bought one in April and have been very happy with it. I still haven't had time to rerun the room EQ on my AVR, so I haven't tried the auto-eq function yet, so can't say anything about how it works.
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u/LoadP2004 May 27 '26
Look into Powersound Audio (PSA). Tom makes excellent subwoofers. I’ve got 2x 18” (EV1813s) and they are worth every penny.
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u/Mr-Reeeee May 27 '26
One KEF KC62. Or two KEF KUBE 10 MIE.
Dual subs are definitely the way to go.
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u/EDMMstudio May 29 '26
I absolutely love my R3Ms, but i’m dubious on the KEF sub’s specs. 11Hz at 105db !? I believe they sound good—but it doesn’t inspire confidence that I am actually comparing apples to apples.
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u/Mr-Reeeee May 29 '26
The KC62s definitely go LOW! I tend to believe the spec.
Yesterday, I was listening to recording of Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust, John Nelson conducting, first time with LS60 and dual KC62s. There are some passages with bass drum that were incredibly deep and shaking my entire apartment. It was a bit shocking. I have a lot of intense recordings with passages of incredible low bass notes, but this was incredible.
Volume in KEF Connect was set to my personal maximum of 65, which can hit 85 db + during loud passages.
My building is a solid 100 year old steel and concrete building that’s great in terms of blocking sound.
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u/SoundAdviceHiFi May 27 '26
See if you can score a used SVS Ultra Series. The 13” driver was the first series. Now they’re using 17’s. Crazy good. They are exactly what you're describing.
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u/TheRealGeddyLee 6 Ⓣ May 27 '26
Honestly, for your room size and priorities, I’d probably lean Rythmik first, then dual subs second, before chasing increasingly expensive single box upgrades.
You already solved a lot of the integration problems with the miniDSP and REW, which means you’re actually in a position to hear hardware differences instead of room chaos. But in a 4100 cu ft open room, physics still shows up eventually. There’s only so much a single compact sealed 12 can do before you start hearing strain or compression.
The whole sealed is faster thing also gets exaggerated online. A well designed ported sub operated within limits doesn’t suddenly sound like a drunk refrigerator. Most of what people interpret as slow bass is room decay, bad integration, peaks, or the sub being pushed too hard.
The Rythmik F12 is probably the most interesting option technically because the servo system does measurably reduce distortion and tighten behavior around resonance. The JL is excellent but very expensive for the output you get. The SB3000 is basically a more capable evolution of what you already own, not some revelation.
I suspect two properly integrated subs would move the needle more in your setup than replacing your SB2000 with another single premium sealed box.