I am looking to get a subwoofer to go with my Monitor Audio RS6 set up. I listen to 90% music/ 10% home theater. My room is 15x24 with a vaulted ceiling. The sales person where I bought the speakers suggested REL. I have read good things about REL in the forums, but I have seen the SVS, HSU and Sunfire suggested also. I want to stay at the entry level pricing, not more that $800, but would like to be around $600. That is the price of the REL T3. I want smooth music intergration, and a full low end, that I am not getting from my speakers. I do not want booming, blasting bass that is prominent. I listen to classic rock, some country, mostly vocals but some instrumental. Movies are often kids movies, comedies, romance, music videos, occasionally action (Spiderman, etc).

Which subs do you think would be best for my set up and my tastes?

I'm a REL fan, but the problem I see is the combination of what you need. You have a rather large room and you want a full low end and you have an $800max budget. That can be a tough one for the REL gear. What main speakers are you using now? How far away are you sitting from your speakers and gear, now? The T-Series perform well for their compact size, but for your needs, I'd say step into a B3. The problem there is that a B3 is $1,995 which destroys your budget. It's a fabulous performer with top-notch build quality, but something has to give, (your wallet.);)

I am using the Monitor Audio RS6 for mains, Monitor Audio RS center, floor standing polks for surround. The TV and one main speaker are in the corner, with the other main about 12 feet away on the other side of the fireplace. We sit about 8 to 10 feet from the TV depending on where on the couch we are because the couch is not looking directly at the TV. It looks forward to the fireplace and the TV is to the left on a 45 degree angle. My speakers are sounding sort of bright with not much bottom end. At Magnolia he was telling me I would be fine with a REL T3. But he never did ask me how big my room was???
$2000 is way over budget on the sub for me. The most I could do would be the T2. How does it compare to the HSU VTF-2 MK3 or the AV123 MFW-15 or the Epik Valor or the small Sunfire? I like the smaller size of the RELs, but have never had a sub so don't know what sounds best, just that I don't want boomy prominent bass, and want it to sound like it is just an extension of the rest of the speakers.

It seems that for your budget the only option is HSU...

As kwkshift said,

REL is expensive and you are tight...

The problem is usually when you get into the smaller subs, they begin to get less efficient compared to a larger sub. That's why so many affordable subs on the market have boat-loads of power but they are also quite large. I ran a Sunfire Junior a few years ago and it did well, especially considering it size. I got a great price on mine at the time since it was a floor model. The other 3 manufacturers you lised all seem to have great reviews. I think there are some dedicated threads for them in this Subwoofer forum.

Good luck!

The Sunfires are way over your budget. Look at one of the online subs. ED, SVS, HSU, etc. Also if he said you're fine with that sub and never asked what size room never talk to the guy again.

If you can stretch you budget $200, that will put you into the T-1, though. I've used them in larger rooms with great results. They definately punch above their weight.

For music the choice is easy for me... of course, my ears are not yours or anyone elses, so if you can audition in person, do it by all means....

My choice for music is the Dynaudio Sub500. Flat response to 18hz, tight and musically defined. But that would be way out of your budget if you are buying new, although they do have some lesser priced models that perform admirably, too..

Not for killer HT "uumph", compared to HSU or SVS, but for it's intended purpose, it is outstanding.





I am looking to get a subwoofer to go with my Monitor Audio RS6 set up. I listen to 90% music/ 10% home theater. My room is 15x24 with a vaulted ceiling. The sales person where I bought the speakers suggested REL. I have read good things about REL in the forums, but I have seen the SVS, HSU and Sunfire suggested also. I want to stay at the entry level pricing, not more that $800, but would like to be around $600. That is the price of the REL T3. I want smooth music intergration, and a full low end, that I am not getting from my speakers. I do not want booming, blasting bass that is prominent. I listen to classic rock, some country, mostly vocals but some instrumental. Movies are often kids movies, comedies, romance, music videos, occasionally action (Spiderman, etc).

Which subs do you think would be best for my set up and my tastes?