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Emotiva X-Ref 12 inch sub or KEF T-2 sub (slim)?

4K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  eljaycanuck 
#1 ·
I tried out the Kef T2 subwoofer ($799) at Visions paired up with Cambridge Audio's S30's and I must say my 192 kbps test AAC and MP3s sounded VERY good. Some better than others, and I just blame the huge open environment and the lossy/sub-par compression techniques for those that sounded "meh" and average.


I have heard great things about Emotiva's subwoofers, and if I am to order online, I'll likely get the 12 inch over the 10 inch sub. I want a "musically inclined" sub and not sure if the Kef T2 is. I can say it isn't boomy, and the bass of the KEF T-2 was very tight and the music sounded really good when paired with the S30's.


The salesman who helped me said he can get me the T2 on special order (since it's not part of their regular stock) for $600.


And for $600, that is the price of the physically larger and heavier Emotiva.


So which should I get?
 
#3 ·
+1


Yes. The X-Ref 12 will be a better sub for the money than the Kef T-2. However, the SVS SB12-NSD would be your best bet.
 
#4 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by amheck  /t/1418731/emotiva-x-ref-12-inch-sub-or-kef-t-2-sub-slim#post_22191978


Did you read this?
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1418419/audioholics-reviewed-the-svs-sb12-nsd
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145  /t/1418731/emotiva-x-ref-12-inch-sub-or-kef-t-2-sub-slim#post_22192069


+1

Yes. The X-Ref 12 will be a better sub for the money than the Kef T-2. However, the SVS SB12-NSD would be your best bet.

+2. You can read detailed reviews of both the SB12nsd and X-Ref 12 on Audioholics and decide for yourself.
 
#5 ·
Here is a review of the Kef sub, included in a review of the whole Kef system:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/kef-t305-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures


It does not reach as low as the X-Ref 12 even, definitely not as low as the SB12.


Seems like the X-Ref 10 on sale at $399 is a much better value than the X-Ref 12. You could go that route if your room is not too big.
 
#7 ·
Yeah my room is pretty small, about 12 x 11 ft. I am leaning towards SVS, but if the X-Ref 10 is good enough for this size room (home theater and music use) than $399 is a steal IMO.


I would rank music higher on my list of importance as I'm sure action movies will still sound awesome no matter what type of sub I get.
 
#8 ·
Well, Audioholics gave the X-Ref 10 a Bassaholic Small room rating and the SB12 a Medium room rating. Small is less than 1500 cubic feet. Medium is 1500-3000 cubic feet. So, unless your room is open on one side to a larger area the X-Ref 10 should work. But the x-Ref does really lose output below the mid-30s Hz, while the SB 12 starts to roll off lower than that, in the mid 20s. So, for movies there will be a bigger difference than music.
 
#9 ·
My room is not enclosed in 4 walls and there is an open area to access the other 2 bedrooms and kitchen, etc in my 3 bdrm apartment suite.


In this case should I stick with the X-Ref 10 or just go with the SB12. If I were to move next year to an apartment whether it's a bachelor or not, there will be big open spaces too.
 
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