I’m sure this has likely come up before, but what would be the best subs to pair with Magnepan 20.7s?
Not like I need them… today. But when they come in, if I need more bottom end, I’d like to have a target.
Local dealer recommended JL Audio, but they seem overpriced for what they deliver.
Any ideas?
Rob
I’ve had great synergy using Vandersteen 2wQ’s with everything- including 3.7i’s. I’ve had a lot of speakers over the years but the Vandersteen’s have stayed. Some of the speakers they’ve worked with- Apogee Studio’s, Martin Logan Summit’s, VMPS RM/X, Sound Lab M1’s and now B&W 802D3’s.
I suspect the REL’s would work for you too.
Rythmik F12 over the REL’s and the current Vandersteen sub the Model 3 but it does have completely different hookup system than other subs on the market. Like cb910 I used a pair of 2WQ’s for many years with well over a dozen different speakers and after getting the crossover formula right with the amp they just work.
Still using a pair of Rel Carbon Ltd subs with my MbL 101s. They worked very well with my 20.7s when I had them. Picture attached is with them sitting next to the Maggie’s atop ASC subtraps. My guess is the Rel 812 or any model above that would mate well. The subtraps help reduce
vertical room nodes.
I use a pair of REL Carbon Limited subs with my 3.7’s. I nor any audiophile that has listened to my system can hear any discontinuity between the Maggies and the REL’s. They also allow mw to tailor the bass to my room. I would not want to be without them.
Very happy with my (1) SVS-3000 paired with my Sanders Model 10e hybrid 'stats. Although the 10e has frequency response down to 20Hz (-2dB) the sub does fill in the lowest octave more completely. The SVS also has a great phone app that allows very fine adjustment as you listen including phase. Very helpful for setup.
I find it interesting that others use the Vandersteen 2wq subwoofers. I just traded in a pair against the 20.7s. I felt they were overly large, but there was a bigger problem.
I run a Rowland Continuum S2 integrated, with input from the DirectStream DAC. The HPB high pass filters for the Vandersteens were intended to be placed between a pre- and an amplifier, and not necessarily between the DAC and an integrated. While chasing down an issue with the Rowland, this connection came up for review and Jeff Rowland hisself did not endorse the DAC → HPB → Continuum connection.
I dropped off the Vandies the other day, and my room looks better for it, to be sure.
So, for any of the other subs that were recommended above, would I run line-out from the Continuum to the subs?
I like the idea of the SVS phone app.
The dealer who was recommending JL showed an app that worked along with a microphone that would help dial the subs in regarding room nodes. Evidently, you fix a mic at the listening spot while the subs run test tones.
I don’t know if this capability exists with other subs. Man, I gotta get with the times!
I’m not really sure how most subs connect up these days.
Here’s an image of the back panel of the Rowland Continuum S2. Could somebody educate me on the sub hookup for this integrated?
Thanks!
Since the amp is Class D you could go speaker level and use the supplied ground post for the negative terminals or the preamp outputs.
I have to admit that I’m not all that up on various connections, so your reply was a bit confusing to me.
Are you suggesting that I can stack positive (+) speaker cable lines onto the binding posts along with the main speaker connections, but tack the (-) lines onto the ground screw?
yep, exactly.
REL’s can be connected two ways, and there are YT videos explaining each.
If those Pre-amp outputs are variable (meaning the volume changes), then you can use those. (If fixed, then it’s problematic. That’s for recording.)
But you can use the high-level inputs connected to the speaker posts, but you’ll need cables with speakon connectors. (those come with the subs)
Connect the red/yellow directly to the + speaker post. Black to chassis ground.
Thanks. I’ll watch the videos. I appreciate your input.
After almost 1.5 years with my Maggie 20.7s, I’ve decided to add some subwoofers. I might’ve done this sooner, but upgrades take a while for me.
I was ready to go for a pair of REL S/812 or S/510, but in looking closer at them, I don’t think they’d be the best fit. For one, they don’t seem to have much adjustability (DSP), which would be helpful in my setup, and second, there are some camps that believe that REL is overpriced and underperforming – YMMV, of course.
So now I’m considering the SVS SB-100 Pro or SB-2000 Pro. And yet, I’ve heard that Rythmik has a superior product that will integrate well with the mains, while perhaps not providing the upfront slam of SVS or REL. (I’d prefer them to integrate well, and am not looking for big, boomy, overloaded bass.)
Any thoughts on SVS versus Rythmik? Of the Rythmik product line, which one?
Music only, no H/T
I’ve been listening very carefully to the 20.7s over the past month, and while I can certainly live with the sound, the bass seems too light, very tight and polite, but not very engaging. Nothing ever really reaches down and grabs attention. There’s actually a nice spot in an adjoining room, but not so much in the main listening room.
Why not use a pair of Magnepan’s own version of subs?
I’m very pleased with my sealed SVS 3000 series sub paired with my Sanders 'stats. The DSP app is very user friendly and with REW and a $100 USB mic you can achieve great integration.
So I’m not sure if you have seen the Maggie prototype subs? They may not be too far off in the future. I have 20.7 as well. How big is your room - and tell me about your amp.
People I know that heard the Maggie sub when it toured w the ‘condo’ version of the 30.7 were floored.
I am biased towards Rel. I had a pair of carbon limited versions with my Maggie 20.7s and I am currently running a pair of Rel N25s with my MBL 101s. I actually lent a pair of Rel N25s to to @paul172. He is using fast electrostatic speakers and he believes the Rels smoke his current JL subs. He can make more comments. I believe the lack of DSP can be ameliorated with an outside processor if you desire. The speed and musicality of Rels are hard to beat
Are these different than the bass panels posted about? In other words an actual subwoofer and not an additional bass panel.
