Video Asylum

Posted by dgavrile (A) on November 14, 2001 at 06:08:57

Hi,

I'm very interested about subwoofers sealed versus ported, especially REL products.
I go mostly for music (stereo and later DVD-DTS, DVD-A / SACD) .
I listened to ported subwoofers like hi-end Dynaudio Contour ($2500) very good and very expensive, Cabasse Vulcan ($1700) good enough for music, and Sunfire Signature ($1400) very powerful goes very loud but worst for music. I hear a lot + about REL. I am from Europe.
I would like trying before buying the RELs, but I can’t. Actually I did once with the biggest PSB, but was not in this league. I can't listen or buy any other brand.
Coming back to REL, they have a top end Stadium III ($2400); which is apparently on pair with Dynaudio but has more flexibility (high, and low end + variable cross over 22 to 120 Hz, Dyna has only 85-90 fixed and NO high level) both have the same 200-220 Watts power, both are ported and reach to 17-18Hz, but there is a sealed one !

I heard very good things about Strata (sealed), a Stadium owner changed the big one with two Stratas, saying that he achieved better integration and musicality without losing much.
I may afford the big one with some extra effort but I would rather go with the least expensive if I don't trade much.
I will buy ONLY ONE SUB mainly because of spouse factor ;-) and because I look forward to multi channel music.
I am bas freak (not loud but very low and high quality), I want smooth integration with mains (Totem Forest goes 30 Hz), I have small to medium hard cover room, Bryston amplifiers.
Would you be so kind and let me know about pros and cons for both systems, is there any trade off (17 Hz counts so much versus 20 Hz)?
Despite the very good reviews there is a sealed REL named Strata III ($1100) down to only 20Hz, 100W same functionality as Stadium and smaller.

All the best,
Daniel.