Below $5K Subs

Product Strengths

• Powerful output for a compact model
• Employs a Digital Automatic Room Optimization (D.A.R.O.) system that deploys eighteen bands of digital equalization to tame room acoustics
• Can be linked with another f110v2, where one acts as the master, and the other as an extension
• The f110v2 adds a sense of ease to the music, subtle sweetness, and improved ambient information retrieval
• The JL Audio drivers are extremely impressive and have a very distinct and clean sound, and quite powerful for their size

Product Considerations

• Lacks below-20Hz extension
• Gloss black finish attracts dust
• Setup required a little more time and attention to get them set up as accurately as possible

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The Fathom line of subwoofers are considered in home theater and hifi circles to be some of the best
• The Fathom f110v2 is a relative bargain compared with the company's super-premium Gotham v2 subwoofer
• Installing a pair of high-level REL subs is a bit easier and with smart placement integrate beautifully into MG-1.7i's with stereo coherence, smoothness, and grace

Takeaway: The JL Audio Fathom f110v2 is a compact but powerful subwoofer that can integrate well into high-end audio systems, enhancing the overall musical experience with its clarity and control. It is a good pick for those who want deep bass and a better sound, but don't want a huge sub taking up their space.

Product Strengths

• Delivers earth-shattering bass while maintaining finesse
• Expansive yet controlled output, powerful with headroom, subtle and musical
• Exceptional build quality with premium Piano Black Lacquer finish
• Can cast a massive soundstage seemingly upwards and outwards from the enclosure and disappears most of the time
• Versatile connectivity options with high-level Neutrik Speakon, low-level stereo RCA, LFE XLR and RCA inputs

Product Considerations

• Substantial size may require careful room planning (33" high and weighing in at 128lbs)
• Considerable weight at 58kg
• The optional REL AirShip wireless system is sold separately

Takeaway: The REL 212/SX Subwoofer is a testament to excellence, offering a blend of raw power and refined control and a new level of bass reproduction. It is a beautiful subwoofer with its piano gloss lacquer, finely crafted borders and mechanical features.

Product Strengths

• High level of quality with a piano black cabinet and overall aesthetics
• Features a forward-firing 12-inch active driver and a downward-firing passive radiator, both 12 inches
• Fast and responsive, offering articulate bass
• Seamlessly blends with other speakers and disappears into the room
• Adds spaciousness and pinpoint accuracy of sound

Product Considerations

• Piano black finish easily attracts hairline scratches
• Setup is very manual, with no remote control or smartphone app offered
• Wireless adapter/connectivity is sold separately

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs SVS SB16 Ultra: Faster and more responsive, the accuracy of the bass response was far better
• Vs SVS SB16 Ultra: Less boomy

Takeaway: The REL S/812 is a high-performing subwoofer that delivers clean, accurate bass and blends well with any system. It enhances both music and movie experiences, making them more immersive and enjoyable.

Product Strengths

• Exquisite engineering and design, visually striking with a gloss black finish and silver trim
• The carbon fiber driver delivers a longer stroke than previous designs—resulting in explosive dynamics
• It can lift the soundstage to reveal greater detail from main speakers
• Offers a significant upgrade to the soundstage, detail, and timing of a system
• Midrange can improve with more solidity and presence on instruments and vocals

Product Considerations

• The potentiometers on the back lack position indicators or scales
• Tactile notches on the dials are non-existent, making precise adjustments difficult
• The range of adjustment on the volume pot can be small, making matching with different power amp designs difficult
• Setting gain and matching between two subs is made unnecessarily difficult, due to the fact that the pots have no visual calibration or markings
• It can be too big for smaller review spaces

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs REL S/510: The Carbon Special has twice the power and a larger passive radiator

Takeaway: The REL Carbon Special subwoofer is a beautifully designed and powerful addition to any high-end audio system, enhancing the overall listening experience. It is great for those seeking to elevate their system's soundstage and extract more detail from their existing speakers.

Product Strengths

• Delivers more detail and weight to bass notes, especially in the mid-20Hz range
• High-quality build with a superb finish and deep lustre automotive quality lacquer
• Integrates seamlessly with main speakers to improve pace, rhythm, and overall tonal balance
• Powerful and fast bass response, improving separation of instruments and soundstage scale
• Improves midrange richness and treble detail

Product Considerations

• Requires careful setup and fine-tuning to achieve synergy with main speakers
• Can inject noise if wireless transmitter power supply isn't properly isolated

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The S/510 has more bottom-end detail and weight than the REL S3, and it is an overall better performer, making it hard to go back to the S3 after experiencing the S/510
• The S/510 is better built and has better connectivity than the SVS SB-3000

Takeaway: The REL S/510 is a great subwoofer that adds real sonic improvements to a hifi system by enriching the bass and improving the overall sound. It's a well-built, stylish product that can help to improve many different kinds of music.

Product Strengths

• Delivers powerful, clean, and detailed bass reproduction for both movies and music
• Strong bass response right down to 20 Hz
• Compact size allows for easy integration
• Creates an airier and wider soundstage
• Novel use of dual opposed drivers on the horizontal axis and dual opposed passive radiators on the vertical axis, which helps it to couple with the room better and have smoother overall response

Product Considerations

• Requires extra care in placement for optimum results in some rooms
• Does not give much usable content below 20 Hz
• No 0/180 phase switch
• Unbalanced inputs only

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• The SuperSub XXL delivers a more wholly satisfying experience and can do the job of two subwoofers on its own, compared to SVS SB13-Ultra, Paradigm Prestige 1000SW, and Martin Logan Dynamo 1000.

Takeaway: The SuperSub XXL is a well-crafted subwoofer that delivers excellent bass performance in a compact size, making it a great addition to both music and movie systems. With its power and detail, it brings soundtracks to life and adds a compelling depth to the listening experience.

Product Strengths

• Excellent deep bass, especially in the 16 Hz to 30 Hz range, outperforming many similarly sized sealed subwoofers
• Extremely low distortion, especially in mid-bass regions, making it suitable for music listening
• Clean and punchy sound, even at extreme volumes, filling the room with low frequencies
• Advanced control and adjustability through the SVS smartphone app and parametric EQ offers a wide range of adjustments, allowing users to shape the sound to their preferences and room conditions
• High build quality and attractive design with a gorgeous finish, slick cabinetry, and a lustrous cone, making it aesthetically pleasing

Product Considerations

• Heavy (122 lbs) and large, making it difficult to move and position
• Lacks high-pass filtering for the main speakers
• Tight, punchy bass might not suit all tastes, as it can emphasize the bass line and change the feel of the groove
• May need to be tuned to flatten the peaks and troughs in the room
• May require a stronger signal to wake from standby mode

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• More mid-bass capability than the SVS PB16-Ultra in sealed mode, but less deep bass capability
• Starts to pull ahead of the SVS SB13-Ultra at 16 Hz and keeps its lead until 63 Hz, with a substantial gain at 25 Hz and 31.5 Hz
• Greater output than the JL Audio E-Sub e112 and can more fully energize a room, while the JL Audio is a bit tighter and faster with better definition

Takeaway: The SB16-Ultra is a powerful subwoofer that delivers clean, deep, and tight bass, making it a great addition to any high-end audio system. The advanced features and adjustability allow fine-tuning of the sound.