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Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Driver: 12" / 314mm
  • LF Cut Off (-6dB): 25Hz
  • Max SPL: 103dB
  • Amplifier output: 200W
  • User Controls: Gain, Low Pass Frequency, Polarity, Phase
  • Inputs: Stereo High Level Binding Posts & Stereo Line Level RCA/Phono
  • Outputs: Mono Summed Line Level RCA/Phono
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 450 x 360 x 400 mm / 17.72" x 14.17" x 15.75" (inc. feet and heatsink)
  • Weight: 26.2kg / 57.64lbs
Compact 12" Sub suitable for both music and cinema applications
Compact 12″ Sub suitable for both music and cinema applications Ideal partner to ATC loudspeakers: SCM7, SCM11, SCM19, SCM40, HTS7, HTS11, HTS40 Ideal partner to ATC Centre Channel Speakers: C1C & C3C Handmade ATC 12″/314mm driver with massive motor assembly and ribbon voice coil ATC 200W class A/B amplifier High Level and Line Level Inputs Comprehensive user controls to ensure best possible integration with partnering loudspeakers 6 Year warranty
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • ATC's commitment to in-house driver design and manufacturing allows for tight control over performance characteristics and seamless integration across their entire product line.
  • They primarily use active designs with electronic crossovers and dedicated amplifiers for each driver, optimizing power delivery and minimizing distortion compared to passive crossovers.
  • ATC speakers prioritize accuracy, neutrality, and wide dynamic range, resulting in a sound signature that may expose flaws in recordings or upstream components.

SCM7 MK3

  • Positioning: The entry-level model in ATC's loudspeaker lineup.
  • Description: Features a compact design and precise sound, with a 25mm soft dome tweeter and a 125mm mid-bass driver. Compared to the SCM19, it offers a smaller footprint, making it ideal for small rooms or desktop setups, but it lacks the larger bass driver and higher sensitivity found in the SCM19.

SCM19

  • Positioning: A mid-range model in the Entry Series, offering a balance between performance and size.
  • Description: Features an "SL" spec bass driver and 75mm integral soft dome, providing excellent phase coherence and bass response. It offers a more robust soundstage than the SCM7 MK3.

SCM19A

  • Positioning: An active version of the SCM19, positioned as a higher-end option within the Entry Series.
  • Description: Includes an on-board 182-watt Class A/B bi-amplifier, delivering enhanced sound clarity and power. It uses active crossover filters, unlike the passive SCM19, which requires external amplification.

SCM40A

  • Positioning: The groundbreaking flagship model of the Entry Series, offering the most advanced features and performance.
  • Description: Equipped with a tri-amplifier system and a 164mm bass driver, providing exceptional sound quality and dynamic range. It surpasses the SCM19A with its additional mid-range driver and higher power output.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
34
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
68
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
56
Founding Year
1974

Our take on the brand

ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.

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Our interview with the brand

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What if you spend more?

Product image
ATC
SCM0.1/15SL Pro
7990
7990
/
2
Reviews

Full “SL” spec 15˝/375mm bass driver. 450W Class G amplifier. Phase adjustment. Variable cut off frequency. Variable gain. Stereo inputs. 6 year warranty.

ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
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Product Strengths

  • Tight, clear, distortion-free low end is produced
  • Best subwoofer ever heard

Product Considerations

  • It weighs a lot

Takeaway: The SCM0.1/15 Pro subwoofer delivers amazing low end, adding tight and clear bass to the overall sound. This subwoofer could be the perfect choice to extend the range of monitors.

Video review

Our take on the brand

ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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M&K Sound
X15+
6999
6999
/
8
Reviews

New Carbon Fibre Woofer Cones have been developed for all models with ultra-high strength and rigidity to accommodate the added power and excursion of the new X+ Series. M&K Sound's proprietary CNC-machined, extruded aluminium Distortion Killer Shorting Rings also guarantee absolute control and distortion-free, exemplary performance in all settings. 

M&K Sound's iconic Push-Pull subwoofer architecture and "reversed double driver" non-isobaric configuration mean that both drivers in the cabinet are 'exposed' to room air. Consequently, and like the X-Series before, the X+ Series models are effectively two subwoofers in one cabinet enabling a further associated reduction in distortion. This is made possible by having one inverted driver in relation to the other cancelling non-linearities to produce totally symmetric waveforms. 

The X15+, X12+ and X10+ all feature full 25mm MDF construction and bracing for negligible panel vibrations or cabinet resonances, and increased venting at the base of the woofers mitigates distortion due to air turbulence. These milled cavities also act as convenient carrying handles for installation efficiency

M&K Sound invented the world's first subwoofer in 1973 and is widely used in Hollywood studios for mixing and mastering film soundtracks. Their push-pull subwoofer design cancels out harmonic distortion, and their speakers deliver professional studio monitor neutrality, making them a top choice for high-end audio production.
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Product Strengths

  • Deep bass response with extremely high output
  • Impeccable build quality
  • THX Dominus Certified
  • Built like a tank with exceptional fit and finish

Product Considerations

  • No included room correction or tuning app
  • Large and heavy, difficult to position
  • Prone to auto standby during light content
  • Omits onboard room correction

Takeaway: The X15+ is a commanding presence that can achieve reference level output in a large room and smoothly engages protection mechanisms, preventing itself from coming undone. If one has big demands, the M&K Sound X15+ is certainly able to fulfill them.

Video review

Our take on the brand

M&K Sound invented the world's first subwoofer in 1973 and is widely used in Hollywood studios for mixing and mastering film soundtracks. Their push-pull subwoofer design cancels out harmonic distortion, and their speakers deliver professional studio monitor neutrality, making them a top choice for high-end audio production.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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REL
No.31
8814
8814
/
7
Reviews

When Only the Best Will Do(But You've Run Out of Room)

No.31 exists to satisfy the needs of those who crave the finest yet have space limitations. Whilst some can afford our flagship No.32 model, it is larger and deeper than some rooms can accommodate. How can you best deliver No.32's sound quality, build quality, and thoughtful features with a more compact footprint? Enter No.31.

Perfection Repeated

No.31 matches No.32's design stroke for stroke, yet somehow it manages to look more svelte, crouching closer to the floor—almost feline in its grace. The elegant plated handles inset into an ellipse is retained, as is the string grille that permits vast amounts of air to explode into your room without creating noise like cloth grilles can. No.31 features the curvilinear radius to the sidewalls that define both its performance and its character. But the reduction in visual and actual three-dimensional physical mass is remarkable. No.31: when the best must be delivered in a smaller space.

Arrayed for Battle

No.31 permits the same vertically stacked line array as the ultimate No.32. It delivers transformative performance that no competitor has been able to. For those who have been seeking the ultimate musical and theatre experience, Line Arrays unlock the final dimension of system reproduction. Audiophiles have chased three-dimensional sound for years, yet they have missed the simple fact that the height—not the depth—of image is the missing link. By creating products that are designed to be stacked 3 (or in exceptionally tall rooms, 5) units high while retaining individual crossover and gain control of each subwoofer in the array, REL has created a masterpiece that finally delivers what the most experienced audiophiles have been chasing for the past 40 years.

How to Build Up to a Line Array. How to Setup and Dial in a Line Array.

Amplified Perfection

No.32's NextGen 7 Class D 1,000 watt amplifier also lives inside No.31, only limited to 900 watts to ensure the perfect complement to the 12" bass engine within No.31. This allows the maximum dynamics to be delivered while ensuring a long, cheerful life for both components. Here too, the LimitLess Limiter,™ which permits the amplifier to tiptoe right up to its limit without audible compression is part of the magic, conveys a rhythmically effortless quality. Also, its dual parametric filters allow precise micro-tuning; the deepest bass is slightly reinforced, while the upper ranges of bass can be gently trimmed to ensure a brilliantly rendered transition from bass to the main speaker. The electronic design of the reference range is itself artistry.

Drive This

The incredible excursion of the 12" pure carbon fibre driver allows it to play as loud as its larger stablemate. Yet, the No.31 possesses the tactility, nimbleness, and attack that only the greatest subwoofers have ever been able to deliver. Also, its sonic signature works in modestly-scaled rooms and with a vast range of fine speakers. The driver is accelerated by a specially wound 3" voice coil driven by a 13-pound magnetic structure; even near its limits, the voice coil remains solidly inside the gap. It is this visceral power, coupled with great delicacy and nuance, that is No.31's signature.

Total Control

Take control of your No.31 by grasping the REL Reference Remote Control. Immediately, you will be struck by the perfect fit in your palm, the result of careful thought and numerous generations of trial-and-error fittings during prototype development. The second reaction to it is the awareness of its mass, which conveys its quality, permanence, and immutability. It tells you, "I am a thing of substance, of quality. Pay attention, what you do next matters." If you have owned a REL in the past (and fully 90% of Rel Reference owners are), all the familiar controls are right at hand, exactly where you'd want them. High (or low if using active speakers) level gain sits comfortably to the right side, the crossover rests in the middle, and .1/LFE gain is off to the left.

Below are three lovely metal toggle switches handle the critical setup functions. The remote's on/off switch is at the bottom. It is both as out of the way as possible and remains on once turned on and in use during setup without being accidentally turned off. In the middle sits the phase control. This is used only initially to determine the correct 0 or 180 degrees of phase. Additionally, the top access to the Dual Parametric EQ-marked with A and B—permits the flattest, deepest bass and, at the other end of the bass frequencies, the fine-tuning of crossover behavior. This gives you the perfect blending of subwoofer to main speakers and any vestiges of room-generated boom and resonance can be gently trimmed away.

REL's Reference Remote reminds you of the perfect butler—always immaculate, indispensable when called upon, then quietly set aside until a future time when perhaps additions or further improvements to one's system further require its services.

REL is widely recognized as the premier audiophile-grade subwoofer manufacturer, focusing exclusively on designing subwoofers that match the speed and clarity of high-end loudspeakers. Their higher-end models are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with audiophile speakers, enhancing the soundstage and instrument separation rather than simply adding bass impact.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Delivers the best musical bass and seamless integration with speakers
  • Improves the overall scale, solidity, and immersion of the sound
  • Exceptional build quality with thoughtful design touches that contribute to pride of ownership
  • Offers convenient and precise adjustments via a heavy-duty carbon remote control
  • Creates a solid bass foundation that makes music seem more realistic and visceral

Product Considerations

  • Subwoofers are quite large
  • The remote control can be a pain to operate
  • More bass pressure bleeds into other rooms

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • No.31 delivers even better results than REL No.25 for less money
  • No.31 takes advances in driver, cabinet, and crossover to another level than Carbon Special—Carbon Special gets about 80% of the way there
  • Comparing the S/510 to the Carbon Special or the No.31 is another step down in resolution
  • Compared to REL's T-Range, S-Range and Carbon Special, No.31 is better
  • The No.31 is a more exquisite sonic refinement and class than REL HT/1205s

Takeaway: The No.31 is a musical subwoofer for high-end hifi systems, with sonic quality and detail that enhances the entire soundfield. It offers big, full, rich, and impactful bass that integrates seamlessly and provides a wonderful listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

REL is widely recognized as the premier audiophile-grade subwoofer manufacturer, focusing exclusively on designing subwoofers that match the speed and clarity of high-end loudspeakers. Their higher-end models are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with audiophile speakers, enhancing the soundstage and instrument separation rather than simply adding bass impact.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Velodyne
Digital Drive 10 Plus
5598
5598
/
6
Reviews
Velodyne Acoustics pioneered the High-Gain Servo system that reduced bass distortion to less than 1% at 105 dB SPL, and holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer. The company introduced the world's first digital subwoofer with DSP technology in 2003, and their Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System corrects room acoustics for optimal bass performance.
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Product Strengths

  • Very low distortion figures
  • Versatile, elegant and modern design
  • Insane speed and accuracy
  • Auto equalization is featured
  • Multiple setup options make it user and room-friendly

Product Considerations

  • The unit itself is visually present in the room
  • Optimal performance requires setup by a knowledgeable installer via computer
  • This level of performance is not needed in a small room or with small speakers

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Digital Drive Plus competes with the JL Audio's Fathom subwoofer line for price and performance
  • The Digital Drive Plus is very realistic and powerful, even doing better than the reviewer's two 12-inch drivers, while the Velodyne Deep Blue is very nice
  • The Digital Drive Plus is doing better than the SVS-2000 Pro
  • The DD10+ is very close to the DD15+ in performance 90% of the time

Takeaway: This Digital Drive Plus is a subwoofer that adds realism and gives music an ease of presentation. The Digital Drive Plus will give the listener what they need if they want one subwoofer to do the work of two.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Velodyne Acoustics pioneered the High-Gain Servo system that reduced bass distortion to less than 1% at 105 dB SPL, and holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer. The company introduced the world's first digital subwoofer with DSP technology in 2003, and their Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System corrects room acoustics for optimal bass performance.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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What competes at this price?

REL
Classic 99
3699
/
Released
2024
A potent symphony of design, power, and grace. Building on the foundation laid by Classic 98, this model amplifies every attribute: more power, deeper bass, and a design that captures both the eye and the ear. With 450 watts driving a robust 12" paper-on-paper driver, Classic 99 not only plays louder and reaches deeper, but also adds layers of subtle textural enhancements that continuously impress.
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REL is widely recognized as the premier audiophile-grade subwoofer manufacturer, focusing exclusively on designing subwoofers that match the speed and clarity of high-end loudspeakers. Their higher-end models are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with audiophile speakers, enhancing the soundstage and instrument separation rather than simply adding bass impact.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Beautiful aesthetic with walnut veneer, fitting well with mid-century modern or classic speaker setups
  • Provides a warmer, richer, more textured, and room-filling bass, enhancing the musicality of the system
  • Capable of delivering more bass output at deeper frequencies compared to the Classic 98, beneficial for music and movies
  • Seamlessly integrates with speakers, creating a cohesive sound field, and improving vocals and soundstage

Product Considerations

  • The setup process can be tedious, as adjustments need to be made manually without an app
  • Limited phase adjustment options (0 and 180 degrees) may restrict integration flexibility in some rooms
  • May not be the best choice for systems that already sound warm or for those prioritizing punchy—fast bass
  • Substantial size may require careful placement in smaller rooms

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Classic 98, the 99 has more bass output at deeper frequencies, and is faster and more nimble

Takeaway: The Classic 99 is a beautiful and musical subwoofer that enhances the overall warmth and richness of a sound system, making it more inviting and enjoyable, especially for those with smaller speakers or systems that could benefit from additional low-end texture. It delivers a smooth, tactile, and spacious bass experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

REL is widely recognized as the premier audiophile-grade subwoofer manufacturer, focusing exclusively on designing subwoofers that match the speed and clarity of high-end loudspeakers. Their higher-end models are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with audiophile speakers, enhancing the soundstage and instrument separation rather than simply adding bass impact.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Monitor
Anthra W12
3000
/
Released
2023
The W12 is the mid-sized model within the Anthra subwoofer series. It features a 12" (30 cm) Rigid Surface Technology II (RST II) C-CAM high-excursion driver powered by a Class-D 1,000 Watt amplifier, housed within a comprehensively internally braced, sealed-box cabinet.
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Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Deep, rich, punchy, and precise bass enhances the overall sound experience
  • Exceptional control and accuracy with articulate and precise bass notes avoids muddiness
  • A muscular amplifier pressurizes the room well, making movies sound huge
  • A user-friendly experience is offered via the MaestroUnite app for advanced configuration
  • Elegant design with a premium finish is available in Gloss Black or Satin White

Product Considerations

  • Substantial weight at 32.4kg
  • May be overkill for smaller rooms
  • Lacks auto EQ for self-calibration
  • Some people may miss high-level inputs

Takeaway: The Anthra W12 is a powerful subwoofer that brings depth and detail to both music and movies. With its precise bass and user-friendly features, it's a great addition to any serious hifi setup and will make any media experience more enjoyable.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Velodyne
Digital Drive 18 Plus
4773
/
Released
The Digital Drive Plus series redefines the term subwoofer. Digitally controlled drivers with impressive performance, almost endless power and the latest calibration algorithms with extensive adjustment options make these subwoofers precision tools of a special class.
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Velodyne Acoustics pioneered the High-Gain Servo system that reduced bass distortion to less than 1% at 105 dB SPL, and holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer. The company introduced the world's first digital subwoofer with DSP technology in 2003, and their Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System corrects room acoustics for optimal bass performance.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Powerful, with great potential for room lock and shaking the listening room
  • Tuneful, clean, clear, and accurate bass
  • Deep bass extension
  • High build quality, with fine cabinetry
  • The on-board DSP with software offers flexibility with settings

Product Considerations

  • Expensive
  • Setup options can be overwhelming
  • Heavy, making it difficult to move around
  • The software may be complex to use
  • Built-in EQ may not be effective

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Velodyne DD-18, the Digital Drive Plus 18 (DD-18+) bettered it in raw power, transient articulation, pitch definition, and deep-bass extension
  • Compared to the JL Audio Fathom f113, the DD-18+ created room lock that a single Fathom f113 couldn't
  • Compared to the Bowers & Wilkins DB1, the sound was closest to DD-18+, but the blend with Quad ESL-989s wasn't as seamless

Takeaway: The Velodyne DD18+ delivers top-notch sound, deep bass, and plenty of power for an amazing listening experience, and it gets the job done in both home theaters and two-channel systems. Its flexible features and robust construction make it a great option for anyone looking for a serious subwoofer.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Velodyne Acoustics pioneered the High-Gain Servo system that reduced bass distortion to less than 1% at 105 dB SPL, and holds more patents in subwoofer technology than any other manufacturer. The company introduced the world's first digital subwoofer with DSP technology in 2003, and their Digital Drive Room Bass Equalization System corrects room acoustics for optimal bass performance.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Perlisten
D12s
4995
/
Released
2021
The smallest subwoofer in the series, yet packs enough punch to be certified THX Dominus using a pair of D12s subs. Powered by our 1.5kW amplifier, all functions and safeties are controlled by a 48-bit data bath DSP and 32-bit ARM M4 Cortex processor, able to react in microseconds, powerful enough to slam.
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Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • The D12s is Perlisten's smallest subwoofer, but still delivers impressive performance, especially considering its sealed design
  • Features a powerful 1.5kW amplifier, a 32-bit processor, and a TI DSP
  • Has an intuitive mobile app for controlling settings like gain, EQ, and parametric EQ
  • The D12s produces clear, fast, and tight bass, making it very musical and integrating well with various systems
  • Offers parametric equalizations, with each one giving you 10 parametric equalization bands
  • Requires a spare preamplifier output since it only has XLR and RCA inputs, unlike some active subs that use high-level outputs

Product Considerations

  • The D12s is quite heavy, weighing around 90 pounds
  • One reviewer noted a spike around 60Hz in their room
  • Might not be ideal for very large rooms or those who prefer very bass-heavy music like dub—unless paired with larger units

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs SVS-2000 Pro, the D12s has significantly lower THD at 20Hz, even at higher SPLs
  • Vs Arendal 1723-1V, the D12s sounds clearer, faster, and tighter
  • Vs Velodyne DD12+, the D12s is comparable in dynamic bass performance, but has more modern technology
  • Vs REL offerings, the D12s performs similarly in terms of speed and clarity but has more power

Takeaway: The Perlisten D12s is a high-quality subwoofer that offers a combination of power, precision, and advanced features, resulting in a detailed and immersive listening experience for both music and movies. Its versatile design and user-friendly controls make it a great addition to any high-end audio system.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Perlisten Audio's speakers feature a unique Directivity Pattern Control array that combines a beryllium tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm midrange drivers to control sound dispersion and enhance imaging precision, and they're the first brand to achieve THX Dominus certification. Their speakers use proprietary thin-ply carbon diaphragm material that's 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber, with their DPC array designed to minimize floor and ceiling reflections while maintaining precise horizontal soundstage.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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JL Audio
Fathom F110v2
4000
/
Released
The Fathom f110v2 is the most compact subwoofer in the Fathom lineup but is fully capable of delivering stellar performance in smaller spaces. The combination of an ultra-long throw W7 10-inch driver and a very powerful switching amplifier give it the kind of output normally associated with far larger subwoofer systems.
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JL Audio is a hifi brand known for its subwoofer technologies, including the Automatic Room Optimization system that minimizes room-induced bass peaks and the W-Cone unit-body cone-assembly for superior bass performance. The company manufactures many of its premium loudspeakers in the U.S. and includes advanced features like the CR-1 crossover for seamless integration between subwoofers and main speakers, while their VXi amplifiers use internal DSP for extensive sound customization.
Expand Details

Our Summary

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.

Video review

Our take on the brand

JL Audio is a hifi brand known for its subwoofer technologies, including the Automatic Room Optimization system that minimizes room-induced bass peaks and the W-Cone unit-body cone-assembly for superior bass performance. The company manufactures many of its premium loudspeakers in the U.S. and includes advanced features like the CR-1 crossover for seamless integration between subwoofers and main speakers, while their VXi amplifiers use internal DSP for extensive sound customization.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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