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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

  • Enclosure Type: Sealed
  • Enclosure Finish: Black Texture-Coated
  • Frequency Response (Anechoic): 26 Hz - 110 Hz (± 1.5 dB), –3dB at 25 Hz / 117 Hz, –10dB at 22 Hz / 144 Hz
  • Effective Piston Area (Sd): 98.26 sq in / 0.0634 sq m
  • Effective Displacement: 147.3 cu in / 2.41 L
  • Width (W): 14 in / 356 mm
  • Height (H): 58.75 in / 1,492 mm
  • Depth (D): 5.25 in / 133 mm
Born from JL Audio's revolutionary Fathom® in-wall subwoofer system, CTS subwoofers are designed to deliver uncompromising bass performance for virtually any custom integrated application.
Custom Theater Subwoofer System with Single 13.5" (345 mm) Subwoofer, 5.25" (133 mm) Deep Enclosure. Born from JL Audio's revolutionary Fathom® in-wall subwoofer system, CTS subwoofers are designed to deliver uncompromising bass performance for virtually any custom integrated application.
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:

  • JL Audio subwoofers are designed and built in-house, allowing meticulous control over every aspect of performance, from driver design to amplifier circuitry.
  • They utilize patented technologies, such as DMA (Dynamic Motor Analysis), VRC (Vented Reinforcement Collar), and FCAM (Floating Cone Attach Method), for reduced distortion and superior transient response.
  • The brand's subwoofers strike a balance of power, extension, and control, suiting both demanding home theater setups and hifi two-channel music systems.
  • JL Audio offers proprietary room optimization technology, DARO (Digital Automatic Room Optimization), using multiple bands of digital equalization to effectively compensate for problematic room acoustics.

Dominion:

  • Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
  • Description: Offers a compact design with a powerful Class D amplifier, making it ideal for small spaces and budget-conscious buyers. Features a DMA optimized driver for precise sound, unlike the E-Sub which offers more power and size options. This makes it suitable for users who need a subwoofer for a small room or desktop setup without compromising on quality.

E-Sub:

  • Positioning: Mid-range line, balancing performance and value.
  • Description: Provides a robust performance with a long excursion driver and a proprietary switching amplifier, delivering high-quality sound in a compact form. Compared to the Dominion, offers more power and a refined design. Its top-mounted controls and finish options add to its versatility and aesthetic appeal.

Fathom v2:

  • Positioning: High-performance line, designed for larger spaces and demanding applications.
  • Description: Equipped with ultra-long throw W7-HT drivers and a powerful amplifier, offering exceptional low distortion and deep bass. This series is more powerful than the E-Sub, making it ideal for larger rooms or home theaters where high output and clarity are essential. Its advanced DSP and room optimization features enhance sound precision and dynamic range.

Gotham v2:

  • Positioning: Flagship line, offering the ultimate in performance and luxury.
  • Description: The pinnacle of JL Audio's subwoofer lineup, featuring dual 13W7-HT drivers and a 4,500-watt amplifier for groundbreaking power and control. It surpasses the Fathom series with its superior build quality and advanced technologies like D.A.R.O. Its exquisite craftsmanship and performance justify its premium price.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
48
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
109
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
28
Founding Year
1975

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.

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What if you spend more?

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JL Audio
Fathom F212v2
10000
10000
/
4
Reviews
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.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Authoritative and visceral bass enhances the home theater experience
  • Taut, agile bass provides good grip
  • A comprehensive range of controls allows for optimization
  • Faultless build quality includes a high gloss finish
  • Useful accessories, like white gloves and furniture sliders, are included

Product Considerations

  • Large and heavy at 102 kg, making it difficult to move and requiring assistance for unpacking
  • High gloss finish may not be ideal for home theaters due to reflections
  • Designed for larger spaces

Takeaway: The Fathom provides powerful and controlled bass, enhancing both movie and music experiences. It is a well-built and feature-rich subwoofer that integrates effectively into a high-end audio system.

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
Product Page
Product Page
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JL Audio
Fathom f113v2
6000
6000
/
3
Reviews
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.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Reference-class performance reproducing the lowermost 2½ octaves with the highest fidelity
  • Features Digital Automatic Room Optimization (DARO) for precise attenuation of bass peaks, significantly improving sound quality by removing bloat and increasing definition
  • Combines powerful, effortless extension with agility, finesse, timbral resolution, and pitch definition
  • Boasts comprehensive and well-thought-out front-panel controls, including polarity switch, variable phase control, and adjustable crossover slopes
  • Has a Class D power amplifier capable of delivering high RMS peak power

Product Considerations

  • It is big and heavy, requiring at least two people to unpack
  • May be overwhelming for some listeners due to its tactile low-end extension
  • Its speed isn't quite as fast as smaller 10' subwoofers
  • Some may find the piano gloss-black finish less than ideal for home theater due to its reflective nature

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • It digs deeper into lower frequencies than the JL Audio E-110, but is not quite as fast
  • A single Fathom f113 was better than a previous reference subwoofer that cost nearly five times more

Takeaway: The Fathom is a high-achieving subwoofer that can deliver powerful and detailed bass for an engaging home theater or music listening experience. Its advanced room optimization and comprehensive controls allow for seamless integration with your existing system.

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
Product Page
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
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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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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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What competes at this price?

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.
Check Amazon
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
Product Page
Product Page
JL Audio
Fathom f112v2
5000
/
Released
The Fathom f112v2 is a superb subwoofer solution in medium-sized rooms and is equally at home supporting a music-only system or a home theater system. The combination of an ultra-long throw W7 12-inch driver and a very powerful switching amplifier give it the kind of output normally associated with far larger subwoofer systems.
Check Amazon
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

  • Delivers fidelity, dynamics, and pitch note definition, reproducing audio subtleties and intricacies
  • Features digital automatic room optimization with an 18-band digital EQ, easily calibrating to the room's acoustics
  • Front-mounted control panel allows easy access to adjustments, including on/off, auto on-off, and calibration

Product Considerations

  • The deepest frequencies may cause structure-borne sound, potentially disturbing neighbors in shared buildings, unless adjusted

Takeaway: The Fathom delivers high-quality sound with advanced room optimization and easy-to-use controls. It is perfect for those who want the best possible audio experience and are willing to invest in it.

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
Product Page
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JL Audio
Fathom ICS-SYS-208
4300
/
Released
Created from the same innovative technologies used to develop our free-standing powered subwoofers, the Fathom® ICS in-ceiling subwoofer systems are engineered to deliver outstanding bass performance, with nearly unlimited placement freedom.
Check Amazon
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 bass response and great musicality
  • Integrates well with main speakers, making it hard to discern that the bass is coming from the ceiling
  • The DSP (D.A.R.O. – Digital Automatic Room Optimization) effectively eliminates peaks and valleys in low-frequency response

Product Considerations

  • Installation may require surgery to the ceiling if not done during new construction
  • Requires purchasing a calibrated microphone separately (around $100) to fully fine-tune the DSP
  • Unless walls use 2 x 6 construction, it must be mounted in the ceiling, as the enclosure is 5.13 inches thick

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Fathom ICS is more affordable than the JL Audio Fathom IWS (In-Wall Subwoofer)

Takeaway: The Fathom ICS subwoofer is a great solution for smaller living spaces, delivering impressive performance and allowing for seamless integration by hiding in the ceiling. It provides both powerful bass and musicality, making it a great addition to any audio system.

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
Product Page
Product Page
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
Product Page
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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
Product Page
Product Page

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