Emotiva Ref-X 12 or Rythmik F12

[jackfish]

Can someone provide a rationale to suggest the Emotiva Ref-X 12 subwoofer at $630 delivered would be a better choice than the Rythmik F12 subwoofer at $800 plus shipping? This would be mated to Magnepan Magnestand MMGs. Both have a robust EQ facility, but the Ref-X 12 looks like it has more configuration options. The Emotiva 30-day money back offer means I can try it and if I like it can stop right there. Is servo the clincher for the Rythmik?

[briank]

Try them both and return your least favorite. :-). Yeah, I know, not much help.
I've only heard the Emo Ultra series so can't compare. The Ultra's not in the same league as my Selah sub but I'm sure the X-series is much better with the larger amp & DSP. If you wait another week till after Emofest, there will be lots of feedback on the X-series Subs. :-). Also, servo controlled subs being superior is a matter of opinion and therefore subjective like most things in audio. So I say, try them all and buy what you like! :-)

[jamrock]

The X-Ref subs just came out this week. I doubt that anyone has been able to give one a good work out to be in the position to make valid comparisons with a well established sub as the Rythmik 12. Based on the specks of the X-Ref 12, it will perform creditably. Give it a wait until after Emofest as briank suggests. Or buy both and utilize the 30 day trial period to compare them and return the one you like less.

[bootman]

Take advantage of the 30 day trial regardless of brand.
Everybody's room is different so what may work for one, may not work for you.

[Deleted]

The Rythmiks feature larger cabinets which indicates either greater output, go lower or both. You sometimes get what you pay for.

[brian6751]

I have had a f12. It is a fantastic sounding sub. Ultra clean sound is its forte. The x-ref looks to be a killer for that price. Not sure you can go wrong with either.

[jony1600]

I would go with what bootman, jamrock, and briank just said. You never know until you actually try the subs and you wont lose anything by trying them out

[dragonhd95]

Yeah, I am on the same boat. Want to pick up a new pair of sub to go with my Magnepan speakers. My choice was Rythmik F12 or Rythmik F15 but now Ref-X 12 just recently released, need help with the decision.

[jackfish]

How important is two bands of EQ like the Ref-X has or just the one band of EQ of the Rythmik? I have only one or two places the subwoofer can go and EQ will be relied upon heavily. I'm leaning Rythmik as I always have, but thought if someone could give me a good reason to save $227 without too many compromises I might.

[Davecski65]

Ok well there are a bunch of factors here,first it all depends on your ears and what kind of sound you like,second is the type of room you have and its size room treatments,every one is going to give you a different answer ,no matter what...that is what tgis forum is all about,so that being said i would definitly do as the others have said,,,if you can afford it and hav the time and are really into finding the best for your room and ears,get them both and do the different tests to see which is better sounding,,you may be amazed,,,also what i would do is try the blind test,,that is where you will most likely get your answer,,have someone plug both of the subs in at different times with out you knowing which one is playing,,and i am sure you will make your mind up that way and feel better about your purchase..Good luck and please tell us hows things go and the different souunds,,cause i am too in the market for one of the new X series subs too.

[jony1600]

Aug 27, 2011 9:16:06 GMT -5 jackfish said:

How important is two bands of EQ like the Ref-X has or just the one band of EQ of the Rythmik? I have only one or two places the subwoofer can go and EQ will be relied upon heavily. I'm leaning Rythmik as I always have, but thought if someone could give me a good reason to save $227 without too many compromises I might.

noone really has a reason to give you on why you should buy the x-ref 12 because noone has heard it yet, although I did purchase it and am planning on getting it in about a week if you are interested in hearing what I have to say about the sub.

[Deleted]

In subs, as in tv, size matters. If you cannot afford the Rythmik than get the Emotiva. If you can afford the Rythmik get it as its the better sub. The Emotiva may very well be the better buy if it meets your needs.

[roadrunner]

Potentially, the X-Ref subs may have a couple of features that more than compensate for the small enclosure size, compared to other brands. The dual band parametric EQ and the adjustable Q (width and gain). Below is the pertinent information from the Product Page.

Parametric Equalizers: EQ1, EQ2 (independent)
Center Frequency: 25 Hz - 150 Hz (in 1 Hz steps)
Gain: -12 dB to +6 dB (in 1 dB steps)
Q: 0.5 to 5.0 (in 0.1 steps)

These capabilities will make integrating the sub easier with its flexibility to adjust its performance to match the needs of the room's acoustic properties. It's like having a built-in SMS processor.

[Deleted]

Not really, it has no measurement capability or auto eq.

[jamrock]

With the state of subwoofer technology today, I think that it is somewhat simplistic (for lack of a better term) to give such overwhelming importance to size. I thought that Bob Carver debunked that thinking long ago. I would say that all things being equal, size (internal volume) is a definite advantage. But, you have to first consider the design outcome. What is the designer trying to achieve with this particular sub? Accuracy, output or what percentage of both and off course, cost. Then there are amplifier power, transducer design, excursion, etc. There are many 15" subs that cannot match the Velodyne DD-12 Plus for output and accuracy. But look at the cost of the DD-12 Plus!

[tuck0411]

BTT... Now that the X-Ref 12 has been out for a few days, anyone have any further comments to make in comparison to the F12? I was leaning towards the F12 until finding out they are on backorder for up to another month. I'm not sure I want to wait that long, so the X-Ref is my second choice if anyone can convince me it comes close to the F12's performance and configurability. Comments?

[Deleted]

I would go with the Rythmik, a high output one though. I read about Carver's subs oh so many years ago. There is always a trade off between size, output, efficiency, and distortion. If one can stand output being limited to the low 90dbs at 30Hz than Emo's will probably meet your needs, if not...

[tuck0411]

Supposedly the X-Ref 12 gets lower than 30 hz from what I've read so far. 20 would be good and the mid-teens that the F12 provides would be even nicer, however I don't know that I would realistically be able to tell the difference between 20 and 14 hz, so the X-Ref may be adequate. My room is small at about 1330 c.f. so I don't think I'll need a lot of output, especially since this will be a 2.1 system mainly for music.

My main point of curiousity at this point is which one would be more configurable with the various settings options. The X-Ref seems to have one advantage with the two PEQ bands vs. one for the F12. Any other advantages that anyone has noticed?

[Deleted]

I think Theresa was not only talking about how low it goes but at what output volume. Lost of subs go down to 25, 20 and 15Hz but at what volume compared to their volume at 50Hz or 80Hz?

[Deleted]

Sept 23, 2011 0:31:45 GMT -5 @chuckienut said:

I think Theresa was not only talking about how low it goes but at what output volume. Lost of subs go down to 25, 20 and 15Hz but at what volume compared to their volume at 50Hz or 80Hz?

True. One can make a 5" speaker that will go down to 30Hz in a .5cf cabinet, but with very little loudness at that frequency, its a trade off. Exodus makes some 6.5" drivers with massive excursion and low resonance but low efficiency. Its always a trade off and there is no proprietary magic that can change it.