Airmotiv S12 owners

[tripleb570]

I need your help, I am looking at getting 2 new subs to replace my 2 Klipsch R-112sw's.  I like the design of the S12, and the fact that it is sealed, and also has XLR inputs. My problem is I never heard one, and need some opinions or should I say comparisons to what else is out there.

My two contenders, The Emotiva S12 (When in stock, I can wait), the SVS Ultra-13 (over twice as much, but looks beastly).   maybe the S12 compares better to the SVS SB2000, and that's ok, I just don't know how big the Emotiva sounds.

I listen to 90% music, all genres.  I am looking for the low punch, without the port noise I get out of my klipsch subs.

[andyo]

Get Rythmik F12. It has no port. The bass goes very low and is very fast. I use it with Martin Logan hybrid and that tells a lot.

[creimes]

There is also a Airmotiv S15 coming soon

[Percussionista]

I had the S12 for only a few weeks before it went back to fix that low-level noise problem. I believe they went with having to re-manufacture a board in it rather than just patch them, so that process is taking a long time. I still don't have it back. I'm being very patient ;-)

However, in those two weeks or so, I put it through some paces. Prior to the S12 I had an old passive 10" SW in place (no-name) that was quite efficient but otherwise plain jane. I can't compare the S12 directly to anything (else) really, and in both cases they were on the second floor, so not on a solid cement flooring.

My experience with Airmotiv S12 on some classic big-bass movie moments - I was blown away!! Serious, deep room-shaking bass. Again, this is the second floor, so much more likely to get that floor energized as part of the bargain. All I can say is wow! Guilty pleasure! One of the most frightening demos is the opening battle between sailing vessels in Master and Commander. The ships cannon punches are phenomenal, as are the resulting explosions, and the surround-sound splintering of the wood ships as the cannon balls hit. Your surround speakers better be able to handle that. But oh fun (and frightening!)

Downstairs my SVS PC12 plus, on the first floor, on cement (rug over it), is really tight and generates serious bass, but it didn't have the scary 2nd floor properties, just not able to compare the two situations.

In terms of possible comparables, you are probably right with the SVS SB2000. If I don't get back my S12 I am looking seriously at that one too. Same basic price, but although it only has RCA ins (no XLR), and no passive radiator in addition to the primary, it otherwise seems very comparable, 500 RMS watts, and smaller, lighter, and possibly even goes lower. I'm guessing that the larger cabinet and extra radiator of the S12 makes it more efficient for beau coup db's, and I like having the XLR input, so I'm still hopeful on getting back my S12.

[garbulky]

I tried the bass s12 dual subs and they were seriously energizing A very large living room with huge amounts of punch and detail. I really like them. And I'm probably going to get the 10 inch version in dual subwoofers.

[tripleb570]

Guys, Thank You!! I appreciate it! Dual S15's will be overkill, since my towers, Def Tech 9080's already have a 12" Sub and two 12" radiators in each (although I just use them as mains). Plus, I am not sure I have the room for them, where they need to go. My room is 15x27, almost perfect rectangle with just one door.

Andyo, I will look at that sub too

Glad you guys have had good experiences with the sub so far, minus the board replacement problem, which hopefully gets sorted soon. I talked to somebody at Emo last week and they said another 6 weeks they expect them to ship again. Not sure if that is a solid timeframe or not....

Thanks Again guys!