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Last Fall, I got the subwoofer upgrade bug. I was looking to move up from my SVS PB12-NSD - a tremendous performer, especially for its price - to something more potent and satisfying, and I was down to two contenders:
- dual Rythmik Audio F15 subs (two 15" powered subs, sealed and front-firing, each w/ a 370W PEQ amp); and
- the Chase Home Theater (CHT) SS-18.T Duo (two passive 18" subs, sealed and down-firing, powerd by a 1000W PEQ amp).
I placed an order with Rythmik in late November, but the finish I wanted (Black Matte) was back-ordered into early Spring. While I waited, I began to read more about CHT. The business appears to be a side-venture started by Craig Chase (a.k.a. craigsub on AVS - known and, as far as I can tell, respected for his subwoofer tests) and I got the impression (rightly or wrongly) that his offerings - primarily subs and HT speakers - are a sort of like "really good DIY, for close to DIY money, but without the need to invest all that DIY time and effort".
There was also a lot of really good buzz from some very non-fanboyish owners of CHT products, including my buddy down in Grimsby, who purchased the potent CS-18.T Duo subs (predecessors to the SS-18.T Duo subs) and astoundingly-good SHO-10 HT speakers.
So, when March rolled around and Rythmik still didn't have the Black Matte finish in stock, I decided to cancel that order and place my order for the newer SS-18.T Duo. About a week later (or a little less than two weeks ago), they were sitting in my basement. (Pics) The newer cabinet style is very nice, the finish is pretty good (but not as good as some of the better matte or gloss finishes), and the subs are terrific performers!
I've fiddled a bit with placement (limited to the front) and settings, and run calibrations a couple of times. (I've yet to really play with the PEQ but, for that, I'm going to wait until my buddy hits town with his Dayton Omnimic - an extremely useful calibration tool - to properly tweak the subs.) The way my current set-up stands, I'm very impressed with how these subs perform. When called upon, they effortlessly produce HUGE amounts of tight, bloat-free bass, and they dig noticeably deeper than my PB12 ever could...and it could dig pretty deep!
Overall, and so far, I'd have to say these are great subs for the money (~$1,830 for two passive 18" subs, a 1000W amp, shipping and taxes).
- dual Rythmik Audio F15 subs (two 15" powered subs, sealed and front-firing, each w/ a 370W PEQ amp); and
- the Chase Home Theater (CHT) SS-18.T Duo (two passive 18" subs, sealed and down-firing, powerd by a 1000W PEQ amp).
I placed an order with Rythmik in late November, but the finish I wanted (Black Matte) was back-ordered into early Spring. While I waited, I began to read more about CHT. The business appears to be a side-venture started by Craig Chase (a.k.a. craigsub on AVS - known and, as far as I can tell, respected for his subwoofer tests) and I got the impression (rightly or wrongly) that his offerings - primarily subs and HT speakers - are a sort of like "really good DIY, for close to DIY money, but without the need to invest all that DIY time and effort".
There was also a lot of really good buzz from some very non-fanboyish owners of CHT products, including my buddy down in Grimsby, who purchased the potent CS-18.T Duo subs (predecessors to the SS-18.T Duo subs) and astoundingly-good SHO-10 HT speakers.
So, when March rolled around and Rythmik still didn't have the Black Matte finish in stock, I decided to cancel that order and place my order for the newer SS-18.T Duo. About a week later (or a little less than two weeks ago), they were sitting in my basement. (Pics) The newer cabinet style is very nice, the finish is pretty good (but not as good as some of the better matte or gloss finishes), and the subs are terrific performers!
I've fiddled a bit with placement (limited to the front) and settings, and run calibrations a couple of times. (I've yet to really play with the PEQ but, for that, I'm going to wait until my buddy hits town with his Dayton Omnimic - an extremely useful calibration tool - to properly tweak the subs.) The way my current set-up stands, I'm very impressed with how these subs perform. When called upon, they effortlessly produce HUGE amounts of tight, bloat-free bass, and they dig noticeably deeper than my PB12 ever could...and it could dig pretty deep!
Overall, and so far, I'd have to say these are great subs for the money (~$1,830 for two passive 18" subs, a 1000W amp, shipping and taxes).