Rythmik F18 vs PSA S2112M

[JohnSnow]

So, I'm looking to replace my PSA s1512 with one of these two subs...currently.

I have two FV18's in my home theater set-up, so I'm familiar with the performance of the vented version of the F18, and there are independent measurements available...so I'm more or less confident in what I'd be getting. However, I am intrigued by the PSA S2112M. The s1512 has been a solid sub for me, but I just want the ability to go lower (pipe organ). There is just something I find compelling about having a 21" sub in my two channel set up. My MoFi V10's are already enormous, and having an enormous subwoofer is just...appealing.

Anyway, the issue I'm having is that I've not been able to find independent measurements for the PSA, and was just wondering if someone owns one, or has better Google-fu than I do. I have looked into JTR, as well, but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much chasing the bottom ~18hz in my set-up.

https://www.rythmikaudio.com/F18.html

S2112M

Redefine your listening experience with the S2112M Subwoofer. High end sound at an affordable price.

www.powersoundaudio.com

 

[muslhead]

no disrespect meant and I know you are not looking for subjective opinions about looks, but, in general it seems the bigger they are the uglier they get, no matter who makes them. Although in this case i thought the Rythmik is better between the two when i was looking to upgrade mine. Good luck finding data on PSA ... this too, was the reason I chose rythmik.

 

[JohnSnow]

No disrespect taken, and I mostly agree, but I'm generally willing to forego aesthetics for performance...which my wife does not always appreciate. That said, I don't dislike the PSA's looks...but I do dislike the lack of specs. The "trust me, bro" angle PSA began taking a few years ago is a bit frustrating.

 

[smygolf]

No disrespect taken, and I mostly agree, but I'm generally willing to forego aesthetics for performance...which my wife does not always appreciate. That said, I don't dislike the PSA's looks...but I do dislike the lack of specs. The "trust me, bro" angle PSA began taking a few years ago is a bit frustrating.

That kind of attitude would be enough for me to back off.

 

[Puddingbuks]

The best sub is a second sub.

 

[MKR]

So, I'm looking to replace my PSA s1512 with one of these two subs...currently.

I have two FV18's in my home theater set-up, so I'm familiar with the performance of the vented version of the F18, and there are independent measurements available...so I'm more or less confident in what I'd be getting. However, I am intrigued by the PSA S2112M. The s1512 has been a solid sub for me, but I just want the ability to go lower (pipe organ). There is just something I find compelling about having a 21" sub in my two channel set up. My MoFi V10's are already enormous, and having an enormous subwoofer is just...appealing.

Anyway, the issue I'm having is that I've not been able to find independent measurements for the PSA, and was just wondering if someone owns one, or has better Google-fu than I do. I have looked into JTR, as well, but I'm not sure I can justify spending twice as much chasing the bottom ~18hz in my set-up.

https://www.rythmikaudio.com/F18.html

S2112M

Redefine your listening experience with the S2112M Subwoofer. High end sound at an affordable price.

www.powersoundaudio.com

GSG should also be on your short list … can even do DIY and save a few bucks …

GSG Audio Design - Elite Subwoofers

GSG designs and builds some of the world's highest performing subwoofers for home theaters and high-end 2-channel audio systems.

shop.gsgad.com

 

[JohnSnow]

That kind of attitude would be enough for me to back off.

If I didn't already have one of their subs, I'd agree, and would have just written them off.

 

[JohnSnow]

The best sub is a second sub.

If I could put a second in the room, I would. Unfortunately, I'll have to live with one sub in this set-up until the wife gives me another room...or we move.

 

[MAB]

Data-Bass may help. Both the the FV18 and F18 are tested, and DIY subs with B&C 21" drivers are also tested.

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

I'm not clear which B&C model PSA uses, but we can get a ballpark estimate of what a 21" prosound driver in a sealed cabinet can do compared other systems.

You can compare various tests, for example the FV18 compared to a B&C 21SW152 in a DIY sealed cabinet:

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

And a spreadsheet of tested systems that can be filtered:

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

Rhythmik are near the top of the sealed and of the vented systems of output.

 

[levimax]

If you can only have one sub and want to play organ music I would recommend going with a large ported enclosure. Giant drivers in small sealed boxes are OK but you leave A LOT (~10 dB) on the table compared to a 21" in a proper size ported enclosure.

 

[ry_]

It is unfortunate they don’t do measurements and someone hasn’t bought one and sent it for testing. Since you own and like the PSA you own, I would give that enough credit to say upgrading to the 21 would be great. You can contact Tom and do a trade in to make the S2112 cheaper to upgrade to. That alone would make me choose that if I were your shoes.

I’m also in camp no replacement for displacement.

Rythmik is great but I feel like at the current prices, the value isn’t as strong anymore compared to other subs. They sure do look way better than PSA.

 

[JohnSnow]

Data-Bass may help. Both the the FV18 and F18 are tested, and DIY subs with B&C 21" drivers are also tested.

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

I'm not clear which B&C model PSA uses, but we can get a ballpark estimate of what a 21" prosound driver in a sealed cabinet can do compared other systems.

You can compare various tests, for example the FV18 compared to a B&C 21SW152 in a DIY sealed cabinet:

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

And a spreadsheet of tested systems that can be filtered:

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

Rhythmik are near the top of the sealed and of the vented systems of output.

Thanks for posting those links!

 

[JohnSnow]

If you can only have one sub and want to play organ music I would recommend going with a large ported enclosure. Giant drivers in small sealed boxes are OK but you leave A LOT (~10 dB) on the table compared to a 21" in a proper size ported enclosure.

The size of the enclosure is a sticking point. The area I have available for sub placement is small-ish, and the system is in a dual-purpose room on the main level of the house. There is zero chance the wife will let me put a sub the size of my FV18's on the main level of the house...and the space won't accommodate one.

It is possible I could get away with a ported 15", if the specs are similar to the sealed 18" or 21".

 

[MAB]

It is unfortunate they don’t do measurements and someone hasn’t bought one and sent it for testing. Since you own and like the PSA you own, I would give that enough credit to say upgrading to the 21 would be great. You can contact Tom and do a trade in to make the S2112 cheaper to upgrade to. That alone would make me choose that if I were your shoes.

I’m also in camp no replacement for displacement.

Rythmik is great but I feel like at the current prices, the value isn’t as strong anymore compared to other subs. They sure do look way better than PSA.

In a way they have. This is the near equivalent of the PSA sub:

Data-Bass: Subwoofer Measurements

data-bass.com

A B&C 21" Neo driver in a small closed box. PSA adds a Hypex plate amp, so you can EQ to your room and system. But the driver performance will be roughly equivalent.

We can compare the Rythmik FV18 and F18 to the B&C 21" in sealed and vented boxes.
For example CEA-2010, not that that tells everything about the systems...

The differences in sealed below 30Hz is negligible. Maybe servo makes a difference here. Obviously the B&C sealed needs the room and some EQ to work.

The Rythmik FV18 doesn't have the max output of the B&C vented, but does well below 20Hz. I guess I'm not surprised given the intended use of the B&C driver. And this is just one metric of output.

For my uses, 4x of any of these four systems would make me very happy.

 

[Everett T]

Waste an extra grand and get the JTR RS1 if you wanna go big and with better overall performance over both of the other subs objectively. You'll have to start listening to some pipe organs with 32' and 64' stops, lol.

 

[JohnSnow]

Waste an extra grand and get the JTR RS1 if you wanna go big and with better overall performance over both of the other subs objectively. You'll have to start listening to some pipe organs with 32' and 64' stops, lol.

You know, you make a valid argument to just ignore my budget.

 

[SKNG]

I'm running 3x Rythmik F18 in my system since 2018,2 on front LR corner 1 on right side wall slightly behind the seat,split 60/40 on music listening n movie watching, very satisfied with both usage.
Can stack 2 of it if wanna more output with the same footprint,actually was hoping they release a dual 18" sealed sub but probably not going to happen.