I took a look at your conversation history. I see multiple threads you started about subwoofer suggestions. It looks like you dismissed nearly all suggestions based on powre draw, box size, driver size, lack of servo control, or lack of "audiophile" amplifiers.
Those are all legitimate considerations (and I've wrestled with those same factors when I was putting together a two channel music system with amazing low frequency capabilities, so I think I understand where you are coming from) but in my most humble opinion, you are trying to optimize the wrong things.
Things that matter for your situation:
- Low power draw = Lots of cone area. Multiple large cones don't have to move as much compared to fewer smaller cones to create the target output level, so they won't draw as much power.
- Ultra low frequency reproduction (at lower power and lower cost) = Lots of cone area. Again, multiple large cones don't have to move much and less movement generally means they can produce sufficient output at low frequencies without resorting to more expensive drivers and more power.
- Low distortion (at lower power and lower cost) = Lots of cone area. Again, multiple large cones don't have to move much and less movement generally means less distortion without resorting to more expensive drivers and more power.
- Even response in the listening position(s) = Multiple subs, DIRAC RC, and DIRAC BC
- Reduced LF decay = VERY thick bass traps and/or DIRAC ART
- Dual opposed = More cone area and no cabinet vibrations that transfer to the floor and other things in the room
- Balanced connections = Less likely to pick up noise on long runs to subwoofers
The tradeoff (if you didn't already notice)
- Low power draw, UFL reproduction, lower cost, and low distortion is only going to happen with a large total amount of cone area and a large total box volume.
- You can do less cone area and smaller boxes and get the same UFL and low distortion, but you need more power for more driver excursion, which also likely means more expensive drivers to keep distortion low.
Things you likely won't hear:
- Servo control
- "audiophile" amplifiers in subs
Seems like you have a decent budget, as you are considering a $2000 Onkyo P-80 and two $5500 Sigberg 10D subwoofers. My suggestion is to take that $13K (or less!) and allocate it differently to build a 2.4 music-only system that actually has incredible LF fidelity.
- Preamp/processor with four sub outs and DIRAC RC+BC+ART
- Don't dismiss AV processors, they are the only way to get ART right now. There are some two channel processors that are supposed to get ART, but who knows when.
- An AVP with four sub outs and DIRAC RC+BC+ART will give far better results than any two channel preamp with only two sub outputs and no ART.
- Who cares if you only use 6 of 16 channels and none of the HDMI inputs, as long as you get the features you need at a price that works.
- Four subwoofers
- Focus on as much cone area and box volume as you can deal with. Four 15" or eight 12" cones will likely draw far less power than two dual 10" subs to hit the same levels.
- Four locations for a more even response in the room
- Four locations to allow ART to better control the LF decay
- Don't worry too much about placement, just spread them out on different walls and DIRAC RC+BC+ART will likely take care of the rest.
- Dual opposed are great to get more cone area and less vibration, but don't limit yourself to only DO if you can't find DO subs that fit your size, look, or cost requirements.
Don't get me wrong, I would love a preamp as sexy as the Onkyo P-80 with four sub outs and DIRAC RC+BC+ART. I'd pair that imaginary preamp with four imaginary Sigberg dual opposed 15" subs (and a pair of their Manta speakers) and it would be glorious! Also, I'm not putting down Rythmik. I had two L12 subs for a while and they are amazing for the price and size. But whatever gains (if any) there are by sticking to a two-channel preamp and having servo control and "audiophile" amplifiers in subs, those gains pale in comparison to more cone area, larger boxes, more sub locations, and ART. Not even close!
How about something like the following for less $ and far better LF performance? Spend the savings on room treatment and music!
$3500 miniDSP Tide 16
- Four sub outs
- Includes the DIRAC RC+BC+ART licenses
- Likely measures as well as the Onkyo
Four $1200 PSA S2411M
- 2.9x the cone area as two 10D
- Twice as many sub positions as two 10D
- Smaller box size than a G22.
For even more cone area and box size, and therefore likely less power draw... Four $1700 HSU D15 subs
- 4.6x the cone area as two 10D
- Twice as many sub positions as two 10D
- About the same footprint as a G22 but taller
- Lighter and half the price of the G25
What are the dimensions of your room and how loud do you listen? The above might be more appropriate for a larger and/or open room, but for a more moderate size room you might not need that much output. If you are willing to give up dual opposed, maybe four single 15" subs... Four $1000 HSU ULS-15 MK2. Or the Rythmik option... Four $1635 E15
- 2.3x the cone area as two 10D
- Twice as many sub positions as two 10D
- About the same size as the G22
