Velodyne DLS-5000R ($799)

What's in the Box? • Driver: 15 inches • Rated amplifier power: 600 watts continuous • Cabinet design: front-firing, ported • Finish: gloss-black front with black-ash body • Controls: level, continuously variable low-pass crossover (12-dB/octave initial, 24-dB/octave ultimate, 40 to 120 Hz), crossover bypass, selectable phase (0, 90, 180, 270 degrees), power, auto-on/on, remote control, four presets • Ins & outs: dual line-level inputs and outputs, dual speaker-level inputs • Warranty: 2 years

How Big Is It? • Dimensions: (WxHxD): 18.5 x 21 x 20.8 inches • Cabinet volume: 4.6 cubic feet • Footprint: 2.6 square feet • Weight: 83 pounds

Setup The DLS-5000R has a medium-size cabinet, which is surprising considering that it packs a 15-inch driver. The electronics are digital and can be controlled using a small remote. Among other things, you can program four presets for customized listening modes. And, in case your phone rings (like that ever happens when you are pounding out bass), there is a mute button. There is no high-level output, which might be an inconvenience in a few installations. The level control uses up/down pushbuttons, which is fine and cheaper to do with a DSP-based system, but I would have much preferred a knob. The low-pass crossover extends only to 80 Hz, so you will need satellites with decent bass to achieve a good blend. Or you could bypass the sub's crossover, which takes its response up to 100 Hz.

How Low Does It Go? • Bass limit (Classical-Jazz setting): 25 Hz at 91 dB SPL (maximum 10% distortion)

How Big the Bang? • Average maximum output, 25 to 62 Hz (Classical-Jazz setting): 108 dB SPL • Maximum output (Classical-Jazz setting): 114 dB SPL at 62 Hz • Dollars per dB: $7.40