Jim Wilson

Subwoofer Reviews
Starke Sound SW15 Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Mar 13, 2024  |  0 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $699

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Inexpensive
Small for 15-inch subwoofer
Deep, rich sound

Minus
Generic appearance
Takes prodding to wake from standby mode

THE VERDICT
If you want the horsepower of a 15-inch subwoofer but can only accommodate an enclosure that typically comes with a 12-inch sub, the Starke Sound SW15 might be where your search ends.

Subwoofers, an essential component for every home theater system. Unless you have an extraordinary set of speakers the same holds true for a two-channel setup, you need a sub to reinforce the bottom end. While their contribution is critical for the reproduction of full-range sound, for the most part they aren’t much to look at.

Often little more than square black cabinets, subwoofers rarely enhance the aesthetics of your HT room. I’ve reviewed over 50 of them in the past 12 years and in that time very few have visually differentiated themselves from the rest. The Starke Sound SW15 is no exception from an appearance perspective, but can it stand out from the crowd in some other way?

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Subwoofer Reviews
RSL SpeedWoofer 12S Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Oct 31, 2023  |  0 comments

RSL SpeedWoofer 12S
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
Price $799 (includes shipping)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Poised, even when pushed hard
Response rated into the teens
All this output from a single 12-inch driver?
Minus
No XLR (balanced) input
Large relative to other RSL subwoofers
Similar in price to the competition now

THE VERDICT
The SpeedWoofer 12S is a fantastic addition to the RSL family of products, it’s a subwoofer that does it all. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying ‘this thing only has a 12-inch driver?’. I certainly did.

RSL Speakers, by now most of you have heard of this company. But a decade ago? Not so much. I suspect the reason — or to be more precise, reasons — you’ve heard of them now are manifold.

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Subwoofer Reviews
Klipsch RP-1600SW 16" Ported Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Oct 25, 2023  |  5 comments


Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $1,799

AT A GLANCE
Plus
5 year bumper-to-bumper warranty
Incredible amount of clean output
Excellent dynamics
Minus
No XLR inputs
No app control
Few adjustments

THE VERDICT
In the past Klipsch was known primarily for its speakers, but that might be changing. The Reference Premier line of subwoofers are very impressive, finally able to keep pace with their speakers. I went into this review not expecting much, I came away admiring what they had created. The Klipsch RP-1600SW is for real.

Say the name Klipsch and most people will instantly think about high-efficiency speakers, ones with horn tweeters and distinctive gold metallic midranges and woofers. If you're of a certain age your mind might take you to their groundbreaking Klipschorn, that marvelous horn-loaded behemoth of a loudspeaker. Over 75 years after its introduction, the Klipschorn is revered by audiophiles. I'm not sure anything like it exists even today. I'm not reviewing something from their speaker line though, what I have in my living room is a subwoofer from their Reference Premier series: the RP-1600SW.

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Subwoofer Reviews
ELAC DS1200 12" Dual-Opposed Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Sep 13, 2023  |  0 comments

Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $3,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Rock solid build quality
Full featured, intuitive app
Tiny size and stylish appearance make it very decor friendly
Minus
Amp gets warm when pushed
On the expensive side
Warranty is only 1 year (*see update in the Impressions section)

THE VERDICT
A little powerhouse of a subwoofer, despite its diminutive stature the ELAC DS1200 comes ready to play. The compact size does take away a little from the lowest octave, but its fidelity and unflappable nature easily make up for that.

When you hear the name ELAC, do you immediately think of subwoofers? Speakers yes, but probably not subwoofers. Did you know they currently sell 9 different models? What I have in front of me is their top-of-the-line; the Varro Dual Reference Series 12" subwoofer, or DS1200 for short. That’s a big name for a small sub, calling it “reference series” adds some expectations too. Can it can live up to those?

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Bookshelf Speaker ReviewsSubwoofer ReviewsSurround Sound System ReviewsTower Speaker Reviews
MartinLogan Motion Speakers and BalancedForce Subwoofer Review
Jim Wilson  |  Jun 08, 2023  |  2 comments

Motion Speakers
Performance
Build Quality
Value
BalancedForce 210 Subwoofer
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $9,194 (as tested)
Motion F20 $1,749 (each)
Motion C10 $999 (each)
MotionB10 $599 (each)
BalancedForce 210 $3,499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Incredible mids and highs
Elegant appearance
Exceptional build quality

Minus
Not inexpensive
Perfect Bass Kit not included with sub
MAP (Manufacturers Advertised Pricing) enforced

THE VERDICT
MartinLogan blends exquisite detail with razor-sharp imaging and rich bass, then combines those elements into stylish enclosures. The Motion speakers and BalancedForce subwoofer provide a very compelling option for the serious audiophile.

MartinLogan, you know the name. They've been around since 1983 so pretty much everyone has heard of them. Renowned for its statement electrostatic speakers, the company also offers a full line of traditional cabinet speakers, subwoofers, wireless systems, architectural speakers, soundbars, even discrete outdoor systems.

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Subwoofer ReviewsSurround Sound System ReviewsTower Speaker Reviews
Arendal 1723 S Speakers & Subwoofer 2S Review
Jim Wilson  |  Mar 08, 2023  |  6 comments

1723 S Speakers
Performance
Build Quality
Value

1723 Subwoofer 2S
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $7,996 (complete system)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impeccable build quality
Small in size, large in sound
Stylish design, superb engineering
Minus
Could be considered pricey
Subwoofer app was a bit finicky

THE VERDICT
The complete package—the Arendal 1723 S speakers and 1723 Subwoofer 2S—looks great and sounds even better. If you want small size yet big sound, this is a system you should definitely consider.

Arendal, not a name many people know. Ask your friends about them and I'll bet most look at you with a bewildered stare. I first ran across the company around 3 years ago but at that time they weren't doing much in the US so I filed them away in the “check back at a later date” section of my product review list. I guess you can consider it a later date as I now have before me...

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