NuForce, Anthem and JL Audio

April 30, 2009

To Randall Smith,

I read your fairly positive review of the NuForce multichannel amp. I am considering it for a new home-theater setup. Looking at your equipment list, I noticed you were using the Anthem D2 preamp/processor and a pair of JL Audio f113 subs. I am considering this near identical setup with the NuForce amp, a D2v, and a pair of f113s (or perhaps f112s if the f113s are too much for my 3500-cubic-foot room). I am currently planning to use B&W 802s as front speakers with matching free-standing center and in-wall surrounds.

I was wondering if you had any additional thoughts on the combo since you wrote your review. Did you keep the NuForce amp?

Paul Forzisi

My opinion of the NuForce MCH-3SE-C7 has not changed at all. As far as the review being "fairly positive," the amplifier received a Reviewers’ Choice nod, which is the highest praise I could have given the product. The NuForce amp in a system containing an Anthem D2v and a pair of JL Audio Fathom subwoofers would be a top-notch system in anyone's book. If you do decide in the end that two f113s in your room are in fact too much, going to one Paradigm Sub 25 could be a great alternative in your proposed system. I just wrapped up my review of the Sub 25 and it will be posted at the beginning of May. In that review, I provide a direct comparison of the JL Audio f113 to the Paradigm Sub 25. Before you purchase a subwoofer, I suggest you check a Sub 25 out for yourself....Randall Smith

Subwoofer reviews?

April 21, 2009

Editor,

Can you tell me what subwoofer reviews you have coming up? I have about $1500 and I am thinking of buying a JL Audio f110, but I’d like to know what else you guys consider really good for the money. I am looking at a Paradigm Servo 15 as well as a DD-series subwoofer from Velodyne.

Curt Bradley

A review of the SVS PC-12 Plus appeared on April 15. It received a Reviewers’ Choice award and is priced well within your budget. We also have a review of what might be the mother of all subwoofers, the Paradigm Sub25, coming on May 1. It costs more than your budget allows, but you’ll at least be able to read about what’s possible in subwoofers. Paradigm has also followed up the Sub25 with several new subwoofers that you’ll want to consider in place of the older Servo 15. Lastly, we have a really trick subwoofer from Genesis that we’ll be writing about in the early summer....Jeff Fritz

Further CA-5200 thoughts?

April 14, 2009

Nice review of the Classé Audio CA-5200. Have you compared this amp to any others since? Do you still think as highly of it?

Greg Williams

The CA-5200 has long since gone back to the company, so I haven't compared it to anything else. However, I still haven't heard anything better, and I do think just as highly of it as when I first reviewed it last December....Doug Schneider

“...120dB at 20Hz...”

April 8, 2009

Editor,

I am looking for a subwoofer that will play down to 20Hz with higher-than-average output levels. I want the sub to be able to play at least to 120dB at 20Hz and with very low distortion. I have a budget of $2000. Can you make some suggestions? This will be for a home-theater system and not be used for music, which I see you use for evaluation purposes in your reviews. Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Chris

Honestly, 120dB at 20Hz is really quite extreme. There are very few commercially available subwoofers than can attaint that type of output level at that low a frequency. In fact, I’m quite sure a single subwoofer won’t do the trick considering your budget of only $2000. Multiple subwoofers, however, might get you there, but I’m confident it will cost you quite a bit more than $2000 to assemble them. As well, I would fear for your hearing: 120dB is dangerously loud. And if you did have subwoofers that would play that loud, you’d also need speakers that would equal that output level. Unless you had PA-type speakers to go along with your subs, you’d have a hard time hitting that 120dB spec system-wide. If I were you, I’d scale back the volume requirements just a bit, and get a great sub that will do 100dB at 20Hz -- a much more realistic figure to shoot for....Jeff Fritz

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