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  F12 Direct Servo subwoofer
12" sealed audiophile sub

Customer Testimonials

Reviewer: Mark F.
Product: F12

Brian,

I replaced the R49 and R54 15K preamp resistors with 5K to add 6dB gain as suggested. The F12 line input gain is now just right, with the volume around 75%. Other F12 settings are: fixed and variable crossover filters at 50Hz, extension 14Hz, high damping, phase delay ~1-2ms, no PEQ needed. I can't hear any 60Hz hum with F12 directly connected to main AC. System AC is via 3 separate PowerVar balanced isolation transformers totaling 25 kVA. Integration is very smooth! My Quads are 5' from the front wall and the F12 is against the front wall in a 15' x 24' room with front corner objects that help to baffle reflections. Side walls open up to larger areas about 2/3 of the way to the back wall.

The added preamp gain is a great solution for people using balanced connections to front speakers and unbalanced to the sub, with high efficiency main speakers or high main amp gain.

I've tried other subs and there is no comparison. The F12 is a perfect addition to my system!

Thanks so much for your help, and best wishes for continued expansion of your best-in-class subwoofer technology.


-Mark


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Reviewer: Chris P.
Product: Dual F12

Brian,

I'm sure you get this kind of feedback all the time, but I just wanted you to know that I think you make AMAZING subwoofers.

I've had my dual F12s setup for about a week now. I have pretty good speakers, amps, etc., but adding your F12s TRANSFORMED my system. I cannot believe the kind of sound I'm hearing. I didn't know it was even possible.

It's obvious you put a lot of thought into the features you include. I really appreciate the XLR inputs and your single band parametric EQ. I have an OPPO BDP-95 and use the analog outputs. Sounds great, but this method lacks some of the room EQ capabilities of the typical AVR setup. With the F12's parametric EQ band, I am able to tame a prominent room mode. This was a key feature for me.

Lastly, I wanted to thank you for the build quality of your subwoofer. With the current electronics manufacturing trend of making things cheaper, cheaper, cheaper, it is nice to have a piece of equipment with quality knobs, switches, etched nameplates, etc. You really know how to do things right, and that is a rare trait nowadays in my opinion.

Thanks again,

Chris


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Reviewer: Mlundy57(AVS member)
Product: F12

The F12 is up and running. Boy oh boy this thing is sweet. I realize that conventional wisdom is that in a 4,000 cubic ft room I needed a 15" and/or ported sub but I'm glad I stuck with the 12" sealed. I have it hooked up with both the LFE and line in from the preamp outs (and no, the earth's magnetic field did not reverse itself ). I ran Audssey with LPF on AVR/12, crossover at 50 Hz (my mains go down to 44 Hz), Delay/phase at 0, rumble filter off, & extension filter at 14 Hz mid damping. I'm using a Marantz SR 7005 AVR. Audssey set the sub at -0.5dB and about 2 feet farther away than my main speakers.

For music I listened to Beethoven's 5th, the Telarc Cincinnati Pops recording of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (in both DTS 5.1 and 176/24 flac formats), and the Chesky test disc Vol 2. For movies I watched parts of Demolition Man and Serenity both in DTS-MA.

I listened to the sub with the damping set at both mid and low and volume ranging from the initial -0.5 dB to +2.5 dB (3 dB hot). I ended up settling on the initial settings of mid damping and -0.5dB.

Even with damping on mid and not running the volume hot this sub fills the room amazingly. With music the bass is full and sweet, not overpowering or localized. You cannot tell the bass is coming from the sub unless you walk over and stick your ear next to the driver. The bass strikes and cannon fire in the 1812 Overture are full without being overpowering or harsh. As for the movies, Serenity has never sounded so large or come to life so much. This 12" sealed sub can definitely shake the walls (I may have to switch to high damping once the wife gets back home ). Even though this sub is putting out way more punch than anything I have had in this system before the effect is desirable not harsh or nerve grating.

Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of Rythmik. I'm sure glad I did and that you all have been as helpful, and tolerant, as you have. Brian, thanks for your help both on the forum and over the phone.

By the way, did I mention the F12 is on sale, $787? The F12 is so far beyond any other $800 sub I've been auditioning over the past two months it isn't even funny. It even blows away the $1,600 servo sub I was trying to justify buying.

Bottom line: even if your listening area is larger, don't discount the F12, I couldn't be happier. Now, back to the movie

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Reviewer: Terrance T.
Product: F12BO-PEQ

Hi guys,

I just wanted to let you know that I've been trying out the F12 for a couple of weeks now and I'm loving it. I haven't gone through the entire setup procedure yet, but even just roughly positioned between my two ProAc monitors and calibrating the balance by ear, I am getting a wonderful, deep, and punchy low end that I have never heard before. Apparently this method of repositioning the source of the low end has solved many of my bass cancellation issues.

I have not yet received the 'in line' HPF filters I ordered from Harrison Labs, so for now I'm just using the HPF output of the F12 to feed my Rotel amp and ProAcs. Seems to work well, and have not noticed the 'veiled' sound that one audiophile reviewer was mentioning. But will compare to the Harrison filters soon.

Thanks again for all the advice. Once I get into doing the full setup procedure as specified on your website, I may need to consult with you again. But for now, very satisfied. Thanks for this great solution to the low frequency monitoring challenges I was having.

Best regards, Terrence

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Reviewer: Eric B.
Product: dual F12-XLR3

Brian,

Set-up the 2nd F12 and switched the amp on my current F12....stereo subs!!!

The quality of the bass with one sub is already great..... adding the 2nd has filled out the soundstage, and balanced out the room interaction....plus, I listen to a lot of live rock audience recordings and soundboards with two drummers...dual F12s has me in bass nirvana

I am now in the "done for now" situation.....Magenpan 1.7 and dual F12's is about as good as I have ever heard and best I have ever owned. The word of mouth about Rythmik + Magnepan, as winning combo, is the real deal. My sub search is over!

Thanks again for your patience with me, great communication, and awesome products
sincerely,
peb

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Reviewer: Michael L.
Product: F12

The F12 arrived today. Good thing you use double boxes. The outside box had some damage but the inside one was untouched.

I posted the following on the AVS forum a little while ago:

The F12 is up and running. Boy oh boy this thing is sweet. I realize that conventional wisdom is that in a 4,000 cubic ft room I needed a 15" and/or ported sub but I'm glad I stuck with the 12" sealed. I have it hooked up with both the LFE and line in from the preamp outs (and no, the earth's magnetic field did not reverse itself). I ran Audssey with LPF on AVR/12, crossover at 50 Hz (my mains go down to 44 Hz), Delay/phase at 0, rumble filter off, & extension filter at 14 Hz mid damping. I'm using a Marantz SR 7005 AVR. Audssey set the sub at -0.5dB and about 2 feet farther away than my main speakers.

For music I listened to Beethoven's 5th, the Telarc Cincinnati Pops recording of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (in both DTS 5.1 and 176/24 flac formats), and the Chesky test disc Vol 2. For movies I watched parts of Demolition Man and Serenity both in DTS-MA.

I listened to the sub with the damping set at both mid and low and volume ranging from the initial -0.5 dB to +2.5 dB (3 dB hot). I ended up settling on the initial settings of mid damping and -0.5dB.

Even with damping on mid and not running the volume hot this sub fills the room amazingly. With music the bass is full and sweet, not overpowering or localized. You cannot tell the bass is coming from the sub unless you walk over and stick your ear next to the driver. The bass strikes and cannon fire in the 1812 Overture are full without being overpowering or harsh. As for the movies, Serenity has never sounded so large or come to life so much. This 12" sealed sub can definitely shake the walls (I may have to switch to high damping once the wife gets back home). Even though this sub is putting out way more punch than anything I have had in this system before the effect is desirable not harsh or nerve grating.

Up until a few weeks ago I had never heard of Rythmik. I'm sure glad I did and that you all have been as helpful, and tolerant, as you have. Brian, thanks for your help both on the forum and over the phone.

By the way, did I mention the F12 is on sale, $787? The F12 is so far beyond any other $800 sub I've been auditioning over the past two months it isn't even funny. It even blows away the $1,600 servo sub I was trying to justify buying.

Bottom line: even if your listening area is larger, don't discount the F12, I couldn't be happier. Now, back to the movie.

When I upgrade my other system another F12 is going in it !!!

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Reviewer: Kevin A
Product: FV15HP

I purchased an FV15HP about two years ago, which is usually the time period I start thinking about an upgrade. Not so with the Rythmik sub. It is a perfect blend of brute force for movies and detailed nuance for music. It still continues to thrill each time I use it. I've shifted more from movies to hi-def audio, and the sub continues to reveal information and complexity in tunes I've listened to hundreds of time, the latest being Led Zepplin's Moby Dick. I usually skip the drum solo but it sounded so amazing and life-like that I had to listen to it a couple of times. Keep up the great work.

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Reviewer: Robin (HK)
Product: F12SE

Hi Brian,
Just received it today! Though only listen to a few albums & 1 movie so far, 3 words: Amazing amazing amazing! I know it'll get even better as it runs in but the F12 already smokes my 1 yr old SVS SB12NSD but I guess you already know that. It's really amazing how clean the low frequency can sound. From memories I think Rythmik better than MK or JL Fathom. You're a genius!

Robin

Hi Brian,
My jaw drop again! As I run-in the F12 more, about 20hrs now & just watched Star Trek V., the experience is phenomenal, the low frequency attacks are so real & dimensional because the booming or distortion are gone. The F12 ultra low noise floor is more apparent as it run-in more. The combination of F12 with my ProAc 110 (bookshelf spk) has remind me of my listening experience of the 6ft tall Wilson Watt I sh*t you not! Even the movie finishing classical music was a joy to to listen to the last drop. Impressive indeed!

Robin

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Reviewer: Robert T (Philippines)
Product: F12

Your F12 subwoofer system beats premium price brands like JL Audio, Velodyne, REL in bass accuracy according to observers during our recent (ie 2011) November Hifi Show in Manila. All feedbacks are positive especially from first time listeners of combined speaker and sub.

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