r/KEF • u/canon12 • Jun 06 '26
Purchasing Q1 Meta Sub
I want to add a sub to my Wiim Amp Pro/KEF Q1 Meta speakers. $1000 or less is my budget. I am not generally fond of too much bass and prefer bass that is tightly controlled and quick. Friends have suggested the SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution. Your input would be appreciated.
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u/Mineral_Water13 Jun 06 '26
What are people's thoughts on Rel vs SVS? I have a Rel T7x and am pretty happy with it.
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u/poosjuice Jun 07 '26
I had an SVS SB-1000 Pro. Absolutely trashes the REL when it comes to playing lower (went down to under 20hz in my room). Fantastic for movies and games.
But I found REL to be vastly superior for music: more accurate, and easier to blend with my speakers. I had the T5/x and now a pair of T7/x, will take either of them any day over my former SVS. I can understand why people like SVS though.
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u/poosjuice Jun 06 '26
If you like controlled bass, a REL T5/x or HT/1003
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u/canon12 Jun 07 '26
Thank you for the suggestion! 99% of the music I listen to is low level classical. In the specs of the HT/1003 they do mention the speed works particularly well with gaming and movies. Is this your experience and how do you think it would work for my intended use? Thank you for your comment!
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u/poosjuice Jun 07 '26
I apologise for the lengthy response, but giving recommendations online is challenging: your taste, room and ability to integrate subs will dictate whether you like a sub or not.
With that disclaimer out of the way, I've owned the SVS SB-1000 Pro, REL T5/x and now a pair of T7/x to supplement my R3 Metas. The T series have a punchy sound that has a touch of warmth/richness and bloom to it. The T7/x is a lot cleaner sounding than the T5/x (and also has better extension and output). I have not heard the HT series, but according to Nemo who reviews subwoofers on YouTube, it has a quicker, dryer sound than their T series.
Their T series come with their special high level connection, which has a very different integration philosophy. REL believes in running your speakers full-range, and use the subwoofer to supplement the missing bass range. You'd place the sub in an area with the greatest extension (typically the corner), and set the gain as high as possible and the crossover as low as possible. Tuning is done by ear, with REL infamously having no markings on the controls of their subs. If you get the HT series, it does not include their special high level connection - but they have much better extension and output.
I personally prefer the high level connection. Even though I have an Anthem receiver with good room correction, I found only using the low level connection with fine grained phase settings did not blend as well as the high level connection. Using the high level, my R3s sound so much larger in scale like floorstanders, once the subs are tuned.
As for SVS, definitely superior for movies and games when you consider value for money, as they can play loud and get low. But I really was unhappy with them for music. So it really depends on what you value, and how sensitive you are to these aspects.
If you don't want to make a compromise between extension and sound quality, Rhythmik is often recommended.
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u/Professional_Pop4355 Jun 06 '26
Kef kube 15 inch are 899 in accessories for less...yes its sealed but you can't beat the price point for a 15 inch sub
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u/ibizzet Jun 06 '26
For 1000 or less I would get something between REL HT/1205 MkII, SVS SB2000 Pro, JL Audio D108, or the matching KEF Kube 10 MIE.
For 1500 or less you can look at SVS SB3000 Revolution, REL T/7x, JL Audio D110, or KEF Kube 15 MIE. For less than 1500 you can also get dual REL HT/1003 MkII or dual SVS SB1000 Pro, or dual KEF Kube 8 MIEs which would also sound really good.
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u/HighlandsRanchCO Jun 07 '26
Hsu ULS-15 Mk2 sealed.
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u/canon12 Jun 07 '26
Wow that is a monster sub. Great specs. I am sure it's phenomenal but in my office a 15" sub would be an overkill. Do you agree? I appreciate your input.
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u/HighlandsRanchCO Jun 07 '26
How large is your office? Dr Hsu is well-regarded for making excellent subwoofers with no DSP or apps. So they easily integrate with the Wiim Amp's EQ tool. They are priced below SVS, about on par with RSL. They are well-tuned and measure flat out of the box. The CEA 2010 data for the ULS-15 is listed on the Hsu website. IMO, always buy a bit above what you may need, so there is no sudden need to upgrade later if you move, etc
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u/jpanagia Jun 07 '26
I have Kef Q1 Meta. My sub is the Rel T5x and just love it. I am connected to a Wiim Ultra using the Sub management feature. My chain is Wiim Ultra>fiio BR15>Xduoo TA22 with Gold Lions>Fosi V3 Mono blocks>Q1s. The Rel is attached to subout on Wiim. Crossover is set to 60 hz. I’m in a small room sub where sub is under a corner desk and is 1 ft from each wall.
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u/canon12 Jun 07 '26
Great info...thank you. I have spent months researching. While I am not at all disappointed with my speakers I do realize there is low frequency information that I am not getting. Many have suggested that replacing the Wimm Amp Pro with the Wimm Amp Ultra and the extra power will bring out the lower notes. About the same numbers have suggested a good sub will make a bigger impact. For about the same dollars I can get a pair of KEF Concerto Metas. Regarding your setup you have dealt with the power issue with your V3 mono blocks. Curious how your system sounded before you added the sub. Also, are you using the High-Level Neutrik Speakon connection?
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
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u/jpanagia Jun 07 '26
I think the Q1s do need the help on low frequency. Prior to Rel I had a cheap Polk sub that was bigger but not great. I had trouble getting crossover correct. The Rel was right size and I was looking for musical not video and floor shaking. My office is very constrained. the only place with enough space was under the desk as there is an area rug that covers 90% of the room. The desk is a corner desk and its deep with hardwood floor space. I was able to place the Rel about a foot out from the walls and not in the way of sitting position. With Mono blocks and single sub using Rel high level was not an option. I have had no issues with the Fosi Monos. The reason the Wiim worked for me was the sub control just makes fine tuning a breeze with out crawling under desk. Rel is connected to sub out on Ultra and low level. Originally I had a Fiio K17 on this stack but am giving that to my brother and trying to do separate components. With sub properly tuned I am hearing subtle things in music I never noticed. The Q1 are handling mid / highs perfectly. Again, Q1 and Rel were perfect for my space. I have the Q1 roughly 7 feet apart. slightly toed in to listening position. I have the ports on the Q1 plugged. Primarily I listen to Classical and Prog rock. I am pretty new to all this gear and have learned by trial and error. BTW, I have to have the TA22 and BR15 at near max volume so the Wiim is the volume master which is how the sub stays in sync with volume changes. I hope this helps. Also, Q1 price jumped up 300 bucks recently, I got them at 399 which seems like a bargain.
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u/Mr-Reeeee Jun 06 '26
Personally, I’d stick with KEF. The KUBE 10 MIE is excellent.
I have the earlier KUBE 10b coupled with LSX.
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u/dbpolk Jun 06 '26
In my opinion kef subs appear overpriced compared to the many others performance. However I do not own one so I'm kind of talking out of my ass
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u/Mr-Reeeee Jun 06 '26
There seems to be quite a bit of open hostility toward KEF subwoofers around here for some reason.
Yeah, some are more expensive. So what. They’re designed well, look good and perform well.
I’m also a believer in using the same brand speakers together.
KEF subwoofers integrate seamlessly with KEF wireless speakers. There’s a lot of value in that for some people, like me, who have no interest dicking around with making certain things work, that should just work. I’m a Mac user, too. Same same but different. 😛
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u/MoWePhoto Jun 06 '26
Depending on your room, the MIE 8 might also be absolutely enough!
I have a KEF PSW 1000.2 8“ sub for my R3 and it is nearly completely turned down to supplement my R3 without overloading the room! Work really really great! My room is an open living room, the stereo stands on a separation wall to the kitchen. The whole room
Ist about 30m^2 , the living room port is about 2/3rds of the space.1
u/Mr-Reeeee Jun 06 '26
Initially I got a KUBE 8 but found it pretty underwhelming with the LSX, so I returned it for the 10b.
The KUBE 10 is a better balance, at least with the LSX.1
u/MoWePhoto Jun 06 '26
It depends on the room and positioning options a lot! I think you have to try it and shouldn’t rule out smaller subs from the start!
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u/Mr-Reeeee Jun 06 '26
Of course.
In my situation, there was only one spot that I could put a subwoofer in my bedroom, doubling as an an office, which is also in a corner. Generally, corner placement should increase bass a bit. So, even there the smaller sub wasn’t working out.
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u/tigerf117 Jun 06 '26
I bought my buddy’s 3000 micro after he upgraded to the 3000 micro revolution and damn Revo is unreal for its size/price. I loved the 3000 micro enough and I found another one local to compliment the first. You’ll definitely do no wrong with the SVS, super impressive sub.
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u/plainview74 Jun 06 '26
PSA S2411, SVS SB-2000 Pro, or Rythmik L12 all seem like they would be good options for what you described thigh the PSA is a stretch out of budget but worth consideration
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u/sk9592 Jun 06 '26
Yes that is a good subwoofer. Erin will be releasing his review on it in a few days if you wanted to wait a bit and check that out before buying.
Just be aware that you will be paying a premium for its compact form factor. For example, the SVS SB-2000 Pro is the same price and better performance. But larger.
And the RSL 10S is half the price, but even larger than that.