I am new to the board but not to Klipsch. I have been a Klipsch owner for 20 years. I have a fresh approach to your subwoofer problem. For years I figured the guys who make the powered subs for a living know best. Trying to make my own sub/amp combo I figured would be a disaster and then I wouldn't be able to sell it. After 20 years this is what happened a week ago.
I have a pair of Khorns with Belle in the center. Meridian 565 processor and Bryston 4B STs for power. I can take the horns to clipping and you know the room is LOUD !! I had (heavy emphasis on HAD) a Velodyne ULD-18 II and an FSR-18 in the room. I tried them individually and together. I couldn't get the low end on par with the power of the horns on low-mid/mids and highs. The bass was only ok. Movie tracks, special effects, music whatever. I want to feel the room "lock" with bass when the time comes so I took a new approach.
I bought a JBLPRO twin 18" sub and a used Crown K2. Total around $2200. I've got quality bass and quantity way above what I had. You guys could try a single 18" and get that system for around 1500 bucks total. I'm pushing 800 sq ft in my theatre so I needed the double. You can't go and really audition this but you've got to believe this 225 lb. speaker with 2500 watts mono will do the trick. I'm really trying to open your eyes to see what I missed for years.
BTW. I've owned Cornwalls, KG 2.5s, KLF-30s, Belle for center, Khorns, 5.5s, Forte, and maybe even a few more. I'd love to see one of you guys try this setup. The crown has a damping factor of 3000. Don't let the boutiques tell you about the fancy amps like the Bryston. They're great, yes. I've got 3, but the $700 I paid for the Crown is my best investment yet. I can't say what it would sound like on the left/right channels though.
