Rythmik F12SE Direct Servo Subwoofer Review. **READ THE PINNED COMMENT**

Rythmic f18 or rel 1508

The F12G has a GR paper driver. It's lighter and faster. Any experience with these? Might pair better with Magnepans and the like

My dual F18s arrived yesterday. Going to be hooking them up tonight. I cannot wait. Coming from dual Klipsch r115sw.

Very nice review and explanation of the performance characteristics of this sub. I actually own the non SE version of this sub (F12 in the Matte Black finish) I have used it for over 3 years now in a smallish room (12 and 1/2 feet by 17 feet), with a pair of Ascend Acoustics tower speakers, and it performs very well. The bass with music is tight, accurate and Impactful. When I go back and forth with using the Pure Direct mode on my receiver (No sub output) and the other modes, Straight or Dolby surround the difference is clearly heard. One thing I wanted to point out is that for movies is not going to shake the house, there are some settings on the back you can adjust that makes movies sound great as well. The first thing is, change the damping from "high" to "Low" and turn the rumble filter off, for more output and it does just fine with movies too. But if you really want to rock the house for movies you probably want dual F12s or get a bigger more powerful sub. But again, great review. And I love my F12!

You said you found yourself missing the wild attack that you like and that it may have integrated a little to well. What can integrate nearly as well but still have the attack you’re looking for? Great review.

I really enjoyed your review. I started looking at these. I think I am going with this sub (2). I am a vinyl dude who appreciates quality bass so you gave a great Impression, thank you. I wonder what is your impression next to a REL? S/510...Hmmmm

How much do those go for ?...price wise

LoL...never mind silly me🤣😂

Do you know what the power consumption of this subwoofer is?

Hi and thanks for your informative reviews. I was hoping that with your Subwoofer knowledge and experience that you can maybe advise me?
I have a good HiFi set-up (as per at the bottom of this text) and I am considering adding a Subwoofer to my system (‘maybe’ at a later date adding another); I am only interested in one for my HiFi / music, please bear in mind I want as much as possible the best ‘sounding’, detailed and integratable overall as one etc... going by your review this Rythmik F12SE Direct Servo Subwoofer sounds like a very good candidate, but was wondering if I can get your opinion when comparing it to the ones below and / or any others you may think even ‘more’ suitable.
My room is 15 square metres in overall size, 4.75m length x 3.44m listening end / 3.10m ‘speaker end - because of ‘literal’ practicalities they have to be where they are and a relatively low ceiling height of 2.25m where the ‘speakers are:
Comparison Sub’s:
Kef KC62
Kef KF92
Rel Serie T/7x
Rel Serie S/510
My system:
Naim HDX CD/HD
Naim XPS Power supply
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800 (further tuned with better capacitors, WBT Binding posts for CD/HD and ‘speaker inputs) - No Sub-out option.
Kef Reference 1's
Chord Electronics Qutest DAC
Chord Signature Tuned Aray Interconnects & ‘speaker cable
Atlas EOS 4DD UK Mains Power Cables fed into a Russ Andrews X4 Power Block
Thanks in advance... all the best,
Simon (UK).

which is the most musical subwoofer today ?

Nemo Propaganda
so I’ve been commenting on your videos for the past couple weeks talking about Rythmik. I love my fvx12 and I want another one but now that I’m getting into expensive nice stuff I want the best of the best. Do you have any experience with dual opposing subs? Specifically the g22 by Rythmik? Before I go dual I want to make sure I have exactly what I want and I’m reading some awesome things about that subwoofer.

Sounds like an awesome sealed choice. Thank you bro! 💪🏽🔥‼️

@Nemo how does this sub compare to the Rel T9x/i that you reviewed recently. I am saving for a dual sub set up for 2 channel set for music only. Tekton Double Impacts are my floor standers… I am considering this Rhythmik, the Hsu ULS 15 mk2 , the RELs T9s ( probably the very least to be considered due to its price) Thanks ☺️.

I've been trying to find something that integrates like a REL but is better for home theater than REL. I placed an order for the Rythmik E22 and I plan to get a 2nd later. It'll essentially be like having 4 F12's. Should be good for music and theater.

“Super anal picky audiophile”… I’d like to say that’s not me, but it kind of is. I own this sub and I’ve been looking for reviews to send friends who don’t live locally, but are interested to know about it.
Your description is spot on. In fact, per my preference, that level of integration is perfect. I have this sub filling in with Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grands. As you stated, the first few weeks of ownership, I too have checked to make sure it’s on.

Great review and description.

Nemo was also made by aliens 🤣

Any chance you plan on reviewing the Rythmick E15 sealed subwoofer? The E15 is a slightly smaller version of the F15, which is the next step up bigger brother of the F12. Great review as I'm considering a bigger sub like the F12 or E15. Unfortunately I can't find any reviews on the E15. Keep up the great work on these sub reviews!

I picked up two of these with the GR paper woofer. First system I used it on was Magnepan MMG, tricky to get dialed in and I may keep tweaking the sub but it's every bit as good as you stated. Then I hooked it up with my Vandersteen speakers and it is seamless, added alot of deep freqs. Thanks for your great reviews.

Great video! Cross shopping the F12SE vs REL T9x or the REL S510. I own the Kinki EX-M1 integrated amp and Polk LSIM 707's tower speakers. How do you feel the RYTHMIK stands up vs the two RELS? My system is a separate stereo system only. Looking for the a sub that would have speed and are an enhancement for music. Would the REl or RYTHMIK be the better choice?

Any opinions on the F12 400?

Thanks!

What is your opinion on how they would integrate with relax/warm speakers? Sonus Farber Lumina V to be specific?

Was the larger E15HP2 lacking in dynamics as well? Would you say it’s not good for bass heads?

I saw the review on the L22. I am considering a pair of the E22 for a music only system with a pair of Klipsch La Scala II driven by an NAD M33. The listening room is 18 x 18 with 12 ft ceiling. Does this seem like a good pairing?

Nemo, pair of these or pair of REL T9 for music

I was kind of interested in these subs but not now. After calling and leaving a message in Texas , got a call back. He said how many watts is your tube amplifier? I said 35 watt premaluna. He said sorry, you have to have 60 or 80 Watts. Huh ? For a signal?
Call me ignorant. Those expensive Rel subs I had
Worked with just a signal from my amplifier. So did my pair of SVS subs , so does my Emotiva sub.

"Lacking dynamics... the bass is not there" - are you sure you are recommending this over a REL?

This or the JL E112?

these integrate better than the REL t/x series?

Hey Nemo, when will you do a review of HSU ULS sub? They have been out for a while now and in the subwoofer department only your opinion counts to me.

Excellent review! Thank you for putting this together. You are very articulate.

@NemoPropaganda I see you have reviwed both f12SE and REL MKII 10"-12" I'm getting ready to build a system, room is fairly small (12x12x7) Fronts Polk R700, Center Polk L400. I listen to about 50/50 music-movies. I will most likely go with a pair of subwoofers, both next to the front stage. I will be using DSP (Dirac) Would you choose one over the other? Reasonings? Both REL and Rythmik have great reviews everywhere you turn which is making my decision a bit harder. Cheers!

Not for theater use! mmmmmmhhh

Is there a big or difference between the F12SE and F12-400 besides the finish?

I've had this sub for about five days...all I can say is WOW WEE!!!...it's so smooth and forceful.....

I wonder if some of what you notice is the servo reducing distortion. Punch is generally 40Hz to 80Hz+, and with normal subs, you'll get a bit more of the 2nd harmonic. The measurements I've seen put the distortion at negligible levels.

I really notice it on my pair on certain movies. My arm hair can be shaking, but you don't really hear the bass when it's really low. You just feel it.

For a music / high-fi optimized sub, would you recommend this Rythmik F12SE or the REL T9/x ? Let's make that cost-independent -- overall quality and experience only.

i've owned subs from Hsu Research, Energy, SVS, and Power Sound Audio.
SVS and PSA definitely make great subwoofers, but none of the above can compete with Rythmik's sound.
my one regret is that i waited a dozen years between first wanting an F12, and finally owning a pair.
the F12 doesn't even sound like a subwoofer. it sounds like i have a pair of truly full-range speakers

Reseller in Europe ?

Just found your amazing channel — brilliant! Great reviews on subwoofers. I've narrowed my search to Rythmik and am unsure whether to choose dual L12s or F12s. I have a small listening room (13.5' x 12.5' x 8.25') running a Hegel H360's 420 watts (4ohm) into a pair of Magnepan .7s. In adding a subwoofer, it has been frequently recommended that given the small space I should add a pair in 'opposing corner' configuration. I love the non-colored sound of this setup but when listening to everything from organ to orchestra, to jazz quartets, to Weather Report, to Zappa, I miss the bass extension I used to get with my Klipsch La Scallas. I'm told that two L12s will sound better than one F12. After watching your review of both of these Rythmiks, I'm torn. My question is whether in your opinion it is worth nearly double the price to go with two F12s. As you described the performance of different subwoofer models, my preference would be to have them 'disappear' sonically. I trust your honest and insightful reviews and would appreciate your thoughts.

I tried to get my cheap sub to 75db, it couldn't even when I turned it up all the way. Anyway , even that cheap thing was rattling the bottles on my bar and I didn’t like it, it was distracting. Couldn't imagine a big ported RSL12s. Should I be leaning sealed then?

Review the Rythmik FM8 some time.

Hi Nemo, I am currently between F12 and FVX12. This is going to be for 80% music. It seems that you have used both variations for your music listening. Which sub did you like the most? And why.

What size room can the F12 handle? My room is about 20w x 30d x 9h. Rythmik advised me to use F15. Your room is how big?

Would a speaker that extends to minus 3db at 28hz benefit with dual Rythmik F12SE

Disappearing and sounding like a bass guitar is actually in the room is what I'm talking about. The "dicohotomy" between movies and music becomes moot when most of the movies you watch have high-quaity/orchestra soundtracks. And even though explosion-fest movies aren't my first choice, when the director's made an effort to make, say, a train going by into a visceral experience (yeah, I mean Snowpiercer), I still don't wanna miss out on that. Totally shopping in the smaller-sub range, though, as my theater room's 11.5 deep x 14 wide x 8 and is in a townhouse (which is decently sound-isolated from the neighbors but I'm not trying to push my luck, hah!) ... Thanks for the Rythmik recommendation earlier!

Hey Nemo, is this speaker too much for a 12 by 15 by 9 feet room in a townhouses? Or should I be looking at something like Rel T7x or HT1003 mk ii?

I have a FXV12SE in my HT setup. I want/need a sub for my 2 CH music setup. So, wondering how the F12SE compares to REL’s Classic 98? 🤔

**CORRECTIONS & UPDATES**
-When I said I wouldn't use it for theater I think a lot of people misunderstood me as saying that it's not capable. This is just as capable as any sealed 12" and will best most of them in a theater environment. What I was saying is most people who build theaters generally use larger ported subwoofers like Rythmiks own FVX12 (which I also love). Again just to be clear this will be a dominant competitor in a theater environment.
-Another note on dynamics, a lot of you guys misunderstood me and maybe that's my fault. This subwoofer is plenty dynamic, it just integrates extremely well and for my personal taste I like exaggerated bass that is less accurate and more exciting but that is just my personal taste guys. Do not take this off your list just because it doesn't have the exaggerated characteristics I like as you may prefer it's more natural and accurate bass response. This is an outstanding performer and years later I still own this, if you're like me and prefer a slight exaggeration in the low end go for the FVX12 (I own that too).
- I referred to the L22 as the L12 at one point during the comparison, should be obvious which part.