IMHO, ACI and SVS are after two completely different markets. In their respective markets both companies do quite well. And let's not forget, without ACI, there'd quite possibly be no SVS, Hsu, Outlaw, Axiom, Ascend, etc.
ACI makes some very nice stuff. I heard the Force sub recently pretty incredible. Amazing performance for the small size and a beautiful cabinet too.
Brian it is very nice to see Mike/ACI recognized for leading the way in the consumer direct sales model. I agree that ACI and SVS' markets are completely different.
Todd, The amp is included with the Maestro. It is a separate unit that goes into your rack so that you don't have to get behind your sub to adjust anything.
19hz -+3dB on a sealed sub that you can crossover as high as 250hz and an amp with .5% distortion when delivering 500 watts. The built in filtering at 100Hz for left and right is a nice touch too. Nice stuff.
Mike D., Congrats on this bad boy. You guys must be very proud.
Yep, ACI makes very nice stuff! I have the Titan II (diy kit), and although it's not necessarily a "house rumbler" it sure does shake everything in my HT room. Paired with my Ascends, it makes sweet sound.
Now, I wonder if ACI would take a trade in . . . hmmmmm.
ACI is in the REL segment of the market, making subs for the high-end audiophile who has other standards for rating a sub beside how low and loud can it play. The ACI Titan is renown for its integration abilities with planars and electro-stats. The features like stereo in-line filters and higher crossover possiblities allow for more "tweaking" it to mesh with your speakers and room. You can hook it up to your HT amp and 2-channel amp at the same time and can adjust the left and right filters seperately from each for fine tuning. The 500watts is a RMS rating. Looking at the transformers in the shot of the amps guts I'd bet the watts go pretty darn high on a peak.
This is in no way dismissing SVS and their subs. SVS makes a product that their owners can rightfully be very proud of and few can match.
EDIT- I forgot that the ACI is a sealed sub which is important to those audiophiles who can hear the Earth rotate. No possibility of port noise.
I agree with Brian, ACI should get more credit. They are certainly one of the original and real leaders in factory direct for audiophiles. Not only that, they build absolutely wonderful products. I spent a lot of time auditioning and trying subs before finally keeping the Titan. Frankly, in the comparisons friends and I have made with the RELs, the ACI offers about twice the sub for 1/2 the bucks. I love my Titan sub and Sapphires, listen to them just about every day. I've also heard a number of their other models and they are all outstanding. I can't imagine this Maestro, four times the output of my beloved Titan!
No problem at all. You're the reason I'm in this business at all. Your kits got me started into audiophile quality sound. As a matter of fact, I just pulled out my old Opals, my original kit speakers, and am using them with an Emerald center. They still sound great!
I do have one question for you...how much for the raw drivers, amps and XO for the Talisman?
Mike, How about more info on that amp? Are those dual toroidials with twin heatsinks in a monoblock? What is the peak power on that thing? Are you going to sell the amps on their own?
I rate subs for :low, loud,blending,sound quality.The REL get low scores for the first 2 and average and above for the other two.I haven't auditioned of an ACI sub so anything is possible.Are these being sold by dealers or direct only?
A REL that gets an average score for blending and just above average for SQ ? thats a first. A REL is top notch in those catagories, just not as good as a value as the ACI offerings.
What's your point with this comment? If it provides 4x the output of my beloved Titan II at less than twice the price, why would I not jump at this beast at that price? What you see as exorbitant, I see as a bargain, especially from a sealed sub with furniture grade finish and one of the lowest Q ratings on the market so it can seamlessly integrate with my main speakers while also shake the paint off the wall.
Everyone has different tastes and needs from their system and I am willing to pay a little more for something that meets those needs, especially when it blows away offerings from other competitors at much higher price points.
The two round jobs are toroidial transformers and the ribbed edges are heat sinks. Don't forget .5% distortion at 500watts. Also the 500watts is RMS with those big ol' toroidial, there is a whole lot more for a peak. That amp ain't cheap. I suspect it is worth over $500 on its own.