As a preface, I bought this sub for music and music alone - the kind of music that no mere 10” can handle. And it is without a doubt the lowest, loudest, cleanest and tightest sub I have ever heard. I’m a huge basshead who has owned many subs over the years, most quite a bit larger than the 12s, and was honestly skeptical it would really deliver the chest kick and pants-shaking lows I love. I was instantly humbled the moment I began testing this absolute beast.

The 12s can effortlessly pressurize the room on deep bass drop songs like SP:MC - “Taiko Dub” that usually reveal the lower limits of smaller subs, and has no problem keeping up with the huge blastbeats, tectonic 808 drops and tremolo-picking droptuned bass of tracks like Organectomy - “Existential Disconnect” that turn most other woofers into mush. Classic bass test tracks like Three 6 Mafia’s “Late Nite Tip” play back absolutely phenomenally, with the lowest notes filling the room completely and the rapid upward crawls sounding smooth as could be.

I am hearing low end detail in many of my favorite songs that I’ve never experienced before. So much texture and clarity, and never once has it sounded boomy or laggy. In fact I would say this bass is deceptively smooth and clean - I had no idea I was pushing it hard enough to rattle my entire house until I stepped outside my garage and noticed my gutters and AC unit resonating!

Overall the first descriptor I would use for this sub is simply addictive. Seamless blending, thunderous weight and snappy transients make for a hypnotic listening experience that sucks me in for hours at a time as I pass track after track to it. Honestly I am amazed by what RSL has packed into this box. I see lots of talk about how large it is, but the 12s is punching far above its weight class. An absolute steal at this price as well considering you couldn’t even DIY a similarly performing sub for anywhere close.

The 12S is my second RSL Speedwoofer. For a few years I kept hearing about the RSL Speedwoofer when I was searching for something better than my Klipsch 12 inch subwoofer. I finally decided to get the 10S Mk2 and now a year later I am very happy with it and it trounces the Klipsch in every way. I wouldn’t even consider giving that one up.

I’ve been using the 12S for about a month now, and I’m extremely satisfied with its performance.

The subwoofer is powerful and capable with 500 watts per channel RMS and a peak power of 1,550 watts and a frequency response of 16hz to 200hz anechoic.The driver is a Kevlar reinforced paper cone with full anodized aluminum dust cap and a Die-cast aluminum frame with dual spider configuration unlike a cheap stamped frame that other manufacturers use at this price point and often with higher priced drivers.

One of the standout features of this subwoofer is its range of DSP modes, including Reference, Music, Movies, and Boundary. These modes provide a lot of flexibility for different listening environments and preferences, and I’ve enjoyed experimenting with them to get the sound I want.

In addition to its impressive performance and range of DSP modes, this 12 inch subwoofer also comes with a cleverly designed remote. The remote includes buttons for the various DSP modes, as well as volume up and down, power on/off, and mute.

The DSP modes are particularly useful with the remote, as I can easily switch between them depending on what I’m listening to or watching. The Reference mode is great for natural, unprocessed sound, while the Music mode is ideal for extended bass and upper bass impact. The Movies mode is perfect for enhancing low frequency content, while the Boundary mode is ideal for reducing rumble through walls for a more limited bass for night time listening and also keeping the neighbors happy.

Rear controls include Low Pass Crossover

Frequency: 30-250 Hz variable (with integrated bypass switch)

Low Pass Crossover Slope: 24 db/oct.

High Pass RCA Output Crossover Frequency: 30-250 Hz variable (with integrated bypass switch)

High Pass RCA Output Crossover Slope: 24 db/oct.

Phase Control: 0 to 180 continuously variable.

There is also a off/auto power switch as well as a main power switch.

Installation was simple and straightforward, and the subwoofer feels sturdy and well-built. The sound quality is exceptional, with deep rich bass that fills a large room with ease. Whether I’m listening to music, watching movies or playing video games, the subwoofer adds an extra layer of depth and realism that enhances the overall experience.

One thing that I appreciate about this subwoofer is that it’s not just about power and performance. A good subwoofer won’t be a one note wonder with just the boom boom and not the subtle bass frequencies that is needed for a great low end experience and it’s also about versatility and user- friendliness. The rear LED indicator matches the front display, making it easy to see which DSP mode is currently selected, and the different modes themselves are well-designed and easy to understand.

I really appreciate the convenience of having a remote, as it allows me to adjust the settings and volume without having to get up and manually adjust the subwoofer. The buttons are well-labeled and easy to use, and the remote itself feels sturdy and well-built.

The DSP modes are particularly useful with the remote, as I can easily switch between them depending on what I’m listening to or watching I’m very happy with my purchase of this 12 inch subwoofer. It’s a high-quality and reliable product that delivers exceptional performance and sound quality. If you’re in the market for a subwoofer that can handle anything you throw at it, this one is definitely worth considering.

Best bang for you buck doesn’t begin to describe how good this sub is. The 12S is a BIG subwoofer and weighs in at 85lbs so get a buddy to help you move it and save your back.

After trying all of the big named subs like SVS, Klipsch and Polk I have finally found the right subwoofer I have been searching for many years.

The Speedwoofer 12S is my “forever subwoofer” along with my Speedwoofer 10S mkii and both blend seamlessly with my home theater. Finally when you open the first box (yes, there’s a box in a box) you will see how much thought went into the box let alone what’s inside the box.

I have been a member of the RSL family since I bought my 10S Mk2 and I have found the the customer service is second to none and while I’m not saying other manufacturers leave you hanging when you have a problem with their equipment but the folks at RSL treat you like a family member and will never leave you on your own if any problem comes up in the future. And with their 30 day in home trial you have nothing to lose. I bet when you here this big boy you will want to keep it as I did.

The bottom line is I th...

Well folks....it's finally here.

You've heard the rumours for years.

RSL took their time and went through countless design decisions and gave us the Speedwoofer 12S.

Just take everything you loved about the 10S and up the ante....this sub delivers what most want, yet wince when asked to pay what is usually required to get it.

You want gut wrenching low bass that shakes you fillings (or dentures) loose?...you got it.

You want a sub that can't quite be localized?...you got it.

You want tight, clean bass that is there only when it is supposed to be?...you got it.

You want seamless blending with your main speakers?...you got it.

You want high and low pass filter capability right on the sub itself?...you got it.

You want another remote for your dog to chew on?...you got it.

You want your bank account emptied in a heartbeat? That you don't get.

This sub is a marvel of design and functionality.

Most importantly, it is being sold to you and serviced by the best company in the business.

A company that doesn't need or want to make the ridiculous profit margins charged by others.

This sub is the game changer that we always knew that RSL could come up with.

Mark my words...the 12S revolution is just beginning.

I’ve really loved my time so far with this sub. The 12S is extremely versatile and transitions between movies/games/music without the need for any EQ tuning – I keep it set to “Reference” no matter what. I’ve been really surprised with how it handles itself along different genres. I’ve thrown EVERYTHING at it from John Denver to Greensky Bluegrass to Ben Böhmer to Lil Baby. The 12S maintains a magical amount of control even during my bass-head moments of grabbing the remote and hitting the little “+” a couple two tree. My experience with the 12S is not just “bigger and louder” though, it’s actually a completely new experience in listening to the music I’ve loved for years. The 12S is rhythmic and quick and has me nodding my head while I tap on my keyboard throughout the day. I’m hearing details in the low-end that I haven’t had the ability to hear before now – it’s really the largest audible upgrade in my system that I’ve made since I first ditched soundbars.

I don’t game a ton, but I do like some GTA with a couple beers on occasion. For fun I cranked the sub up a couple notches because.. why not? Let me tell you: I got blown up by a submarine missile and physically experienced that death while seated comfortably in my living room. Full s***-eating grins happen in the gaming chair now. But then an hour later, I’m listening to Trout Steak Revival in the best form I’ve heard aside from seeing them live.

I was (obviously) looking for a larger sub that can dig deeper than what I’ve been using, but the ability to integrate with my ever-changing setup (currently Elac DBR62s) was the top of the list. Having the flexibility of high level, LFE, RCA, and wireless is paramount for many people including myself. The insane output is an added bonus as I likely won’t ever need the power of my 12S, but I keep wanting a little bit more as time goes on – the good news is that it’s got plenty more to give.

Side note: the packaging is super dialed. I can tell that RSL really worked around the size and weight of the unit, rather than modifying the unit to ship cheaply. The custom stamped RSL foam made for a really fun unboxing experience. You’ll need a friend to help get it inside though!

Initial impressions

The 12S arrived in a heavy box, encased in thick custom cut foam that should make it nearly indestructible in shipment. Unpacking and set up instructions were straight forward and easy to follow.

This is a large, heavy subwoofer, but still manageable with the provided sliders. Exterior volume is within a couple percent of my HSU 15”, and weight at 82 pounds is only 3 pounds less.

Solid and utilitarian construction. Nice quality plate amp and front display.

Past subs included the Janis W1, Infinity HPS500 & HPS1000, current HSU VTF3 MK5. I don’t change equipment frequently, and try to maximize the cost/performance tradeoff when I do buy something. I am an engineer, and worked as a project manager for over 40 years in aerospace, so everything gets analyzed…

My system

Marantz SR6013, Audyssey XT32, MultEQ app

Mirage OMD-15 mains; Omni FX side; Omnisat height; GoldenEar SuperSat 60C center

Subwoofers- RSL 12S and HSU VTF3 Mk5

Sony 75” X750F

Hard wired ethernet, SurgeX 1120RT, Monster HTS3500 Mk2, dedicated 120V circuit

For setup- MacBook Pro, REW software (free), UMIK-1 microphone

Setup

My room is not optimum, fireplace on one end, and a half wall open to the kitchen at the opposing end. The listening positions are a couch against the long wall.

I evaluated individual and combined sub responses in four room locations using REW. At each location I tested the different RSL modes and adjusted phase to get the best bass response possible. I found that the Reference mode always yielded the flattest and deepest overall response. In my room/system when the RSL is switched to other modes, the phase changed and reduced the overall bass response. Note that it would also affect Audyssey calibration if the mode were switched post cal.

The RSL, depending on room position, exhibited response to 15Hz or slightly below. At the 75db REW calibration level post Audyssey, the combined system response in my room/system is flat to ~13.5Hz.

I measured actual bass response post Audyssey with and without the main speakers, and adjusted the crossover to get the best overall response. Audyssey set my mains to small, with a crossover at 40hz, haven’t figured that one out yet. They do have good bass but… See graph below.

Review notes

I did listening tests on the RSL as an individual sub with both music and movie to get a feel for their performance. The bass is articulate, tactile and quicker/a little bit more dynamic than my HSU. There was real low end subsonic growl and room vibration in the appropriate places on organ recordings.

I see many people on forums who bought “subwoofers” that play louder than their last one and therefore are judged to be better. The RSL is a true subwoofer with real low end response and output power, not a mid woofer with little response below 30Hz.

Looking at the market at this price point, I’d say it’s a best buy. I considered SVS, but comprehensive specs are not published on their site and for what I think will be comparable performance they costs quite a bit more. The Monoprice 12” Monolith is probably a competitor. There are no others at/below this point that I believe will perform as well. Definitely should be on the short list by those in the market for a new sub.

Movies/Streaming shows/Music via Tidal

Interstellar, Bladerunner 2049, Dune 2021, Jurassic Park, Top Gun: Maverick, War of the Worlds, U571, Master & Commander: Far Side of the World, The Peripheral

Note: very few music recordings have much content below 30hz

Drum Stop, No Good- Steve Smith

Flight of the Cosmic Hippo- Bella Fleck & the Flecktones

My Bass: Brian Bromberg

The Orchestral Organ- Kraybill (A Prof Johnson Reference Recording)- This recording has very deep bass content

Miles Davis- Kind of Blue