This is one of the two best subwoofers that that I auditioned. I ended up buying it for its compact size as compared to the Velodyne F1800 II. In the lower bass registers, the True Subwoofer matches the F1800, and easily outperforms any of the other subs that I auditioned.
I strongly recommend the True Subwoofer for use ONLY with main speakers that have strong and accurate output to 45 hz or lower. This sub truly excells at producing bass in the range from 40 hz on down. It does not perform as well when mated with small speakers which lack bass. ( Buy the Velodyne for such speakers, it is cleaner than the Sunfire in the upper bass range.)

Rick, I can spell just fine. My proofreading and typing could use some work. At moderate levels, this sub is fine.
It is true, that I am used to a more powerful sub. I have heard a number of subs, in the Sunfires range, that could outperform it. This is a review, which makes it opinionated Everyone has different tastes and mine is one that doesn't care for a sub that bounces on the floor. I have hardwood floors, mind you. On carpet, it could be a different beast.
The massive excursion, also, seemed to cause a flapping distortion, similar to severe port noise. I don't think this forum should be used insult a fellow audiophile, but to express opinions of products. I have taken a lot of stock in some of these constructive reviews. Just know, because I don't like your sub doesn't mean I am insulting you purchase. If you have one, I am glad you like it! Happy listening, everyone! Always use your own ears!

Well before I get started with my review,I believe it is important to state that there are 2 versions of this sub. There is an older version and the newer MK2. I wish people would make clear what woofer they are reviewing. Now to the review. I really have enjoyed living with the new MK2. I find it hard to believe you can buy anything better for the money. I say this again, "for the money". Im not gonna express a bunch of unwanted hype about this woofer,but I will say this woofer like all woofers, or any other piece of equipment has flaws.I found that when listening to music the woofer has a hard time reproducing super low lows(almost muddy). Another problem I have encountered with this woofer is that I found it to have a hum,only noticeable when volume was off. I have cut out most of the hum but I still have a trace of it. I do have it pluged into my MAX 1000 which states too eliminate hum and power spikes. I do reccomend using the bigger of the rubber feet carver supplies with the sub. I think carver deserves alot of credit for this little package of power,and eventhough there is better on the market,expect to shell out the bucks.

For my purposes, the True Subwoofer is the best that can be bought. Crossed over at 35 hertz, it blends perfectly with my Silver Signatures.
None of the other Subs that I auditioned managed to blend as well. I've tried Rels, Velodynes, Bag Ends, and a friend's Muse. I could easily identify all of these as separate sound sources. The True Subwoofer was the only sub that I found which blended seamlessly into the soundstage.

Reviews of this product sound like reviews of "Rush L.", you either love him or hate him. How can one product sound so different to different people? I'll tell you. Being from the Chicago area, I've been to many stores that sell this sub and I gotta tell you, it sounds very different from store to store!! Why? Because frankly, some of them are set up right and others are not. This product is VERY particular. More so than most all other subs. It is also very mediocer. At it's best, it's still not an audiophile porduct, but is somewhat impressive because of its size. It will do fine for Home theater if asked to only augment deep bass, but don't ask it to cover the upper bass regions also. Read up on this product and you'll find that it was not designed to do full range bass. Besides critical set-up, There is one tweak I can give you, if you must have one of these subs, (no charge) but; it will sound MUCH better if you put this thing on a solid stand and/or put thirty to fifty pounds of weights on top!! Don't just put it on a stand because it's going to fly off, I guarentee it. If you are not willing to do set-up correctly, go buy the new look a like velodyne product (the same size with better sound and 95% of the impact). It is also very easy to set up in any system. Or do yourself a big favor and forget the size thing and get an Hsu 12va. This sub goes all the way all the time in any kind of system period! For less money. It's big but just deal with it.

The sunfire is on of the subs that would be considered impossible to make but Bob Carver did it!!

You try to put a sub together that sounds like an 18inch in a 11 inch cubed box with a 2700 watt
amplifire.

I did a side by side test with the Velodyne HGS-10 and the sunfire. I thought the sunfire wouldn't
have a chance.....but I was wrong.the first thing that told me that the velodyne would win was its
name alone.Velodyne is a well respected name when it comes to there subs. The second was the fact that
the velodyne HGS-10 has a 10 inch woofer instead of an 8 inch active and 8 inch passive like the sunfire
has. in my recent testing with subs the 10 would always win over an 8" active and an 8" passive.Not
on this test.

At first i had both settings on the sub at high and played the Eagles,hotel California song. both
were amazing at the beginning with no or little distortion.Clean powerful bass. (what I like)
as i turned the volume up on my reciever the sunfire was a little more distorted than the HGS-10
but still clean enough for my needs. As i turned the volume up more the sunfire held out while the
HGS-10 got more and more distorted.I backed off the volume and just let the sunfire play and it
was pretty steady with a little distortion. I then tried to play the HGS-10 at that level but it
couldn't do it with as little or the same amount of distortion as the sunfire had.

overall if you want more of a clean sound at high (but not as high as the sunfire can play) distortion
then I'd rather have the HGS-10,but....If your like me and like the bass turned up until the house falls
down with a little distortion than get the Sunfire.They are both amazing subs that can go down in Frequency
to the point where we can't hear the low note(about 20Hz)and can play at high levels.the sunfire can out
match the HGS-10 but we'll see about the HGS-12.

Don't have super high expectations...but don't underestimate it. Not very accurate with the passive driver operating on resonance at higher levels, but it seems easier to blend with speakers having good output to 40hz because it produces little output above that. It disappears better than all I compared it against other than the more expensive REL's - making it a good value. Most importantly.. its not seen.. Unlike other things, the women aren't usually impressed by 18 inch subwoofers.

I went to a high-end retailer in the north shore burbs to test out the sunfire. On its own the little sub sounded terrific. Unfortunately in the same room stood M&K MX 105 dual active 12" sub pumping out a measly 100 watts at half the price. I convinced the salesman to do an A & B comparison (the saleman was pushing me to go for the more expensive sunfire, NHT, and M&K. Once the comparison test went underway a remarkable thing happened. Working off of an audiophile amp and using Monitor Audio speakers as sats, the M&K appeared to be twice as loud as the sunfire, and the sunfire's gain control was maxed out! Not only did the M&K output was higher, but its bass output seemed as good in both clarity and authority. In otherwords the M&K slammed harder and better. Go figure.I can only conclude that the sunfire had something amissed.

I cannot understand how a subwoofer can either be loved or hated. All this non sense about 100% distortion. Cite the references for your proof or dont bother reviewing this product. Bob Carver is a God because he has developed a power house that does not give of excess heat (wasted energy) like Class A products. To get the performance you would have to pay twice the price. So those of you with excess money to throw away, go buy Velodyne. Oh yeah, not the 12 inch one, you need the 18 inch one ($2500+) to match the sunfire! Way to go Bob!

Hasn't everyone learned their lesson from Bose,"boy, it's little and cute..." This is not a subwoofer at all, Mr. Bob Carver, first of all lied to everyone about the actuall powerand number of active driver it had, he then got BUSTED, why do you think the mkII is already out? This thing is unstable, it will actuall move across the floor. It has 100% distortion at 20htz, that is pathetic! I chose the PARADIGM REFERENCE SERVO 15 to do hometheater with, but, this sub is so tight and fast, I use it in my Music system from time to time. Paradigm servo 15 ***** 5 stars