Price Paid:  $1200.00 from ElGiganten

Summary:
When I bought the TDM45b, I actually already had the Servo15 and was very pleased with it. But I was planning to buy the whole TDM-THX system, and started by buying the sub.
I plugged it in, switched to the THX-function on the back, and put on Armageddon. I was dissapointed! The bass was much too loud, and you could localise where the bass was coming from. I switched off the THX, and turned it down a little bit. I got better now, but it still couldn't live up to the Servo15. The Servo15 played much more tight, deeper and powerful, and you couldn't localise the bass.

Don't get me wrong: The TDM45b is an awesome sub, both with movies and music, but the Servo15 just does everything a little better.

Strengths:
Tight, low and powerful bass. Very cinematic

Weaknesses:
Can sound boomy sometimes.

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm Reference Servo-15

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Hamlets A./V

Summary:
When i first bought this sub home in its big box, I thought to my self it cant be that different to the servo-15, Switched it on and slammed some meaty bass provided by prodigy and a plethora of noises from the cabinets occoured, I was very displeased.

Then I rang the dealer and he said leave it on for a couple of hours with light music on low volume so I did. After i had initiated the sub into my HT I slammed on ID4, The resulting effect was of cataclismic proportion, The sequence where Will is chased by the martians nearly emptied my gut.

The bass was far clearer and more defined than the B&W and the paradigm as both of these distort in the end sequence where the mothership blows up where as the kef handled it like melting butter.

The frequency response on this sub is it's selling point, I tested the 1812 overture by tchaikovsky and a more peaceful and subliminal side of the sub was revealed, the cannon fodder was well recived. The sub feels more at home with classical music and jazz as that of stan getz and count baisey.

When given a dossage of deftones or korn the sub seems to loose control in comparisson with the lights of the servo-15 sub. Rap and hip-hop is handled with gutso and ease, try missy elliot lick shots and you'll know what i mean.

The DVD that will make you buy this sub is gone in 60 seconds, The engine sounds are so clear and well defined my next door neighbour thought i had bought a new motor.

All in alll this sub is among the best i have ever heard the musicality of the sub is not as goos as REL (satraIII) or as bad as B&W (ASW3000), However HomeTheater is another story as this is among the best my ears have been raped by.... matching the scale of M&K(THX) and the tightness of real life cinemas.. All i can say is, if your priorties lean more towards films then get this sub!!!!, Don't be tempted to get the paradigm(servo-15) or any others that fall within this price barrier.

Components in HT
AMP . Yamaha DSP-A1
DVD . Onkyo DS939
CD . Meridian 588
Front. B&O BeoVox S8000
Rear . B&W CDM NT-1
cent . Kef(Refrence)
Sub . Paradigm servo-15, Yamaha YST-800 Kef TDM-45B

Components that'll make you love this sub.....

Titan A.E DVD

Titanic DVD

Gone in 60 seconds DVD

Terminator 2 DVD

Jurassic park 1&2 DVD

Missy e so addictive (lick shots) CD

Tchaikovsky 1812 overture CD(4D)

and you personal prefrence..........

Strengths:
Depth Depth and more depth.......

Weaknesses:
Rattling windows creeking floorboards, Stomach wrenching bass!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha YST-800 Paradigm Servo-15 B&W ASW3000

Price Paid:  $950.00

Summary:
I have had an all KEF speaker system for many years with 107 reference as the main speakers in a stereo setup. I purchased a KEF center and surround speakers for HT. I am very pleased with the sound. I decided that I wanted to complete the system with a subwoofer which was reviewed as both musical and cinematic. I am unfortunately not able to audition subwoofers in my city so I have read as much literature and reviews as possible. I narrowed the choice to: M&K, NHT, Velodyne, REL and the KEF. I also did not want to spend more than $1,000 which immediately eliminated some models. I also wanted the subwoofer to be THX certified. That further reduced the field-and I subsequently purchased the KEF. Very pleased with its contibution to both audio and movies. I thought the reference 107s had a depp bass but the subwoofer proved me wrong. I was able to purchase for $900 but was informed that KEF has raised the MSRP to $1500. If I had waited that increase would have eliminated a great subwoofer.

Strengths:
musicality, quality

Weaknesses:
nit-picking: size-too deep at 20 inches

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $699.00 from Harvey Electronics

Summary:
The KEF Model TDM45B is the best sub for the money! I've always been a firm believer of buying the component I need from a company that specializes in that component. Example, I wouldn't buy my speakers from Pioneer or a power amp from Sony. I try to stay within the companies proven strength. I would by a TV from Sony and I would by a power amp from say Krell or Sunfire. That being said, I own all Kef speakers and wanted to upgrade my sub. I've been using the Klipsch sub that I had with my old pro-logic system for sometime now. The first brand I turned to was Velodyne. I truly love Kef speakers, but like I said, I like to stick to a companies strong point and Velodyne is the industry standard for subs. So I went to audition the HGS-12 and HGS-15 at my local "super expensive high end " store. The Velodyne subs blew me away; they are truly awesome, but very expensive. I noticed that they had the Kef TDM4B sitting next to the Velodynes. So I asked how they felt about the sub first, and the sales man said that it really is a fantastic subwoofer, not far behind the Velodyne subs. The price tag was $1299.00 and it was a $1000.00 cheaper than the HGS-12 and $1300.00 cheaper than the HGS-15. So I auditioned the sub and was blown away! Doing an a/b comparison with movies, it was a contender with the Velodyne in every fasit. and with music it was right there with the Velodyne being a little tighter. The small difference from the two brands couldn't (in my mind or wallet) justify a $1300.00 difference! I planned on picking it up in a few weeks, when low and behold, it went on sale and dropped down considerably in price. I ran down and purchased it!! I own 210 DVD's and since I've bought the sub, I've re-watched at least 50-60 movies and it's like I've never heard them before. Believe me when I tell you this sub is phenomenal! If you have the money to drop on the Velodyne, get it, it does edge out the Kef (slightly with music and I felt it was even with movies). But, if you want the best bang for your buck… The KEF Model TDM45B is the sub for you!

Weaknesses:
Not a good sub if you have noise restrictions!

Similar Products Used:
Test the Velodyne HGS-15 and owned the Klipsch KSW-12

Price Paid:  $1100.00 from audio images

Summary:
i am very pleased when watching movies i purchased it for movies there could not be a better movie sub fast dynamic quiet good for audio but be careful

Strengths:
extremely quiet when not needed very cinematic which it is designed for however i am satified when adjusted for audio

Weaknesses:
none