Reaction Audio Echo and Gamma Series Subwoofers Preview

It’s a great time to be a home theater lover—especially a bassaholic.  It seems as though more and more companies are getting the message that consumers want high performance and great value.  Gulfport, Mississippi-based Reaction Audio, who has long been an Audioholic fan favorite, has just announced five new subwoofer models that the company says are designed to cover just about every room size and listening need.  The new models are divided into the Echo and Gamma series to classify the company’s ported and sealed models.  

The company’s two ported models are the Echo 15 and Echo 18, which feature 15" and 18" drivers respectively.  The specs on the Echo series show that the Echo 15 model will reach down to 16Hz and the Echo 18 model will reach down to 14Hz.  

Reaction Audio's 18" Driver

The Gamma series is comprised of the Gamma 15 and Gamma 18 with 15” and 18" drivers and the Gamma 218 that sports dual 18” drivers for serious output.

The models in both lines feature high excursion drivers with nearly 3" of peak to peak travel, 3" diameter copper voice coils, cast frame baskets, concave dustcaps and copper shorting rings.  Reaction Audio says that the 15" models boast “marked improvements” over their predecessors (the PS-15x and PV-15x) with lower THD, and cleaner output.  The 18" models, Reaction Audio is quick to say, achieve even greater performance (though we didn’t get the numbers on what that is).

Amplification is new and customized for Reaction Audio.  The amps come from US-based Speakerpower with their new Class D ICE Power modules. Each module will deliver a maximum of 925 watts with a full bandwidth, 4 ohm rating of 700 watts.  The Gamma 218 features two ICE Power modules on one amplifier plate for increased power and headroom into two dual opposed 18" drivers.

Home theater enthusiasts have ample connectivity options.  There are RCA and XLR inputs, a 12v trigger, and crossover and time delay controls. Reaction Audio says that the control marked "LF Adjust" dials in some EQ to increase bottom octave performance in larger rooms, or decrease it for smaller spaces. Reaction Audio says that the on-board programmable DSP allowed them to tailor the response, limiter and subsonic filters to each subwoofer for maximum performance. 

Rear Design View of the Reaction Audio ICE Power Amplifier

The published specs from Reaction Audio give you an idea of the performance of each model:

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.