This is a talented and award-winning integrated amplifier, the Arcam A19 is capable of providing its users with high sonic performance and sound quality. It is most certainly one of the more popular amplifier choices in the FMJ series and the number of accolades it has garnered further supports this. The Arcam A19 has a modest price tag as well and it seems to be all good about this brilliant amp but like all integrated amplifiers, the A19 does have its own limitations.
With both channels driven, the Arcam FMJ A19 has only 50 Watts of continuous power into an 8 Ohms load. This is decent output power but is not really enough to drive large loudspeakers. Unless you only need the A19 amplifier to drive compact and efficient bookshelf speakers then this wouldn’t be an issue for you. For listeners who want more bass output and deeper low ends, bookshelf speakers usually wouldn’t cut it and you will need a pair of floor-standing speakers to do the job. You can use the A19’s Pre-out to connect to a dedicated power amplifier and use it to drive these floor-standers. This may be a solution but it could cost you and it wouldn’t be ideal for listeners who have a tight budget.
Another solution will be to add in an active subwoofer which we find is a more affordable alternative especially if you just need a way to supplement the bass performance of your stereo system and to deliver subsonic low frequencies that your stand-mounters are incapable of doing. The active subwoofer comes with its own amplifier and you don’t need to spend more to get one which indirectly also helps you to save precious space for other HiFi equipments. Arcam A19 has an innate ability to project a spacious soundstage and produce a large scale sound, having a subwoofer may further solidify this aspect thus complementing the amplifier.
More Information at Amazon – Arcam FMJ A19
The added impact and punch from a high-quality subwoofer will give you a more exciting musical performance which is great for listeners who find the FMJ A19 not as enthusiastic sounding as they want it to be. There are a few types of subwoofers to go for and your requirements will play a big part in choosing the powered sub to match with your Arcam A19 integrated amp. We will be showing you some of the typical subwoofer requirements which you should seriously consider. They are rather logical and will help with your decision-making. A list of the best subwoofers to go with the Arcam FMJ A19 will be shared with you later on as well.
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Your Subwoofer Requirements
There are a few types of subwoofers to choose from and the type to go for will be depended on your requirements. For instance, you want more mid-bass slam and punch, if this is the case you should go for the midbass module. If you want the subwoofer to keep up with your speakers and produce accurate subsonic bass then a sealed subwoofer will be a better choice. For listeners who prefer high bass output more than quality, a ported subwoofer will be a good option, not saying that ported subs can’t produce high bass quality. How deep you want the subwoofer to go (30Hz, 20Hz, and below) can be a requirement especially if you listen to music that produces subterranean bass frequencies such as movie soundtracks, orchestras, etc.
The deeper and more powerful a subwoofer is, the more expensive it becomes and so you might want to find out how much you are willing to invest in a powered sub. Large listening rooms will require a larger subwoofer with higher amplifier power. If you are facing space constraints, there are compact size subs that can still deliver subsonic bass prominently and will fill a room with ease but generally will cost more and this is why working on your budget is important. The higher your budget, the more subwoofer choices you can look at. Sometimes waiting it out so as to save up more money to purchase a higher quality subwoofer will be a wiser decision. You should add in more requirements and make a thorough checklist as it will be beneficial for you when shortlisting potential subwoofer candidates for your FMJ A19 integrated amp.
Best Subwoofers to pair with Arcam FMJ A19
The SVS PB-1000 Pro is an exemplary choice for you and your Arcam A19 amplifier. It is an entry-level ported subwoofer with a 12″ driver powered by the Sledge amplifier, driving up to 820+ Watts peak power. The frequency response is equally impressive for an entry-level sub as it is 17Hz to 260Hz (+/-3 dB). Another notable feature will be the choice to switch it to “Sealed” mode and this allows for a slightly faster bass transient. SVS PB-1000 Pro will be great for users who are unsure to go for either ported or sealed subwoofer, not to mention, you are getting a lot of subsonic bass performance for a modest price.
More Information at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Pro (Black Ash)
This is another incredible hybrid subwoofer and is worth every penny invested, not to mention, it will pair well with the Arcam FMJ A19 too. The HSU Research VTF-2 MK5 is an entry-level hybrid subwoofer and it gives you a choice to set the sub into sealed or ported operating modes (with 1 or 2 ports open). It has very high amplifier power for a subwoofer at this price point which is at 1400 Watts peak and 350 Watts continuous. The low-end delivery is articulate and goes really deep into the bass extension, a capable subwoofer that will be suitable for both HT enthusiasts and audiophiles.
Are you looking for a high-quality midbass subwoofer? If you say yes then you should definitely take a look at the Rythmik Audio FM8. This is a sealed subwoofer with dual 8″ drivers and has a total RMS power of 600 Watts been driven by its Class D (dual Hypex Ucd modules) amplifier. Using the patented Direct Servo technology, the midbass punch is not only more impactful but also agile and will match well with the bass performance of the Arcam FMJ A19. The height of the subwoofer also helps to elevate the bass energy slightly higher, allowing us to feel more pressure and impact.
If space is a luxury and you require a compact subwoofer to fit into tight spaces in your room. You might want to take a look at the Genelec 7050C, it is an 8″ studio subwoofer with a slim body. It may be compact in size but it can go loud, up to 103dB to be exact and this is enough for nearfield listening. What’s more important is how accurate the bass reproduction is, and the low frequencies are well-textured too. The bass quality of the Genelec 7050C studio subwoofer is definitely suitable for the Arcam FMJ A19 especially if you like precise and clean deep bass reproduction.
Do you require a large subwoofer with uncompromising musicality and agility? Then take a look at the Rythmik Audio F15HP, it is a powerful 15″ sealed subwoofer with 600 Watts of RMS power driven by a Class H amplifier. The large driver of the F15HP is able to fill a large listening room with sonic energy and deliver bass of down to 14Hz or lower. Its bass performance is still tuneful and agile which makes it a suitable partner with the Arcam FMJ A19 integrated amplifier. The Rythmik Audio F15HP is sanely priced and is considered very fast for a sealed sub at this price range.
When it comes to bass output, a ported subwoofer is still a better choice and the SVS PB-3000 is an excellent example. The 13″ ported subwoofer has up to 2500+ Watts of Peak power and 800 Watts RMS, thanks to the powerful Sledge STA-800D2 DSP amplifier. PB-3000 is able to deliver thunderous subsonic bass performances of down to 16Hz and it will rock the room with immense energy, great for live concerts and movies. There is still accuracy in its bass reproduction and this is why it is a suitable match for the Arcam FMJ A19. If you want a powerful ported sub, the SVS PB-3000 is worth your time to check it out.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-3000 Subwoofer (Black Ash)
To Sum It Up
These subwoofers are all solid performers and are capable of delivering incredible bass performances. They are certainly well-matched with the Arcam A19 integrated amplifier and you can start shortlisting them based on your requirements. If you don’t find the subwoofer brands or models which you want on this list, please feel free to use these subwoofers listed here as references when you are looking elsewhere. We suggest checking them out before you look for other subwoofer models/brands though.
