JBL SUB 550P

The 550p has a cleaner and less obtrusive sound, as well as a more varied tone (not the same throughout the frequency ranges), eg, more accurate/able to produce different *sounds*, whereas the r12sw sounded similar whether it was a 35hz tone or a 65hz tone. Tested by putting my ear with up to them seperately and seeing how they sounded respectively.

I can just abort everything and roll with what I have for another year. Moving from computer speakers to the 530’s + 550P in the office is just a ‘nice to have’ move and so can be forgone. There will always be subwoofers to buy because they don’t need to match, and presumably sales will return in a year or two.

3. JBL 550p. I feel all 3 subs add to my musical enjoyment, all 3 I’ve been able to blend and into and augment my existing system and now I just can’t imagine a system without a subwoofer.

That's the minimally acceptable subwoofer to me. Anything less is not worth owning except when paired with the cheapest, below average speakers. IF you INSIST on a subwoofer below $200... I guess the JBL 550p is on sale and an okay performer... but I still wouldn't bite.