Are REL the most Musical Subs?


Forgive me if I have created a redundant thread.  I don’t usually post in the Speakers area.

  I have a Paradigm sub in my basement HT that has apparently given up the ghost after about 20 years.  I’m not a huge bass listener.  We used to use the area for movies but lately a different room of the home has taken that over.  I listen to classical music and the system gets used primarily for SACD and Blu Ray.  No desire for multiple subs.  The front speakers are full range, setup is 5.1

  I added a REL sub to my 2 channel system a few years ago, an REL, and have been delighted with the results.  It doesn’t boom at me.  What it does do is add the low level percussion effects that composers such as Mahler, Shostakovich , and modernist composers add to reinforce bass lines.  I never realized, for example, how many gentle tympani and gong effects are in Shostakovich Babi Yar symphony.

The REL integrates all of this naturally without calling attention to itself.  The Paradigm in the basement never did this but it was an older design and more budget friendly.

  So I am inclined to replace the Paradigm with another REL in the basement but was wondering what the current thinking is with subs.  I haven’t paid much attention lately and the stuff that I have pulled discusses multiple subs, Atmos, etc, and doesn’t seem to address my needs.

  Placement will be different as well.  The current sub is placed between the front speakers, and the gear rack is on the other side of the room.  20 years ago I had the energy to bury the cables next to a baseboard heat along the all, after schlepping the sub over the basement testing placement spots,but with advances in DSP I’m now hoping to place the sub next to the rack

mahler123

Showing 4 responses by soix

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  My living room is 20x 40 with cathedral ceiling and balcony at one end and one sub works fine...if your into Heavy Metal and what killer Bass....then get as many as you want..have a good day...

@limomangus It’s really not opinion, and it’s not at all about “Heavy Metal and want killer Bass.”  Two subs do a much better job integrating with the room, dealing with room modes/nodes. allowing subs to work less hard with less distortion, etc.  If you read the research from noted experts like Todd Welti and others the extensive benefits of adding more subs is very well proven and documented and is born out by the experience of many here as well where adding a second sub yielded huge improvements over just one.  In addition, subs are not just about low, slamming bass, and good subs integrated properly have a huge impact on greatly improving things like better/more solid imaging and an expanded 3D soundstage.  The good news is with companies like SVS, etc. you have the opportunity to try adding a second sub totally risk free and experience those benefits yourself and if not worthwhile just return it, so why not?

I don’t know, I just perused the SVS site and the prices seem about the same as REL?  Maybe I’m missing something…

The SB1000 Pro is $599 and goes to 20Hz at -3dB.  The HT/1510 is $1699 and is -6dB at 20Hz, or you could go with the S/510 with similar extension for $2899.  You could get two SB1000 Pros for $550 less than one HT/1510 or one for $1100 less, so that’s where I was coming from with a value proposition. 

Sure the REL is a bit better, but it’ll also cost you multiples the price of an SVS sub for similar bass capabilities, and for a HT application you really need to think if spending double or triple for the REL is worth it.  Plus for HT low frequency extension is more important and that’s not a REL strong suit until you spend big bucks.  I think it’s highly unlikely you’d be disappointed with SVS for HT, but it’s your $$$.  And while bass is omnidirectional especially below 80Hz, two subs pressurize the room better and can better deal with modes/nulls and just flat out sound better than a single sub — no contest and no question about that whatsoever. 

Several thoughts as I’ve recently done a bit of research on subs:

  • REL makes good subs but do not have a monopoly on naturally integrating into a system. Any good, properly-positioned and dialed-in sub will integrate seamlessly.
  • You should seriously consider adding a second sub especially to your 2-channel system. Two subs can provide substantial benefits over just one and three or four even more so. But two subs should be considered a minimum as it’s such an improvement over a single sub.
  • Placing a sub between the speakers is very rarely the best place to get optimal in-room performance from a subwoofer, so having to place the sub elsewhere could very well work to your benefit especially if you do some basic homework on optimal sub placement (I can provide some helpful links if desired). This is even more important for your 2-channel system if you haven’t already addressed this.
  • For your HT system I’d recommend SVS subs for several reasons. They offer good performance and high value as they sell direct, include a very helpful app to make integration much easier, have excellent customer support, and they offer a 45-day, risk-free trial including shipping both ways. I’d recommend two SB1000 Pro subs as they’re small/inexpensive yet still get you to an honest 20Hz, but if you’re constrained to one sub an SB2000 or SB3000 will still provide a very satisfying HT experience for relatively not much $$$. Rhythmik subs are even a bit better but are a little more expensive and don’t have the convenient setup software that SVS offers.

Hope this helps, and best of luck.