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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 1 response by toro3

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toro3
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substantial increase in tonal density, imaging and dimensionality with a properly integrated sub creating a far more engaging lisening experience.

For me, that was the "magic" as opposed to additional "punch" and "rattling" low frequency output. Perhaps that explains why REL is considered "musical" and often preferred by those folks who are serious two channel hobbyists.
 

Recently purchased a REL Classic 98, which sounds more similar to my previous Rythmik F12G. Both added the tonal density and dimensionality that you mention, but somewhat lack that additional “punch” that perhaps SVS and similar subs offer. In light of this, I’ve found that you can have the most impressive sub on the market, but if it doesn’t integrate well into you 2-channel system, it becomes too noticeable over time. I think it also depends on how much that mid bass is desired. Cohesiveness through integration, as well as the convenience of REL’s SpeakOn connector helped with my preference of REL over previous subs. Perception is that the REL is more of an extension of my main speakers than a separate speaker.

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