I do own another sub I use in my recording studio. It’s a Mackie HR120 (no longer made) with 500 a/b watts, an EAT pro 12" driver and a 12" passive radiator. Good to a very real 19hz, and many more adjustment possibilities than most home audio subs. Look it up as it's interesting. 92lbs makes it a pain to move anywhere but I have schlepped it into my hifi rig and man...what an effortless bit of woofing it woofs. That said, it’s unnecessary (one of the RELs gets into the low 30s) and the 2 RELs work so well that I’m happy as a clam in the sand with those things. Like I said...bought used el cheapo and I pat myself on the back and feel slightly superior for my sensible taste. You could do the same with your back, but don’t touch me. I’m sensitive.
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