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
Rel's are unique in that they are meant to be used with the speaker outs on amps, this is the essence of why they integrate so well, the amp determines it's voicing to some extent.
As far as extension, Rel has several different lines, the No. 31, 32 will match any sub in extension.
You can also further tune the Rels with different high level cables, the stock cables certainly not best you can do.
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I'm using two SVS SB2000 Pros and couldn't be happier. Others suggest RELs are more musical, and they may be. However, I've been listening to high and higher-end audio for 50-some years, am a musician (bass player), and am critical as can be when it comes to sound reproduction in the lower regions. From my perspective and from what my ears tell me I'd be hard-pressed to complain about anything I'm getting with the SVS subs. There is edge, texture, definition and color to very deep bass, sometimes nearly shockingly so. Besides the SQ of those subs, three other big pluses suggest a hard look at SVS: Cost, the SVS app, and their customer service. Cost: huge bang for the buck! The app: Worth the price of admission IMO. I had my first SB 2000 absolutely seamlessly integrated within probably no more than 30 minutes, and I never left my chair. Priceless! And SVS customer service: I can't say enough other than it's superb. Besides several conversations over time with staff members that were always friendly and helpful, in the end I bought my second sub used from a private party, and it was perfect except for a small blem on the grill. I called SVS to see if I might purchase one, but they insisted on sending me one gratis. Can't beat that. |
In my experience, the biggest difference between a REL sub and some others it they input from your speaker outputs, so the match your system better. As far as placement, I still am using only one and it’s about seven feet behind me. When I’m in my listening position, it’s perfect. I believe I have it set at 50hz with a 12° roll in. |
Good for you @phusis. Subwoofers should not be musical. They are to be felt more than heard. Rel, SVS, Rhythmik and even JL Audio are MidFi subwoofers. Aside from inexpensive enclosure construction they are expected to operate with a low pass filter only which prevents the system they are attached to from performing at its best. You need a complete 2 way crossover and steep filters available only in the digital domain for the best performance. The best subwoofers are passive, crossovers and amplifiers are outboard. They have balanced force design and enclosures that are made in shapes that are inherently rigid, out of materials that are self damping. A good subwoofer should be able to pound the crap out of you without any resonance. You should be able to turn the volume up to 105 dB, put your hand on the enclosure and feel absolutely no vibration or shaking as if it were disconnected. |
