Are REL the most Musical Subs?

For 2 channel listening, once I heard RELs (as others have said, make sure to go with a stereo pair) connected directly to the high-level amp output, I was converted. 

To my ear, these are the most “integrated” sounding subs I have ever owned, because they are taking the entire signal from the amp. 

There are plenty of other great subs with great specs (especially for theater applications), if you are chasing lab measurements. FWIW, I used to be a Velodyne fanatic, but have changed to REL when I got intrigued by their approach. 

REL has done something different and amazing with their direct connection to the amp. Once you audition it, you’ll either like the sound or you can save some money with other manufacturers. 

@lono24 There are plenty of other great subs with great specs (especially for theater applications), if you are chasing lab measurements. FWIW, I used to be a Velodyne fanatic, but have changed to REL when I got intrigued by their approach. 

lono24  May I ask witch Velodyne models you're referring to?

How did you determine their position within your room? 

@m-db - I’ve owned many Velodynes over the past 20 years, in both home theater and 2 channel configurations. My first was an HGS 10 back in the late 90s and most recent were DD18s.

They all sounded great at the time - those are fast, punchy subs. But I’ve also had power supply and/or circuit board issues over time. Maybe I had bad luck, but Velodynes have not aged well for me. They seem to have a 7 year or less useful life before needing major repairs.

Back on topic, I use old-fashioned trial and error to optimize speaker placement in each room. I hear more detail and ambience (especially in percussion) from the RELs than any other sub I’ve trialed or owned. The best way I can describe it is that the RELs, when properly configured, dramatically widen my sound stage and open up recordings in a way that I really enjoy.

It isn’t about bass - virtually any sub will give low bass.

@travbrow wrote:

I thought the OP was interested in a good option that’s available to buy, not a DIY approach thats out of reach to most everyone? It’s interesting to read about the possibilities with DIY though, but to imply any other way is lacking enough not to be worth it is wrong IME.

The thread title and OP’s "... but was wondering what the current thinking is with subs" to some degree - and for good reason - opened a can of worms with regard to whether or how musicality applies to subs. You’re right, 20cf. behemoths are likely not what the OP has in mind to pull off LF-duties in his home, but from my chair what aids overall realism/a sense of being emotionally involved (and thus "musicality") in sound reproduction is exactly a more all-out approach with DIY subs of higher sensitivity, incl. considerations on (outboard) amp choice, DSP, etc.

While a brand like REL is often lauded for making subs that integrate smoothly with existing main speaker setups, my focus is to point at mechanisms behind this that aren’t exclusive to or even accommodated by popular sub brands because of their smaller size and other, and so saying there are in effect more successful ways to have subs aid overall realism and musicality. I’m not implying the OP can’t be happy with a REL or similar solution, however... sometimes what you’re asking can produce answers that seemingly go off-topic, but are nonetheless in accordance with what’s being brought up.

@bdp24 wrote:

On the Rythmik Audio website designer Brian Ding provides exhaustive technical information on his subs. I believe details on the servo-feedback compensation for voice coil temperature variation and other functions may be found in the site’s Technology section. Mr. Ding is not your average hi-fi designer, having a Ph.D. in electrical engineering.

I’m sure Mr. Ding is very capable in his field, but I’m calling out the relevance of servo-feedback in a different context of subs. People seem to believe small subs are everything - and yes, subs from Rythmik, REL or other are small in light of the frequency range they’re called to reproduce - and thus that the likes of servo-feedback is a qualitative measure in every regard, when it isn’t.

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.