Below 20 HZ Notes/Instruments

I bought my first Rel about three years ago and I was having a real hard time setting it up. I gave a call to Sumiko and they recommended using the movie Sneakers. I guess theres a part in it that has a 20 hz repeating thump on I think track twelve. There advice got my there without so I never tried it but I thought I would pass along the advice.

I found two things really made my rel sound good. First it was designed to go into the corner.

Second is the crossover setting. If your speaker cut out at 21hz then your Rel should be set at 20hz with the volume on the rel on the high side.

All crossovers have bleed through. The volume turned up on the Rel creates a little more bleed through and helps cover the small gap between 20 and 21 hz. If you put them both on 21 then they overlap and it gets boomy.

This is how Sumiko told me to set it up and it made a HUGE difference.

I have stereo rel subs like suggested by Nilthepill and if it is finicially possible for you I would recommend it. Stereo subs are amazing and it has benefits like clearer and deeper soundstage. Better seperation and of course a ton more bass. I was amazed on how much it cleaned my sound stage up.

Seandtaylor. You could be right. The dealer that sold me the Rel, who has never steared me wrong, told me not to put it in the corner and to put it exactly where you have yours. Sumiko claims that Rel is designed not to sound boomy in the corner. I also have a different model but Im not sure if that makes a difference.

I did find that it was clearer in the corner but maybe that has something to do with the room too. Im not sure.

I know you just cant throw it in the corner and you have to try different distances and even try turing the Rel the other way. Sumiko told me to put the Rel tight in the corner and with a continous 20 hz signal back it out an inch at a time until it gets clear and then when it just starts to get boomy again back it up an inch.

I agree that the rel has to be able to be set lower then the mains. If not its just going to get boomy. Maybe a better Rel? I have Stentors and I think they go down to 17.

Two Rels will break the bank. I had the first one for three years before I bought the second and the only reason I did, when I did, is because the Stentor 3's were coming out and I wanted a 2 to match my current one sonically.

Try the corner and let us know what you think. You have nothing to loose and you may be as suprised as I was.