2. speakers
  3. 177912-1557

Does a REL subwoofer make the speakers' job easier?

Gentlemen,

Let’s assume we are following REL’s recommendation by connecting the sub to the amp instead of the preamp through the high-level connection. Then which one of these two would be true?

1. The sub would make the speakers’ job easier by not sending the low bass signal (i.e., below the crossover point) to them.

2. The signal sent to the speakers would still include the low bass even when the sub is used. Therefore the speakers would still receive the full range signal.

If (1) is true, how is it accomplished electrically? I am asking this as someone who has little knowledge about how the signal flow between amp and speakers works.

Thanks in advance!

johnson0134

Showing 3 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,840 posts
 

You're not thinking too deeply. You're asking good questions. I had some of these, too. Have both REL and Rythmik. Like both, but Rythmik's adjustable phase is critical to getting room dialed in.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,840 posts
 

I'm with @bdp24  for sure:

So the Rythmik phase control allows one to position the sub where one wants it in the room (so as to avoid locations where room modes exist---peaks or nulls, a consequence of room dimensions), the phase control then used to align the sub with the main speakers. I would not own a sub without a continuously-variable phase control. The 0/180 phase switch is a joke, far too crude to be of much value in a high performance hi-fi system. IMO.

I did extensive measurement in my room with 3 subs to get the bass within 4 db from 20 to 400 hz. The adjustable phase was indispensable to doing this.

 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,840 posts
 

@gladmo I hear you and @bdp24  has written a post on subs for the Ages. Really fantastic.

REL is clearly a good product and they have a very vocal and earnest fan base. As I said, I love my REL sub. BUT, as mentioned in bdp24's post, the ability to adjust phase in a variable way is an absolutely crucial feature for anyone without a dedicated listening room and the dozens of hours it takes to get a sub without variable phase placed. I agree it is just ridiculous for REL not to include this feature.

More to discover