Experience with stacked subwoofers?


I have seen a handful of responses to posts mentioning stacked line array subwoofers, like the stackable Rel 510s. Does anyone have a stacked subwoofer array in their system and can speak to their experience?  The marketing hype that Rel puts out about this has me intrigued. Their explanation as to why it’s awesome makes sense, but also I want to go beyond the marketing and hear about real experiences before I drop a bunch of dough on something like that. 

bobelton

Showing 3 responses by wiscobez

At AXPONA back in April, Rel demonstrated a line array of 510s with a pair of Wilson Sabrinas (I think... I was paying attention to the Rels).  Rel not only demo'd the effect of the full line array on/off, but also demonstrated the effect of running just one 510 per side, two 510s per side, and the full stack of three per side, sequentially.

I was very impressed - the full line array added significantly to the size of the soundstage and improved the imaging in ways that I would never have anticipated.  The effect was, of course, most significant with the full array but was present with just two of the three Rels engaged on each side.  Of all the experiences I had at AXPONA this year, the Rel demo was the one that stayed with me... I've been thinking about it ever since the show.

Consequently, I've begun to accumulate Rel Carbon Specials to add into my system. I have 4 of the 6 on-hand (in boxes, not yet set up), so can't provide impressions yet but am certainly looking forward to integrating the six-pack.

@wokeuptobose & @dwette 

YES, Yes, yes.  This is what I heard at the AXPONA demo.  While the six-pack clearly delivers more bass (yeah, they're subwoofers, so that's obvious) the impact of the RELs was shockingly apparent with regard to: (1) size of the soundstage (2) precision of imaging.

I went into the demo thinking this was just RELs attempt to sell more subs (a "marketing gimmick" as @emergingsoul put it) or more charitably an attempt to even out bass performance (as multiple members have implied with their comments).  I left the room shocked and awed. My first thought was... how can I ever again assess the sound quality of ANY pair of speakers without an accompanying REL six-pack?  I'm sure many will write me off as a kook.  That's fine with me.  I heard what I heard. 

"I'm sure many will write me off as a kook."

"These guys are marketing a change in the sound dynamics in a room. Exploiting human nature.  Just because you hear a change doesn't mean things are getting better."

 

As anticipated. Talk amongst yourselves...