Gain level on a REL sub


Hi. I have purchase a REL R 218 sub to compliment my system and as far as sounding musical, I am happy. However, the gain is almost all the way up and I don feel that punch and slam I am looking for. Musically I am impressed with it but I still dont feel that level of impression overall. When I had the HSU STF-2, it was in a different league with in terms of impact and punch but for detail, the REL was better. My question now, Do you think I should try getting a another REL with the same model for a stereo pair or go with a different sub? My room is pretty small but it is treated with acoustic panels.
highend64

Showing 3 responses by sns

What @larryincmh  read in Rel literature may be your issue. I've had a number of subs over the years, low level inputs with dsp, I always heard these subs as separate from the main speakers, drew attention to themselves. My Rel's first sub I hear simply as extensions of main speakers, subs are completely invisible. Now I can turn up volume on the Rels and get much more sense of separate subs so volume, this with only a single hot wire connected, with both + and - connected even more excess. My take is either you have issue with connection, or more likely Rel subs may not be for you, Some people like to hear their subs, IMO this can be boom or excessively articulate bass depending on sub setup, can also be excessive impact and/or volume at certain frequencies, all these are artifacts of non coherent subs. On the other hand some like these artifacts in which case Rel not for them, hear plenty from those not liking Rel house sound.

I'm using modded Klipschorns, 103db have only one of the signal cables connected to each of my 300B monoblocks,  REL volume control only two or three clicks up from minimum. Two signal cables connected massively excessive volume. This with two REL TX9 in 13 W x 35L room, diy custom build 6' L sub cables, Speakon connectors single signal wire and ground to each sub and amp, ground wired to chassis screws not negative speaker binding post, bare wires at amp end.

@helomech +1 This plus type of wire used makes a qualitative difference. I'm using 6' L of Duelund tin plated copper litz wire at present, have some VHAudio Airlock OCC solid core copper to try next, always use the authentic Neutrik connectors at sub end, bare wire at amp end thus far.