Gain level on a REL sub

Is your 218 still under its trial period?

@surfcat thank you for your detailed explanation based on real life use of REL subs and it has helped me to decide whether it is even a good time to buy some new subs, or to continue to use my Paradigm’s for a bit while experimenting heavily with the settings on my kit.  My subs it seems are designed for HT but reviews say they actually are better for music than a lot of HT applications because they lack a lot of slam.  That’s OK by me as my system is used 90% of the time for music anyway, so perhaps I live with what I have and tweak.  I certainly don’t want things rumbling across the room, that is not how I listen.  Hopefully the OP gets their issue sorted out as well.

Have been through a progression on a number of different subs and several Rel models.  Totally agree with a number of posts that Rel subs are most compatible for 2 channel and not the best choice for HT.  IMO the best Rel for HT and music combined is the SE/SX series.  For my setup I have a stereo pair of Rel's for music and a JL Audio sub for HT LFE.  

Having said that, sufficient volume should not be a problem but will not sound great at max gain.  Could be an issue with a number of potential issues already mentioned?  Generally, the common mistake in setting up Rel subs is to have the X-over set too high and the gain too low.  Properly set up Rel's should add major "dynamics" to the music but be totally transparent.  Should not be boomy.  Comment above that the presence of the sub should not be obvious until you turn it off is right on.

Good luck in the quest...

Well thanks for that, Larry.  Glad I could help something today.  L0L

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned this before but there is a phase switch on the back. Flip it the other way. Hope this helps