New R Series Rel Subs

I've owned a 305 for months and LOVE it! Why?

It's tiny.

It does double duty without breaking a sweat or having to adjust anything

1. Greatly enhances large mains during 2-channel listening (for music)

2. Does the same WHILE ALSO pumping out LFE signal (for Movies/DVD-Audio/Etc)

Ease of placement (You won't be on your hands and knees playing Sub Hunt)

Class D powered (don't know much about it -- but it's why the R-series is so small and so efficient)

The 205 and 305 are basically identical - the extra power in the 305 makes it a far superior choice.

The larger (driver, amp & price tag) R-405 blows them both away.

I've auditioned a new Q201 and an old Storm (or Strata?) and neither could do what the R-305 does in my listening room -- with my equipment. (Thiel CS1.6 - Rotel RB-1080)

As far as other high-end subs go....I got nothin'.

If you can get to a stand alone Magnolia Home Theater store (California and Atlanta GA) -- you can buy one and return it for a full refund.

--ksr

I think we'd all like the opportunity to feel 13HZ.

What's the name of the movie you're recommending for reference & testing?

Seriously, I don't know how low they go...but placement (with all subs) is they key to squeezing out the lowest response.

I'm surprised there isn't an algorithm for maximum sub output.

Here's one I've been working on:

SweetSpot = 23.667 x distance from the age of the oldest listener in the room (- .53 for extensive crown molding) to the nearest toilet + total time of movie trailers and unwatched bonus materials on DVD.

NOTE: Please allow +/- 20ft for your individual requirements and circumstances.

--ksr

What's better than one REL R Series....an second $799 open box REL R series.

So now I've got the R-205 and R-305...they're sitting right next to each other.

The R-205 has the same driver as the R-305 but 1/2 the power. And the cabinet is about 2 inches smaller.

I was surprised to hear things from the little guy that I don't hear with the R-305.

FYI: Stacking them on top of each other does not deliver much sound.

Now that I have the pair, I wish I'd bought the larger and more powerful R-505.

Stumbled across and "open box" R-205 at Magnolia.

Actaully, that's a lie.
It was well hidden in a dark corner of a listening room when it suddenly called out to me.

"I have no box....C'mon, take me with you....Say, did you know I'm only $849 + tax...."

Summoning the only superpower available to me -- the power of plastic -- I rescued the little guy and brought him home with me.

So now I've got the R-305 and the R-205. They share the only "available" corner in my LR -- they're so close they even share the same input signals.

That said, it's surprising how different they sound. Makes me wonder if I'd be happier with the big R -- which happens to priced the same as the new Brittania.

If you can audition a REL -- go for it.
But if it begins talking to you -- seek professional help.