REL is dead. Long live REL

It's a small world:

http://www.spacedog.biz/infrasonic/richardlordbiog.htm

http://www.rel.net/richard.htm

Dr. Lord's work on "Soundless Music" looks interesting:

http://www.npl.co.uk/acoustics/consultancy/airborne/infrasound.html

I've heard the new Rels quite extensively namely the B1, and the new Rel 205. I own the strata 5 , Q150e and the Q400E.

The new Rel 205 is gorgeous and out of the box, it has the Rel sound that is common to the Rels i owned. After a few weeks break in, I must admit, they sound better and integrates better than my Q150E.

The B1 which I briefly auditioned and loaned from my dealer is just AWESOME!!!!!! Wow, its a bigger 400E on stereods. the bass is just tight, deep and it disappears at the back of the speakers! Its magical. No way boomy or overpowering!! Nope! It seamlessly blends with the speakers.
I'm now in the process of selling my 400E and trading up for the B1. Incredible sub.

I cannot even tell the R series is made in China. The driver looks the same to my Q150E drivers. The box is just drop dead gorgeous. It cabinet is solid and the amp is dead quite. I would like to try the bigger R505 which they claim is better than the Q series even the 400e.

Anyhow, I've own rels for years now and I believe they are very good subs. Yes, they are expensive but truly worth every penny. I use my Rels for home theater and 2 channel set-up. Have yet to be disappointed. Sorry for those who feels differently. To each his own and YMMV.

For those of you who have heard the new rels like the R series or the britania, How would you say they compare to the strata or other ST line? Has anyone compared the Rel's, new or old, to the M&k line or MJ acoustics? I am looking to spend aroun 1000-1500 and want a sub to fill the very bottom in for me. Primary use is 2 channel, but I want some grunt for HT use also. Shouls I get a strata and forget it, or Look elsewhere?
Thanks
S

TAS magazine gave the Rel Britannia B3, subwoofer of the year 2006! And I agree. I own one and its great! Upgrade the Neutrik connector to a Signal Cable or even better Synergistic Research.

Suplerfly, I own a REL strata 3. It sounds pretty good to me, but I've not compared it directly with any other sub.

However, many people on a UK hifi board I visit seem to like the Velodyne DD series subs with the built in equalization, and feel they are superior to REL (even taking into account they cost 2 to 3 times as much in the UK).

You might look at a used Velodyne DD here on audiogon: I think they start around the top end of your price (used, that is).