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REL subs with Acoustat 1+1s?

I've been searching on-line but my Google-fu is weak today apparently. I'm thinking of moving on from my RH Labs sub to a pair of REL subs. Two reasons:
  1. First, the RELs are self-powered. This should ostensibly leave more power for the ESL panels as my ARC VS-110 would not have to drive the RHL sub.
  2. The other is to have better distribution of lower frequencies in my room.
The problem is that I can't find a resource that tells me how crossover duties are handled for the full range speakers in the system. My current RH Labs sub acts as the crossover and does all of the lower frequency work while passing the mid and upper signals to the Acoustats. It appears the RELs have an adjustable crossover but that it only controls the sub itself. Does that mean that the ESLs would still get a full spectrum signal?
My other question is, how to I get signal to the RELs? Run another set of cables from the amp to each sub?
How do you folks with RELs and ESL panels do this?AdThanksVance.
Happy listening.
128x128musicfan2349

Showing 4 responses by audiorusty

audiorusty
266 posts
 
I am a REL owner and for your application I would look into a JL Audio e110 or e112
audiorusty
266 posts
 
Hi @daveyf 

What James633 is saying is that a REL does not have a high pass filter, it is only equipped with a low pass filter, where as the OP's current sub has both.
audiorusty
266 posts
 
@daveyf 

I apologize, my vocabulary is failing me more than usual today. As with pretty much everything, personal preference is the determining factor but generally most people find that when integrating a sub into a system, the system sounds, for lack of better words here, cleaner, clearer and more detailed when using both high and low pass filters. You should also be able to, as Georgehifi states, run the system louder if you so desire.
audiorusty
266 posts
 
What's nice about that arrangement is that the ESLs are left to do the elegant work while the sub handles the heavy stuff. It actually works quite well.
Hi musicfan2349, that is why I mentioned the JL Audio "e" series earlier in the thread. The "e" series is a powered sub with both a low and high pass filter so the set-up would be the same as you currently have. JL Audio is the only sub manufacturer that I am aware of the offers this option.

Another option, if your ARC has preamp out and in connections, would be to purchase an external crossover like a Minidsp, DBX, Bryston, JL Audio CR-1 or XTA DP series, to name a few. All of these units will have both the low and high pass filters and in some cases, room correction tools, then you could use any sub you desire.
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