REL subwoofer crossover question

I believe that the REL subwoofer has one input for low pass RCA input and another identical looking input for LFE input that is crossed over at 80 Hz. If I remember correctly I had to take my left and right channel subwoofer output and use a Y connector and plug the Y connector into the single low pass input. It was an older REL subwoofer, but that may be the reason why you are getting 80 Hz output even though you have the crossover set at the A1 position. Take a look at the back of the subwoofer and see if you may have one your cables connected to the LFE input. Hope that this helps.

I agree with you Wolf, but some amplifiers, differential balanced amplifiers in particular, will not allow this connection to work properly. Not exactly sure why that is the case, but I am sure one of our more technical friends can spell it out.

Hey Zephyr: I hope that you were able to fix the issue. I only know about the LFE input because I did the exact same thing you may have done when I hooked up my first REL. I just got an R505 delivered yesterday and am looking forward to hooking it up later tonight.

It is my understanding that the neutrik connection works with most amplifiers and because the output signal matches exactly with the amplifier, not the preamplifier output signal, a more exact output match is created. What I have found, I think you did as well, is that the output signal is stronger when taken directly from the preamplifier so you require less volume to get more bass output. Over time, however, it has been my experience that when properly mated to the amplifier via the neutrik connector the bass response is more realistic and creates the illusion that there is no subwoofer at all because of the better integration. Long term the REL subwoofers with the neutrik connection in my systems, I am a subwoofer addict and have had many different brands/connections in various systems, have been the best subwoofer integration experiences.

Not sure why the neutrik connection does not work with differential balanced amplifiers. I beleive that it has to do with negative feedback and that differential balanced amplifiers either do not offer it or offer too much. Someone technical would be able to offer a better explanation. Either way in one of my systems when using a neutrik connector the Storm III, great subwoofer, would emit a loud pop that would scare the hell out of me. I cannot remember which amp it was, but I was advised by someone at that time to use the preamp output connection.