Which Rel subwoofer

Before I spent that much coin on the REL-328, which really just adds a sharp spike at 45 Hz, I'd give a hard look and listen to the REL Fathom F110. It's not much more money, and can be had for well under list. The Fathom goes lower, plays louder. integrates easily. and has a flatter, more extended response. The flatter, wider curve makes it easier to integrate.

12-13-12: Sksos1
Johnnyb you mean the JL Fathom F110. Yes the JL subs are special I went from the REL Stentors to a JL Fathom F113 and its faster, goes lower and has less distortion than the REL ever had. Plus no issues, the JL has worked flawlessly where I had reliability issues with the RELs.

Yes, I certainly meant JL, not REL. That's what happens when I post something past my bedtime.

Anyway, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would pony up $1800 for a sub that simply adds a steep spike centered at 44 Hz, and leaves it up to the user to move this one-trick pony around the room until you find enough room reinforcement to get the thing to add meaningful bass below 40 Hz.

Again, here's the REL R-328 response curve. Its peak output centers at 44 Hz. The spike is so sharp the response is -10dB at 30Hz and 90Hz. It's -27 dB (functionally MIA) at 20 Hz.

Here's the JL Fathom F110 response curve. It peaks at 40Hz but the curve is much flatter: It's at most -2dB at 30 and 60 Hz, -6 dB at 90 Hz. It's about -12dB at 20 Hz, which with any boundary reinforcement will be usable and audible.