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I finally added a second REL Sub

It's taken me years to get to this point.  Subwoofers were 2-channel system blasphemy when I was coming up in the hobby.  As of today, I now have 2, REL T9is.  They are providing sub-bass and filling out the picture for Klipsch Cornwall IVs.  Even with a loudspeaker as massive and efficient as the Cornwall IV, they fill things out nicely.  

How pleasing it was to hear the two in unison.  I run them so low on crossover and volume that the only thing you hear is sweeter more extended highs against a fuller picture down low.  They are simply not audible in their own right.  Yes, it's true--good sub bass management helps treble and midrange.  

As a hack musician of 20 years or so, I can tune them by ear when I hear a well recorded kick drum, bass guitar and horns.  I tried tuning with mics and software but the good ol' ear does very well here.  

If you're on the fence about one or maybe a second you owe it to yourself to try it.  Is SWARM next? Doubtful.  This is, however, very pleasing indeed. 
128x128jbhiller
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,361 posts
 
Oz,  be careful buddy!  Your subs don't look set up with way some may want so they must sound terrible. HA!!!!


mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,226 posts
 
@james633 , You have exactly the right approach. All systems using subwoofer miss more than 1/2 the benefit by not using a high pass filter on the main speakers. It can be as simple as adding a series capacitor to the input of your amp. You just have to know the input impedance of the amplifier. f = 1/2piRC  or C = 1/2piRf.  R is in ohms and C is in Farads so you have to convert to micro and picofarads. Order the right cap from Digikey. They might cost you $10 at most. 

Next you can get either an analog or digital 2 way crossover and bypass whatever comes in the subwoofer. I like 12 dB/octave in analog crossovers. I use 48 dB/octave digital. 
divertiti
223 posts
 
For those in this thread who have tried one sub vs. two stereo sub, what did you gain by adding the second one? Was it worth double the cost?
wolf_garcia
6,631 posts
 
I've been using 2 RELs in my main listening system for years and recently bought another Q150e to match the one I've had...moved my previous 2nd REL (a Q108MKII) to a video system in another room. Suffice to say that running them mono as I do works beautifully to cancel standing wave issues, and I run them at the obvious point where the mains drop off (around 58hz for my Heresy IIIs, determined with test tones and my ears). I think leaving the main speakers at their full range sounds best with no high pass filter necessary...the cost for all three RELs bought used was less than one new one generally (about 700 bucks for all three).
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
For those in this thread who have tried one sub vs. two stereo sub, what did you gain by adding the second one? Was it worth double the cost?

But it doesn't have to be double the cost. That's the thing. The benefits of multiple subs are so great you will get better bass from 4 no matter what your budget. You simply have to recalibrate your thinking by looking at it differently.

For example, say you have one really really powerful great $4k sub. Will two at $8k be twice as good? I don't know. But I do know for certain you can get four subs for $4k that will walk all over any one sub, be it the $4k one or even $8k, or whatever. Doesn't matter. That is how much better four are than one.
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