Anyone know about the newer REL subwoofers

MBWD · « **on:** 25 Mar 2006, 05:22 pm »

Whenever I ask folks about a terrific musical subwoofer, the answer always seems to be the REL Strata III. Fair enough, but you can't buy them in the US anymore (just the Stentor III and the Studio III) unless you find one on A'gon.

So, does anyone out there know how the new, US available, REL lines compare to the Strata III? The new lines, other than the ST's mentioned above, are the B (Britannia) and the R series (see http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/index.htm).

Any comments would be appreciated.

I am particularly interested in the REL's because they are designed to accept speaker level connections and I have an integrated amp with no outputs (Karan Acoustics i180).

R_burke · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Mar 2006, 05:46 pm »

From what I've heard REL no longer exists other than in name. The new REL subwoofers are made by Sumiko along REL lines, but they are not REL.

You might look at MJ Acoustics, they supposedly have a lot of the REL people and the designs are pretty similar.

http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/

MBWD · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Mar 2006, 07:33 pm »

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know if that is true for US only or in Europe too? The REL website seems to be unrelated to sumiko (see http://www.rel.net).

I will check out your suggestion, which I really appreciate. - M.

R_burke · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Mar 2006, 03:52 am »

Not sure about Europe, only passing on what I heard.

I have a REL subwoofer and am very happy with it, in fact I cruise the used markets looking for another one.

Good luck with your search

The13thGryphon · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Mar 2006, 06:42 am »

Quote from: MBWD

I am particularly interested in the REL's because they are designed to accept speaker level connections and I have an integrated amp with no outputs (Karan Acoustics i180).

You might also take a look at the Audio Concepts Titan. It too is a highly musical sub, with speaker level inputs. The ACI line is highly rated, though not as well known.

www.audioc.com

Levi · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Mar 2006, 02:05 pm »

I auditioned the Britanica B1 with Sonus Faber Homage Amati on a Krell system and it is mind blowing! I don't know much about them as far as specs and settings. It sure integrates well with a full range speaks.

My REL Storm III is configured for 2ch and 5.1 ch listening via hi-level and XLR input connection. Works excellent for my application.

MBWD · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Mar 2006, 02:47 am »

Quote from: The13thGryphon

You might also take a look at the Audio Concepts Titan. It too is a highly musical sub, with speaker level inputs. The ACI line is highly rated, though not as well known.

I have been looking at the ACI Titan XL too, though as you metion it is less well known. There are two reasons that I am leaning against the ACI.

The first, and most significant, is that the ACI uses Speaker Level Converters for speaker level connections. I am not an electrical engineer, but I am skeptical that these converters will not degrade the sound in some manner. In contrast the REL (and the MJ Acoustics) seem to be specifically designed to take speaker level inputs. If anyone can enlighten me on this, I would be happy to learn.

Also, it seems that if the ACI Speaker Level Converters did not degrade the sound in any way, one could use them for connecting any speaker level amp source to any line level sub. If that were true, I would look at the Onix ULW-10.

The second reason is that the Titan seems to be THE product to buy from ACI. But it is just too big for me and I just got rid of a "large" sub: the paradigm PW-2200. I move a lot and got tired of moving that 80 pound box around. The Force is smaller, but I wonder how it compares to the REL Strata III, which is the same size and the sub that I have heard great things about.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Mar 2006, 02:50 am »

I'm not an engineer either, but...I think it's practically the same thing

MBWD · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Mar 2006, 02:58 am »

I think I'm going to hop over to the ACI forum and ask about those converters. See what the folks in the know say.

Anyone have any comments on the ACI Force, particularly as compared to the REL Strata III?

Levi · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Mar 2006, 04:01 am »

You can probably sell the REL Strata III alot quicker.

Quote from: MBWD

I think I'm going to hop over to the ACI forum and ask about those converters. See what the folks in the know say.

Anyone have any comments on the ACI Force, particularly as compared to the REL Strata III?