[EDS_]

In general what do you guys think about the brand in general and the way REL prefers to track volume using leads from an amps outputs?  This seems like a great idea to me.  Am I missing something?

[*Scotty*]

Their explanation is that the amplifier in the system that the high level signal is taken from has a characteristic transfer function which determines the sound the system has,by taking the signal from the amplifiers outputs their sub-woofer replicates that quality and blends better with the main speakers. This concept could work,I have no personal experience REL sub-woofers.
Scotty

[BobM]

REL's blend with your main speakers much easier than many others. When set up right (and all subwoofers are a pain to get right) they truly become seamless.

Bob

[Mightyburner]

This thread is timely for me as I just auditioned a Rel R205, R505 and T1.  I appreciated how well they blended with Sonus Farber Auditors during the demo with   Unfortunately for me, another dealer offered me a GREAT deal on a Velodyne Optimum subwoofer.  The Vel demo was not as good but the sub did have a remote which obviously makes dialing it in easier.  Decisions.  Decisions.   

[ted_b]

It's funny, David (Rydenfan) and I were just talking about REL last night.  I have a buddy (teajay on Audiogon) who, although a hi-end purist (Maggie 20.1's, Pass monoblocks, Acustic Arts tube dac,etc.) has decided to try subs with his Maggie 20.1's and surprisingly loves the overall effect.  He has tried the better Polk subs (digital EQ, etc.)  although not a Polk fan by any means.     He's bowled over by their ability to integrate via microphone, etc. and although looking at the Martin Logan Depth, is worried he won't get the same integration.  I am going to recommend he look at REL, for the reasons discussed here.  David is a huge fan, and believes the amplifier connection/integration is the no.1 reason for their success.

[rydenfan]

Yes, as Ted said, I am a huge fan of REL. I find them to be extremely musical and to truly blend seamlessly with mains. The T Series are an absolute steal for the money  They have some excellent information on their site to proper setup and integration.

I would LOVE to hear the Studio III setup in a proper system 

[IronLion]

Funny this thread popped up, I just started looking for a new sub recently and settled on REL at first, but am now leaning towards a JL Audio Fathom 110.  I was looking at the B3.

[rydenfan]

Is it just for music? or for home theater as well? I have a JL-F113 but it is only used for HT. I think the RELs are a bit better for music and the JLs for HT.

[zybar]

I owned a pair of Strata III's and used them to augment my main speakers for 2 channel listening and thought they were very good.  As others have already stated, their connection via your main amp seems to really help with the integration of the sub(s).  Build quality is also very good.

BTW, I have heard a pair of JL Fathom 113's and they are also very impressive. 

I don't think you will go wrong with either brand.

George

[Philistine]

I've had a REL Storm III for years and no longer use it, the main reason being that the high level output from the amplifier speaker terminals is not compatible with a bridged amplifier.  That's the explanation I was given but the result is a loud hum (not ground loop) from the REL whenever the amp is powered off, it doesn't hum when the REL is power cycled and the amp is powered on again .  I mention this as something to check out before buying one.  It works fine using the low level RCA but it misses the benefit of integrating with the main speakers.  When I had it connected to previous amps I owned it integrate very well in 2 channel music systems.

The Storm is too small for my room, it's really built for a UK sized living room - I only have knowledge of the ST series, and some of the bigger ones (such as the Studio) are probably better sized for larger US rooms.

I've seen great deals on Audiogon, but shipping costs must be significant.   

I also found the REL more of a music sub, and bought an SVS to handle HT.

REL was started in the UK by Richard Lord, he sold out a few years ago to Sumiko - the US distributor.  I had an amplifier fault and found Sumiko to be very customer unfriendly at the time, this may have changed.

[IronLion]

Is it just for music? or for home theater as well? I have a JL-F113 but it is only used for HT. I think the RELs are a bit better for music and the JLs for HT.

Yeah I was thinking for music 95% of the time.  I heard some people also say JL is better for HT, but a lot of people swear by them for music as well, so...yeah.  I take it you've tried your F113 for music?  How did it sound?  I'm still up in the air but am leaning towards the JL. 

[doug s.]

hard to beat a pair of vmps passive subs, outboard amp and active x-over.  so much better results, imo when actively crossing over your main speakers so they and their amp/s do not have to see the lowest octaves...

doug s.

[AliG]

I have had the luxury of testing JL Audio F113 and Rel B1 in my house. My personal opinion is that F113 has more output and is better for HT.

When it comes to music,  both F113 and B1 made a significant improvement to my system ( I have a pair of Salk HT3), the sub added significant bottom end, makes the system sounded more dynamic and more effortless, it also makes the midrange more 'meaty'.

The F113 is more difficult to integrate with the HT3, I have to keep experiment with placement. For the B1, I just placed it at a corner.

For music, the F113 sounded relatively dry - a little bit dry to my taste, but some people may call it punchy and tight. The B1 has more 'juice' and 'soul'. The B1 is rated at 550W, whereas the F113 can draw 1800W when pushed to the limit. Since I am moving to Malaysia and I will need to use a STEP-DOWN transformer in order to use either sub, I prefer one that draws less current. And I don't really need the extra output of the F113.

So I keep the B1. 

[Mightyburner]

As a follow up to my earlier post in this thread, does anyone have any experience integrating a Velodyne sub into their stereo system?  I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger on a REL but would like some input from others.

Thanks

MB

[rydenfan]

I have owned a laundry list of subs: Paradigm, JL (twice), Velodyne, REL, and a few others. I have never been able to integrate a sub for 2 channel listening as well as the REL's.

I would also be extremely curious to try a pair of Martin Logans, either the Depths or Descents, as they are extremely powerful and supposedly quite musical. They are able to connect at both speaker level and LFE simultaneous which is killer.

[audio 1]

I am currently using an REL exclusively for 2-ch. listening. The proper set-up coupled with a Synergistic Research REL specific speaker level input cable yields seamless integration and wonderful sounding results.