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Can anyone hear the difference when you add REL subwoofers when playing two channel

I wonder if anyone else has had problems hearing a difference when adding REL subwoofers to their two channel systems?  I have gone back to a reputable dealer in town to listen to a pair of Vienna Acoustic Mozart's paired with a REL S3 and I couldn't detect a difference when they added and subtracted the REL.  I wonder if this was because the Vienna Acoustic Mozart's are already can extend down to 30 Hz.  I have also read reviews on the Mozart's and they said one of their criticisms was they felt the Mozart's to be too boomy in the bass.  

The dealer keeps telling me I am expecting to hear a more punchy pounding bass sound and that is not what I should be listening to.  He keeps saying I should be listening for greater depth and space to create a larger sound stage.  He went on to say if I had a subwoofer that delivered too much bass, they would eventually drive me out of the room and spoil my enjoyment of listening to music.  I thought I had sensitive ears to sound, but in this case I wonder if I am tone deaf.  My fear is getting a pair of T/9i's in my home and my wife telling me I wasted our money because she could not hear a difference. 

There must be a reason why so many dealers have told me their first pick would be a REL because they are so musical.

I also question why REL manufactures their subs with such low wattage?  For example, their S3 delivers only 400 watts and their T/9i's deliver just 300 watts.  When comparing them to  subwoofers like JL, which deliver 750 watts to $1500 watts, maybe REL subwoofers are just too wimpy.
128x128larry5729
erik_squires
16,385 posts
 
I was not bashing REL. All I can say I just could not hear much of a difference when adding a REL to the mix. I was expecting to go wow when I heard the REL, but they sure didn't immediately think they were worth the money. If you can't hear a difference, why waste the money.



This is a great attitude, but I do want to say this: There are many great subs that when well integrated will knock your knickers off.  From everything you have described, these subs were not well integrated/
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,947 posts
 
Jim Salk builds the Rythmik Servo-Feedback Sub into his higher-priced speaker models. He also offers subs that feature enclosures of his own design and build, into which he installs the Rythmik DIY kit. The enclosures are the best designed and built I’ve ever seen, with extensive bracing, far better than those of Rythmik themselves. They are also beautifully finished in real wood veneers.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Erik makes a good point.  I would also say that the idea behind adding an REL for example, to any 2 channel system, is for augmentation.  If you are a music lover and can hear textures, nuance and atmosphere on recordings, then that is what the REL will enhance.  Kind of like the approach Walter uses with the Maggie bass panels.  If Your noticing the sub in any obvious way, then it is not well integrated.
big_greg
6,670 posts
 
@larry5729  When I bought my first Rythmik sub (a used F15) what immediately stood out was how well controlled and "tight" the bass was and how well it blended into the music.  No "boominess" like most of the other subs I had owned up until that time.  It didn't hurt that I got a nice deal buying it used and that the warranty was transferrable.  
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Rythmik Sounds like a value but I really like the Speakon High Level connection on REL!  Line level just doesn’t get the best from the amp and I’m certainly not going to screw up my mains sound by going through their crossover:().   If I had extra LL out XLR’s on my amp maybe?  But then I would need commensurately good IC’s.  I had a custom Speakon cable made for a reasonable price, but an equivalent set of XLR’s for me would be $1400!
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