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Def tech supercube reference or REL R-528

Hello all. Im more geared toward music now but I do love watching movies as well. Ive read the REL is the more musical of the two but the Def Tech is much better for theater. Ive also read quite a few reviews by users and mags that say the SC Reference is musical. At this point anything would be better than the BA sub I have now.

However, since both 2k or more my question is:

(1) Can I get away with the less costly Supercube Reference with music or will it leave me craving the REL?

(2) Will the more expensive REL satisfy my music craving but leave me wanting on the theater side of things?

(3) Which one would satify both sides better and be a better foundation for future speaker upgrades?

I sure wish there was one product that offers the absolute best of both worlds.
128x128snakebitten
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
I can't help specifically with the either/or question as I have two in my HT and a separate sub just for music in another room. But, having owned the Def Tech pf-15 and listened to numerous super cubes I contemplated buying, I can say they are nowhere close in performance, apples/oranges. I've considered a few RELs after listening to them and couldn't justify the cost, as good as they sounded. No experience with Vandy. Excluding he Vandy, my choice for HT and music would be a REL, although I prefer the older ones.
matti
114 posts
 
I have a SC reference in a simple 2.1 system with SM450's that we basically just watch movies on. It's as ferocious on LFE as the reviews say and as bad on music as the posters here will say.....but to be fair this is in a sub-optimal layout (as evidenced by the "2.1")
rrog
1,958 posts
 
First of all, do you have a separate amplifier and preamp? The REL and Vandersteen subs are your best choices, however, they connect to your system very differently. The REL is the most flexible. You connect it to the outputs on your amplifier, integrated amplifier or receiver. You run your your main speakers full range and blend in the REL which is a piece of cake. You use the Vandersteen with separates and use resistors to cut off the main amp and speakers while also connecting to the amplifier outputs for a sample signal. Both subwoofers are great, but if it was me I would go with the REL unless I had Vandersteen speakers.

Which is best for music and movies? The musical subs work well with either music or movies. The movie subs work better with movies than with music.
audiofreak32's avatar
audiofreak32
281 posts
 
The REL is a good way to go, runs dual mode (LFE and high level) at the same time with different settings.
snakebitten's avatar
snakebitten OP
33 posts
 
Thanks for the very informative replies. After listening to what you each said I think I'll lean toward the REL. I did not think about the connectivity until Rrog mentioned it. I just assumed they all connected the same way. Silly me lol.

I have a denon receiver "for now", not separates. So it sounds like the REL is more versatile and less involving to setup than the Vandersteens. I've read nothing but rave reviews on the Vandy and RELs. Can't say the same about the SC Reference, when it comes to the music aspect. Now to just find a good deal on a REL.
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