Here's my 2 cents and it may just be worth that!
I've done a lot of research on subs and am an advocate of REL's. My system is dual purpose, 2-channel music and 5.5 channel home theater. When I say 5.5, meaning I have 5 subwoofers. A loudspeaker is only designed to generate frequencies to a certain level, typically around 40 Hz for floor standing and 60 Hz for quality bookshelf's. Therefore, why not allow every channel you have produce a full range from 20-20K? Anyone who does an A/B of a system with and w/o a sub quickly discovers something missing without the sub. We live in a full range world. If accurate reproduction of a musical performance is what we're after, then it's important to reproduce everything that was present during the original performance.
As far as REL's are concerned, they are integrated using a high level signal tapped directly from the speaker tap of the amp. This way the sub gets the signal at the same exact time and the same exact signature at the corresponding speaker. Setting the crossover and volume can be a bit tricky however, once set correctly, it's a seamless integration. You shouldn't hear your subwoofer. You should hear the system!
A subwoofer should cost roughly what a loudspeaker cost, or more! It's much more complex and it's the subwoofers job to integrate in the system, not the pre-amps or external crossover's!
I encourage anyone looking to buy a sub, to consider a REL. Don't just look at the pretty box, READ the technology behind it, how it's integrated, and why. Most other subs rely on the pre-amp's crossover or a separate external crossover. If buying extra gear to display is your thing, go for it. If you want a system that is truly integrated, synergistic, and sounds like its all "one" system, read about how the REL works....