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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
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 
I have owned subwoofers from REL, JL Audio ,Monitor Audio 
and SVS , without question or even a second thought the Brand New SVS SB 3000, or ported is by far the best subwoofer under 
$1500 Period the sealed model for $1k delivered with a 45 day
audition ,they even pay the return if not happy. It is fantastic and has a great  app . For phone or tablet.
to control it and a bunch of adjustment parameters on the app
to go down to a solid 18 hz . I bought one thinking on getting another tuneful Powerfull Bass ,this sounds closer to their incredible SB16, this has a 13 inch driver ,a Solid 800watts 
with 2500 watt peaks ,and the most powerfull processor ever 
in a Sub, from Analog Devises. Just check it out .
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
I couldn’t do without my REL....it adds dimensionality, air, presence and texture!
purplegoose
11 posts
 
I added a t9i to my modified khorn set up and it works great . I like how it hooks up to the speaker outputs this seems to keep it life like and blends in great with the main speakers. Rel makes larger subs as well if you want more power.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
ditto what dave said
gjrunner
1 posts
 
To the OP, I thought the same exact thing when I demoed REL! For the life of me I couldn't hear a difference.. In fact, since the salesman insisted he could hear the difference, I took control of the subwoofer power switch and told him to tell me when it was on or off... And he got it wrong!  I do believe it can provide space, but I think it needs to be with the right speakers. Perhaps the speakers I was listening to were just phenomenal to begin with and covred that range. 

I am in the market for a woofer stereo pair. Right now I'm leaning toward Rhythmic F12s. SVS SB4000 also intrigues me.  The problem I have right now is spouse acceptance factor. I need to run cable to the woofers, but my amp is on a big mantle above the fireplace. That means the cables will have to come off the mantle at some point to connect to the amp, and will be an eyesore to the wife.  

I've looked into wireless options (i.e. rel longbow) but have heard there can be significant delay with some wireless systems.  Not sure what to do. 
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