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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
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@lalitk  
 
dimensionality, air, presence and texture.  

 You mean made up terms? 
 
REL sells a $1200 10” that is -6dB at 28Hz, that’s insanely laughable. 
 
If aesthetics/size isn’t an issue, a Rythmik FV15HP is the same price and a much better subwoofer. It has group delay below 1cycle, a pretty good spectral decay, and passes CEA2010 THD limits if restrained to 104dB from 16Hz and up. 
 
Here’s the frequency response of the REL T5, $600 and you can’t even get a neutral response, such a shame. 
 
Here’s an HSU sub as a comparison. 
 
Frequency response linearity isn’t everything, but I expected more. 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,561 posts
 
@mzkmxcv,

So you actually have no real experience with any of the subs you criticize or endorse....should I pay heed to someone who peddles his opinions based on measurements posted on intranet or someone who actually have tried and tested the equipment....hmm take a wild guess 😉
larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,008 posts
 
@mzkmxcv &  @lalitkm,

I have heard a 10" SVS sealed at a friend's house paired with a pair of NHT's and with his Anthem room correct software, I was unable to detect the subwoofer.  I know this is what you want.  He set his sub perpendicular to his right front tower about 5 feet in front.  However, most audiophiles do not consider SVS to be an audiophile subwoofer.  I hear good things about JL, but I don't think I like how they work by taking over the woofers to produce bass extension.  I have heard great things about Rhythmik and their Servo technology sounds similar to REL's Speak On technology.  What I don't want is a pounding bass to drive me out of the room.  My primary focus is musicality, as I probably watch movies in 5.1 Dolby only about 30% to 40% of the time.  I respect your input.
hornguys
180 posts
 
"Can anyone hear the difference when you add REL subwoofers when playing two channel?"

Yes.
Best,
Jim Smith

m-db's avatar
m-db
985 posts
 
Larry, 
Speakon is simply another method of speaker or high level cable termination typically found in pro audio applications. REL uses a Speakon connection at the subwoofer end only.
Servo driver control is a monitoring technology that decreases distortion in long excursion drivers. 

Introducing any basic subwoofer/s into your room/system is far from impossible and should add a welcome dimension to the presentation. It can be challenging which is why many hobbyist and reviewers have had negative experiences over the years. The acceptance and ease of signal processed units by these same people has been game changer. 

JL Audio markets the basic E series and DSP equipped F series subwoofers which they're famous for. Their differences are substantial. 



lalitk,
["I picked out REL for bass quality and their seamless integration"]
I'm interested as to what and how you compared your final choice to?
The owner of an $8900. REL Studio III we compared sold his the very next week despite our efforts using four different methods of setup. 
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