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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
larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,009 posts
 
Dave_b2:

I wish I could send you a picture of my living room to show you how my system fits into the room.  There is only about 3 feet between the left and right walls (perpendicular to the front wall) and my long stereo cabinet.  If I would put two subs next to the towers, I would have to move my towers a little closer together (currently spaced 8 ft across) and put the subs between the towers and the outside walls.

I have also been talking to a highly regarded speaker manufacturer and he thinks the Rythmik subs to be far superior to the REL.  If the REL T/9i's are rated at 28 Hz -6 db, he said they would be lucky to play down to 35 Hz.  He said this is woofer territory not subwoofer territory.

If I do that, Rythmik makes their E15HP and a F12 Signature.  What size would you go with.

And the saga moves on!


bstatmeister
537 posts
 
If size is a factor you should do the F12, otherwise why not plumb 10Hz territory with the F15 (although I think F12 can get close). These bad boys can even do high level connection like the REL, just doesn't terminate with the speak on connector. 
larry5729's avatar
larry5729 OP
1,009 posts
 
To bstatmeister:

Sounds like you like Rythmik.  Their Servo system seems interesting.  The owner of Rythmik told me the REL's won't provide the kind of bass extension their subs can deliver.  Another speaker manufacturer said the REL T/9i's will be lucky to play down to 35 Hz.  I certain songs play a lower Hz levels, these will not be able to play those frequencies.
bstatmeister
537 posts
 
I really like Rythmik's price to performance ratio. You can get a really substantial, musical sub woofer for right around 1k. I think you can get a REL that digs super deep, but would have to pay thousands more. REL looks terrific - furniture grade stuff right there.
wolf_garcia
6,728 posts
 
My RELs were found on Ebay a year or so apart for 200 bucks each in excellent condition working perfectly. Lucky score I admit, (and a few years ago)...still...worth looking around as they show up from time to time, especially the Q108MKII.
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