Subwoofer insight.

Of course the RELs sound more detailed because they are producing less music that would otherwise compete with the higher bass frequencies. The less bass a speaker produces the more detailed they seem. By saying you will never play anything with bass around 20hz you are writing off a lot of great classical, rock, electronic and modern pop such as Dutoit's Planets to the likes of Billie Eilish, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and many others. And as I said earlier, a sub that can reproduce below 20hz can do a much better job of reproducing 40hz.without strain. No decent sub will thump if set up correctly.

03-26-2020 6:50pm

spacial reproduction

What exactly do you mean by that?

Exactly.

The subtle details that make up the recording studio, the reflections of certain notes off the walls or ceiling, the subtleties of a breeze or noise coming from a nearby building that ’frames’ the space of the original scene sonically. Those subtle sounds and noises reproduced in the mid bass and bass are what helps to recreate the original sonice picture.

RELs do that with their high level connections, and an adjustment system and filters that help you dial them in so they Blend with your main speakers seamlessly. In my experience RELs help you reproduce the music or soundtracks much better than your mains do by themselves.

...Or you could build your own set of 10 or 15 world class subs from scratch like @millercarbon says he has. ;-)

rwwear2,721 posts03-26-2020 7:49pmOf course the RELs sound more detailed because they are producing less music that would otherwise compete with the higher bass frequencies. The less bass a speaker produces the more detailed they seem. By saying you will never play anything with bass around 20hz...

Fake news.

My experience with both Sunfire, Sunfire Signature, and SVS Ultra and Plus is that most subs do not integrate well

Check out GR-Research. He seems to be onto how to make them

hth

I don't think OP started this discussion for you guys to come in and bash his system or his choice of equipment, or for you to argue with each other.  Really, this forum has become such a slug-fest it's unbelievable!  If some of you actually knew as much as you think you know, you could save the world!  You even have him believing that you know more than the engineers and designers at REL, who designed these subs!

OP has nice equipment!  His choice of Mac is great, and it's not underpowered.  75 tube watts from a Mac is a lot of power.  They use excellent transformers and excellent design.  They will power those 86db speakers just fine.  The RELs are good subs.  No, they don't go to 10 Hz, but neither does the music!  

Sure, a new amp, 4 big subs (or is it 5 now, MC?), new, more efficient speakers, and tweaky fuses, cones and power cords would make it sound different (not necessarily better).  But, that's not what he asked.  His question for you guys was whether or not he will see improvement by adding the RELs to his system.  He isn't living in an anechoic chamber, and isn't looking for perfect, world class sound, and he isn't building a studio or trying to spend tens of thousands of dollars!

The answer to the question, @ricmci is YES!  It will definitely improve things for you, and I think you have already discovered that.  IME the RELs are very musical.  They integrate very well with your speakers if you take your time in tuning them, and I recommend following the OE instructions to connect using the high inputs.  Are they the best available?  No.  Are they junk?  Far from it.  In my case, I have Primaluna HP Integrated with Revel F208 speakers and a pair of REL t/9i subs.  The SQ is fantastic!  

Some of the forum regulars need to grow up.  It's like OP came in asking if he should paint the walls blue.  And, then this group gets hold of him and tries to convince him blue is wrong, and he should move walls, raise the roof, and move to Colorado where the power grid is more reliable.  If he's happy with what he's got, then let him be happy!  He is taking a journey, as we all are.  Instead of encouraging his walk up the hill, you want him to go to the moon.  Sheesh.