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I finally added a second REL Sub

It's taken me years to get to this point.  Subwoofers were 2-channel system blasphemy when I was coming up in the hobby.  As of today, I now have 2, REL T9is.  They are providing sub-bass and filling out the picture for Klipsch Cornwall IVs.  Even with a loudspeaker as massive and efficient as the Cornwall IV, they fill things out nicely.  

How pleasing it was to hear the two in unison.  I run them so low on crossover and volume that the only thing you hear is sweeter more extended highs against a fuller picture down low.  They are simply not audible in their own right.  Yes, it's true--good sub bass management helps treble and midrange.  

As a hack musician of 20 years or so, I can tune them by ear when I hear a well recorded kick drum, bass guitar and horns.  I tried tuning with mics and software but the good ol' ear does very well here.  

If you're on the fence about one or maybe a second you owe it to yourself to try it.  Is SWARM next? Doubtful.  This is, however, very pleasing indeed. 
jbhiller
wolf_garcia
6,794 posts
 
I've been using 2 RELs in my main listening system for years and recently bought another Q150e to match the one I've had...moved my previous 2nd REL (a Q108MKII) to a video system in another room. Suffice to say that running them mono as I do works beautifully to cancel standing wave issues, and I run them at the obvious point where the mains drop off (around 58hz for my Heresy IIIs, determined with test tones and my ears). I think leaving the main speakers at their full range sounds best with no high pass filter necessary...the cost for all three RELs bought used was less than one new one generally (about 700 bucks for all three).
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
For those in this thread who have tried one sub vs. two stereo sub, what did you gain by adding the second one? Was it worth double the cost?

But it doesn't have to be double the cost. That's the thing. The benefits of multiple subs are so great you will get better bass from 4 no matter what your budget. You simply have to recalibrate your thinking by looking at it differently.

For example, say you have one really really powerful great $4k sub. Will two at $8k be twice as good? I don't know. But I do know for certain you can get four subs for $4k that will walk all over any one sub, be it the $4k one or even $8k, or whatever. Doesn't matter. That is how much better four are than one.
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear @wolf_garcia : "" main speakers at their full range sounds best with no high pass filter necessary.. ""

I can’t argue of what you like but I want to comment that your speaker woofer handled/goes from 58-hz ( some reviews says that goes a little lower to 45hz. ) and crossover 850hz that it’s a very wide frequency range that ( even that you like it. ) develops high level of Intemodulation Distortions.

So, my point of view is that that speaker and its sound reproduction will performs at higher quality levels if we use a high-pass filter crossing at 80hz. In this way your speakers will handled a frequency range over 80hz and the levels of IMD will goes a lot lower and repeat in benefit of quality level performance. I can tell you that differences are " day and nigth ".

Up to you.

R.
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear @millercarbon : Yes and 8 subs are better than 4. Several years ago Harman International made and proved in objective way, with measurements, the effect of several subs in a home system to listen stereo MUSIC ( not HT. ) and in those same white papers they were emphatic:

that two subwoofers is the minimum that works good in a stereo system at one seat position that's what normally what we need, at least me.

Then if an audiophile needs good low bass at several room position then it needs more subs to acghieve " flat " low bass frequency.

I have 2 units and performa great. It fulfills my targets that are way demanding on stereo sound reproduction quality levels.

R.
wolf_garcia
6,794 posts
 
Really? It's up to me?...that's comforting...I know exactly where my Heresy IIIs drop off because I have listening skills and use a simple test CD and actual music to determine this, I don't care much about anybody else's opinions on the sound of my gear heap unless they've actually heard it, and have professional bi-wiring, bi-amping, and frequency manipulation chops going back to the stone age. Full range from the Heresy IIIs, such as it is, with the RELs gently adding lows to a degree I adjust from time to time (mostly simply level here and there, but rarely do they need it) after insuring phase and crossover settings are right adds none of the "intermodulation distortions" claimed, and the system sounds better than most others I've heard anywhere. Ain't no high pass resister getting near my stuff as long as I'm around. Get back you pesky resister...
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