Everyone is entitled to there opinion. My living room is 20x 40 with cathedral ceiling and balcony at one end and one sub works fine...if your into Heavy Metal and what killer Bass....then get as many as you want..have a good day...
Are REL the most Musical Subs?
Forgive me if I have created a redundant thread. I don’t usually post in the Speakers area.
I have a Paradigm sub in my basement HT that has apparently given up the ghost after about 20 years. I’m not a huge bass listener. We used to use the area for movies but lately a different room of the home has taken that over. I listen to classical music and the system gets used primarily for SACD and Blu Ray. No desire for multiple subs. The front speakers are full range, setup is 5.1
I added a REL sub to my 2 channel system a few years ago, an REL, and have been delighted with the results. It doesn’t boom at me. What it does do is add the low level percussion effects that composers such as Mahler, Shostakovich , and modernist composers add to reinforce bass lines. I never realized, for example, how many gentle tympani and gong effects are in Shostakovich Babi Yar symphony.
The REL integrates all of this naturally without calling attention to itself. The Paradigm in the basement never did this but it was an older design and more budget friendly.
So I am inclined to replace the Paradigm with another REL in the basement but was wondering what the current thinking is with subs. I haven’t paid much attention lately and the stuff that I have pulled discusses multiple subs, Atmos, etc, and doesn’t seem to address my needs.
Placement will be different as well. The current sub is placed between the front speakers, and the gear rack is on the other side of the room. 20 years ago I had the energy to bury the cables next to a baseboard heat along the all, after schlepping the sub over the basement testing placement spots,but with advances in DSP I’m now hoping to place the sub next to the rack
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@limomangus It’s really not opinion, and it’s not at all about “Heavy Metal and want killer Bass.” Two subs do a much better job integrating with the room, dealing with room modes/nodes. allowing subs to work less hard with less distortion, etc. If you read the research from noted experts like Todd Welti and others the extensive benefits of adding more subs is very well proven and documented and is born out by the experience of many here as well where adding a second sub yielded huge improvements over just one. In addition, subs are not just about low, slamming bass, and good subs integrated properly have a huge impact on greatly improving things like better/more solid imaging and an expanded 3D soundstage. The good news is with companies like SVS, etc. you have the opportunity to try adding a second sub totally risk free and experience those benefits yourself and if not worthwhile just return it, so why not? |
Yes you are correct not just booming bass.But lower range and yes 3 D effect. But I feel one sub will give me what I'm looking for.I'm retired and at 72 ,there's no need for another sub woofer. I like moving stereo equipment around around ,especially all the different speaker systems I have aviable to me.,I own so much equipment now ,changing from solid state amps to tube amps ,pre amps etc..I have plenty of equipment. I really don't intend to upgrade.I like looking for cheap cds finding ones that sold for or are still spending for alot of bucks for.When I find them for a buck ,Bingo. I love the albums I have 1400 of them and the 40 to 50 for new ones doesn't cut it for me. Even though I have bought Mofi 45 rpm albums. |
I have owned or listened carefully to subs from SVS, Polk, Klipsch, REL. I currently have subs from B&W and Monitor Audio. For two channel listening I prefer high level input over line level, so take that for what it’s worth. I prefer the sound of the REL subs I’ve listened to (S/812 and T/5x) which I would characterize as being “musical” with “organic” but “fast” sounding bass over the SVS (SB-1000 and SB-4000) which sounded “clean” and slightly “sterile” to me. I looked carefully at Rythmik subs when I was shopping, and nearly bought one because I like sealed cabinets, need high level and line level inputs, and they have a solid reputation, but I ended up going in a different direction for aesthetic reasons. I am sure that would be a solid choice. No matter what direction you go, good bass is expensive, and I have no problem spending as much or more on the subwoofer as on a pair of speakers. If you elect to buy two subwoofers as many have suggested here, that won’t be hard. |
Had three different REL models over the past two decades for my two channel system. Single sub set up only. Definitely a fan. Surprising no one has mentioned the substantial increase in tonal density, imaging and dimensionality with a properly integrated sub creating a far more engaging lisening experience. For me, that was the "magic" as opposed to additional "punch" and "rattling" low frequency output. Perhaps that explains why REL is considered "musical" and often preferred by those folks who are serious two channel hobbyists. |
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