2. speakers
  3. 193938-3603

Gain level on a REL sub

Hi. I have purchase a REL R 218 sub to compliment my system and as far as sounding musical, I am happy. However, the gain is almost all the way up and I don feel that punch and slam I am looking for. Musically I am impressed with it but I still dont feel that level of impression overall. When I had the HSU STF-2, it was in a different league with in terms of impact and punch but for detail, the REL was better. My question now, Do you think I should try getting a another REL with the same model for a stereo pair or go with a different sub? My room is pretty small but it is treated with acoustic panels.
highend64
highend64 OP
282 posts
 

Thanks for the responses. @soix I have not tried that crawl method but would be hard to do in my room. According to REL, the slope is rolloff a little to high. Rhythmik was one my option for a sub for some time.

@gkelly I have used high and low level connection and the gain is still the same level.

fastfreight
916 posts
 

Hello @highend64 ,  something doesn’t sound right to me. I am a REL fan with a pair IN two systems. But even with one, it will easily play too loud. First thing, are you sure you have the phase correct?  I’m sure you know, but that is the first thing to adjust. You should easily be able to hear the bass go away and come in strong when the phase adjustment is correct.  If your REL  sub doesn’t have the ability to play too loud, then something must be wrong.

highend64 OP
282 posts
 

Hi @fastfreight I do have the phase corrected on the sub using a software from Rational Acoustics. The pros use this for phase and time alignment but for this is probably overkill. Honestly, if done properly you will hear it louder around the crossover point usually because of summation and that is what is great about this software. You can see the changes in real-time and not as a screenshot.

fastfreight
916 posts
 

Thanks @highend64 .  Well I am stumped. While I wholeheartedly agree one sub is not as good as two, you still should get good volume and punch out of one.   For High level, you are tapping out of the amplifier outputs?  How are you connecting this as you have one sub and four amplifier outputs?  Have you tried just connecting to L and R outputs of one channel or one amp? (using  the Speakon connector and Red / Black wires?).

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,086 posts
 

My REL r305 is very similar and I’m running it speaker level from a 40 watt Integrated amp and I only have the volume 5 clicks up from zero and a low crossover and it is plenty loud and keeps up with a pair of 88dB sens speakers easily.   Just a few clicks up and it is way too loud.  12x 14 room , well treated 

it almost sounds like it’s not getting enough signal from the amp   For troubleshooting purposes I would strip it down to its most basic elements, no EQ    Just the amp, speakers, sub , and a good line level source  

 

More to discover