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REL Strata III vs. REL Q201E

Okay, I auditioned these the other day. The problem is, I liked both of them in the store. The Strata III produced a very encompasing bass presence that filled the room and had just a slight linger. The Q201E had some rather impressive punchy bass, that was slightly directional due to its forward firing driver, but the bass died rather quickly. I believe both of them have the ability, aside from home theater duty, to mooch off the amp signal and incorporate into regular 2ch listening. As the listening room I heard these in was more for home theater, I was curious which one everyone here feels would be better for 2ch listening? I took the Srata home for demo, but all I have connected it to is the home theater. The bass was good, precise, but honestly not as full sounding as the sub I replaced, M&K V-125. I hope this is due to a break-in period that the sub might need. If it doesn't get much better I don't know if I can justify the $1200 price. I thought about moving the sub to the side wall or a corner, but won't that kill any proper stereo listening? Tonight will try it out with the main speakers, B&W N804s, for stereo listening. Perhaps I purchased too small a sub? Maybe I need a Storm III? My room size is about 17x15 with carpet, a fireplace, furniture, and is open to the kitchen on one side.
argent
sek
105 posts
 
Have you heard the ACI Titan II LE? I ask, because I was going to get a used REL (can't afford a new one), until I tried a Titan II.

The Titan II has the admirable qualities of the RELs and then some, in my opinion. I'm quite familiar with the Strata, Storm, and the Stadium (v.2). They are, indeed, excellent and would work well for me, except, with some music, the Strata might struggle in my room. What I like about the Titan II LE is the ease with which it integrates with my speakers. Even with the less than optimal placement that my room requires, it disappears. Timbre and pitch remain true all the way down. It also has quite a bit of slam when required. The cabinet fits in with our elegant furnishings, and it's $1100 in the U.S.A.

It's available from Audio Concepts at

http://www.audioc.com

A friend of mine has a Vandersteen 2WQ which is another alternative ($1300), but placement is more critical than with the Titan II LE or the RELs mainly because of its shallow crossover, I think.
homosapien's avatar
homosapien
70 posts
 
I agree with Sugarbrie.
I auditioned Strata and Storm A to B and got Storm III. It goes lower and the whole system sounds much more natural. I put it to the corner of my 12X14 room (one side is opened) and you never figure out that this great bass comes from this fine piece of furniture.
Don't judge it right away (I was disappointed also) - give it at least 150 hrs to break in. My mains Proac 1.5 go pretty deep, but still I realize how much low musical info I had been missing. To fully open up what Rel is capable of you must to replace stock power cord (any mid priced will work) and cable - I use XLO from fatwyre.com (215-297-8824) - great result.
Just my suggestion.
Boris.
argent OP
245 posts
 
Thanks all for the advice. I have replaced the power cord with a Transparent Cable. Sub sounds quicker. I am still auditioning and moving it around the room. Upgrading to the Storm might be necessary, but have some time still to let the Strata work its magic.
robk
8 posts
 
I own the Strata III and the Q150e. If space is not a consideration, I would prefer the Strata III over the Q150e for both 2ch and HT. The Strata does a much better job at blending in where it sounds as if a sub is not even present. The Q200, I believe, is similar to the 150e except more power. The Q series has a switch which one can use to give it more "punch" for HT, but I've found if the subs are set up properly, you don't need to adjust for this (if you want more "punch" just turn up the sub-woofer out level on your pre-amp). The Rel subwoofers are fantastic and you won't be disappointed with either.
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