REL Quake or ACI Force for semi small room

I'd love to get a Strata again. The problem is that they are no longer imported to the US. Why, I have no clue. My local dealer says that the Q150e is more popular. Yeah right, the Strata III is universally reconized as a fabulous piece. Not the most impactful sub in terms of moving air, but tight and oh so musical. So, myself and lots of other 2-channelers will be wrestling over the few Strata III's that people sell used. I can't believe I sold mine initially. Stupid move.

Anyway I am referring to an Essex SW-1 (www.essex-audio.co.uk). This sub is a bit smaller (12 x 12 x15) than a Strata and uses a 120W amp. Essex builds the REL subs (and Ruark, Rega too). So supposedly, they're cutting out the middleman and selling direct trough a US importer. The SW-1 sells for around 1K and goes down to 18hz. It all looks good, I just haven't been able to find another enthusist who's heard one. I'm not going to drop the $, without a second opinion to the dealer.

So, anybody heard an Essex SW-1 out there?

Matthew

At what frequency did you have the strata crossed ?

I currently have my strata 3 set at 46Hz, but with my pervious speakers it was crossed at 28Hz. I notice that the Essex-audio sw-1 only crosses as low as 40Hz. That would not allow it to be partnered with anything more than a modest size standmount speaker, and almost certainly not with any floorstander.

It seems that the new RELS are very overpriced in the US, so the Velodyne DD series might represent a better buy here.

your right, that is a concern of mine. i can't remember where i had the Strata crossed. my Ruark floorstanders go down to 48hz so it will be cutting it close. i'll email essex and ask them why the 40hz. i noticed their super sub the SW-3 also crosses only down to 40? weird, maybe they have an explaination or the website is incorrect.

matthew

48Hz floorstanders with a 40Hz sub cutoff is indeed quite close. Close enough that I'd want a home demo before committing my money.

I'd hold out for a used REL. I bought mine used several years ago and they still sell for what I paid (about $800), so it's a bit like money in the bank (particularly with current interest rates !).

The velodyne DD series do seem to be almost universally thought to be better than the REL strata, but they are much more expensive .... I guess you pay your money and take your choice.

Agreed, I should wait for a Strata III. I'm crossing my fingers...

Below, I've copied the Essex response. If I remember correctly it is better to cut the sub off lower than let the mains than to have them playing the same notes. This would product a bloated sound in that range. Any thoughts here?

So being able to cut the sub off lower than 40 seems important.

Essex response:

We have found from experience that the having the crossover at 40Hz has not limited the use on all but the best floorstanders, this is partly due to the fact that although the specs on the floor standers may say they go to 35Hz this is normally a -6dB point or even a -10dB point. That said when setting the sub up you would need to set the crossover slightly higher than the lower notes on the main speakers. The lower limit of the SW1 is about 25Hz.

There is a limiter on the SW1 and I would say that it possibly very similar to the REL, out of interest we produced the REL models up untill about 3 years ago.

Regards


Tom Pearce
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B.K. Electronics, Unit 1, Comet Way, Southend-on-Sea. Essex
Tel:- 01702 527572 Fax:- 01702 42024