Which REL sub, R528 or B2

[" If you are increasing the level from recording to recording, something is wrong,"]

It's actually a matter of taste. Many LPs from the early eighties can have a great deal of compression applied during the mixing process. Or maybe one just wants to hear more bass for the hell of it.

I can increase my subs bass volume with only a very minor affect on the rooms EQ using either the subs remote volume for a slight increase or one of the many of its custom presets for a substantially EQd increase.

I'm talking small changes here, and my REL isn't out of balance most of the time (never an issue with classical, rarely with jazz)...my room sounds fine, and, as I assumed I explained, it is the RARE recording that has too much low end, or some old LPs that can use MORE low end...again, I don't do this often as the balance of sub level to my mains is seemless, but I refuse to allow some album engineer or mastering tech to harsh my mellow because he thinks I need low end beyond any reasonable level (if you have 'em, listen to my previously noted examples of these bass mix challenged recordings)..therefore I relish my ability to tweek it a bit. My only "tone" adjustment. I think it's a good sign of how well my system works in that it reveals subtle (and not so subtle) bass frequency level issues, and as a professional live sound mixer I have the street cred to adjust things (I say that to myself anyway). If you operate a sub at very low level you might never have to adjust it, but I'm a freak about tonal balance and love clean bass properly placed in the mix to my specific tastes. I sometimes crank stuff up to fill my house with music to hear it from other rooms (cooking) or to get sleazy drunk hookers to dance for me, and on some things if I didn't lower the sub output at (way) higher volume levels, it can sound out of balance. I decide what bass is appropriate as my rig is my subserviant and obediant slave and I am the decider.

I just purchased a REL R-528SE and it's an amazing sub, butter smooth, fast, and very easy to integrate. I have it matched up with JDRC electronics and Duevel Bella-Luna Diamanté omnis. I've owned a lot of subs, and most were sonically difficult. This SE model seems to rise above the pack, the CF driver is stiff and fast. I also like that they are compatible with the high level outputs of balanced, differential and switching amps.

Delapole
Congrats on your REL. What's the difference between the SE 528 and the regular version?

My understanding is the SE model uses the carbon-fiber drivers and power amplifier from their flagship line... but puts them in the smaller footprint package of the "R" series. They also added additional cabinet bracing.