Seems I just read that the Storm 5 was never sold in the US because of its poor performance. IIRC, it was at the time when Rel was 1st sold by the original owner. The Britania model was sold instead. I don't remember all the details.
Has Rel fallen out of favor with audiophiles?
I own a Rel Storm 3. which I've had for 10 yrs or so. My new hardwood floor has really opened things up, especially in the bass area. much more pronounced bass and excellent sound stage. I was planning on upgrading my sub after completing the floor. My Rel Storm 3 is pushing at its max to keep up in a 5k+ cu ft room. Ten yrs ago the Storm 3 was one of the best on the market. It integrates very wall into the 2 channel system. Now, there is SVS, Rhythmic, PSA etc which have much better specs than the Rels for less $$$. But the question for me is whether they actually integrate with the main speakers as well as the Rel? I use mine for music
95% of the time. Music doesn't need to plumb the 16hz range as much as HT does. And most of the reviews seem to come from HT sources, IE AVS forum and the various HT magazines. From what I can tell, then Rhythmic seems to cater to the audiophile more than HT. But how about a sealed SVS ?. And will they both integrate as well as the Rel with the high level speakon input?
So, for audipophiles, do you sacrifice the ultra low hz for the good integration of the Rel? Or do you go with then SVS, Rhythmic, etc with their lower octave output? IOW, do the integrate as well?
Thanks for your help
arte
So, for audipophiles, do you sacrifice the ultra low hz for the good integration of the Rel? Or do you go with then SVS, Rhythmic, etc with their lower octave output? IOW, do the integrate as well?
Thanks for your help
arte
Showing 16 responses by artemus_5
m-db To be fair the most expensive and finely crafted British made Studio III was the oldest sub in the comparison. I have considered adding a second Storm 3. However, the price they want is near to what I can buy a new SVS. And, the Storm is now 12-15 yrs old. IOW, its old and ready for service or retirement soon. So I am hesitant. However the storm does integrate very naturally. And I use the high level input as per Rel's advice. Kennythekey To deal with a specific issue of lost bass energy due to a large room with open front wall corners, I purchased a pair of semi - DIY GR Research/Rythmik open baffle subs. Rythmik is one of the contenders in my search. I am a woodworker so the DIY kits are interesting. My only question is whether a kit will be cheaper? IOW, if you count your labor as worth something, can you really save any $$$ over a comparable production Rythmik sub? Often this is not the case unless you don't count your time and labor in the equation. Oteekeekid. I read one user review on AVS forum which put the SVS SB 13 against the Rythmik E15 (?). The E15 was more nuanced and detailed than the SB13. The SB13 was no slouch and was considered extremely close in its bass quality Thanks for your responses |
"REL's top subs" means Studio III, Stentor III, or Stadium III and the current Reference series.The Storm 3 was quite popular also and part of the ST series. I like the small footprint of the Storm 3. This is a battle I'm now having. Thee Rel reference series are extremely expensive. However, the ease of integration and the natural sense of integration is a necessity which I wonder if the others have. The Rythmik also has a high level input (I think). So it is a contender. However I want 2 subs rather than one since I have alsways heard of the advantage of 2 subs. This calls me to question whether 2 Rel T9' (or Sumiko S9) will work? Or 2 SVS SB2000? Though they only have ,low level input. maybe building my own Rythmik is the answer since they have the high level input. like most things, there is always more to consider than appears on the surface. I can say that SVS return policy is really aluring. |
bdp24. I am somewhat familiar with the flat packs at Parts Express and the DIY kits from Rythmik. Are you saying to buy the 4 cu ft flat pack from Parts Express and the DIY woofer/plate amp/etc kit from Rythmik? Or is the GR Research kits sold at PE the same as the Rythmik DIY? Sorry if I have confused the issue i think you have given a good explanation for a viable way to get what I am looking for. Thanks BTW, does the Rythmik setup allow for high level input? I think it does. But I'm unsure. |
I have an REL S5 and would not trade it for anything. It does everything i, prior to buying it, that i wanted and then some. I great product.The one thing I really like about the Rel is the ease and seamless integration with the main speakers. It may not have the best specs. but numbers don't give the full story. one of my worst purchases was a piece of equipment with #'s to die for. I hated every moment with it.. bdp24. Thanks for the wealth of information you have given. I like the concept of the servo system. And I have read nothing but good about the Rhythmik's musical performance. Since my system is in the LR, I have a limited space and I want 2 subs. The price difference between the 12 & 15" is very small. So I find myself in a quandary of space vs economics |
dlcockrumInteresting. Having only one Rel Storm 3, I found the corner to be the absolute best placement for the sub. . IMO, that is the beauty of the Rel. easy placement and integration with the mains. The Rhythmiks scare me a bit with all the fine tuning adjustments,. They remind me of the time I put a graphic equalizer in my system. I spent all my time tuning vs listening. My Rel is basically set it and forget it. |
ShadorneShadorne. Not sure why you choose to take this route. My system is listed. I notice yours isn't. Why should I give any credence to your cheap shot? You have made your opinion of Rel known.. That and a buck fifty and I can buy a cup of coffee. Sorry, but your comments have become worthless to me. There is more to system building than numbers (specs) and snide remarks. |
phusis Lots of good posts in this thread. This may be the most succinct answer to my question. I haven't been in the subwoofer market in many years and was wondering if Rel had cornered the market in integration. Apparently not. Thanks |
Wolf-Garcia Wolf. I'm not sure what you mean by "compression"?. I understand compression as in Mp3. And as limiting dynamic range. I don't play Mp3s and have no control on the compression used in recordings. Can you please elaborate? BTW, I play drums and sing so I understand what you are saying about the pro sound 18" subs |
Shadorne dlcockrum I recently read on Rel's website that they do not recommend using their subs with small woofers such as those found in monitors From Rel setup guide |
When a driver is driven to extreme levels it can "compress" meaning it limits its own output by no longer responding to dynamics,Wolf. I thought that is probably what you meant. But I hate to assume. I've always heard that called being over driven. But whatever the case, I agree with what you are saying. As for the use of sub base, I just see that as marketing. Everyone has a gimmick. And many use the Rel with monitors. Their statement may be nothing more than a CYA IF the sub does not fill the bill or satisfy the customer who may be expecting something which said sub cannot possibly do. If you run sound then you know that one venue takes more speakers and amplification than another. In the same way, one room needs more than another. IE, a T5 may fill my office space of 1400 cu ft. But it won't fill my LR of 5K cu ft. When i bought my Rel Storm 3 Rel was the strongest player at the time. the 18" Bag End was popular too. But rel was the Big player audiophile sub.The Storm was quite popular because the specs were pretty good and the footprint is small which is a necessity for me. My big question in this thread has been moreso about the integration of the other subs which are now on the market. And from all the answers i get, it looks like the others integrate as well as rel |
Thanks to all who have responded. From the responses I would conclude that Rel is still a player in the audiophile subwoofer market. However, like all things audio, they have their adherents and their detractors. And they have a lot of competition now, unlike 10-15 yrs ago. It almost seems foolish NOT to try SVS because of their satisfaction guarantee. They pay for return shipping also. Customer reviews seem to point out the musical advantage of Rythmik. Both these companies offer return policies while Rel & Sumiko do not (unless you buy from a store which has a return policy At this point I may be leaning towards a DIY Rythmik 15" sealed box. I have limited space. The sealed box fits where I need it to fit. I can build 2 and have 2 very good subs for the price of one factory assembled. I am a woodworker with all the necessary tools. So that hurdle is conquered. Now for the time & $$$. Aren't they always the biggest hurdles? |
Well, I bought another Rel Storm 3 to pair with my existing one. Bought from Ebay. Got it and plugged it in, only to have a big hum coming from it. I just had it plugged into the wall when the loud buzz started immediately upon powering up. I was afraid to hook it to my amp. Therefore I got a refund via paypal. Seller didn't respond to sending it back. So i still have it and trying to figure out what to do with it. The hum is too loud to be a ground loop. Plus it happens just being powered up without connecting to my system. I suspect the amp is bad.So I'm back at the beginning....again. Maybe I'm just supposed to live with the one sub. Sounds good but I want a little more. Crazy audiophool stuff. |
Dlcockrum. mine makes the sound without being hooked up to anything except the power outlet Almarg, I appreciate your information. However, being and electronics illiterate, I will have to get a friend to decipher. Still, I suspect the info is good and he will understand. Whatever, it seems that maybe the sub isn’t bad after all, which will be great IMO BTW, thanks to all. |