I have a REL R328 and bought two matching Rythmiks to put at the front. I figured I'd try the REL behind the listening chair and then go ahead and sell it. No way! I'm keeping it for exactly the effects you described, plus it helps smooth out the bass response. This is really just 3/4 or 3/5 of the way toward a distributed bass array, but it's working well and I'm not selling the REL.
Try a sub a third in the back
I’ll share something I stumbled upon in the off chance it transforms your listening experience as it did mine. I purchased a rel s/510 while they were on sale to replace a lesser sub. First, the sub is remarkable. I thought it would just add bass extension. I had no idea it would improve the sound stage so much. But now I had 3 subs with absolutely no space in the front of the room to place the third. I planned to sell it. If you like to tinker like me with your system, you probably would have had the same thought I finally did: connect the third sub for the hell of it. In part, the idea was inspired by the long and very good article someone on here linked to about subs: soundoctor.com that talks about putting a sub at the back of the room for HT. The lower the frequency, the more non directional the sound. So, having a sub behind me should be okay in a two-speaker setup. The worst that might happen, I thought was that I might shake my house off it’s foundation. But what happened was absolutely unexpected. The sound in the room became amazingly three dimensional. This is not hyperbole. I have a good system and especially with the new Rel sub, there was good width, height, and depth to the sound. But the effect of adding the third sub was to double or triple the depth into the room. I didn’t believe it so I turned the rear sub on and off, repeating the songs. I’ve done this for a week because sometimes new experiences don’t hold up over time—a product of wishful thinking. This one has lasted. I will describe the change this way. Without the rear sub, the vocals were centered, other instruments were placed around the front of the room—some further away than others. Adding the rear sub stretched the centered voice in front of me from 2d to 3D, like someone was in the room, or better, I was in the vocalist’s room. Imagine taking a photo of the singer and stretching it into a 3-dimensional figure in front of you. It’s like that. Although my previous system had good depth before, with the third sub it sounded like I was swimming in the music. there was an exceptional separation of the instruments around and over me not just in front of me. I won’t go on because results will vary. But if you like to tinker and you have a third sub in the house, give it a go. I hope it turns out as holographically for you as it did for me. (Details: I connected the Rel using the line in from my power amp and two RCA outs on my Dac (it also has XLR outs that I use) to connect the other subs.)
Showing 3 responses by hilde45
@oldhvymec Thanks for the suggestion. I'm saving this into my "subwoofer" file. Until I move into a new room (it's built but kids are still in it with their game stuff) I won't be adding a fourth sub or make other sub changes. |
@golfnutz I’ll take a look. That article was just a primer I ran across; it’s not my bible or anything. The testimony I’ve seen here by some experienced folks has convinced me that it’s helpful, and my own measurements have, too. But my sense is that one need not spend a lot to get the benefits of additional subs; assuming the room is in need of them, even inexpensive (but not cheaply made) subs can help with room modes. I'd note that what you've said is self-verifying. You said, "the DBA is a complete waist of money on extra subs if they're not needed, or do very little in the difference they make." Of course a DBA is a waste of money if it's not needed or does little. Same thing is true of literally anything. But if it IS needed or does a lot, well, there you go. There is a lot of hype about DBA but some good discussion, e.g. here:
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