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Can anyone hear the difference when you add REL subwoofers when playing two channel

I wonder if anyone else has had problems hearing a difference when adding REL subwoofers to their two channel systems?  I have gone back to a reputable dealer in town to listen to a pair of Vienna Acoustic Mozart's paired with a REL S3 and I couldn't detect a difference when they added and subtracted the REL.  I wonder if this was because the Vienna Acoustic Mozart's are already can extend down to 30 Hz.  I have also read reviews on the Mozart's and they said one of their criticisms was they felt the Mozart's to be too boomy in the bass.  

The dealer keeps telling me I am expecting to hear a more punchy pounding bass sound and that is not what I should be listening to.  He keeps saying I should be listening for greater depth and space to create a larger sound stage.  He went on to say if I had a subwoofer that delivered too much bass, they would eventually drive me out of the room and spoil my enjoyment of listening to music.  I thought I had sensitive ears to sound, but in this case I wonder if I am tone deaf.  My fear is getting a pair of T/9i's in my home and my wife telling me I wasted our money because she could not hear a difference. 

There must be a reason why so many dealers have told me their first pick would be a REL because they are so musical.

I also question why REL manufactures their subs with such low wattage?  For example, their S3 delivers only 400 watts and their T/9i's deliver just 300 watts.  When comparing them to  subwoofers like JL, which deliver 750 watts to $1500 watts, maybe REL subwoofers are just too wimpy.
128x128larry5729
tablejockey
3,771 posts
 
"I also question why REL manufactures their subs with such low wattage? For example, their S3 delivers only 400 watts and their T/9i's deliver just 300 watts. When comparing them to subwoofers like JL, which deliver 750 watts to $1500 watts, maybe REL subwoofers are just too wimpy.,

Power is not what makes deep, convincing bass. A combination of construction and location do more than the gimmick of massive wattage specs.
 
Have you ever heard a quality 5 watt tube system at full steam? Close enough to concert level for most ears.

If you're not hearing the difference when the sub(s) are off, then they calibrated incorrectly. The overall sound quality would be immediately noticed, when turned off. 

IMO, even the finest speakers in a great room, will SUBJECTIVELY sound more convincing with properly adjusted subwoofers.
wolf_garcia
6,598 posts
 
Most people have no idea how powerful 100 watts actually can be, and the 1000 watt or so subs that are around generally use a class d amp to get to that level and only a fraction of that power gets seen by the driver, so it's seemingly a marketing thing as the overall design is what counts more than the horsepower. Stick an Ampeg SVT bass amp (300 tube driven watts into 4 or 8 10" drivers) in a room with the loudest home audio rig you can find, and that bass amp will embarrass the home audio system all day because it actually can use all the power from an uncompressed signal. At full steam you'd have to leave the room. There is no non-pro speaker that wouldn't instantly blow from 1000 actual watts. Highly efficient speakers make low watt amps work beautifully (at least with well designed amps), and a 100 or so watt well designed sub will mate beautifully if set up properly.
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLLCO2DkI-Q
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,271 posts
 
One Rel T9i absolutely rocks my friends 13’x14 room!  Bass that you can feel and hear as well.  Nice defined bass that adds a ton of dimensionality.

My brother picked up a pair of Sumiko S9’s for $1100 from Wally at Underwood HiFi and paired to the same Kef LS50 wireless as my friend with the Rel T9i and they are okay...  room dimensions, flooring material, and placement will play a huge role in how your Rel, or any sub for that matter, will sound.

When setting up the Rel, you should be able to tell just a slight difference in sound.  Fuller, more air and dimensionality, etc.  I can actually hear the difference a Rel makes to vocals, which seems strange to me, but I think there are many underlying deep bass notes that we don’t miss because we don’t know that they are even there, until they are.

I think you’d be happy with either a pair of T9i’s or Sumiko S9’s.  I usually prefer 2 subs over 1 since they seem to be easier to integrate in my experience.  But then again, that 1 Rel T9i absolutely rocks my friends smaller living room in a way I’ve never heard a home stereo sound.  Its quite engaging.


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