Subwoofer insight.


This is new territory to me. Current speakers are 2 way with frequency response of 60Hz-20KHz with +/- 2dB.  Sensitivity rated as 86dB. Chance to purchase a pair of REL 7 tis. I feel like I am missing something but will have to buy the subs to try out. My basic question is this. Does this purchase sound wise? I know what I am willing to spend but do you think I will notice an appreciable improvement.  I know that no one can listen through my ears but this is my first time doing this. Source is 75 watt integrated tube amp, McIntosh MA-2275. Thoughts appreciated. I am leaning towards going forward with the deal but would appreciate some feedback. Room is large and open, 28X38 feet with 9 foot ceilings. Thanks for any feedback.
ricmci
  • Sorry to the OP and I won't respond again. 
I don’t listen to any music that has bass any where near 20hz, let alone below 20hz. "I just know the RELs are twice the money of the SVS subs while getting less." You make your statement as fact, but it’s your opinion. I don’t want to defend REL, because I don’t have a financial interest in them. I submit "we" do a disservice to the audiophile community when we make comments like, "I just know the RELs are twice the money of the SVS subs while getting less." The truth is they’re different and to my ears, SVS just don’t produce different shades of bass. If someone said they required a subwoofer for HT and didn’t want to spend a lot of money I would recommend SVS. If someone said, they want a subwoofer that produces different shades of bass for 2-channel , that improves everything across the audio spectrum, I would recommend REL. If I had to recommend a subwoofer to someone with a dual purpose system combining HT with 2-channel and price isn’t a concern I recommend JL Audio.
My only reason for not buying a REL speaker is they don't dive deep enough. Notice I said speaker not sub....My SVS SB2000 can reach below 20Hz, has nothing to do about "hearing" this, its about feel and sustain of musical passages with deep notes.
My main speakers are prolly in the 35Hz range, why get a REL that is at 30Hz range, and pay 30-40% more.

Super pleased at what the SVS does to my 2-channel.....Proper setup is critical.
It only took this OP a couple of days before he quickly realized the undeniable shortcoming of old school set-it and forget-it subwoofers. Smart guy. 


I don’t listen to any music that has bass any where near 20hz, let alone below 20hz.

These low frequencies are inherent in the acoustic resonance of large spaces. Therefore present in all music that is well recorded in a large space. Its not "music" in the sense of any particular instrument playing it. Although this is definitely the case with a lot of music. But it is also there in a surprisingly large number of recordings of all kinds of music.

In other words its not that its not in the music you're listening to. Rest assured it is. Its just that your system is unable to reproduce it. If it were, you would experience it. Specifically, you would experience it as a heightened sense of envelopment, of being in the recording space, as opposed to merely being in your room. No doubt about it. Read the comments.
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
I appreciate all the responses. It has been a long stretch of working 10 nights. Now got 5 days off. Plan on trying to tune them in as best I can the next few days. Should be a good time and am excited to simply enjoy the music more than anything (no music except car radio for the last 10 days). Arghh! Might even try some of the alternative recommendations on connections that others have suggested here. Right now have connected as suggested by REL. I have been following this thread and even though it drifted off topic a few times and got over my head with building crossovers and the such, I appreciate everyone’s insight. Stay well.