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
I did not say REL are junk. They have moved into the HiFi Jewelry market adding things which do nothing for the sound and leaving out things that would.

Phase
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To get low end out of a small woofer requires adding EQ to the amplifier which adds phase shift and group delay. Sound has magnitude and phase. This is why an out of phase pair of mains sounds the way it does. The amplitude is the same, but the phase is 180° out. The VECTOR sum is zero except for driver and room anomalies. So to integrate a sub, one needs both level and phase controls for the best VECTOR sum. A 180° polarity inversion is the equivalent of moving the sub ≈14 feet @ 40Hz. And a different distance for every other frequency.

Note that a phase control is not a perfect solution, it's just that it's next to hopeless without it.

See http://www.ielogical.com/Audio/SubTerrBlues.php for further explanation.

Tube Amps
=========
The REL instructions are either written for or by someone with ZERO understanding of output transformers.

Google stereophile phase in Images. Notice how the impedance rises in the low end of most speakers. With an output transformer, when the load impedance rises, SO DOES THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE. Since the REL SpeakOn input is high impedance, the sub output will increase due to the increased voltage even though the amplifier input signal does not change in level.

For the gazillionth time, roll the low end from the mains with a simple 6db/oct passive xover about ½ to 1 octave above the mains -db frequency  and drive a sub with multiple XO slopes, phase and polarity controls into the LINE input.

Follow the interface guidelines under Setup at  http://www.ielogical.com/Audio/SubTerrBlues.php.
There are links to model your room, main and sub placement. REW https://www.roomeqwizard.com/ also has good modelling.
More stuff in the signal path means further degradation or alteration of the signal.  Simpler is better.  The mains and sub(s) should be receiving the exact same signal for maximum fidelity.  REL Speakon connections do that.  Adding EQ and crossovers and more wires and different levels with various impedance mismatches...ugh!!  For Cinema/HT?  Ok 👍. For purist 2 CH Home Stereo...keep it simple.
^^ Nonsense.
Adding wire to the SpeakOn adds L&C to the speaker main amp circuit.
Using an XO reduces the main amp load, increasing dynamic range and reducing distortion from the main loudspeaker.

I agree there is no free lunch, but High level from the full bandwidth main is not how any pro studio or sound reinforcement system is done.

It's a bad joke foisted on the ignorant looking for a free lunch!


Speakon connectors are just old timey high level speaker connections like we used in the old days when receivers didn’t have sub outs. Maybe it’s great but seems archaic. Most subs still have high level connections for older receivers I suppose.

I would still run my mains full range. The less electronics the mains go through, the better they will sound.
No Electronics.

Passive XO with teflon or polystyrene or polypropylene caps. The best RCAs. Wired with silver plated teflon coated wire and Ag solder.

Listen to something with no low end like a Cecila Bartoli aria or Winton Marsalis solo. I defy anyone to hear it.

With well mated subs, the increase in mid bass clarity has to be heard.

See http://www.ielogical.com/assets/Audio/PassiveXO1.png