What @larryincmh read in Rel literature may be your issue. I've had a number of subs over the years, low level inputs with dsp, I always heard these subs as separate from the main speakers, drew attention to themselves. My Rel's first sub I hear simply as extensions of main speakers, subs are completely invisible. Now I can turn up volume on the Rels and get much more sense of separate subs so volume, this with only a single hot wire connected, with both + and - connected even more excess. My take is either you have issue with connection, or more likely Rel subs may not be for you, Some people like to hear their subs, IMO this can be boom or excessively articulate bass depending on sub setup, can also be excessive impact and/or volume at certain frequencies, all these are artifacts of non coherent subs. On the other hand some like these artifacts in which case Rel not for them, hear plenty from those not liking Rel house sound.