Pondering REL and Dynaudio subwoofers.
I recently got a rel classic 99 subwoofer, which sounds excellent and matches perfectly with my dynaudio heritage specials. A thing is it has a well documented issue of a hum when my class D Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra is powered off (also use Freya+ F). I'm trying various methods to resolve that,. Another option is to return that sub and get a dynaudio sub. 6. I'm finding many features of the sub 6 being very intriguing. DSP and matching base mgt with my Heritage specials. I don't have a typical listening room, So my acoustics are not the best.
I'd be curious to hear any opinions on either the classic 99 or Sub 6.
@highend64 Yes, switching to low level, or a line level, would resolve the hum problem, but as you point out Rel much prefers the high-end connections. In some testing I did, it was apparent that the high-end connection sounded more responsive, faster. I didn't want to spend that much for a sub and not take advantage of it's full capability. Same with going with a wireless connection, would fix it, but degrade its performance. Thanks
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Seeing this kind of sold me on the whole idea of switching to the Sub 6. No, I'm not going to be using it in the garage. Haha :-) https://youtu.be/6-5hfOrLe20?si=775Z3Jk7OeMKQkug
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@grantgg I glad you are happy that the REL highly level connection. If it working for you that is great. I also have a REL sub but with a different issue. I felt that both line and high level signal was too weak for my taste. I am not sure if this was gain issue on the REL or too low of signal from the preamp of the Rotel. Before I had a Hsu STF-2 with plenty of gain. Yes the REL and HSU are two different subs but with the REL I would increase the gain almost max just to be audible. Could it be a level mismatch with Rotel preamp, maybe but I found a rare subwoofer processor from Atlantic Technology, SP-8000. This made a HUGE difference not only a gain but how if sounds. This might not be your case but seeing you discourage yourself from a hum issue that you want to go with Dynaudio 3k sub might be better. Go ahead and try it and if it works out in your system and room, more power to you. I had a similar situation with my REL sub. I want to go with a SVS, Rythmik or another higher end Hsu sub until I got the processor. I am totally satisfied with the outcome. The Dynaudio looks like a great sub with DSP and presets. Having Dynaudio speakers is a plus with dsp preset for different models. With any other speaker manufacturer, tayloring the right parameters might be more time consuming so keep that in mind. |
I have a few older RELs that have a ground lift switch built in and that gets utilized and works perfectly. I also have a Classic 99 that is NOT "slow" in any way, it simply vents downward which gives it a certain tone maybe...one of my subs is an excellent Q108 MK2 that also drives downward. Note the word for low frequencies is BASS not "base." |
I don't mean to denigrate the classic 99, it is an excellent down firing sub. I actually started with the classic 98 then upgraded to Classic 99. If it wasn't for this hum issue, I'd have been a very happy camper. I just think they they encourage the high-level (speaker) connection over a low leve (line) connection for a reason. In my (probably biased) testing I did feel the high level had a little more clarity. Quite correct, bass not base.
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