How to Set Up an AV Receiver Bass Management, HDMI and More YouTube Instructional. The S/812 enriches high-end stereo and theater systems with deliciously sumptuous natural bass, high quality construction, and gorgeous finishes. For optimal performance, you need a measurement system like XTZ’s Room Analyzer II. If you’re a regular reader of the site, you’ve probably seen us claim that subwoofers are one of the most important pieces in an A/V system. The most common configuration is the THX standard, which specifies a 12dB/octave high pass filter at 80Hz for your speakers, and a 24dB/octave low pass filter for the subwoofer. Just saying REL sucks doesn't really help. A word of wisdom: don’t underestimate the power of the distance setting in your A/V receiver. “Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment – not marketing slogans”. available only at authorized retailers. After the dealer listened to my speakers they understood why I was having problems with subwoofer integration. Frequently Asked Connection Questions. In addition, it is our experience that good placement as well as running a dual-subwoofer setup can also help reduce the effects of localization, particularly if those subs are adjacent to your main L/R speakers. The practical meaning of this is that a crossover at or below 120Hz is a relatively safe bet, but it can be worth experimenting with a higher crossover to see what works for you. Have you already played the game of crossover roulette? I have my LS50Ws hooked up to a REL T7/I with crossover at 70hz. Also purchased the Arrow wireless transmitter; it allowed location flexibility. In the case of a relatively modest bump in the crossover point from 80Hz to 120Hz, you’re still cutting driver displacement by more than half. 4. REL subwoofer connection. In modern A/V receivers and pre/pros, this is accomplished via the use of digital high pass and low pass filters. Also compatible with G1 Mark II. While getting a subwoofer that extends to 200+Hz isn’t a major challenge, the topic of subwoofer localization is a bit more complicated. I evaluated the T7i like I do all subwoofers—an interwoven, three-perspective approach of assessing extension, integration, and musicality. The visuals should make it easier to understand the process of connecting a REL to your system. After some enthousiatic stories about REL subwoofers i decided form my own opinion. Seriously, how important can this be? To qualify that statement, one should consider that a great subwoofer is a lot like a great quarterback. Even if the crossovers included in a subwoofer are great, actually using them is a different story with the cabling required. ), which can add several feet to the distance per your tape measure. Last but not least, any discussion of bass management has to include taking measurements. What I didn’t cover is how best to connect a subwoofer if you choose to … Improvements in soundstage focus along with greater detail in the both the middle range and treble are already evident. If you’re a regular reader of the site, you’ve probably seen us claim that subwoofers are one of the most important pieces in an A/V system. With any given speaker, this also means that you potentially net an additional 6dB of displacement-limited output versus an 80Hz crossover frequency, as well as lower distortion at any given volume. As far as the subwoofer goes, we like to see a smooth response up to at least 200Hz to ensure a smooth blend between it and your speakers, even if users opt for a higher crossover setting. While the combination of high and low pass filters utilized in bass management theoretically results in a smooth response, in practice the actual results can be anything but. First, REL believes that the subwoofer should get its signal from the exact source driving the main speakers, for best integration with the audio system. We’re aware of at least one AES paper on the topic, #6431 “Detection of Subwoofer Depending on Crossover Frequency and Spatial Angle between Subwoofer and Main Speaker.” That paper has several useful conclusions to keep in mind. Check out the videos below. Articles is our blog where we share insights, information and opinions on subwoofers, hi-fi systems and the joy of sound. Sign up and stay connected for exclusive deals. Following in the footsteps of the Arrow™ and Longbow™, HT-Air™ delivers premium Home Theater sound removing long lengths of costly, cluttered cables. These are small, powered subwoofers, benefitting from all the high-performance system integration and control you get from REL designs, but in a cube not much larger than a couple of shoeboxes. The THX Select certified Atlantic Tech 4400 L/R speaker is a pretty heavy duty piece of equipment for a <2,000 cubic foot room. So the preferred method of connecting a REL subwoofer is by using the high-level, unbalanced, dual-channel (stereo) signal feed via the Neutrik Speakon cable which is connected to your amplifier's left and right channel speaker terminals. REL receives exactly the same signal as the main speakers. The company is into good subwoofers, the kind that are intended to make music, not go boom. * These are recommended best practices for positioning a REL Subwoofer… If you want to skip a dedicated crossover, most subwoofers have built-in crossovers. Due to a Covid-19 exposure in our warehouse we are experiencing 5 day shipping delays. This small cabinet with only a 10" woofer delivers the deepest, tightest bass we've ever heard from a sealed REL.Much of the credit for this … The best way to connect a sub Join Our Community Subscribe to Paul's Posts. An example of such a subwoofer is the SVS SB13-Ultra, and you can peruse our full list of reviewed subwoofers to see how they all stack up in this respect. So what happens if we bump up the crossover frequency? This is a very important point and together with the REL’s Active Bass Controller (ABC) ensures far superior system integration of the sub-bass with the main system. A REL is designed to augment the performance of “full range” speaker systems, to provide linear response down to below 12 Hz (Studio III, -6 dB down at 9 Hz). So set the crossover in your receiver or pre/pro to 80Hz and you’re all set, right? The key is being able to measure those different responses with a tool like Dayton Omnimic, XTZ’s Room Analyzer, or REW. The easy-to-use, zero-compression, wireless system designed for S/510 and S/812. Above and beyond this, the distance adjustment functions as a phase control of sorts. This is a great article the only thing I would add is the importance of your speaker having a 4th order high pass to blend with the subwoofer. Obviously no bass management or distance settings will turn a junk speaker into a great one; however, when considered in the context of overall system design, they can help create a system that is something more than just the sum of its parts. Still, who would have ever thought such an innocuous setting could have that kind of power? Today we’ll be going in depth for two settings that can make or break that process: bass management and the distance setting. REL Acoustics T/9i Subwoofer, 10 inch Front-Firing Driver, Arrow Wireless Port, High Gloss Black SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer - 13-inch Driver, 800W RMS, 2,500W Peak Power, DSP Control App - Premium Black Ash This is a very important point and together with REL’s Active Bass Controller (ABC), ensures far superior system integration of the sub-bass with the main system. So you really have 2 choices, one is to get a processor or receiver capable of a 4th order high pass filter on the mains, I use an emotiva UMC 200 to achieve this but there are other ways. Let us show you how to ensure you get the BIGGEST WOW effect! Simple and intelligently designed to eliminate the sound bumps and gaps that occur with competing subwoofers, these filters are exceptionally fast, ensuring excellent responsiveness from the subwoofer. REL Set-Up Made Simple RELs are not traditional subwoofers, but true sub-bass systems. We wanted to do the same thing for How to Connect. In 2007, the NaturalSound crossover was introduced to ensure seamless integration of the main speakers with Rel Acoustics subwoofers. 99% of receivers/processors use a 2nd order high pass filter and most speakers these days are ported so they don't work correctly. Caveat Emptor Now consider this system is only certified for smaller rooms up to 2,000 cubic feet. What is the Difference Between .1 and High Level Inputs? Set the LFE level on the REL to minimum to avoid interference and tape off the BLACK wire of the high level cable to insulate against accidental shorting. If you are connecting to a theatre system, you are already making this connection between the SUB OUT of your processor to the LFE input of the REL. The visuals should make it easier to understand the process of connecting a REL to your system. Everyone Recommends Using The .1 Input, Do I Really Need To Use The High Level Input? REL is a British company that’s dedicated to making subwoofers, but not just any subwoofers. (REL calls them “sub-bass systems,” which is technically accurate, but for now I’ll use the more common term “subwoofer.”) I have always had full-range main loudspeakers, from Infinity RS-1bs to Magnepan 20s, 20.1s, and now 20.7s. These tools allow you to see in real time if you have any significant peaks or dips around the crossover point, and find the crossover frequency which yields the smoothest transition. Hi-Fi Corner. REL’s T9i sits at the top of the Ti range and alike 99% of REL’s subwoofers is an infinite baffle design or closed non-ported box, making the unit very fast and expressive. QB = center speaker; a central player that gets all the attention, but it is nothing without a good team. AV Receiver Bass Management Basics – Settings Made Simple, Bass Optimization for Home Theater with Multi-Sub + mDSP, History of Multi-Sub & Sound Field Management (SFM) for Small Room Acoustics, Subwoofer Integration: Bass Management and Distance Settings Explained. PLACE Unfortunately, there are a few downsides to raising the crossover frequency. The easy-to-use, zero-compression, embedded wireless system for No.25, Serie S and Habitat1 that frees you from conventional cables. REL Measurements for subwoofer integration are done with the microphone at the listening position and pointed between the two speakers. My findings re integration and tonality would concur wholeheartedly. This is a subwoofer with excellent integration at the handover to the speakers, and the overall performance is never anything less than composed, and free of any harshness or lack of control. Check out the Tuning Videos after you have completed Connecting. Enjoy the Music, In some ways I’m an unlikely choice to write a subwoofer review.