How to Setup and Dial in a Line Array of REL Acoustics Subwoofers

REL’s Chief Designer guides you step by step through his setup process to get the most out of a REL 6 pack.

4:36 Setting up and tuning the 2 bottom/anchor subwoofers

10:50 Setting up and tuning the 2 middle subwoofers

14:37 Setting up and tuning the 2 top subwoofers

17:59 Connecting all 6 subwoofers with line array connectors, RCA or XLR for LFE and stacking brackets

22:20 Fine tuning the line array with all 6 subwoofers connected.

27:20 Setting up and tuning the LFE signal if using the line area for home theater applications

Why Would You Want a Line Array?

Let’s explore the purpose to our Line Array approach because, let’s face it, if you haven’t heard one you might well think this is just about pure power and ludicrous mode output. While you wouldn’t be wrong about their potential for massive output the true reason for owning a REL Line Array has more to do with all the amazingly tactile qualities the highest end music and film sound systems aspire to.

The sound quality, visual presentation and sophisticated forms these deliver elevates merely very good systems to a whole different and better-in-every-way delivery of music and film sound.

What can be even more rewarding than buying a line array, is building one over time. By starting with just one or two RELs, and adding additional subwoofers as funds permit, you can better understand what each unit in the line array brings out in your system. You’ll be amazed at every step of the journey.

Until one experiences a REL Line Array it is hard to understand the profound leap from mundane to edge of the art these afford.

[Novilicious]

to longer form videos! to line arrays…getting a pair of 510s or 812s for Christmas! Many thanks 🙏🏼 for the vid

[ericharrelson]

Thanks, for making this line array setup video.
I unboxed my S510s a couple of months ago, but have been a little apprehensive to setting them up. Tech support explained to me the setup steps, but seeing it done for me is much better. You filled in some of the fine points of the process and what to listen for that were still a little nebulous.

[HAJensen]

I really love the no-nonsense way you think John, the way you anticipate people that are silly is great. I really like your stuff.

[astralud]

I fully share all of this configuration! this is the best setup in the world to get huge bass by multiplying the subwoofers!
no disfration from loudspeakers to loudspeakers and multiplication of the power per line;) I have been using this principle for 10 years with 8 passive subwoofers independent of each other (4 left + 4 right) without any speaker + amplifier filter external qsc4050hd, the problem encountered was starting to complicate because the sampling by micro analysis I situate the volume of the 4 subwoofers at too large a volume (-18 db)! So I managed to find the secret by analyzing a single subwoofer without connecting the others (4 ohms) and then connecting the other 3 (1 ohm! 4: 4 = 1 ohm) And it works it's absolutely monster ! but you can't do a one-line configuration in one pass ... great, beautifully explanatory video;)
first: Obligation to configure only one subwoofer by the measurement microphone
second: plug all others in uplink
Result: The first subwoofer is configured in perfect micro analysis under its 4 ohm impedance and the electrical principle of connecting the other subwoofers thereafter generates a division by 2 of the Ohms value to the next subwoofer therefore in a configuration of 3 subwoofers we get 1.33 ohms from the entire subwoofer line and therefore a triple multiplication of the power delivered by the power amplifier with a basic analysis 🏅
The huge advantage of its REL subwoofers which has an LFE xlr input and an LFE xlr output is that you can adjust only one subwoofer by the analysis microphone of the preamplifier without connecting the others and connect the other 2 by the LFE xlr output then on the same principle mentioned above but as a separate power amplifier + passive subwoofer it works on the same technical principle but as an integrated amplifier in the subwoofer;)
👍

[konival]

these types of setup videos are immensely helpful.

[Benjamin.McGuire]

I really like this video. And, as a music lover/audiophile, I can certainly tell that John has dealt with my people before. Many times. I love some of his word choice and prioritization, they're killing me. I believe him, though. And damn, a guy's whose set up +5000 subwoofers, that's one that you listen to.

[jameschambers]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for! Watching a REL (arrays for that matter!) get dialed in by The Dude himself! Def not going to see this setup at the local BB. Feels like a front seat at CES! Thanks John!

[HAJensen]

I can't believe how much this dude's approach clicks with me...

[awrgroup]

Thanks John. Amazing insight. Amazing product. I will add to my REL and complete my line array one day. ...soon I hope.

[James-ncor]

If anyone was curious, a Nimitz Class Aircraft carrier weighs approximately 1, 209, 523x more than a No. 25... But I cannot move one without help. Great video as always!

[ponchantos]

Wow. This is next level base discussion. I just put my subwoofer on and turn it up and walk away. I'll be watching these very closely.

Thanks for the education

[BedPanAlley]

The description of the resonant bass drum head having a delayed and perceivable attack is something that might need another examination because that’s not what happens. I’m an audiophile so I pay attention to, and appreciate sound quality. I’ve also been a serious drummer my entire life, and have been professional full-time for over half my life (I’m middle aged now). I’ve played over 6, 000 live shows all over the world, plus studio work both commercially and also engineering the sessions myself in my own studio. I’ve played concert bass drums in orchestras as well as marching bass drums, and to this day I’ve been listening to a large (40”+) bass drum played practically every night for the last 23 years. I’ve heard it acoustically, recorded, and close mic’d with an in-ear monitor mix literally thousands of times. There is no second transient. It doesn’t do that, at any dynamic level. NO drum does that. Perhaps you’re hearing a room reflection as the “second transient” because that’s much more likely since it would take a given distance to hear any type of latency. Either way, I’d like to know the recording you reference when you hear this, the actual time mark too if possible. I’m always willing to learn something new, but as of right now this seems like you’re describing something else. Thanks for making the video.

[hifi-x]

Great video thank you, now what track/tool you are using for this TuneIn process? Thanks again.

[dalebastin]

The explanation of line array setup is very helpful. I am certainly no expert, but curious about the following.

1. Is the distance of a driver from the floor important? If so, why? I note a stack of 15 inch woofers is much higher than 10 inch woofers.

2. If the mid level sub is the fulcrum, why not dial that in first? It will roll off at a higher frequency than the bottom sub, therefore the bottom sub crossover would be set to blend with the mid level sub roll off.

3. Could the balance and gain of the mid and high bass be achieved from 1 sub using DSP PEQ rather than a sub for each frequency band?

4. Wouldn't the bass be cleaner with the subs placed close to the wall behind to minimise blurring from sound reflecting off the wall? DSP could be used to delay the mains to ensure impulse synchronisation/phase.

5. Is there interference (cancellations etc) between the drivers in an array?

6. If bass is omni directional, why is toe in relevant?

7. With all subs reproducing almost equal bass frequency bandwidth but in difeents ways (roll off, crosover, gain), wouldn't the overall response feature peaks rather than be than flat?

Cheers

[humagain]

I’m curious after seeing this setup, which essentially fees like two tower speakers in front of the room. With the Line Array Setup, is the impact of “room mode” in low frequency space, which seems to necessitate subwoofers generally, not relevant? If so, would one be able to achieve overall better sonic performance with a true full range speaker with +/- 3db @ 20-25Hz, provided they are powered adequately for the room?

[MilGrip]

Bose level marketing... despite much that does not wash, still a fun video, and does make one think more seriously about initial set-up.

[JeremyCovington.]

I’m curious, would this set up Work with the Sennheiser Ambeo max?

[Maxima]

I have a pair of s510’s, no 6 pack yet. I set them up using sneakers as the first anchor set in this video. My mains are set perfectly with proper rake angle. However, they have adjustable spikes. The REL’s do not and sit directly on a carpeted floor. The problem with this is that my speakers are perfectly leveled, but my subs are not and are clearly leaning forward compared to the mains due to issues with the floor. Should I add shims under the foot rails to make the s510’s in perfect vertical alignment with the mains? This would wind up decoupling the subs with the flor and a latter amount of the rails would no longer be touching the floor. Any advice?

[AquaFreak]

Where do you listend? At your seating position? Or next to the subwoofer? I have magnepans so theres coming sound from the back of the speakers also

[Duijnkiller]

They do really like the sonus faber concertos or the concertino's..
Because i have them to with the original stands, i see you have the stands of the sonus faber concertinos