REL T7X Sub Review (+ REL's setup process)

I compare the new REL T7X to my vintage REL Strata III to find out whether this little subwoofer can outperform it's much larger ancestor. Also, I share REL's process of how to setup a subwoofer.

Link to manufacturer's website:

Link to my Patreon page:

Featured demo tracks (YouTube links are for illustration purposes only. Use uncompressed audio):

Artist: Jennifer Warnes
Track: Ballard of the runaway horse
Album: Famous blue raincoat

Artist: Adam Ben Ezra
Track: Can't stop running
Album: Pin Drop

Artist: James Horner
Track: Cosmo... Old friend
Album: Sneakers soundtrack

Artist: Duke Ellington
Track: Afro-Bossa
Album; Afro-Bossa

Artist: Pan Sonic
Track: Current 1
Album: Katodivaihe

Artist: Jose Carreras
Track: Agnus Dei (Bizet)
Album: Ramirez: Misa Criolla

Time Stamps:
Intro 0:00
Design & features 2:55
Sound quality 6:03
Setup process 9:09
Conclusion 13:35

[andrewbardwell]

I just added the T5X to my Rega/ProAc set-up. I cannot believe the difference. I listen to a lot of jazz... the left hand on the piano and stand up bass have a weight and richness that were lacking. Really amazing.

[richardgeorge]

Thank you for this video. I just added a T7x to a revised small system in a home office. The installation was done by a local well-regarded A/V company. I have four other REL’s in this home, including a pair of S 212x’s in my home theater system. The T7x is excellent. My small contribution to the comments is recommending the upgraded REL Baseline Blue cable in lieu of the stock cable.

[montycaps]

I never thought I would ever add a subwoofer to my system. I added a pair of T/5X’s to my current small system and I was completely blown away by the results. The depth, width and over soundstage they added was game changing for me. Would never live without a Rel product now.

[iancoulson]

I treated myself to an 8", 65W M&K sub way back in the mid nineties. I was then living in a brick-internal-walled semi, very well soft furnished, and it added tremendous depth and atmosphere to my set up. Over the years I've moved 3 times and everything else has changed, but the M&K sub now graces my very own music room alongside Q Acoustics system 20s. Using a remote mains switch with a button next to my listening chair I can compare music with or without the sub in play, and the difference is still remarkable. Without it, the sound is thin and lacking body; with it the sound takes on a completeness that is overwhelmingly satisfying. Okay, the sub is getting on for 30 years old and, as you intimated, can be improved upon, but I reckon it was £450 well spent!

[thomastoochal]

Thank you Tarun for the detailed review. I am currently investigating the t/9x and s/510 Rel subwoofers and have watched many reviews. You were the only reviewer who addressed and explained the knobs and switch on the back of the unit, crosser, gain and the phase switch. You have a wonderful ability to sound very knowledgeable, yet not overly”techy”. You give very practical knowledge to those of us in the hobby. Cheers

[howardskillington]

Your production values have reached the same exemplary level as your presentation. Kudos, in particular, for going so clearly through the connection options for those who may find them bewildering.

[AsadNazif]

My dad’s REL Strata 2 is still running my HT. It’s so good. And last forever. Lovely

[Anthony-gqdk]

The best bar none in terms of setting up a subwoofer. It can be difficult and you don't know how wrong you have it until you hear how it should be ! Average sounds fine until you get guided to the next few levels. Well done Andrew, clear concise and no padding or stuffing. Just the facts.

[alanwilliams]

I’ve been a live audio engineer for 40 years, there are 2 things that are needed no 1 bass players who are capable of playing defined notes and sound systems that are set up well . Most good hi fi speaker manufacturers get it right but the draw backs are you can’t get the extra octave that you need for the full audio spectrum, this is where the Rels come in all they do is make subs and boy do they get it right, so why would you not treat your self to one 😊

[jamesfuller]

I run a stereo pair of REL T5/X and the best comparison I can come up with is that the difference with and without them is like an iced versus an un-iced cake. Thanks for the content and review!

[RichardDurishin]

I purchased a sub in 2008 and, for the past couple of years, as my listening skills have evolved, have thought it slow, ponderous and boomy; better for movies than music. Thank you for confirming the evolution in subs and changing my thoughts of what could be accomplished with a more musical one.

[eafc]

I just added a pair of T7X's to a pair of Maggie 3.7i's. Just took an already amazing speaker to another level.

[pauljoyquilter]

I have been using REL subwoofers for several decades, becoming a convert in the late 1990's. I previously hated subwoofers with a passion due to how they slowed the music and ruined the timing. That all changed when I heard a REL Q50. I currently use twin REL #31 subs with my main speakers which alternate between Proac K6 Sig and Magnepan MG20.7i. With each of these speakers they integrate seamlessly and not only improve the bass extension, but also (and more importantly to me) greatly extend the soundstage depth, width and height for a more spacious soundstage. This added space is accompanied by greater midrange details - a bonus that many REL owners experience and comment upon.

[dwaynepiper]

Hi Tarun I love how you include your technical knowledge, which seems above many other channels to compliment your subjective opinions. You're the first reviewer I have come across that actually opens up the. amplifier in reviews with a decent analysis of how well the product was designed. During the beginning of my journey into audio, I researched many aspects including room acoustics, and experimented with different setup topologies. All though I have forgotten some things the 5ms first reflection threshold is something that has always stuck in my mind and you are one of the first channels I have come across to mention it. I prefer live recordings when done well and try to replicate that feeling of being there. As such I found I prefer to include a 1 subwoofer or more plus a discrete center channel and these are the reasons I think this is the best setup. Bass interacts with the room differently therefore it makes sense to me that a full-range speaker is restrictive as the optimal placement is not the same as for the other frequencies and a sub gives you this tuning flexability in placement. In the early days moving from mono recordings to stereo, many advocated for 3 channels over two as the best solution for both recording and reproduction. In fact, many early classical and other recordings were done with 3 microphones to 3 tracks. Two-channel was adopted as the standard only because it was an easier prospect financially for many consumers at that time. In the quest for my goal, I settled on a unique setup to include 3 front channels plus subwoofer(s) for lower frequencies with a caveat. I use 1 surround sound receiver to upmix from stereo to multiple discrete channels for my center speaker. I run a second receiver in stereo mode for the left and right speakers. So basically I am combining a stereo phantom center image with a discrete center image. I like the soundstage and imaging I get in this configuration with proper speaker positioning and calibration. I think this works because as you mentioned previously as you toe your speakers in you get a better center image but reduce the width of the soundstage. In such a configuration, you can have a good wide soundstage and center image. It just seems more holographic to me this way as the stereo imaging combines with a real discrete center. And then of course add additional channels for cinema which I do not prefer for music listening. Also, have you any experience or opinion on an amplifier with Triple Darlington architecture? Do you have a preference for a Bipolar amplifier over Mosfet? My concern with running the REL from speaker-level inputs would be you are amplifying again any noise introduced from the first amplification. My understanding however is we may be less sensitive to it at the lower frequencies.

[nigelstones]

I have a Rel T5x . The best upgrade I have ever made to my system. It just fills that low end gap perfectly, and gives you flexibility when listening to many genres of music. The set up is time consuming, but great fun and well worth the effort. Will never have to change my main speakers ever again

[georgekallinikos]

Thanks Tarun great review. I have a subwoofer that we built ourselves and it sounds good. One of the best things we did was to integrate the subwoofer into my stereo system. This how I set mine up. My sub has a left and right high input so I connected that via speaker wire from each speaker. Firstly my speakers are bi-amped, I disconnected the top so it left the bottom end drivers playing, we then balance the volume of the sub with the other speakers so the sub did not dominate. we then played different tracks to set the crossover point and made sure the sub was not boomy. Then connected back the top end of the speakers and fiddled a little with the volume and crossover of the sub. Wow what a difference, it has enhanced both the bottom end and the mid range has also improved.

[weeragardens]

Thanks for the excellent review again.
I have added T7x into my 2 channel with Harbeth and Hegel. Initially i was not convinced that sub is a must have component for a 2 channel system but after listening for few months now i am fully convinced that a sub is a necessary component for a 2 channel system considering the completeness it adds to the music.

[DevelterHannes]

I know you like ATC speakers, and so do I. My dealer was so kind to lend me the ATC C1 mk2 sub, and compare it to the REL T7x. Quite the price difference, but what a great sub. In my opinion it perfectly extends the SCM19's in the low end. It arrived last week, and I already feel like I can't live without it.

[jlo]

Thanks for the bass tracks! 👍 I started with a REL T-zero mkiii then jumped to the T/9X…just recently upped it to the S/510. Each upgrade was a tremendous improvement. REL’s are superlative.

[avro]

Being a bass player has helped me integrating subwoofers, usually using two smaller subs, a very in depth review tarun, .