Are Subwoofers Important in 2 Channel HiFi Audio? The REL S/510.

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#HiFi #Audiophile #subwoofer

Today I review the REL S/510 Subwoofer and give you my honest thoughts about what this did for my system. I have disliked subs in the past and have not used one for 30+ years in my stereo 2 channel audio system.

Will this change when I try the REL? Find out my thoughts after spending over a month with the REL S/510!

Enjoy!

[ScottGarrettDrums]

I was a professional drummer for 10-years. Professional-level recording studios and stages both have subwoofers to round out the bottom of the sound. A lot of your complaints are, interestingly, based on how albums are mixed and mastered differently. That's why some songs are boomy and some songs aren't. Beyond that and beyond personal listening tastes, boominess can be caused by tuning frequency of the enclosure, the size of the sub, or even the power being driven to it. If you have a 12" sub in a large ported enclosure, running 400w, it's going to boom. If you have an 8" sub is a small sealed enclosure, running off of 60w, it's going to be tighter and probably fit better with a home stereo.

Bass isn't just for bassheads with over-sized car stereo systems. Having a subwoofer is actually how you get that studio-accurate reproduction you're looking for. You just need to find that one that works for your personal tastes.

[michaelmartin]

You perfectly described my experience with REL. When you finally get them dialed in, it improves everything. When you turn them off, everything falls apart.

[johnsimmons]

I run REL dual subs and it brought an enourmous improvement. I started with a single sub but when I added another one it was amazing.

[jeffcats]

If you are thinking about adding subwoofers to your hi-fi stereo, I would *strongly* consider getting an acoustic measuring microphone, such as the miniDSP UMIK-1. Yes you can tune by ear, but the microphone takes all the guesswork out of it, especially when you run a couple of subwoofers since you will want to change the phase and volume settings until you nail the right combination.

[mindhead]

Best audio upgrade I ever made was adding a second sub to my system. 2.2 FTW!

[mjot]

You don't leave the ground floating on a PASS amp. You utilize the white ground terminal on the back of the amp. Try the high level again.
I also suggest upgrading the high level cable to the Rel baseline blue cable makes a huge difference.

[laurelhardy]

Sub not only can give you more bass, but it can also deal with the room's dips and peaks, before I added sub to my system, I had severe dips in the 35 to 40hz region, and a bit less severe on the 45hz, and a big peak on around 55hz, but now with the sub not only I have bass flat down to 30hz, but also the 35 40 and 45hz are evenly balanced and the 55hz peak is much better, of course you will always have peaks and dips in a normal living room, but a sub can surely help.

[dixonbuttes]

It’s great to hear a review from someone who is skeptical about the device, but open to a change of mind. I think this might be one of the most relevant reviews of subwoofer performance out there. I’ve found the REL sub to be a dream for my system. Nice review!

[joemann]

I added an Edifier T5 subwoofer to go with my Edifier R1280DB speakers. After a bit of setting up the crossover and positioning the sound stage and low frequencies are amazingly clean.

[jamiermathlin]

I run two Bowers and Wilkins DB4S subs, they have a built in room EQ function, run from an App, it removes the resonance at the necessary frequecy ranges through a process of a 9 stage sound test, it makes an incrediable difference, gone is the boom from the subs, in comes the clear and defined bass, they are worth a try 🙂

[bretspangler]

My sub was a revelation when I added it, effortless bass that digs deep is almost nirvana.

[SirMountainpass]

My Focal Sopra SW 1000 (42 kgs) complimenting a pair of Electra 1008 BE2 transformed the sound quality and lifted the overall listening experience to a whole new level. It just blends in perfectly!

[JKadison]

I recently purchased a REL T7X and while it hasn’t really been dialed in properly yet I am planning to order a second. Your review just solidifies the reasons why REL is who they are.

[gregoriokakilala]

I’m using REL T/7x. The High level input crossover connected to McIntosh MA 252 hybrid integ amp & KLH model 5. The mono low level input connected to Emotiva BasX PT 1 pre amp, Onkyo integra M-504 power amp & Tekton lore. The sound is amazing.

[jonathandavis]

Subs are hard to integrate correctly. I found using an active crossover system with low level to be the most seamless solution.

[iintheplaceb]

Bass guitars, male voices, tubas and kick drums need love too.

[darrensoar]

I run 2 JL Audio Fathom F112 V2 subs with their CR-1 crossover and a pair of ATC SCM50A speakers.Fantastic subs 👍

[notorious]

Guy buys a Ferrari, budgets Walmart tires for it, tires can’t keep up with Ferrari, thinks all tires are terrible. Makes sense.

[TM-fxpi]

I’m glad you’re enjoying your sub !! It ABSOLUTELY makes a difference. I have Klipsch Cornwall iv’s, they go down to I think 34hz. I have two REL S812 subs with them and I can say with confidence it DOES make a difference. You would think a speaker that big makes deep bass….. and it does, but the extra you get especially with TWO is well worth the investment if your room can accommodate them. Especially when tuned properly. I used one for a while. Two is awesomer 😅 CHEERS 🍻

[robflynn]

More than impressed with my dual SVS pb4000. Setup and eq are key- use Audyssey xt32 with sub eq ht and the results are great. These things are well controlled, as fast as you need them to be and go down to 13Hz if you ever need them to.