REL products are not traditional subwoofers, but true Sub-Bass Systems. A REL is designed to augment the performance of full range speaker systems in order to provide, in certain cases, linear response below 15Hz.

A REL will take advantage of the physical room acoustics to provide deep pressurization as no traditional subwoofer can. For optimum results REL's should be placed in one of the corners behind the speakers if possible. Low bass pressurization below 40Hz is best derived from corner placement, where the most linear and efficient bass can be produced because the subwoofer is able to take advantage of the tangential (corner to corner) axis which is typically the longest distance in a room.

REL subwoofers come in different sizes and most are available in a piano white or piano black.

It is not just about bass, as one might think when the word subwoofer pops up. REL's were originally designed for music based stereo Hi-Fi systems which could improve the overall sound quality improving the treble and mid range as well as offering more realistic bass performance. The way it works with either stereo or home cinema system is very clever. Supplied with every REL product is The High Level 'Neutrik' Cable, which is a very special cable and this makes all the difference!

Here is how it works: Connect the red cable to the right-plus speaker terminal, the yellow cable to the left-plus speaker terminal and the black cable to either the left or right minus-speaker terminal on your amplifier.

Now connect the blue end to the REL subwoofer. Please have a look at the photos below

Now the REL subwoofer receives exactly the same signal as the two front loudspeakers, connected to the same speaker terminals. Position the subwoofer in one of the front corners of the room and start setting it up.

There are numerous set-up guides and set-up videos on the REL website and they are nicely done and easy to understand and of course we can give you a demonstration and show you how to do this first hand when you visit us or any Audio T store.

The first song I listened to was the song Boogie Man of AC/DC's studio album Ballbreaker and the difference is huge. The kick drum and bass guitar sound rich and real, connecting you to the music. I then disconnected the cable from the REL subwoofer and started the song again. This time there wasn't the same depth and richness that I heard before. It is not only about the bass as I mentioned before, a REL sub also improves the vocals and imaging and integrates so well with the main system.

The set-up process is the same for stereo and multi-channel home cinema systems. First complete the high-level set-up then connect the single phono cable from your subwoofer output on your AV receiver to the LOW .1/LFE input on the REL subwoofer.

With both cables connected, this set-up is called REL Theatre Reference. I personally prefer to set the .1/LFE level at around 10 o'clock position, play a scene of a movie with a good punch and then adjust the level to my liking. There are too many good movies to name but I always use the first chapter of a movie called 9. The first 10 minutes will give you everything you need to find the right LFE level. It is also great to help you adjust the level for your rear speakers. Try it and you will be impressed.

There are also wireless options (zero compression) available just in case you don't want to run the cables across the floor. Arrow Wireless (compatible with Serie T/i , except T Zero) and Longbow Wireless (compatible with No.25 and Serie S).

I recently replaced a 12'' subwoofer (massive cabinet) in my system with a physically smaller REL T9i and I have to say that his has transformed my system into something that has left me speechless* (*Not possible - Ed). A movie like Bladerunner 2049 makes me want to watch it over and over again. Stunning!

We hope that you have enjoyed our blog and hopefully we will see you in store soon. Stefan and Andy - Audio T Swindon.

REL Sub Bass Systems are available at the following branches of Audio T:
Brentwood, Brighton, Bristol, Cheltenham, Enfield, Manchester, Oxford,
Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Swansea, Swindon