Rel T9i Sub impressions???

[blybo]

HI Guys,

My old sub in my HT bit the big one so my Subsonic XS1 has gone from my family room to HT duties and working very well in there with Audyssey Pro calibration.

 

So... I need a new sub for my family room, my Spatial OB's are pretty decent with bass with 2x 15" drivers per speaker. However they aren't quite full range and as my wife likes low level listening I used to use the Subsonic as a form of loudness button . I have to use speaker level connection due to the design of my pre amp, and the integrated I may replace it with only has 1 pre out, which i may like to keep free for a power amp down the track.

 

So seeing as though Rel are famous as Audiophile music subs and pretty much prefer users to use speaker level connection it is the brand I instantly thought of. Just hoping some members may be able to give feedback on longer term ownership. I've had a demo of 1 for a couple of hours at home and liked it however it just looks way too small for my large listening room and I never got the chance to really crank it up.

[Snoopy8]

Apologies for taking this OT, but why would you not consider an SVS SB-13U ?

[blybo]

28 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said:

Apologies for taking this OT, but why would you not consider an SVS SB-13U ?

 

They are double the price IIRC. I can get the Rel in gloss white which will almost disappear in our familyroom. From the quick look at the back of the SVS SB-13 it does not have a speaker level connection, unless they do it differently. If I use the standard RCA out of my pre amp I get a constant hum from the sub when the pre is off as it goes open circuit or is it closed circuit, can't remember the term.

[betty boop]

1 minute ago, blybo said:

 

They are double the price IIRC. I can get the Rel in gloss white which will almost disappear in our familyroom. From the quick look at the back of the SVS SB-13 it does not have a speaker level connection, unless they do it differently. If I use the standard RCA out of my pre amp I get a constant hum from the sub when the pre is off as it goes open circuit or is it closed circuit, can't remember the term.

 

am just wondering if the T9 will be enough ? the subsonic even though around same sort of price bracket, I know could move some air   and wiht your speakers and bass capability already... and you have a large space to engage am thinking possibly need something further up ladder even if sticking with rel and they do make make some sensational stuff ! the s series ? above ? 

 

all that likely answered wiht a home demo though. perhaps worth trying the T9 see if enough ? and hits the spot.  yep a white box would dissapear and be a nice visual match with your speakers important in homely lounge room setting.

[blybo]

21 minutes ago, al said:

 

am just wondering if the T9 will be enough ? the subsonic even though around same sort of price bracket, I know could move some air   and wiht your speakers and bass capability already... and you have a large space to engage am thinking possibly need something further up ladder even if sticking with rel and they do make make some sensational stuff ! the s series ? above ? 

 

all that likely answered wiht a home demo though. perhaps worth trying the T9 see if enough ? and hits the spot.  yep a white box would dissapear and be a nice visual match with your speakers important in homely lounge room setting.

 

I tried it with a Naim Atom over the weekend and the rel blended very well using speaker level connection, but not sure if it would run out of puff if cranking it up. Also didn't seem to really dig that much deeper than the Spatials, but the Rel never got boomy even when positioned in a corner.

 

Mark from Audio Trends told me that the S is better quality but does not offer extra output over the T9.

[dirktoggler]

I have an REL R-218 in a large rectangular room (5m x 8m) and it adds enough punch for my liking. I have it paired with some Focal Profile 908's which are a small pair of bookshelf speakers but the combo works very well to my ears. It's not a huge box but adds a significant bottom end that was missing before. 

Probably not an equivalent comparison to your speakers.

I've had my sub for >3yrs now. It's been the best addition to my set up for a long time.

 

When buying mine - unheard - the advice was to get the entry level up a wrung vs top of the range lower wrung. And the high level connection was the clincher as I didn't have any other means of connecting a sub to my system.

 

I note there's an R-328 for sale in the classifieds today but it's black and pick up here in Vegas.

 

I presume it would throw a bigger sound than the T9 and my R-218 (down firing only). 

 

I hope that helps?

[Happy]

Have had Rel T1 which I think would be one of the predecessors for a few years now. Once had up to x4 subs in my small lounge room. A single REL is just as good to me. I did position it at the best spot from my test though, and it is controlled via DSP.

[Guest Sime]

I have a T9i and its bloody awesome. 

[TerryO]

I'm quite impressed with our T7i given its lack of size. Plus you can haggle them down to around $1100 for a new one. Just a thought you could buy two T7i's for not a lot more than one T9i.

 

cheers Terry

Edited August 1, 2017 by TerryO

[awayward]

I have 2 T9i subs doing support duties for my standpoints, 2 channel playback only.

They have performed flawlessly for the 6 months of ownership, sound great when they are eventually dialled in correctly, clear, fast and relatively deep.

But I think for HT, subs with perhaps more punch may be required to really shake the room.

[Sub Sonic]

Nothing against the REL subs but if you're looking at around the price of a T9, do yourself a favour and have a look at the possibility of importing a Rhythmik direct servo subwoofer. An alternative is to import the amp and driver and have an enclosure made up locally. They are superb sounding, go extremely low and integrate beautifully with panel speakers, as well as "standard" types of speakers.

 

Very, very highly recommended.

 

Regards,

 

SS

 

[pulinap]

23 minutes ago, Sub Sonic said:

Nothing against the REL subs but if you're looking at around the price of a T9, do yourself a favour and have a look at the possibility of importing a Rhythmik direct servo subwoofer. An alternative is to import the amp and driver and have an enclosure made up locally. They are superb sounding, go extremely low and integrate beautifully with panel speakers, as well as "standard" types of speakers.

 

Very, very highly recommended.

 

Regards,

 

SS

 

 

But why import when Red Spade Audio in Melbourne is offering parity pricing......

[Sub Sonic]

Just now, pulinap said:

 

But why import when Red Spade Audio in Melbourne is offering parity pricing......

 You need to import thru Red Spade... that's what I did :-)

 

Cheers,

 

SS

[betty boop]

3 hours ago, Sime said:

I have a T9i and its bloody awesome. 

 

i thought you had one !

 

3 hours ago, TerryO said:

I'm quite impressed with our T7i given its lack of size. Plus you can haggle them down to around $1100 for a new one. Just a thought you could buy two T7i's for not a lot more than one T9i.

 

cheers Terry

 

this is something rel seems to do so well  i.e. bass for size and vs cost

[Guest Sime]

Great sound, well built and purdy 

[betty boop]

45 minutes ago, Sime said:

Great sound, well built and purdy 

 

yep nd cant fault their build and fit and finish either

[blybo]

I have 2 T9i subs doing support duties for my standpoints, 2 channel playback only.
They have performed flawlessly for the 6 months of ownership, sound great when they are eventually dialled in correctly, clear, fast and relatively deep.
But I think for HT, subs with perhaps more punch may be required to really shake the room.

I'd be interested to know your room size. My room is open plan living/dining with side kitchen and wide hallway as well. Living/dining area is 7m x 12m.


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[Snoopy8]

4 minutes ago, blybo said:

I'd be interested to know your room size. My room is open plan living/dining with side kitchen and wide hallway as well. Living/dining area is 7m x 12m.

Have open plan family room with high ceilings, with some soft furnishings but no other room treatment. It required 2 subs using multi sub optimisation to make up for the missing bass. Initially tried a single SB-13U in a corner which was ok for HT but too boomy for stereo. 

 

Did not realise how much bass was lost until the second sub (SB-2000) was added and optimised. Am now enjoying the bass for stereo, tight for rock, jazz, subtle for classical. And for movies, wow!

 

Suggest you consider 2 subs. Two T7i's is better than one T9i. Or one of each if budget permits. You will need to find best locations, living room permitting. Also DSP and/or anti mode device. 

[awayward]

1 hour ago, blybo said:

I'd be interested to know your room size. My room is open plan living/dining with side kitchen and wide hallway as well. Living/dining area is 7m x 12m.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

5.7m x 9.4m, dedicated rectangular music room, my speakers and subs go loud enough to be too loud for the room, imo.

[blybo]

14 hours ago, Sub Sonic said:

Nothing against the REL subs but if you're looking at around the price of a T9, do yourself a favour and have a look at the possibility of importing a Rhythmik direct servo subwoofer. An alternative is to import the amp and driver and have an enclosure made up locally. They are superb sounding, go extremely low and integrate beautifully with panel speakers, as well as "standard" types of speakers.

 

Very, very highly recommended.

 

Regards,

 

SS

 

Do they offer high level connections? This is a non negotiable for my set up, I have to take the signal from the power amp or my sub will hum. I can't see any mention on the website and photos of the plate amp aren't clear enough.

[blybo]

2 hours ago, Snoopy8 said:

Have open plan family room with high ceilings, with some soft furnishings but no other room treatment. It required 2 subs using multi sub optimisation to make up for the missing bass. Initially tried a single SB-13U in a corner which was ok for HT but too boomy for stereo. 

 

Did not realise how much bass was lost until the second sub (SB-2000) was added and optimised. Am now enjoying the bass for stereo, tight for rock, jazz, subtle for classical. And for movies, wow!

 

Suggest you consider 2 subs. Two T7i's is better than one T9i. Or one of each if budget permits. You will need to find best locations, living room permitting. Also DSP and/or anti mode device. 

 

Yup, I'm using 2 subs in the HT room to alleviate a room issue. Usually 2 subs does not necessarily give extra output, it just balances response better throughout the room.

[Sub Sonic]

26 minutes ago, blybo said:

Do they offer high level connections? This is a non negotiable for my set up, I have to take the signal from the power amp or my sub will hum. I can't see any mention on the website and photos of the plate amp aren't clear enough.

 

Depends on which amp you choose, but yes, they are available. I have them in mine.

 

SS

[Sub Sonic]

Here's a bit more info on the plate amps:

 

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/amplifiers.html

 

[betty boop]

42 minutes ago, blybo said:

Yup, I'm using 2 subs in the HT room to alleviate a room issue. Usually 2 subs does not necessarily give extra output, it just balances response better throughout the room.

 

though wiht some clarification in the HT room you are pretty much with the ideal harman front back setup and with a bit of a leg up in eq and processing. yes 2 dont subs dont necessarily add much in output. they can can balance things however the positioning vs the room is critical or can actually go backward and be "double trouble" i.e. instead of smoothing they just drive nulls further and peaks higher !   in my own sub with one sub perfectly setup needing little to no eq adding the second for 2ch for instance is just detrimental. 

 

in your open config am not sure how much flexibility would have with 2 sub setup but id suggest you'd need to do a bit with positioning and eq/processing to get right  even with one sub i would go with some eq and processing on the sub to incorporate but if working in well to satisfaction without then that is all that matters

[blybo]

1 minute ago, al said:

 

though wiht some clarification in the HT room you are pretty much with the ideal harman front back setup and with a bit of a leg up in eq and processing. yes 2 dont subs dont necessarily add much in output. they can can balance things however the positioning vs the room is critical or can actually go backward and be "double trouble" i.e. instead of smoothing they just drive nulls further and peaks higher !   in my own sub with one sub perfectly setup needing little to no eq adding the second for 2ch for instance is just detrimental. 

 

in your open config am not sure how much flexibility would have with 2 sub setup but id suggest you'd need to do a bit with positioning and eq/processing to get right  even with one sub i would go with some eq and processing on the sub to incorporate but if working in well to satisfaction without then that is all that matters

 

Not sure you can do miniDSP type processing with speaker level connections though. The T9i did blend very well I thought just from my quick "guessimate" in the home demo. I'm think perhaps just best to go old school with the crawl method and see what pricing I can get on the S3