Rel No 31

[thomask]

I had been living with Rel 31 for one week.



it is placed behind Altec thus not visible in the video.

25 1/8 x 17 x 28 1/2 in (638 x 435 x 720 mm)

NET WEIGHT​

114.5 lbs (52kg), shipping weight - 156 lbs (71kg)

FINISH​

Piano Black Lacquer, 12 coats


It is the best subwoofer that I have had.

It sounds fast and tuneful but without bloating.


After testing it with Stereophile test CD, I found that it give clear signal at 25 hz but only tiny tremble at 20 hz.

On the other hand, Scaena sealed 18 inch subwoofers does give only faint singal at 25hz and no tremble at all at 20hz.

I could play Bach Toccata and Fuge with satisfaction.

But I am curious how Rel 32 would sound at my listening room.

Dealer recommend mt to try array of Rel 31, but I have no intention to do that.

It may inflict critical damage on my wooden house.

Rel give generous 60 day's full return, thus you may want to try either Rel 31 or 32 depending on size of your room.

My room is 16 W 25 D 20 H.

To conclude, pair of Rel 31 work very well with Scaena 3.2 with no disparity.

 

[thomask]

I had done freq measurement using test signal out of Stereophile test CD.

1 is 1khz.

There is slight bump around at 40 hz which I may try to cure with parametric eq included at Rel 31.

Surprising thing is that it still showed meaningful signal at 20 hz.

 

[Low325]

Need more feedback and findings! Thx for the vid. This is great!

 

[thomask]

After living with pair of Rel 31 for three weeks, I found it superb.

It needs break in of at least 150 hours.

Before break in, I got the feeling that it lacks some deep bass impact.

But now i do not need more bass in my room is 16 W 25 D 20 H.

The most important thing is that it mates well with my Scaena 3.2.

It sounds fast with good texture.

I just enjoy the music.

But it may need synergy with your main speaker and room accoustics.

Rel give generous policy of full refund within 60 days.

Thus you may want to try them to find out yourself.

 

[bryans]

Dealer recommend mt to try array of Rel 31, but I have no intention to do that.

A Rel array of No. 31 would be killer.

 

[thomask]

A Rel array of No. 31 would be killer.

In my room, I do not feel the need for arrays.

If your listeing room is very large, you may want to try arrays.

Seasoned audiophile know that it is difficult to reproduce the sound of piano.

With pair of Rel 31, piano sounds natural but with texture.

 

[Low325]

I sold off my dual carbon specials recently. Over time my listening habits just changed. It certainly wasn’t because my new speakers are bass monsters or can carry more bass presence but the room gain sort of over spilled over to those midbass transients that I like.
I love subs and what they add; scale and musicality to which I tend to miss no matter which way I molt.

I wonder if a sealed sub would provide a more neutral experience in terms of a passive radiator that couples to the wood floor…this is why this class of sub is still an option together with other offerings such as sealed servo subs.

 

[thomask]

I sold off my dual carbon specials recently. Over time my listening habits just changed. It certainly wasn’t because my new speakers are bass monsters or can carry more bass presence but the room gain sort of over spilled over to those midbass transients that I like.
I love subs and what they add; scale and musicality to which I tend to miss no matter which way I molt.

I wonder if a sealed sub would provide a more neutral experience in terms of a passive radiator that couples to the wood floor…this is why this class of sub is still an option together with other offerings such as sealed servo subs.

You never know until you try it.

Sealed subwoofers tend to be more linear.

 

[thomask]

I sold off my dual carbon specials recently. Over time my listening habits just changed. It certainly wasn’t because my new speakers are bass monsters or can carry more bass presence but the room gain sort of over spilled over to those midbass transients that I like.
I love subs and what they add; scale and musicality to which I tend to miss no matter which way I molt.

I wonder if a sealed sub would provide a more neutral experience in terms of a passive radiator that couples to the wood floor…this is why this class of sub is still an option together with other offerings such as sealed servo subs.

I think the chance is high that Rel 23 will work with your system.

Ricor2 has expererience with both Carbon Special and Re 24.

Thus it may be advisable to get his opinion.

 

[bryans]

In my room, I do not feel the need for arrays.

If your listeing room is very large, you may want to try arrays.

Are you using your Rel for bass?

I have experience with S/510 Rel Array and now own a single No. 31. I didn't have my array for added low end bass. I had my array output tuned to be close to the same bass output as a single S/510.

My Rel No.31 is pretty special. Will add a second one soon.

 

[Low325]

I think the chance is high that Rel 23 will work with your system.

Ricor2 has expererience with both Carbon Special and Re 24.

Thus it may be advisable to get his opinion.

Yah I just need to be careful. With the size of the carbon specials I had some play in the room. My wife was giving me a little stink eye about it. There is absolutely no way I can do 2 no 31 so it’s a high stress idea to consider just one.

 

[thomask]

Are you using your Rel for bass?

I have experience with S/510 Rel Array and now own a single No. 31. I didn't have my array for added low end bass. I had my array output tuned to be close to the same bass output as a single S/510.

My Rel No.31 is pretty special. Will add a second one soon.

I agree with you that Rel31 is special.

It seems to give texture to not just bass but also to midbass.

I am happy with pair of Rel 31 now.

 

[thomask]

Yah I just need to be careful. With the size of the carbon specials I had some play in the room. My wife was giving me a little stink eye about it. There is absolutely no way I can do 2 no 31 so it’s a high stress idea to consider just one.

If so, you may try one in the middle of main speakers.

Although they are big but looks nice with round shape.