Subwoofer Reviews

REL Acoustics Habitat1 Subwoofer Test Bench

Test Bench

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This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (corrected for on-wall boundary gain and employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the Habitat1 subwoofer (blue trace).

The Habitat1’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 26 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 25 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 89 Hz using the LFE input. Please note that the response is +9.32 dB at 54 Hz, making the crossover and level settings required for proper integration tricky at best.— MJP

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REL Acoustics
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COMMENTS
mygo2guy's picture
Submitted by mygo2guy on March 12, 2014 - 11:28pm

I've sold Rel and many other quality subs for years and currently own 4 Rel subs. The fact that you bi-passed the main reason for buying a Rel makes the rest of the review compromised and invalid. Calling into question Rel's superb way of wiring their subs, calling it a "scheme" and then resorting to "well this is the way it's normally done so that's how I'm going to do it", shows an immature hubris on your part. You don't deserve to use or review anything other than "traditional" cookie cut subwoofers. Rels are just astonishing when used CORRECTLY and oh follow the manual to the letter. There is a reason they are on the pricier side of subwoofers and it's their wiring "scheme" as you put it. It shares the exact signal as the fronts (can wire center or rears as well), so not only is there no delay, but also a surreal bond and bass enhancement that just CANNOT be duplicated with just lfe out. If you don't use that "scheme", it's like buying a house and living on the porch. Worst review and admitted ignorance I have ever read from such a fine publication I have always respected. Let's hope this is just an egregious anomaly.

BrentButterworth's picture
Submitted by BrentButterworth on April 9, 2016 - 12:05pm

"BrokeRule #1," please read the review with a bit more care. You'll see that I did use REL's preferred wiring method for most of the review. I also discussed the downsides of this method; you seem unaware of these. REL's speaker-level wiring method doesn't add significantly to the sub's manufacturing cost; the only difference between it and the speaker-level wiring found on Pioneer's $109 SW-8MK2 is that REL uses a SpeakON connector and adds a potentiometer that lets you mix the speaker- and line-level inputs. You cannot cite any evidence for the superiority of this method other than your own subjective experience, which I suggest might be influenced by the fact that you are a dealer for the product and appear somewhat blinded by your reverence for the brand. Last, if you're going to trash me or anyone else on the Internet, grow a pair and use your real name.

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