MJ Acoustics Subwoofers v. REL.


REL has been the first name for many when it comes to subwoofers for music.
But I'm hearing more and more good things about MJ Acoustics, which someone told me is staffed by a gang of ex-REL personnel who decided to go off and do their own thing.
MJ make a model 200 which is pitched directly at REL Strata territory and it has received excellent press in the UK and elsewhere.
Has anyone got their hands on one over here?
It's time there was some decent competition for REL whose products, in my opinion, are overpriced by their importer, Sumiko. MJ subs are apparently better priced and look equally as well made (in photos), but I'd like to hear from any Audiogoners who have bought or auditiioned MJ Acoustics subs, to find out if the sound lives up to the good looks and reports.
wrightstuff

Showing 1 response by itball

Not a comment on the sound but perhaps some useful information anyway ....

I was thinking of buying two of them a few months ago based on reviews and my need for 2 small, great subs. I talked/emailed with a dealer that was a nightmare, didn't answer my questions (some he didn't know the answers to and others he simply avoided) and had almost no stock ie. limited colors etc. I then contacted the US distributor and found a similar story - not much stock in the country.

Seemed to me like they are just getting going here and have very limited supply and dealers. The chain of support in terms of technical help and/or repair work seemed confused as well which made me nervous. As a result, I would want to buy from committed local dealer if I was you.

I then happened to read a review of the Pro 50 in a British mag - it was up against several other small subs in a shoot out and the very clear winner was the Velodyne SPL-800R although the MJ fared very well too. They claimed the much lower power on the MJ hurts it versus the Velodynes.

I ended up buying the Velodynes used and like them very much with my Totem Hawks.