Reference strada one or two subs?

I've used my own Stradas with one Gallo TR-3 sub and with two of these subs. Two TR-3 subs are WAY superior to one. The Gallo subs use the same drivers as in the Reference 3.5s and I think would be a better match with the Stradas than the REL. Bear in mind that the Stradas don't go very deep and need woofer support (not just subwoofer), which the TR-3s provide.

Many thanks for your helpful comments and experience. How do you have the tr3s wired and what are your settings for the crossover?

The TR-3s are wired from line outputs on my Aesthetix Calypso linestage. Hard to tell what the crossover settings really are, since they are not marked as to frequency, but I have the crossover knobs' pointers set at approx. 12:30, and with the "level" controls usually set at 11:30 in my system. Both are subject to experimentation, but I think this is a good starting point. My main amps are SET monoblocks with 845-type output tubes.

Really helpful. Thanks. Assuming its a linear scale and starting at 30 and ending at 180hz then a crossover around 12:30 should equate to something like 110hz or so it seems. My rel goes up to 120hz so I may try that first. Currently it's set around 80. Also see a tr3 locally that I may pickup and experiment with. Thanks again for the help.

You're welcome. I think you're right about the 110 Hz, or thereabouts. Be sure to check out that TR-3 before buying it. I had QC problems with a couple. Good luck.

Many thanks for the warning on qc issues. I will look and test carefully for sure.

Just posting some followup. I raised my cutoff to 110hz and repositioned my sub right center and properly coupled it to the floor beneath the carpet using spikes. Also moved the right strada into the corner, approx 1 foot from the back wall and 1.5 feet from the side wall. Wow! Much better integration. Bass is improved on the strada and bass from the t1 is just subtly less boomy. The combination is awesome! No doubt I'm going to go for a second t1 for the left side. Just wondering if anyone has had any luck getting a better floor coupling with their strada floor stands? The spikes don't work that well for carpet and they still seem to rock a bit.

I replaced the original spikes with "carpet penetrating CP1
Bearpaws" (their name) from a company called edenSound
(edensoundaudio.com). I had them drilled for 1/4" x 20 studs. Only
problems are (1) the studs go into the Gallo stands only about one-quarter
inch, (2) the studs are only 3/4" long, so shearing them is a potential
problem, and (3) they still rock a little because the footprint of the stands
isn't that large. But they do an excellent job of reducing resonances I used to
be able to feel by touching the stands. They couple better and they look cool
:-)

Total cost for 6 of these brass spikes incl. shipping was something like $240.

I suggest you read my detailed review on the Rel Strata and you might just get some ideas to experiment with.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1087163673

Hope it helps, if you have any questions or require clarification drop me an email and I would be happy to share my knowledge further with you on the Rel.

Thanks guys for the advice and help. I will check out your review and hope it gives me some new ideas.

Definitely two subs, unless the one is powerful, critically-damped, and dead center. Raise your crossover to even 120-150Hz if possible. Set the subs for stereo bass and high-pass the Stradas if you have the option. The Stradas are incredible, but they get nowhere close to 40Hz, you'd have to get the Mapleshade floor stands for that.

Great thoughts, thanks! I have one sub right center and I'm planning to put the second left center. I have the one sub on high-pass and will do the same for the second. unfortunately 120hz is the highest my t1 will go but so far I'm pretty apply with it at 110hz. It took awhile to position properly but it's now integrating well and "invisible" in the room.