Addressing the B series vs. ST series question of your post, when I bought my B1 the dealer told me that REL says the B3 actually falls performance-wise between the Storm and the Stadium. Hard to believe, but that's what he said.
Second, since I have owned both Velodynes and RELs (and now have the REL), Flemke is not wrong. The EQ function is a tremendous advantage. However posts like Nolitan's above get to the heart of the matter, which I believe is attributed to the idea that (based on my own observations -caveat - not backed on science but listening) the Velodyne 'shoots" the bass at you (and it is nice in its own way) the REL loads the room and the bass seems more natural and musical. That said, I could live with either. If you have an SPL meter and are willing to work with the set up of the REL you can mitigate the Velo's EQ advantage a lot.
Second, since I have owned both Velodynes and RELs (and now have the REL), Flemke is not wrong. The EQ function is a tremendous advantage. However posts like Nolitan's above get to the heart of the matter, which I believe is attributed to the idea that (based on my own observations -caveat - not backed on science but listening) the Velodyne 'shoots" the bass at you (and it is nice in its own way) the REL loads the room and the bass seems more natural and musical. That said, I could live with either. If you have an SPL meter and are willing to work with the set up of the REL you can mitigate the Velo's EQ advantage a lot.