How do SVS subwoofers compare to REL?

@lowoverdrive --

Using the SVS SB16-Ultra myself, but have no experience with REL. From what I’ve read of the latter they’re very musical subs, and integrate extremely well with the main speakers - depending of course also on ones ability to properly setup the sub - but all things being equal, and in that regard, I’ve heard mostly positive things on the REL’s.

As has been mentioned already though I do believe SVS is the better value in all aspects of the performance arc when considering the combination of integration, musicality, extension, sheer force, radiation area, ease of setup (with their new app), etc. There was a time, I gather, when REL was the go-to brand of subs if you sought the most successfully integrated, musical sub, but with the advancements in subwoofer development and technology these latest years I’d say you can have your cake and eat it too. And by that I mean they can be both very musical and immensely powerful as well - at a fair price, that is. REL, from what I can understand, somewhat lacks the second and third part here compared to other brands, like SVS.

Do you really need more power and radiation area, at the same price, than what a REL can provide? My opinion is that you can never have too much capacity, but you can overload a room with subs dialed in too hot, be they large or small. The more capacity you have however - all things being equal - the more ease, inherent power and proper fullness you have. Perhaps REL’s still have a smidgen of a lead in overall musicality and integration, I couldn’t say, but when you consider the other traits mentioned with a sub like SVS at a similar price, my bet would be for the latter to take home the price, so to speak.

JL Audio has also been mentioned, and they appear to be excellent subs. Still, these latest SVS models like the 16-Ultras and the new 4000-series I believe you’ll get an overall similar performance envelope, though at a much more reasonable price (sometimes even by factor 2). Another brand to consider would be Funk Audio (which I would favor over JL Audio), but prices may be too steep here.

My advice would be for you to invest in a single SVS SB-4000 to begin with, try it out thoroughly within the 45 day "trial period," and if you’re convinced of its merits I’d save up some extra coins and buy a second one at a later date. Buying two to begin with however I believe you’re granted a $200 discount, but that’s $3,000 to shell out at once.

I would have bought a second SB16-Ultra had space permitted, but sadly that’s not an option as is. Still it’s wonderfully capable being the lone brute (with velvet gloves) in my setup. Here’s the Stereophile review to give you an idea of the quality level and performance scope:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/svs-sb16-ultra-powered-subwoofer

I’m using a Sumiko S5, which is really a REL T5–as I think the companies are one in the same. 

Given my room constraints (I’m in the living room), I didn’t have many placement options. So positioning was fixed. But even so, I spent time dialing in the crossover and volume.  Let me tell you with confidence, it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint the subwoofer or tell it’s in use. As others have said, it just adds pressure to the room and opens up the whole sound spectrum. 

So so when I think of my sub, I don’t think of it as a bass augmentation device. I think and hear it as a sound spectrum device—if that makes sense. 

The only time I hear it is if I remove it from the system.  What I mean is that I hear it’s absence. 

I pair this tiny sub with PSB Imagine T2s and a tube integrated.  

A vote here for two REL T9/i subwoofers. You can get a much better deal. Just ask a local Magnolia/Best Buy rep and they should be able to knock off up to $200 off each sub if you buy a pair. You can also contact Dedicated Audio in Arizona who offered me a great deal.

I chose the REL because of the high level speaker level input connection. I wanted to keep the setup as simple and pure (no equalizer, etc) as possible and I wanted the subs to integrate well with my speakers. By the way my speakers are Apogee Duetta Signature so there are some similarities with your Magnepans being that the Apogees are planars.

I was really hesitant putting subs in the room as I didn’t want anything to cloud the natural Apogee sound. Boy was I happy when everything was dialed in. I can listen to even less than stellar recordings now and the music just sounds great. No room mode issues and if I put something in front to hide the subs you wouldn’t even know they were there.

Try a couple T9/i subs. I think the SHO series is overkill and you may get too much boom. Either way you might have to get some corner treatments for your room to reduce boominess.

By the way I found that pulling the subs out the corners and placing them laterally on the wall with my speakers sound much better than being in the corners where they have a tendency to boom more. REL recommends to start in corners and work them diagonally outward. You have to experiment with placement and trust your ears.

By the way there is no simple answer. It’s just going with what you want to prioritize in terms of setup. I would much rather prefer a servo sub like the Rhythmic but the downside is they don’t do high level inputs. I wanted to keep the setup simple without extra equipment that to me tends to artificially contribute or take away from the sound. In following that philosophy I found the RELs to be my best bet.

You have to go with what your preferences are, and experiment to your liking.

I'm running Maggie 3.7i with an SVS SB16 Ultra.  It's amazing. I have a huge room, too.  I'm not an expert at subwoofer tuning, though...actually, anyone that can point me to a thread about how to tune all the options beyond just the simple cutoff frequency on the SVS SB16 would be really appreciated (phase, etc). 

Maggies are being driven by Classe CP-800 and a Parasound A21 (I have a Classe CA-2300 that is currently being repaired - see my other thread to hear about that 5 month nightmare). 

I have Maggie 1.7s... started with a Rel T7 but after a year the amp in the Rel developed a problem..picked up a PSB sub and it sounded fantastic. So good in fact that it ended my love/hate relationship with my Maggie’s. PSB subs in my experience have a great synergy with Maggie’s.