REL Acoustics G1 Mk II User manual

Operang Instrucons for the
G1 Mk II
Sub-Bass
System

2
Cauon Marking Explanaon
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user
to the presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may be of
sucient magnitude to constute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamaon point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of important operang and maintenance (servicing) instrucons in the literature accompanying
the appliance.

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3
1 Read all of these instrucons.
2 Save these instrucons for future use.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instrucons.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with automove polish and micro ber cloth.
7 Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instrucons.
8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including
ampliers) that produce heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug. A grounding type plug has two blades and
a third grounding prong. The third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not t into
your outlet, consult and electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched parcularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11 Only use aachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
12 Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use cauon when moving the cart/apparatus combinaon to avoid injury
from p-over.
13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of me.
14 Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rail or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
Cauon: Any changes or modicaons not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Important Safety Instrucons

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Warning
To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases,
shall be placed on apparatus.
The mains plus is used as disconnect device. The mains plug of the apparatus should not be obstructed OR
should be easily accessed during intended use. To be completely disconnected from the power input, the
mains plug of the apparatus shall me disconnected from the mains.
An appliance with a protecve earth terminal should be connected to a mains outlet with a protecve
earth connecon.
Design Safety
This apparatus is supplied with a detachable mains cord. For 230V operaon a 5A fuse is ed in the
socket, for 120V operaon a 10A fuse is ed. Should the fuse need to be replaced use a similar rated
fuse approved to ASTA or BSI 362 standards. Do not use without the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse
covers are available from your distributor.

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Aenon Explicaon Marquage
L’éclair avec le symbole de pointe de èche dans un triangle équilatéral est desné à alerter
l’ulisateur de la présence de non isolée tension dangereuse à l’intérieur de l’enceinte du
produit qui peut être d’une ampleur susante pour constuer un risque d’électrocuon pour
les personnes.
Le point d’exclamaon dans un triangle équilatéral est desné à alerter l’ulisateur de la
présence d’instrucons dans la documentaon accompagnant l’appareil exploitaon et de
maintenance (entreen).

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1 Lisez aenvement ces instrucons.
2 Conservez ces instrucons.
3 Respectez tous les averssements.
4 Suivez toutes les instrucons.
5 Ne pas uliser cet appareil près de l’eau.
6 Neoyez seulement avec du vernis automobile et ssu microbre.
7 Installer conformément aux instrucons du fabricant.
8 Ne pas installer près de sources de chaleur telles que des radiateurs, registres de chaleur, poêles ou
autres appareils (y compris les amplicateurs) qui produisent de la chaleur.
9 Ne pas contourner le disposif de sécurité de la prise de terre. Une che de terre a deux lames et une
troisième broche de mise à la terre. La troisième broche est fournie pour votre sécurité. Si la che fournie
ne rentre pas dans votre prise, consultez un électricien pour le remplacement de la prise obsolète.
10 Protégez le cordon d’alimentaon ne soit piéné ou pincé, en parculier au niveau des ches, des prises
de courant, et le point de sore de l’appareil.
11 Ulisez uniquement des xaons / accessoires spéciés par le fabricant.
12 Ulisez seulement avec un chariot, stand, trépied, support ou table spécié par le fabricant, ou vendu
avec l’appareil. Lorsque vous ulisez un chariot, soyez prudent lorsque vous déplacez l’ensemble
chariot / appareil pour éviter les blessures en cas de chute.
13 Débranchez cet appareil pendant un orage ou lorsqu’il est inulisé storsm pour de longues périodes de temps.
14 Conez toute réparaon à un personnel qualié. Une réparaon est nécessaire lorsque l’appareil a été
endommagé de quelque façon que ce cordon d’alimentaon ou la che est endommagé, du liquide a
été renversé ou des objets sont tombés dans l’appareil, l’appareil a été exposé à rail ou à l’humidité, ne
fonconne pas normalement, ou a été échappé.
Aenon: Tout changement ou modicaon non expressément approuvés par la pare responsable de
la conformité pourraient annuler l’autorité de l’ulisateur à uliser cet équipement.
Informaons Importantes Relaves a la Securite

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Averssement
Cet arcle est lourd. Pour éviter tout risque de blessure, prendre soin lors de la manipulaon.
L’appareil ne doit pas être exposé à des éclaboussures et aucun objet rempli de liquide, comme des vases,
ne doit être placé sur l’appareil.
Les conduites Plus est ulisé comme disposif de déconnexion. La che de l’appareil ne doit pas être
obstruée OU doit être facilement accessible pendant l’ulisaon. Pour être complètement déconnecté de
l’alimentaon électrique, le cordon d’alimentaon de l’appareil doit me débranché.
Un appareil avec une borne de terre doit être branché sur une prise de courant en étant relié à la terre.
Sécurité Design
Cet appareil est livré avec un cordon amovible cordon. Pour le fonconnement d’un fusible de 230V 5A
est montée dans la douille, pour le fonconnement de 120V un fusible de 10A est monté. Si le fusible doit
être remplacé ulisaon un fusible similaire approuvé pour ASTA ou BSI normes 362. Ne pas uliser sans le
couvercle de fusible en place. Les couvercles de rechange sont disponibles auprès de votre distributeur.
FCC STATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operaon is subject to the following two condions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operaon.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital Device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protecon against harmful interference in a residenal installaon.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instrucons, may cause harmful interference to radio communicaons. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will
not occur in a parcular installaon. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television recepon, which
can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separaon between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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Thank you for your purchase of our G1 Mk II. This is a special product to us, part of the growing REL Reference
family of products along with the No. 25 that commemorates our 25th year of producing the nest Sub-Bass
Systems extant. Mk II includes a host of running improvements made along the journey of the original G1
and adds new driver and limiter technologies that we have realized just in the last few months leading up
to producon. Reference designs are intended to dene the state of the Sub-Bass art in several key areas
including, speed, pitch denion, clarity, dynamic acceleraon and depth of bass extension.
The result of this cumulave group of improvements is a design that retains the speed, clarity and deep
bass of the original and adds signicant improvements in sheer output, scale, richness and the dynamic
ability to track large scale pieces with greater taclity and ease. We invite you to carefully dial in your new
reference unit or –if your system and room merit this– mul-unit vercal stacks of G1 Mk II’s.
Please take your me, these products are the result of decades of experience. Enjoy the journey, set-up and
dial-in is crical in state of the art audio systems and the G1 Mk II is a true thoroughbred so taking one’s
me is crical. Listen for even small movements to obtain the best balance of speed, richness and extension.
The high end is a journey and these products that invite careful inspecon, set-up and maximizaon of
performance –such as the G1 Mk II confers– oen become the bedrock upon which great systems are built.
Enjoy,
John Hunter
Dear G1 Mk II Owner

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1 .1/LFE RCA Input: Used to connect to the .1/LFE output of a surround-sound processor.
2 .1/LFE RCA Output: Used to connect or “daisy chain” another REL G1 Mk II in tandem.
3 Le & Right Channel Low-Level RCA Input: Used to connect low-level signals to the sub-bass system from
the output of a preamplier, integrated amplier or receiver. (For home cinema use, use .1/LFE input).
4 Power Pilot Light: Power On/O indicator.
5 .1/LFE Balanced Input: Balanced (XLR connector) version of .1/LFE Input. For use only with fully
balanced cables.
6 .1/LFE Balanced Output: Balanced (XLR connector) version of .1/LFE Output. For use only with fully
balanced cables.
7 High-Level Input (Neutrik Speakon): Used to connect to the main front amplier speaker terminals.
8 High-Level Output (Neutrik Speakon): Used to connect or “daisy chain” another REL G1 Mk II in tandem.
9 Power On/O Switch: Use to turn unit on or o.
10 IEC Mains Socket: Fused mains (AC) input socket that accepts detachable power cord.
Remote Control
1 Crossover: Used to adjust crossover frequency. Variable between 20-90Hz.
2 .1/LFE Level: Used to adjust output level when using .1/LFE input from a surround-sound processor.
3 Hi/Lo Level: Volume control for HI/LO input. Use to adjust output when using either HI Level or LO Level
input. Do not use both simultaneously.
4 Phase: Used to set phase 0-180 degrees.
5 Security: Used to lock remote sengs. To extend baery life of the remote, always leave the toggle
switch in the locked posion when not in use.
REL G1 Mk II Rear Panel Connecon Legend

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89
10
1 2 3
4
5 6
7
1
2 3
4
5

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High-Level Input
Connecons should be made to the same binding post on main amplier as the main speakers. Red to
amplier main right speaker red terminal, yellow to amplier main le speaker red terminal and black to
amplier main speaker black terminal, right or le but not both. Plug the Neutrik® Speakon® plug into the
HIGH-LEVEL Speakon® socket.
.1 Input
This requires a RCA to RCA or XLR to XLR cable and is a dedicated true .1 channel. This circuit therefore
eliminates the normal Natural RollO™ Crossover and passes the .1 low-level signal through with only the
required 120Hz fourth-order lter.
Low-Level Input
The RCA inputs allow for convenonal connecon from a preamplier and should be used in the rare event
that a high-level connecon proves incompable. Plug one end of the RCA to RCA cables into the LOW-LEVEL
INPUT jacks of the REL and the other end into the le and right channel output of your preamplier.
Phase Switch
Used to set phase. Phase Switch on remote control is momentary. Refer to display for 0 or 180 degree status.
Phase selecon aects high-level, low-level and .1/LFE inputs.
PHASE SELECTION AFFECTS BOTH HIGH AND LOW LEVEL INPUTS
Crossover is always engaged for high and low-level inputs. The .1/LFE signal does not pass through the
crossover circuit.
Connecvity and Funconality

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LED Display
An LED display is located on the lower front of G1 Mk II. All funcons that are user adjustable via the remote
control can be seen here. The display reverts to o a few seconds aer adjustment.
Remote Control Baery Installaon
G1 Mk II’s Remote Control Unit requires two AAA baeries. These are not installed but are supplied. To
install or replace baeries in the Remote Control Unit, rst remove the boom aluminum cover by using the
supplied 2.5mm Hex key to loosen the two visible screws. With the boom cover removed, you will see a
baery holder, which will accept two AAA baeries. Follow the images on the holder for proper orientaon
of the baeries. Aer installing the baeries, test the unit by seng the SECURITY switch to UNLOCK and
turning one of the knobs. If the baeries are installed properly, you will see one of the red LEDs on the
remote control’s front panel illuminate. Replace the boom cover and ghten the two screws using the
supplied Hex key. Baery life can be extended if the SECURITY toggle switch is le in the LOCK posion
when the Remote Control is not in use.
Remote Control Address Selecon
The remote control unit provides an address selecon funcon to allow mulple Sub-Bass Systems to be
used in an audio system with a separate remote control for each. Addionally, if the remote control of the
G1 Mk II interacts with any other piece of equipment in your system or if other remotes interact with your
G1 Mk II, the address can be changed to avoid unwanted interacon. See Using the Remote Control to
Address Mulple Sub-Bass Systems in the nest manual Secon Connecng Up.

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Always switch o your system before disconnecng any wires.
To increase the versality of connecng up, the G1 Mk II models have three separate inputs. A high-level
input socket, a .1/LFE input consisng of both RCA and XLR connectors, and a low-level input that includes
two RCA sockets for stereo input. This is to facilitate use with both two-channel stereo systems and AV
surround sound systems.
The high-level, unbalanced, dual-channel (stereo) input is via a Neutrik® Speakon® connector is designed to
accept the stereo (two-channel) signals from the speaker terminals of your receiver, integrated amplier or
basic amplier. This has the advantage of ensuring that your subwoofer receives exactly the same signal as
the main speakers, which means that the character of the bass from the main system is carried forward into
the Sub-Bass System.
This is a very important point and together with REL’s Natural RollO™ circuitry, ensures far superior system
integraon of the Sub-Bass System with the main system.
To engage the Neutrik® Speakon® plug, insert fully into socket and rotate clockwise unl locked.
To remove the Neutrik® Speakon® plug, grip body of plug, place thumb on chrome lever, move lever
backwards, rotate plug anclockwise quarter turn and withdraw.
There are two RCA sockets for low-level connecon to the output of a stereo preamplier or receiver.
Another single RCA socket connect to the .1/LFE output of a home cinema processor.
HIGH-LEVEL and .1/LFE inputs can be used simultaneously. The benets are two-fold when used with a
home cinema processor. The low-level input reproduces the .1/LFE channel and the high-level connecon
underpins the main front speakers. The main front speakers should be set to the ‘large’ opon on the
processor. See “theatre Applicaons” for more informaon.
Connecng Up

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REL Set-Up Made Simple
REL products are not tradional subwoofers, but true Sub-Bass Systems. A REL is designed to augment the
performance of “full range” speaker systems in order to provide, in certain cases, linear response below
15Hz. Therefore, for the moment, please set aside everything you’ve been taught about subwoofers and
how they are integrated into a stereo or home cinema system. REL Sub-Bass Systems set-up and posioning
diers from convenonal subwoofers. A REL will take advantage of physics and room acouscs to provide
deep pressurizaon as no tradional subwoofer can. It is important that you bring to the set-up process a
willingness to do things a lile dierently in order to obtain these superior results. The end result of your
labors will be an uerly seamless integraon of true deep bass to a sound system, regardless of the main
speakers’ low bass capability.
Basic set-up should take no more than ten to een minutes to accomplish once connected.
Two Things Before You Begin
1 It is helpful to know that you will almost always connect the REL to the input on the rear panel labeled
“HIGH-LEVEL INPUT.” This connecon is made using the supplied 32’ 10” (10 meters) cable, the bare
leads of which connect to the speaker output terminals of the power amplier. The easy and foolproof
connecon at the REL is done with a Neutrik® Speakon® connector. The purpose of connecng to the
speaker output terminals is one of the unique secrets of REL’s success. By connecng to the High Level
input on the REL from the amplier, you build forward the sonic signature of your main system, including
the tonal balance and ming cues of the enre electronics chain. In this way, the REL is fed the exact
signal that is fed to the main speakers.
2 When possible, the REL should be placed in one of the corners behind the speakers. Remember, we are
dealing with true LOW bass pressurizaon with RELs. Low bass pressurizaon below 40Hz is best derived
from corner placement, where the most linear and ecient low bass can be produced because the
subwoofer is able to take advantage of the tangenal (corner-to-corner) axis which is typically the
longest axis in a room.

Connecng and Seng Up
High-level connecon, using the enclosed cable with the Neutrik® Speakon® connector, is always the rst
choice. This connecon can be made without aecng the performance of the amplier because the REL’s
amplier input impedance is 150,000 ohms, in eect producing NO addional load on the rest of your system.
• The standard high-level hook up procedure is: aach the red wire to the amplier’s right posive speaker
output terminal; aach the yellow wire to the amplier’s le posive speaker output terminal; aach the
black wire to whichever of the amplier’s ground output terminals is convenient; plug the Speakon®
connector into the Sub-Bass System’s high-level input.
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Standard High-Level

• For dierenal (i.e. fully balanced) ampliers using one REL, simply use the standard connecng scheme
with the excepon of NOT connecng the black wire to a negave speaker terminal. Instead, it should
rst be allowed to “oat” or hang down without connecon to ANY terminal. Should hum occur using this
method, please try connecng to an unused RCA connector on the rear of a preamp or amplier. Please
contact your dealer should there be any quesons concerning this or any other hookup procedure.
NOTE: G1 Mk II models are equipped with internal circuitry to allow connecon to many Class-D (digital)
ampliers. Warning: Do NOT connect the Black wire to the main Class D power amplier’s speaker ground
terminal. Some Class D ampliers produce posive voltage at the amplier’s speaker ground terminal
(black) and connecng the REL’s ground will produce an undesirable shorng to ground. If connecng to
a Class-D amplier, follow the above connecon procedure for dierenal ampliers.
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Dierenal (i.e. Fully Balanced)

• When connecng RELs to Mono Bloc ampliers (2) RELs, one for each amplier, must be used.
Connect the black wire of each REL to the negave speaker terminal of the corresponding amplier
channel; twist together the red and yellow wires of each REL separately and connect each pair to the
posive speaker terminal of the corresponding amplier channel. In some instances, this will result
in exceponally high gain (output) from the RELs. If it seems simply too high in gain, please remove
either the red or yellow wire from the twisted pair. This will reduce output by half and restore a
natural dynamic.
If the amplier is of balanced dierenal design, please follow the instrucons in the secon above labeled
Dierenal Connecon.
17
Mono Bloc
Mono Bloc Dierenal

• If connecng a single REL as a dedicated centre channel sub, an insider p is to consider connecng to
the rear of the speaker, rather than roung the REL High-Level enable all the way back to the amplier.
Connect the black wire of the REL to the negave centre channel speaker terminal; twist together the red
and yellow wires and connect this paired cable (red/yellow paired together) to the posive centre channel
speaker terminal.
• If connecng a REL as a dedicated rear channel sub, connect the black wire of the REL to either the le
rear or right rear negave speaker terminal; connect the yellow wire to the le rear posive speaker
terminal; connect the red wire to the right rear posive speaker terminal. If the amplier is of balanced
dierenal design, please follow the instrucons in the secon above labeled Dierenal Connecon.
18
Dedicated Center Channel
Dedicated Rear Channel

18
Low-level connecon (via RCA connectors) is always an opon if high-level connecon is not possible. When
connecng to the low-level inputs in a system in which high-level connecon is not possible, such as if using
internally-amplied speakers, connect le and right RCA cables between the LOW-LEVEL INPUT jacks of the
REL and the le and right channel outputs of your preamplier.
When connecng to a home cinema system where there is a .1/LFE channel output, connect a single RCA to
RCA or XLR to XLR cable between the sub output of the processor/receiver and the .1/LFE input jacks on the REL.
1 Posioning: The opmal posion for a single REL G1 Mk II is in one of the corners behind the main
speakers. This posion provides 9 dB of mechanical amplicaon and allows for the most linear true low
bass wave launch, owing to the ability to tune the REL’s crossover to the longest distance in the room in
order to produce the longest, therefore lowest frequency, bass waves.
1a Stereo Set-Up of G1 Mk II: (see page 20 through 23 for Stereo Set-Up procedure). When this step has
been completed, proceed to Number 2, immediately below.
2 The Process: To begin the set-up process, choose a piece of music that has a repeve bass line that is
very low in frequency. We suggest track 4 from the soundtrack to Sneakers (Columbia CK 53146). This has
a repeve bass drum throughout that gives you plenty of me to move the woofer around, but more
importantly, the venue was quite large for this recording, and therefore it has a very deep and large-scale
bass signature. This track is perfect for the set-up process and should be played at the highest reasonable
level expected for system playback.
Working with a partner, one in the listening posion and one at the REL manipulang the controls, is
the most eecve and ecient way to set up the REL. If working alone, the inial steps in the set-up can
be very eecvely carried out from the locaon of the REL. Trying to ignore all other music in the track,
listen for the bass drum and its eect on the listening room.