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Low-level connecon (via phono connectors) is always an opon if high-level connecon is not possible.
When connecng to the low-level inputs in a system in which high-level connecon is not possible, such as
if using internally-amplied speakers, connect le and right phono cables between the LOW LEVEL INPUT
jacks of the REL and the le and right channel outputs of your preamplier.
When connecng to a home cinema system where there is a .1/LFE channel output, connect a single phono
cable between the sub output of the processor/receiver and the .1/LFE input jack on the REL.
1 Posioning: The opmal posion for a REL is in one of the corners behind the main speakers. This posion
provides 9 dB of mechanical amplicaon and allows for the most linear true low bass wave launch, owing
to the ability to tune the REL to the longest distance in the room in order to produce the longest, therefore
lowest, bass waves.
2 The Process: To begin the set-up process, choose a piece of music that has a repeve bass line that is
very low in frequency. We suggest track 4 from the soundtrack to Sneakers (Columbia CK 53146). This has
a repeve 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 type of 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 posion and one at the REL manipulang the controls, is the
most eecve and ecient way to set up the REL. If working alone, the inial steps in the set-up can be very
eecvely carried out from the locaon of the REL. Trying to ignore all other music in the track, listen for
the bass drum and its eect on the listening room.
3 Phase Orientaon: Once in the corner we need to adjust for phase. This may be the single most crical step,
and because it really is quite simple, it is oen over-thought. Keep in mind; the right phase is whichever
posion is the loudest or fullest. While playing music with true low bass, adjust the crossover to a point
where the REL and the speaker are sure to share frequencies (about halfway up, or at 12 o’clock on the
crossover control, or slightly higher for smaller speakers). At this point turn the HI/LOW LEVEL control up so
that both the REL and speaker are roughly equal in volume and then switch, using the phase switch, from
“0” to “180” phase posions. Again, whichever posion is loudest or fullest is the correct posion. That is,
when the posion is working in harmony with your main speakers, reinforcing bass, not cancelling it.
4 Placement: The next step is to determine precisely how far from the corner the sub should be placed to
achieve the most ecient output, as well as the lowest frequency extension. With the REL fully into the
corner, and poinng straight out along the diagonal coming out of the corner, connuing to play the music,
slowly pull the REL from the corner on the diagonal, equidistant from both side and rear wall. At a certain
point (somemes a maer of only a few inches, in rare cases a foot or more) the REL will audibly go lower,
play louder, and, if it truly locks on to the room and is fully pressurizing it, the air around the REL will seem
to be energized, stop right there! This is the correct posion from the corner for the REL.
5 Orientaon: Once the posion from the corner has been established, the orientaon of the woofer
must be determined by rotang the REL from an imagined centre point at the rear of the REL. As the REL is
moved from one side to the other listen for the greatest level of output and bass linearity. In eect, the REL
should be le in the posion where it is playing the loudest and lowest.
6 Crossover and Level Sengs: To determine the crossover point, take the volume of the REL (using the
HI/LO Level control) all the way down, and put the crossover to 30 Hz. At this point, bring the REL’s volume
back up slowly to the point where you have achieved a subtle balance, i.e. the point at which you can hear
the REL even with the main speakers playing. Now, bring the crossover point up unl it is obviously too
high; at this point bring it down to the appropriate lower seng. For all intents and purposes, this is the
correct crossover point. Once this stage has been reached, subtle changes to volume and crossover can be
accomplished to provide the last bit of complete and seamless integraon. With that, set-up is complete.
Hint: There may be a tendency to set the crossover point too high and the volume of the Sub-Bass System
too low when rst learning how to integrate a REL with the system, the fear being one of overwhelming the
main speakers with bass. But in doing so, the resulng set-up will be lacking in bass depth and dynamics. The
proper crossover point and volume seng will increase overall dynamics, allow for extended bass frequencies,
and improve soundstage properes. Note, volume must be adjusted in conjuncon with crossover changes.
In general, when selecng a lower crossover point, more volume may need to be applied.