REL Acoustics T/i Series User manual

Operang Instrucons for the
S e r i e T / i
S u b - B a s s
S y s t e m s
REL Acouscs Limited
North Road, Bridgend industrial Estate . Bridgend, CF31 3TP . United Kingdom
Telephone: [phone] . Fax: [phone]
Web: www.rel.net

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.
Important Safety Instrucons ........................................................................................................................... 3
Informaons Importantes Relaves a la Securite ............................................................................................ 6
Welcome to the REL Family .............................................................................................................................. 8
REL Serie S Rear Panel Connecon Legend ..................................................................................................... 9
Connecng Up ............................................................................................................................................... 11
REL Set-Up Made Simple ............................................................................................................................... 13
Technical ........................................................................................................................................................ 20
T/9i Specicaons .......................................................................................................................................... 23
T/7i Specicaons .......................................................................................................................................... 24
T/5i Specicaons .......................................................................................................................................... 25
Table of Contents

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 storsm 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
4
Warning / Averssement
To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Cet arcle est lourd. Pour éviter tout risque de blessure, prendre soin lors de la manipulaon.
The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases,
shall be placed on apparatus.
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.
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.
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.
Design Safety
This apparatus is supplied with a detachable mains cord. For 230V operaon a 1.6A/ T/5i, 2A/ T/7i, 3.15A/
T/9i fuse is ed in the socket, for 120V operaon a 3.15A/ T/5i, 4A/ T/7i, 6.3A/ T/9i 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.

5
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).
6
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

87
Sécurité Design
Cet appareil est livré avec un cordon amovible cordon. Pour le fonconnement d’un fusible de 230V 1.6A/
T/5i, 2A/ T/7i, 3.15A/ T/9i est montée dans la douille, pour le fonconnement de 120V un fusible de 3.15A/
T/5i, 4A/ T/7i, 6.3A/ T/9i 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.
Thank you, your new SerieT/i is designed to set a new standard for excellence in its category. T/i is beer in
every way than the previous generaon Serie T, which itself set new standards for performance, reliability
and beauty in design. The REL design team had to re-think how subwoofers were likely to be used in the
years to come and we believe we have hit the precise balance of ease of use, upgraded sonic performance
and we even managed to improve on the physical beauty and quality of nish.
Wait ll you experience the oponal Arrow™ wireless system. There’s nothing quite like realizing you really
can have it all; great performance and no visible wires. The key to its excellence is its speed which is like
nothing in the more common Bluetooth et al consumer-based systems. Latency, or delay, is the great bugaboo
of wireless systems because it can rob music and lm of all the warmth, punch and excitement of the real
thing. Arrow operates in the region of 15-22 milliseconds, which is many mes faster than more common
systems and results in performance very close indeed to the performance of a hardwired connecon.
Our engineers focused on bringing as much of the power, speed, slam (and delicacy) of our larger models to
T/i. We make extensive use of aluminium bracing in our new cone structures to produce a lighter and much
more rigid piston to drive the dynamics of music and lm with greater authority. We even removed the carbon
black from our cones because the added mass slowed the sound noceably. White, it’s the new black.
The one thing we didn’t change was the now-classic REL Class A/B power ampliers because no other
designs at anything close to these prices deliver the combinaon of rugged reliability, immense reserves of
current and brilliant sonics these designs deliver. At REL, we are commied to constantly--some would say
relentlessly--upgrading our oerings but we always do so in a sensible manner that retains the tried-and-true
while pushing forward in every other aspect of our designs. We trust you will enjoy your new T/i for many
years to come.
Welcome to the REL Family

9 10
REL Serie T/i Rear Panel Connecon Legend
1 Wireless Interface Socket: Used to connect ARROW™ wireless system.
2 Phase: Used to set phase 0-180 degrees.
3 Volume Control for HI/LOW Level input: Use to adjust output when using either HI Level or LOW Level
input. Do not use both simultaneously.
4 Crossover: Used to select crossover frequency. Variable between 30Hz and 120Hz.
5 Low-Level Phono Input: Used to connect low-level to the output of a preamplier, integrated amplier
or receiver. (For home cinema, use .1/LFE input).
6 Volume Control for .1/LFE Input: Use to adjust output level when using .1/LFE input from a 5.1 amplier
or processor.
7 High-Level Neutrik® Speakon® Socket: Use to connect high-level to the main front amplier speaker
terminals.
8 .1/LFE Phono Input: Used to connect to the .1/LFE output from a 5.1 amplier of processor.
9 Power Pilot Light: Power On/O indicator.
10 Power ON/OFF Switch: Use to turn unit on or o.
11 IEC Mains Socket: Fused mains (AC) input socket that accepts a detachable power cord.
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Always switch o your system before disconnecng any wires.
To increase the versality of connecng up, the SerieT/i models have three separate inputs. A Neutrik®
Speakon® socket and two phono sockets. 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 which is
connected to the power amplier’s le and right channel speaker terminals. This has the advantage of
ensuring that the REL receives exactly the same signal as the main speakers. This means that the character
of the bass from the main system is carried forward into the sub-bass. This is a very important point and
together with the REL’s Acve Bass Controller (ABC) ensures far superior system integraon of the sub-bass
with the main system.
The low-level input is via two separate phono jacks that connect to either the .1/LFE output of a home
cinema amplier/processor or to the output of a stereo preamplier.
HI LEVEL and .1/LFE inputs can be used simultaneously. The benets are two-fold when used with a home
cinema system. 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
“Theater Applicaons” for more informaon.
Connecng to the Power Amplier Using the Speakon® High Level Input
To engage the Neutrik® Speakon® plug, insert fully into socket and rotate clockwise unl locked.
To r em ov e th e Ne u tr ik ® S pe ako n® pl ug , g ri p bo dy of p lu g , pl ac e t hu mb o n c hr om e le ve r, m ov e l ev er b ac k wa rd s ,
rotate plug anclockwise quarter turn and withdraw.
The high-level input 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.
High-Level Input: Connecons should be made to the same binding post on main amplier as the main
Connecng Up 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 HI LEVEL Speakon® socket.
.1 Input: This requires a phono-to-phono 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 phono input allows 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 phono-phono
cable into the LOW LEVEL INPUT jack of the REL and the other end into the le or right channel output of
your preamplier.
PHASE SWITCH – Used to set phase
Posion 0 / High-Level, Low-Level or LFE: 0 degrees phase
Posion 180 / High-Level, Low-Level or LFE: 180 degrees phase
PHASE SELECTION AFFECTS BOTH HIGH- AND LOW-LEVEL INPUTS
Crossover is always engaged for Hi level input. The .1/LFE signal does not pass through the crossover circuit.

13 14
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 15 Hz.
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 labours 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.
REL Set-Up Made Simple • 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.
• 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: The SerieT/i models are equipped with internal circuitry to allow seamless connecon to Class-D (digital)
ampliers. If connecng to a Class-D amplier, follow the above connecon procedure for dierenal ampliers.
Standard High-level
Dierenal (i.e. Fully Balanced)

15 16
• If connecng RELs to Mono Bloc amplifers we strongly advocate using (2) RELs, one for each amplier.
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.
Mono Bloc
Mono Bloc Dierenal
• If connecng a single REL as a dedicated center channel sub, please consider connecng to the rear of the
speaker, rather than roung the REL High Level cable all the way back to the amplier. Connect the black
wire of the REL to the negave center channel speaker terminal; twist together the red and yellow wires
and connect this pair to the posive center 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.
Dedicated Rear Channel
Dedicated Center Channel