THE ALL NEW REL TX SERIES
/As many of you may know, REL are a company that specialise in subwoofers and subwoofers alone. For them, this is a passion. They are on an endless mission to redefine their creations and like many manufacturers in the world of Hi-Fi, are constantly aiming to achieve perfection.
REL Series T - Where ‘’T’’ stands for Tasteful!
REL’s main idea behind the ‘’T’’ series, was to create a range of subwoofers in such a way, that not only they could look stylish and delicate enough to fit in almost any home, but to also offer the right model for the right space. And if you ask me, they deliver in spectacular fashion.
REL’s latest entry to the family, the “T/x” range is set to be a huge improvement on its award winning predecessor, as well as offering an affordable alternative over their flagship ‘’S’’ series.
Let’s go over their latest entries and get ourselves familiarised with the subs.
REL T/5x
“Perfect for small and medium rooms, T/5x seats perfectly into any décor. Floor-firing is part of its secret; bass energy strikes the floor and spreads uniformly throughout the space making it perform like a larger model.
Slightly larger in volume than its predecessor, it actually appears to be smaller due to subtle design changes to minimize it’s visual presence. Finally, 5 hand polished coats of lacquer, in your choice of High Gloss White or Piano Black, add lustre to the softly rounded cabinetry.”
The REL T5i had always been a firm favourite at Audio T Portsmouth, so we couldn’t wait to put this latest incarnation to the test. Needless to say, it really delivers!
We’d consider it to be the perfect subwoofer for most small rooms. It gives an extra level of performance that you may be lacking from your existing loudspeakers, but didn’t even know.
REL T5X REAR CONTROLS
The UNDERCARRIAGE of the t5x
A common misconception is that a subwoofer will just add extra bass to your system, but what it does is expand the sound stage not only horizontally, but also vertically, creating extra depth and detail to your listening experience.
We paired the REL T/5x with the Naim Uniti Nova streamer amplifier and the ATC SCM7 loudspeakers. By no means an “entry-level” system, but one that we know well.
Using TIDAL hi-res streaming service through the Naim App, we auditioned Uncle Lucius – Keep The Wolves Away track as a reference. We find it’s a brilliant test piece due to it’s fantastically mixed performance of bassy lows and detailed highs.
We started our listening experiment without the subwoofer and then, whilst the track was in full swing, we flicked the switch... Words cannot describe what I felt when I started listening to that big floor tom resonating around the room. Bass was travelling around the space so smoothly and discreetly, giving the experience of an actual live stage performance. You wouldn’t expect such an influence on the overall sound experience out of an 8’’ driver, however due to the floor-firing process the sub just gives it a warmer; and at the same time punchier approach.
Like I said before, this was not an entry-level setup, so to experience such a difference in performance with the inclusion of a subwoofer makes you think what you could achieve with lesser systems.
REL T/7x
“T/7x is, without reservation, one of the most-balanced REL’s of all time. T/7x manages to make it all seem easy. Quick and delicate for a perfect blend, it can pound out exceptionally deep, tuneful bass that belies its size and plays louder than most will ever require.”
no, this isn’t a wood finish. that’s the incredible gloss black reflecting our wooden wall.
This is where things start to get a little bit more serious. With the T/7x we still get the same 8’’ floor-firing driver, but it is accompanied by an additional forward firing 10’’ passive driver. This combination delivers a clean and a well timed performance.
We conducted the same method as we did with the T/5x. Again, with the Naim Uniti Nova streamer, the ATC SCM7 loudspeakers, using the same track to give both subwoofers an equal comparison. As before, we were stunned by the precision and detail of the sound. The way this subwoofer hugs the surroundings is beyond any words. So much deeper than it’s ‘’little brother’’, making a clear statement: this is one of the best, medium-scaled subs if not the best in it’s category. It filled the room with a deep sound, however leaving enough room for the rest of the frequencies to breathe, making it an incredible listening experience.
REL T/9x
“The job of any range topper for REL is to deliver more of everything, particularly output and dynamics. The 9x is no different in this regard, as it delivers the goods in both music and theatre applications. 9x, however, delivers a level of intimacy, clarity and speed that means there are no longer trade-offs between the sonic balance of smaller models weighed against the power and scale of a model 9.”
As REL say themselves, the T/9x delivers more of everything. It basically does everything that the T/7x is capable of, just bigger and better, with its 300W output. So we put the T/9x to the test, however, we didn’t feel that the size of our demo room allowed us to witness it’s full potential as a Hi-Fi sub. This time, we decided to connect the T/9x to a home cinema setup, just to see what we could get from some dramatic action sound effects. It’s safe to say it delivered a full, punchy, vivid sound that easily filled our room without having to turn the volume up high. I really wish we could have had the opportunity to give it a go in a larger room and explore its full capability.
Our Verdict
An overall impressive experience. We enjoyed every little bit playing around with these three subs, tweaking the crossover knobs to effortlessly find the sweet spot, or fine tuning the hi/low level knob which would provide a more colourful approach on the bass.
All three subs performed beyond our expectations. Any one would be an incredible addition to any Hi-Fi or Home Cinema set-up. The only real factors to consider when choosing which one you’ll go for is room size and budget. I’d would strongly recommend to anyone looking to buy a subwoofer, to book an appointment and have a listen.
Thank you for reading - Aga, Luke, Jake and Nick - Audio T Portsmouth
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REL can be found at the following Audio-T stores
