REL: False clues

REL Speakers make some of the best subwoofers in the world. Owner and chief bass’ifier, John Hunter, is nothing short of a magician when it comes to setting up a system.

John gets the true purpose of a subwoofer. To fill in for the main speaker.

A perfectly set up subwoofer disappears. Only the main speakers seem to be working.

Which can be a bit of a visual struggle when you see a stack of 8 subs (4 per side) next to the main speakers.

One might think the room is going to boom like nothing you’ve ever heard. Time to nail down the pant legs when when the music starts.

And yet, the sound is perfect. The subs disappear. The main speakers are perfect.

It’s why so many folks get the purpose of subwoofers wrong. It’s why more subs are typically better than fewer (it’s the room we’re battling).

Subs give visually false clues. They look like they’re ready to overpower the room.

But when set up right, they no longer exist.

PAUL McGOWAN / PS AUDIO

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