SpeakerTalk

Rigley · Last edited by Rigley on Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:51 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi,
Just wondering if any of you have any experience setting up a Rel Strata 1 sub with some 104/2's? I have a Yamaha RX-3800 AV Amp which has a LFE output, though the sub being a bit older has no LFE input . I know I can wire the speakers through the Rel or should I connect the pre amp outputs from the amp directly to the phono inputs on the sub for best results? I am looking for best music sound, home theater is secondary.
Also I would like to know the best way to balance the sub to the speakers. Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

Rigley · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 8:02 pm Post subject:

Has anyone had any experience whatsoever setting up a subwoofer to some 104/2's?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

SaSi · Senior Contributor 200+ Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 256

I don't have a pair of 104/2 but do have a functional pair of 107. Similar bandpass design.

Although it's not the same speaker design, the bandpass low frequency section is able to give a real hard punch and withstand even low frequency effects.

The 104/2 were designed (and the KUBE enhanced) a low frequency elevated response, somewhat a departure from the aim of flat response, smooth rolloff of the previous designs.

For that reason, I am guessing your 104/2s should perform at least decently full range without a need for the sub - provided you have the KUBE.

If you need more punch, you would have to find a very decent subwoofer. The ones promising to fix the low end for 15lt bookshelf speakers won't do any good.

Rigley · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 8:24 pm Post subject:

Hi SaSi,

Thanks for your response, are you saying I would be better off getting a Kube to go with my 104/2's than using my REL Sub?

From what I have read on forums, people say that the Kube can affect clarity of the sound? As I have the Sub already, I was wondering if I could work and integrate it into the rest of my system successfully?

Thanks

SaSi · Senior Contributor 200+ Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 256

Obviously, if you have the sub, use it.

Regarding using the KUBE or not, there are those who find the op amps in most KUBEs offending and swap them for better ones or prefer to listen without the equalizer.

I would say it's all a matter of personal taste. Haven't heard the 104/2 ever so I can't offer an opinion.

But with the 107, without any equalization they sound fine. Before I got the 107 KUBE I approximated the equalization as best I could using a Technics 9010 parametric equalizer - bottom two bands. That made it sound great. The drivers could easily take the bass boost down to the 20-30Hz range without getting into clipping.

With the KUBE they sound perfect, robust and - funny - more clear. I am guessing that as I was approximating the equalization with the parametric, I was obviously off and a bit on the boomy side. Like a unit with a high Q can sound a bit rich in bass but muddy.

Rigley · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:56 pm Post subject:

Might be time to track down a Kube to match my 104/2's and have a play!

Thanks for your help.