About The REL T/9x Subwoofer
The 300 Watt dual driver REL T/9x subwoofer is the big daddy of REL's T/x range and it's the one to choose if you want the maximum impact and lowest bass. With a 10" active driver and a 10" passive radiator the T/9x can move a huge amount of air and can pressurise even quite large rooms. Of course for the most even bass response using two T/9x's in a stereo system and even more in a home theatre setup is definitely the way to go.
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.
The all new 9x has even greater output than before, but the headline news is the way it sacrifices nothing in clarity and transparency to achieve this. At this price it opens the pathway for owners of high performance European floor and stand mounted monitors and smaller panel speakers to enjoy truly full range sound.
Reimagined, Then Re-engineered - A Completely Redesigned Flagship: Many don't realise the intense connection between performance and design at REL. Performance is everything to REL and it leads to physical design solutions. Thus it is, that REL's engineers, in recognising the need for greater cabinet volume to achieve the goals of greater fluidity and power, turn to the designer. The designer then works dimensions to fool the eye into seeing a smaller, more compact footprint, even though cabinet volume increases. Using gently rounded corner radii that allows the eye to flow over and see less visual mass, the result is both modern and clean with no unnecessary adornment.
Outsized Performance - Innovative Alloy/Fibre Bass Engines: To achieve higher output with better control requires a complete overhaul of the suspension components. Much like the suspension on a sports car, these items are responsible for the tuning and feel of REL's designs. By increasing the cabinet volume, efficiency is improved yielding higher output for no more amplifier power. Less back pressure inside the cabinet means REL can tune for a stiffer, better controlled driver suspension. T/9x features two drivers - a forward-firing long throw 254mm (10") FibreAlloy™ driver with an inverted alloy dust cap and steel chassis & a down firing 254mm passive radiator for a driven surface area of a 375mm - equivalent to a 15" driver! The result is a subwoofer with greater transparency and considerably better attack and dynamics than its predecessor.
Tried & True Amplifiers - The Power Behind The Brawn: REL has retained their signature Class A/B amplifiers used in every generation of Serie T since 2006. Reliability is the key to happy ownership and with some 200,000 and counting of this range leading long happy lives, Serie T/x owners can feel certain of REL's standard setting reliability. The powerful 300 Watt mosfet amplifier used in the T/9x remains an icon of sound and reliability with huge reserves of current. Massive power supplies are used and small upgrades are found everywhere. New driver mosfets that open up performance and transparency and new methods for securing the toroidal transformers mean better performance and superior strength. Unique tuning and special limiters means the T/x range sounds fresher, faster and more dynamic than before.
High Level Input: REL's legendary High Level Input connection and fast filters are a significant part of the REL story. Connecting via the speaker outputs of your amplifier without drawing any power from it may seem like magic, but the real magic lies in the way the sound takes on a natural character. It also means you can use a REL subwoofer with any amplifier, not just one with a subwoofer output. Very useful.
Bassline Blue: Although all REL Subwoofers are supplied standard with a Hi-Level Cable, REL also offer an upgrade Hi-Level Cable called Bassline Blue. This REL designed cable is the perfect way to improve the sound quality of your REL Subwoofer and in fact your entire system. The Bassline Blue cable is an upgrade every REL owner should investigate.
Zero Compression Wireless - Unlimited Possibilities: REL have developed a sterling reputation for building the finest sounding, fastest wireless systems available in the industry. REL never rely upon digital compression as it results in thin, lifeless sound. Instead, they have perfected an (optional) Arrow Wireless system; so fast and dynamic REL is comfortable encouraging the use of wireless on one channel of a pair of RELs while the other channel may be connected hardwired with cable.
The ability to banish signal wiring between the subwoofer and your amplifier is something many people dream of and Arrow delivers this wireless connection with zero compression. Super-fast delivery of both High Level Bass and .1/ LFE ensures the rich, natural warmth that only RELs can deliver. With a throw distance of some 13.7 metres Arrow permits flexible placement without sacrificing sound quality. Arrow technology is built into all REL T/x subwoofers. The Arrow Transmitter/Receiver hardware is available separately as an optional extra.
Our Take
What if we told you the REL T/9x has the lightest of touches yet offers absolutely massive amounts of clean dynamic bass. Ok, so the 'clean dynamic bass' part sounds reasonable but what does 'lightness of touch' have to do with a subwoofer? Well, most bookshelf & floorstanding speakers are quick, by which we mean the drivers react quickly to a music signal. Unfortunately, most subwoofers are slow, which means they stand out by being out of time with the main speakers. This comes across as a thickening in the bottom end that almost sounds like cardboard flapping. This is especially noticeable when subwoofers are used in a music system. Instruments like double bass, drums and bass guitars get smeared in time and no amount of adjustment can help.
Let's give you some figures to help explain. A standard speaker's response time is around 4ms (milli-seconds) whereas most subwoofers have a response time between 37ms & 80ms. REL subwoofers feature response times of 9ms for the Serie Tx range, 7ms for the Serie S range & just 4ms for the Gibraltar series.
This is obviously a huge point of difference and REL pride themselves on making the quickest subwoofers on the planet which means when you combine them with your speakers of choice they sing with one voice, completely in time with each other. This makes tuning a REL much easier and takes away that universal concern most people have that the subwoofer will stand out in the system, for all the wrong reasons. In fact, with a little care and attention, you can get any REL to completely disappear sonically and yet still have all the advantages of better bass extension, greater dynamics, clearer mids and highs and a hugely extended soundstage – all from adding a REL subwoofer (or two).
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Active Subwoofer with Front-Firing Active Driver, Down-Firing Passive
- Active Drive Unit: 1 x 254mm (10") long-throw, FibreAlloy™ inverted alloy dust cap, steel chassis woofer
- Passive Radiator: 1 x 254mm (10") long-throw, inverted dust cap auxiliary bass radiator
- Input Connectors: Hi Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level single RCA, LFE (Low Frequency Effects) RCA
- Wireless Capability: Zero Compression REL Arrow Wireless system – available separately
- Lower Frequency Response: 27 Hz at -6 dB
- Amplifier Power Output: 300 Watts (RMS)
- Amplifier Type: Class AB
- Phase Switch: 0 or 180 degrees
- AC Input Voltage: 230-240V/50Hz
- Fuses: 3.15 Amp semi delay
- Protection System
- Fully Electronic SET-SAFE
- D.C. Fault
- Output Short
- Supplied Accessories
- Neutrik Speakon High Level Interconnect (10 Metres Nominal)
- Detachable Mains Lead - Upgrade to IsoTek for better performance
- User Manual
- High Level Cable Upgrade: The REL Bassline Blue is the perfect way to improve the sound quality of your REL subwoofer
- Available Finishes: High Gloss Black & High Gloss White (5 Coats)
- Dimensions Including Feet: (WxHxD) 370 x 340 x 393mm
- Nett Weight: 20.6kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE