REL Acoustics ‘Q’ range User manual
19
REL Set-Up Made Simpler
Connecting
High-level connection, using the enclosed cable, is always the first choice. The standard high
level hook up procedure is: attach the red wire to the amplifier’s right positive speaker output
terminal; attach the yellow wire to the amplifier’s left positive speaker output terminal; attach
the black wire to which ever of the amplifier’s ground output terminals is convenient; plug the
connector into the “Hi Level” input. For connection to a differential amplifier consult your
dealer.
Positioning
Primary Placement, for a REL is in one of the corners behind the main speakers.
Phase Selection is the next step. Keep in mind; the correct phase is whichever position is the loudest
or fullest. While playing music with true low bass, adjust the crossover to a point where the sub and
the speaker are sure to share frequencies (B, 3 for big speakers or C, 4 for smaller speakers). At this
point adjust the gain so that both sub and speaker are roughly equal in output and then switch, using
the “mode selector” switch, from “0” (position 1) to “180” (position 3) phase positions. Again,
whichever position is loudest or fullest is the correct position, and, as often as not, may be 180-
degree phase (see enclosed “Control Panel” section from the owner’s manual).
Orientation. With phase correct, it is important to site the woofer in the corner by determining which
wall, the side or the rear, the REL’s amp should face. Flip the sub back and forth in the corner, and,
again as with phase, whichever position sounds the loudest is the correct orientation for the sub. For
Q series, if possible, point the driver directly out of the corner, equidistant from the side walls.
Final Position. The next step is to determine precisely how far out from the corner the sub should be
to achieve the most efficient output, as well as the lowest frequency extension. With the sub fully into
the corner, continuing to play the music, slowly pull the sub from the corner on the diagonal,
equidistant from both side and rear wall. At a certain point (sometimes a matter of only a few inches,
in rare cases a foot or more) the sub will audibly go lower, play louder, and, if it truly locks on to the
room and is fully pressurising it, the air around the sub will seem to be energised. Stop right there!
This is the correct position for the sub.
Adjusting
Crossover Selection. To determine the crossover point, bring the gain down, put the crossover to A-1
(or B-2 should output not be sufficient), and then bring the gain back up to the point where you have
achieved a subtle balance. Working only with the coarse control (A-D), bring the crossover point up
until it is obviously too high, at this point bring it down to the next lowest setting. Now, working with
the fine control (1-6), bring up the crossover point until it sounds too high, at which point bring it back
down to the next lowest setting. For all intents and purposes, this is the correct crossover point. Once
this stage has been reached, subtle changes to gain and crossover can be accomplished to provide
the last bit of complete and seamless integration. For Q series, use the variable controls in much the
same way, slowly turning up both gain and crossover until excess output is realised, then back down
a soft-click or two.
Including Theatre
Multi-channel systems LFE output should be connected to the low-level input and appropriate gain
adjustments made at this point. It may be necessary to take the crossover out of the low-level input
using the “mode” switch if extra upper bass output is called for. Keep phase consistent with what was
selected during high-level set-up by simply choosing the corresponding setting (1 = 2, 3 = 4). When
connecting to the low level inputs, connect a single RCA cable to the 0dB RCA jack. Should
additional gain be required, connect to the +12 dB input.
