Proper way to hook up a REL Sub

[McGuyDLF]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

McGuy - Check out all of the information in this thread that I was a part of regarding REL subs and the McIntosh 402...

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=42358

Yes, the way you stated above is the way it's recommended from REL, verified with their tech support folks.....the rub here was that there was some incompatibility between the 402 and this hookup method....read through this. I always had to use the RCA connection when I had my RELs and the 402 due to lack of output. Read through it and report back when you get your REL.

- Buck

Thanks Buck - this is getting annoying. But this is the email I received from Chuck at McIntosh directly:

Hi David,
Yes, the MC402 is Quad Balanced and can not be run with the negatives tied together, do not use the REL speaker level connector.

Connect low level from your preamp to the REL RCA inputs.

[McGuyDLF]

But what he says doesn't make sense to me. i'm not tying any negatives together. In fact, there aren't two negatives at all, only one, and according to REL, it would just float and connect to nothing at all. Confusion!!!!!!!!!

[duffy1212]

McGuyDLF, the method that you mentioned is correct when connecting the REL with speakon connector. Red and yellow to right and left positive terminals. I connected the black to one of the chassis screws. I run two RELs with my MC452 and connect both red and yellow for each to the corresponding positive terminal. Black from both to the same chassis screw. I did try connecting the black to the negative amp terminals and while I didn't get any hum or noise, the power guard indicators were flashing at relatively low wattage. Back to the chassis screws. REL recommends speakon connection as best for 2 channel use.

[richardallred]

Mc 2301 are quad balanced and mine work fine with the black connected to chassis

[Still-One]

When I had REL G1's and 1.2k's I connected the black to a screw on the chassis as suggested in conversation with both REL and the people at McIntosh. I figured it was good to heed their warnings.

[McGuyDLF]

just any screw available on the chassis? I know, stupid question...thanks!

[McGuyDLF]

And thanks everyone!

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by McGuyDLF

And thanks everyone!

There is a lot of confusion out there regarding REL subs and how they’re hooked up, I’ve seen numerous threads on other sites as well. I can confirm being a long time MC 402 owner that you can indeed use the REL neutrik connections like stated above. My problem was output......there just wasn’t hardly any volume this way so I had to use the line level connections. Try both and see what your results are.....I’m curious to see if you have the same issue I did.

- Buck

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

There is a lot of confusion out there regarding REL subs and how they’re hooked up, I’ve seen numerous threads on other sites as well. I can confirm being a long time MC 402 owner that you can indeed use the REL neutrik connections like stated above. My problem was output......there just wasn’t hardly any volume this way so I had to use the line level connections. Try both and see what your results are.....I’m curious to see if you have the same issue I did.

- Buck

That sounds odd. No issues that I remember.

[tdelahanty]

Originally Posted by j3brow

So what does it mean if the sub gnd terminal will float? What is the consequence? Hum?

It means there is no gnd. at the speaker binding post. The REL blk. wire is not used (unless connecting it to chassis gnd. stops the hum), you may have to run a separate wire from the gnd. side of the amp's rca input to the sub's rca-in gnd.