Proper way to hook up a REL Sub

[Rick U]

I have a REL Strata III I was using prior to getting my McIntosh equipment. The new McIntosh sounded so much better than the Krell integrated, I haven't had the urge to hook up the sub. Of course I have to try i,t but Im not sure which outputs to tap into. My Speakers are 6 ohm and the owners manual stated to drop down if in-between outputs. The REL also connects to the amp outputs. The confusion is that the sub is 8 ohm. Do I connect it with my speakers to the 4 ohm or connect to the 8 ohm outputs. My guess is to connect them to the same as the speakers but I don't want to guess on this.

[bart1]

I am pretty sure it won't matter. The input is extremely high impedance and only gets a sample if the signal, not really pulling any power. I'll piggyback your question with another for the experts though. I've thought of getting REL sub(s) and my monitors are actively crossed over at 100 Hz high pass. They won't work lroperly this way, I would assume?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Rick U

I have a REL Strata III I was using prior to getting my McIntosh equipment. The new McIntosh sounded so much better than the Krell integrated, I haven't had the urge to hook up the sub. Of course I have to try i,t but Im not sure which outputs to tap into. My Speakers are 6 ohm and the owners manual stated to drop down if in-between outputs. The REL also connects to the amp outputs. The confusion is that the sub is 8 ohm. Do I connect it with my speakers to the 4 ohm or connect to the 8 ohm outputs. My guess is to connect them to the same as the speakers but I don't want to guess on this.

Make sure you check with McIntosh to connect a REL sub with Speakon cables properly. When they connected the REL G1 to my 1.2ks one of the wires was connected to a screw in the chassis and not one of the speaker taps. The learned here can explain why, something to do with the design of certain Mac amps.

[cougit25]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Make sure you check with McIntosh to connect a REL sub with Speakon cables properly. When they connected the REL G1 to my 1.2ks one of the wires was connected to a screw in the chassis and not one of the speaker taps. The learned here can explain why, something to do with the design of certain Mac amps.

I agree 100%. I had an REL some years ago and the connection scheme was different because my MC402 is a fully balanced amp. My memory of that scheme escapes me now.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by cougit25

I agree 100%. I had an REL some years ago and the connection scheme was different because my MC402 is a fully balanced amp. My memory of that scheme escapes me now.

I am really interested in this topic. I have had REL subs hooked up in the conventional REL manner to McIntosh amps for 5 yrs now -- 1st MC402 and now MC501s. I don't have hum. Never have. Am I losing subwoofer performance?? I don't really know my exact wiring scheme now -- I am using aftermarket Signal Cable brand REL custom cables with the standard 3 wires per sub reduced to the typical 2 leads, black and red (I think the yellow and black combine to black, dunno). Each sub is hooked up to its dedicated channel (501) via the 4 ohm +/- taps that are supplying my Sophia 3 speakers.

[Rick U]

Interesting, someone told me that's how they recommend hooking up to a digital amp. I sent an email to tech support.

[edward3132]

It depends if your amplifier is truly fully balanced or not.

From the manual:

For differential (i.e. fully balanced) amplifiers using one REL, simply use
the standard connecting scheme with the exception of connecting the black
wire to chassis ground (i.e. a metal bolt or screw, preferably not painted or
anodized, on the chassis of the power amp or receiver), not to a negative
speaker terminal,, and then connecting into the HIGH LEVEL INPUT on the
REL. Please contact your dealer should there be any questions concerning
this or any other hookup procedure.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by edward3132

It depends if your amplifier is truly fully balanced or not.

From the manual:

For differential (i.e. fully balanced) amplifiers using one REL, simply use
the standard connecting scheme with the exception of connecting the black
wire to chassis ground (i.e. a metal bolt or screw, preferably not painted or
anodized, on the chassis of the power amp or receiver), not to a negative
speaker terminal,, and then connecting into the HIGH LEVEL INPUT on the
REL. Please contact your dealer should there be any questions concerning
this or any other hookup procedure.

+1 This is the correct way.

[Mac6]

Originally Posted by edward3132

It depends if your amplifier is truly fully balanced or not.

From the manual:

For differential (i.e. fully balanced) amplifiers using one REL, simply use
the standard connecting scheme with the exception of connecting the black
wire to chassis ground (i.e. a metal bolt or screw, preferably not painted or
anodized, on the chassis of the power amp or receiver), not to a negative
speaker terminal,, and then connecting into the HIGH LEVEL INPUT on the
REL. Please contact your dealer should there be any questions concerning
this or any other hookup procedure.

Hello, I'm finding I may have had my wiring wrong for years! Do you have the Neutrik plug inserted into the HI Level Input of the REL or into the BALANCED HI Input socket? Also, is this dependant on using the balanced inputs of the MC402? I have been using XLR plugs into the 402 but using the HI Input on the REL as opposed to the BALANCED Hi Inpit, and also have not been grounding the yellow wire. Should I use the Balanced Hi Input of the REL and put yellow to ground? Does this make the bass mono? Thank you!

[Rick U]

Is this site full of good information or what? I'm assuming the MC302 is fully balanced right?