Owner’s Manual R-Series SUB-BASS SYSTEMS R-205, R-305, R-505 REL Acoustics Limited North Road, Bridgend Industrial Estate Bridgend, CF31 3TP United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1 656 768 777 Fax: +44 (0) 1 656 766 093 Web: www.rel.
Contents Important Safeguards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 World Wide Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Service After Warranty . . . . . . . . . . .
Important Safeguards 1 Read all of these instructions. 2 Save these instructions for future use. 3 Unplug from the wall socket before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 4 Do not use near water. 5 Do not place on a stand or table; it may fall causing injury to a child or adult, and damage to the unit. 6 The unit should only be operated from the power source indicated on the panel of the amplifier. 7 Only use the power cord supplied.
Welcome Thank you for buying a REL R-Series Sub-Bass System. Our R-Series is carefully hand built using the finest materials available and is designed for maximum performance. This manual contains important safety information as well as helpful advice and should be carefully studied before connecting up. World Wide Warranty In addition to any local warranty, REL offer a 3-year conditional worldwide warranty to the end user. It is done in collaboration with our distributors.
Design Safety This apparatus is designed to Class II specification and is double insulated, therefore it does not require to be earthed. This apparatus is supplied with a fitted mains plug. For North American operation a 3.15 Amp fuse is fitted in the plug. Should the fuse need to be replaced use a similar rated fuse approved to ASTA or BSI 362. Do not use without the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers are available from your distributor.
Introduction to the R-Series Sub-Bass System Congratulations, and thank you for purchasing a REL Sub-Bass System, the finest and most innovative audio component in its class. This new R-Series is distinctive not only for its shockingly deep, musical bass, but also for its unique ability to perform as a complement to your main speakers in both music and film applications, as well as a dedicated speaker for the critical low frequency effects (LFE) channel or the .1 in 5.
Control Features of REL R-Series 6. High Level Neutrik Speakon socket 7. Low Level Phono input 8. .1/LFE Phono input 9. Fused IEC AC socket 1. Volume Control for HI/LO input 2. Volume Control for .1/LFE input 3. Variable Crossover Control 4. Phase Switch 5.
Always switch off your system before disconnecting any wires To increase the versatility of connecting up, the R-Series has three separate inputs; a high level Neutrik Speakon socket, a Low Level input socket, and a .1/LFE input socket. As mentioned, this is to facilitate use with both two channel stereo systems and AV surround sound systems. The HIGH LEVEL, dual channel (stereo) input is via a Neutrik Speakon connector which is connected to the power amplifier’s left and right channel speaker terminals.
Connecting Up Connecting the Sub-Bass System using the Neutrik Speakon high level input To engage the Neutrik Speakon plug, insert fully into socket and rotate clockwise until locked. To remove the Neutrik Speakon plug, grip body of plug, place thumb on chrome lever, move lever backwards rotate plug anti-clockwise (or “counter-clockwise”) a quarter turn and withdraw.
Low level input connection using phono to phono interconnect (Note: This connection should only be used in the event that the high-level connector can not be used, i.e. if you are using active [self-amplified] speakers without high level speaker terminals, or if crossover control is desired for .1/LFE track reproduction. Otherwise it is not the preferred connection method, and should not be used) LOW LEVEL INPUT Phono Interconnect Preamp Output or Sub/LFE Output Connect as shown above.
REL Set-Up Made Simple REL products are not traditional subwoofers, but true Sub-Bass Systems. A REL is designed to augment the performance of “full range” speaker systems, in order to provide, in certain cases, linear response down to below 12 Hz (Studio III, –6 dB down at 9 Hz). Therefore, for the moment, set aside everything you’ve been taught about subwoofers and how they are integrated into a stereo or home cinema system. REL Sub-Bass Systems set-up and positioning differs from conventional subwoofers.
Connecting High-level connection, using the enclosed cable with the Neutrik Speakon connector, is always the first choice. This connection can be made without affecting the performance of the amplifier because the REL’s amplifier input impedance is 100,000 ohms, in effect not producing any additional demand whatsoever on the rest of your system. This scheme also avoids adding any detrimental effects by not interposing any additional electronics into the amplification chain.
The Process To begin the set-up process, choose a piece of music that has a repetitive bass line that is very low in frequency. We recommend track 4 from the soundtrack to Sneakers (Columbia CK 53146). This has a repetitive bass drum throughout that gives you plenty of time to move the woofer around, but more importantly, the recording venue was quite large for this recording, and therefore it has a very deep and large-scale bass signature.
of the REL (using the HI/LO Level control) all the way down, and put the crossover to 25 Hz. At this point, bring the REL’s volume back up slowly to the point where you have achieved a subtle balance, i.e. the point at which you can hear the REL even with the main speakers playing. Now, bring the crossover point up until it is obviously too high; at this point bring it down to the appropriate lower setting. For all intents and purposes, this is the correct crossover point.
Care and Polishing The cabinets are best maintained by using a spray-on wax, such as an automobile wax made by a company called Griot’s. If objects are to be placed upon the top, it is advisable to use a small mat to protect the surface and to avoid the risk of rattles. Technical The R-Series models use an unusual method of bass loading. They are designed to operate below normal system resonance. This has been achieved without the normal form of bass boost or electronic equalization.
This is a necessarily simplified description of what actually happens, but in effect, Set-Safe controls the amplifier and ensures there is minimum risk of amplifier and driver damage caused by over-driving. A thermal overload device is fitted to all R-Series Sub-Bass Systems. If the unit is deliberately overdriven this device will sense the temperature rise and cut the output; recovery time is approximately five minutes.
REL R-Series Specifications Model Type Roll Off Input Connectors Amplifier Type Input Impedance High Level Two Channel .1/LFE Level Low Level Input Sensitivity .
Note: Specifications subject to change without notice R-305 Closed box loading 25Hz to 100Hz Neutrik Speakon – High Level Phono – LFE Phono – Low Level Switching Amplifier R-505 Closed box loading 25Hz to 100Hz Neutrik Speakon – High Level Phono – LFE Phono – Low Level Switching Amplifier 150K Ohms 33K Ohms 10K Ohms 150K Ohms 33K Ohms 10K Ohms 40dB 22dB 10” (254 mm) Heavy Duty Long Throw, Cast 300 Watts RMS 0 and 180 Degrees 110 Volts or 230 Volts (Depending on country) Over Current, Over Voltage 2.
