BADASS! REL HT/1003 MK II Subwoofer 

I just bought my first good subwoofer the REL ht 1205 mk2. All I can say is Wow what a musical experience. Once everything is set up and blended together it brings a whole new experience. Smiles ear to ear sitting in my chair listening to multiple genres of music. You start to feel the music. 🙂 Pink Floyd Pulse (live) never sounded soooo good.

I’ll never forget the first time I experienced a sub, it was a wow moment. Subs are common now but back then they weren’t. I noticed everything you described in this video. For me a sub properly set up is like an anchor or the base platform you build the system on. If you don’t get that right the rest just doesn’t come together. Awesome stuff.

I just added this SW to my LRS setup and am extremely happy with the results. I mostly listen to jazz and some classical music and to a lesser degree, rock. I was pretty much satisfied with the LRS bass for jazz but thought it would be nice to add a little for classical and definitely for rock. I am not a huge SW person but your statement that “this SW is made for people who don’t like SWs” convinced me! Excellent recommendation for pairing with the LRS.

I have a REL 1508 Predator with Klipsch Heresy IIIs. To control the sub I added a Schiit SYS between my Rotel preamp and the Predator. I agree with you that full range is the way to go, just have to make sure the phase is correct. In my room a sub crawl gave me great results. Love this sub!

I’ve bought a used Rel storm 3 back in the early 2000’s best decision and improvement to my BW CDM Nt speakers and Rotel powered system. Love the musicality of the Rel subwoofers.👍🇨🇦

Hi all, I use a rel strata three sub with Tannoys Cheviots . for me it definitely increases the sound stage and ads a great sense of effortlessness. I like it a lot. Great review again Steve, thanks very much.

Great video Steve. I added a REL T/9x to my Tannoy turnberry's and it just seemed to make it all sound complete.

Thanks Steve. Looking forward to the pure audio project review. really nice looking speakers.

I'm so happy with my T7x! Got a complete new musical experience!!

Yeah…I got a sweet deal on a pair of REL T/5x subs shortly after they released around a year ago. I subtly blended them in to just extend the range of my DynAudio Contour 20s which are already great in the bass dept! The RELs are fantastic at doing just what I wanted…. I do not even know that the subs are there most of the time but when the recording calls for it, the RELs deliver in a very well blended way! I have no desires to upgrade…I am just happily looking for new music to play through my set-up! REL makes great products! I swear by the speaker-level inputs which really syncs my subs well to my speakers, though. Gotta have them!

Love this review. I have no idea how much better this new HT1003 MkII is supposed to be over the original HT1003. I have the first HT1003, and have no plans of upgrading. My HT1003 was first paired with my Revel M16 speakers about 18 months ago, and I loved it for both music and movies. These HT subs are fantastically under-rated for music. I've since sold my 18 year old Polk LSi15 speakers in my living room, and replaced those with the M16, then replaced the M16 with the Revel M106. ...So now I have the HT1003 paired with the M106, and THAT.... is just a beautiful match. When they're all dialed in, it's musical listening goosebump city.

I recently got a Rel T7/X to match up with my Maggie .7s. And what a matchup! I’m very glad it is so easy to adjust for different music, and especially with nasty noisy vinyl. Low-end rumble on less than perfect records (and I have a lot of those!) is way too gawd-awful unavoidable when the Rel is in the mix. Sometimes i have to turn it off cuz that kind of bass info is not welcome. With clean CD and streaming sources, it’s a whole new world.

Ohhhh, was about to buy the REL HT 1003. Nice I just waited a week and wait for MK II.

It's corn! Love the shirt lol. Great review too 😉

To the question why the soundstage widens up with a subwoofer, I read the following: In case that the crossover is seamless, the brain has an easier task recreating the sound information, if the lower octaves of the sound aren't missing. Without the bass, our brain wants to "make sense" of the information and has to work to do so. So basically, a well integrated sub relieves the brain of its duty to recreate a full bandwidth. This might be very oversimplified, just something I read :)

Steve's shirt is pretty epic in this one!

I used to listen to SUBWOOFER HIFI 40+40 WATTS+Grundig MA100. The HT 1003 is a big improvement. The pair I listen to is Onkyo D-N7BX with CR-315 using its RCA subwoofer preout (not LFE).

Years ago, Cory Greenberg wrote a review of an REL subwoofer. I'll paraphrase his witty remark.... "half the people are looking for god, the other half are looking for bass." :)

Had a sub since the 80's. The M&K David & Goliath sub/satelite speaker system.

A sub is a big addition I can look forward to.

I recently bought a pair of YG Acoustic Hailey 2.2 Speakers which sound fantastic but having an open plan room I felt like I was missing something I added 2 REL TX9 Subwoofers and it just transformed the soundstage, and added punch. I have the volume low as not too overwhelm the Bass, subwoofers should be seen and not heard in Stereo systems.

I recently tried the REL T/9x with my Zu DWs mkII. I just couldn't get the system to sound right. In my room the DWs provide ample bass down to the mid 40Hz or thereabouts and the REL Low Pass filter slope - I suspect, is to gradual so it was adding bass where it wasn't needed, even with the crossover knob set to minimum.. I just kept turning the volume down on the REL until it was off completely. Luckily I was able to return it for a refund.

I like sealed subs, and this REL seems to be a nice sub at a very low price. I think its only real limitation is a lack of continuous phase control, which precludes it to do a perfect pairing with many speakers. Also, a low-pass slope control would be great, but that is reserved to better subs.

I was on the fence between a REl T series and SVS SB series, I live down the street from Music Direct in Chicago and was able to pick up and audition both without too much hassle. I thought I'd prefer the rel, but having lower bass extension wound up making me happier. I could definitely see some folks prefering the tightness and speed of the t series. Trying out two different flavors of subwoofer? Highly recommended.

May have to park one of these MKII’s next to my original MK1. Should be a nice pairing.

Thank you !

In the beginning, "it usually doesn't last" does not hold true for me. I upgraded my system 4 years ago and still look forward to going into that room and listening. I am older and hearing is somewhat damaged however my Marantz 5000 series pushing Polk LSIM 707 is an absolute joy to listen to. That's it. No sub, no surround. Perhaps I have simple tastes, perhaps I am thankful for the tastes I have. However, this review does make it very tempting to add some more to the lower end of very capable speakers already. Love the channel!

I have the original LRS paired with the original REL HT1003 and have been using them for a year and a half with fantastic results . Will I upgrade to the LRS + and the REL HT1003 mark 2 nope very impressed with what I have now .

Those Duet15 Prelude Speakers look interesting! 👀 That review should be a fun one!

I have just purchased this model REL subwoofer. I will need to dial in the sub so it sounds great along with my set of Totem Accoustic Tribe Speakers that are located in the front of my room. What should I set the crossover to on my REL subwoofer? My Totem Tribe tower speakers go down to 20 Hzs. I will be using the REL sub for Both movies & for listening to music. Thanks!

where did you set the crossover? I'm running two Tzeros set at about 30hz with focal aria 906's

Try 2 of the S/510 ... one on each of the main channels with high level connects ... 😁

Subjectively, the long wavelengths help delineate the size ... offering auditory cues to the dimensionality and volume of the space. Be it real or as a construct...

Adding a sub changes the whole sound bc of the 'overtone' harmonicss produced, just like the supertweeters produce 'undertone' harmonics which change the midrange and even the low end of a system.

I just listened to Oscar's Unmistakable on my Ohm Walsh 3000's (No Subs) and it was awesome. Thank you Steve!

Steve you mentioned at the end that the T/Zero would have paired better with the Maggies but this with your other tested speakers. Do you have a theory for which types of speakers the T/Zero pairs better with and why that might be? I've got the T/Zero and like it, but for only $100 more this has a lot more power so wondering if it is worth an upgrade.

Thanks Much !..

This looks like a nice sub. Oddly the driver is vaguely reminiscent of the much cheaper, lower power Elac Sub1010-which is not carbon/glass but similarly textured (and A. Jones design). I haven't heard the Rel, which is MORE powerful and digs DEEPER than my Elac. But let me say, that if you have a more moderately sized or small room and some A. Jones Debut Elacs, this little sub WILL give you some decent low end and take the burden off the amp driving your Elacs for very little coin. Is the REL better! No doubt, but if you're strapped for cash you'll be surprised at what this 1010 will do for you.

I also like the sound score/music from bram stoker's dracula then. Specially in the end when mina kills dracula so he change to his human form then. Very emotional then

The frequency range from 20hz to 60hz contains all of the critical spatial information ( height width depth ). It feels like you have been transported to the recording venue.

Please review the Starke Sound SW15. What an amazing ported sub and has XLR inputs impressive.

A year ago I bought two hogtalare speakers….. my QA is can it be pair with the two speakers?the two speakers are also Bluetooth connectivity? Please reply back 😊.

I have B&W 603 S2 AE with Bluesound Powernode n330. Which sub would be better for listening to music in an old apartment - HT 1003 MKII or SB-1000 Pro? Just for a chill quiet listening

I enjoyed your review. What crossover setting was used with the LRS+?

Hello, what frequency did you crossover the kc62 ?

Idk if this is a hard question, but... What's the right sub for the Yamaha ns690? It seems to me like they'd love the help, but I'm pretty scared about how to match things across era's like that. (Small bad amp too, but they sound nice for the range they do have)

I love how all these guys have different opinions on high pass… a lot of well respected audiophiles and speaker designers will say by high passing and relieving the speakers of the lower frequencies and limiting the noise xcursion of said speakers , it enables the speaker to play mid bass and mids more accurately.

Im 100% with you on not high passing speakers I lose too much detail

Anybody know what is that crazy/cool acoustic effect why when you engage a sub feels that the bass is coming for the speakers and not from the sub?

Is this new sub a Isobaric-type sealed speaker system or is it a single speaker unit? Btw, yeah Steve, your interviews with people from all kinds of music and industry's sideways is very entertaining, great stuff to hear others speak about the marvels of audio!🙂

Steve, any chance of getting the new Pro-Ject Debut Pro S in for a review? Seems to be an intriguing belt drive choice given all the adjustability featured on it.

I have read many audiophiles stating that it's impossible to seamlessly match up a traditional sub with the maggies'. Their reasoning for this is that the maggies being a dipole speaker does not work with a traditional single driver sub. Even magnapans' own Wendell agrees that a regular single driver sub cannot be properly integrated with a maggie. Apparently Magnapan is just in the early stages of developing a dipole sub but, nowhere close to bringing it to market. I'm just curious how you go about integrating the sub to a maggie. A video on it will be very helpful. Thx

Your opinion on Rhythmic, versus the rail subwoofers?

This one or the svs 3000 micro for a multipurpose system? (movies/music)

I have the ht/1003 sub whoofer I’m happy with it , 👍

How does Devialet Phantom make such incredible bass in such a small enclosure?

i would like one day to have had as much experience with subwoofers as Steve has had with amplifiers

How would this one compare to the SVS-SB1000 (pro)?

What about hooked up to the recenly reviewed Ohm speakers

Hmmm, Steve...who is that bust on the shelf modeled after? How cool. Got a good story about that (or did I miss it, somehow)?

Ohhhhhh... That's why there was a 15% off sale recently. Tough choice between svs and rel ht line

What amplifier did you use with the REL & the KEF LS50 Meta?

Does it make any sense to add a 10" sub to a set of speakers that contains 10" woofers in each speaker? My system has vintage 3 way speakers (Leek 2060s), and I just don't feel it has enough umph!! My old speakers were Akai that had 15" subs but don't fit in the space, but I do have room to add a sub.

Loudness over sound quality, that’s where we’re at 🤭 a REL subwoofer will match up well with just about any speaker

KRIX SEISMIC still holds the crown made in South Australia just like me sorry I’m biased but seriously DAMN they get it so right. Commercial to domestic they know sound just like Bloke in the shirt lol

REL HT, as you mention the HT tells me this is aimed at Home Theater more than in a 2.1 music application. The fact there is no speaker level connection (contrary to REL philosophy) also tells me this model is aimed at movie sound effects and not so much for music. I owned the original T-Zero and had a hell of a time dialing it in with both speaker connection and line level. It was OK for large sweeping orchestral music or electronic/ambient but for anything with a driving rhythm/beat it always called attention to itself. I ended up selling it out of frustration and have been wary of subs for music ever since.

Long live the rel storm mkiii

Have you checked out the new RSL Speedwoofer?

I thinking of the rel ht 1003 mk2 or the 1205 mk2 then . I have xtz cinema m8 lcr speakers and s5 and s2 atmos speakers. 15 m2 room.

Dont see it available on Amazon...its cousin , the HT /1205 is available...

I have a almost same sized JBL sub...I bet a good REL will be a better quality system once dialed in..

That 10 inch woofer looks identical to the Energy RC 10 inch sub driver

Какая площадь помещения рассчитана под этот REL HT/1003 !?

Hey Steve did you try this Sub with your Cornwalls?

Some amplifiers have lost there tone controls, however we all need a subwoofer?

Blaa, blaa, blaa

Steve, I'm a big fan of SVS subs for 2 Ch and HT. How, in your opinion, does this REL compare to an SVS SB 1000 Pro?

If low bass is mono and u shouldn't be able to identify where the sub is placed in the room ( where the bass is coming from) Why does every one saying get 2 subs? Steve are 2 subs better than 1 ?

Hi Steve, I'm relatively new to the world of vinyl music. I just bought a dozen 45's ready to go... I have two Audio Technica LP120's, with a Numark DJ-M6 mixer in the middle and a pair of Klipsch RP -600M bookshelf speakers still in the box. Is it a good idea to get a tube amplifer? If so, could you tell me what would be the perfect tube amplifer of any kind under or around $400.00 with great punch that you recommend? Or should I stick to a reciever? Your advice is appreciated! Thanks Steve 🔥💥🎵🎧

You grew up in Rockaway??!! I grew up on B149th St. Were we neighbors? Went to JHS 180 & graduated FRHS in 1973. Might we have known each other?

Hahah....Still Life album finally sounds good? Try Leeds 1982 or Wembley 82 stones concerts..

Check out HSU Subwoofers! The doctor has serious skills! Bang for the buck! Super customizable! Servo amp!

CORN!!!

Steve, do you plug the ports on the LS50s when using with a subwoofer? If not, you should try it.

Speaker level inputs are the only way to go especially when using twin subs. My own experience was one of those “ah ha” moments. Subs disappeared completely. I’m not exaggerating. For a 2.1 system I’d go for something else that REL has to offer like a pair of T5s.

Do you guys think the REL HT1205MK2 or the Arendal 1961 1S is the better Subwoofer?

Swarm those subs.

I've never heard this sub but I must say that I don't really care for other subs much below this price point, to me this should be considered roughly as an entry level point. Forget those opened box $99.00 subs from Best Buy that get 4 1/2 outa 5 star ratings. Too expensive? Don't get a sub at all until you can jump in with a decent one, saves you from buying twice so it's still cheaper in the long run.

Would you characterize this model REL subwoofer as being both 'fast & punchy?" Thanks!

Imagine when they invent musical instruments that actually produce frequencies subwoofers operate in!

Without a speaker level input, it's not a typical rel. Why?

Hope you interview me one day. I am a beer guzzler, a burrito muncher, joint smoker and an audiophile

The product design and branding of REL puts me off... visually it's a bit clunky

If you invest in good full range speakers with a response below 20 HZ using modern woofers with less than 2 % distortion and enough cone size and physical extension, you don't need subs. Using subs to mix the bass to be revealed as a mono signal screws up the bass even further. So no subs for this guy. As the music director of Michigan state told us in the 60's music is built from the bottom up and not from soprano instruments and voices down. So there is always be a very noticeable improvement with speakers that are full range. Your Cornwalls are not full range. If you want full range you will have to try the Jubilee. How come you didn't mention this sub would not keep up with Cornwalls.

The number one reason you get a subwoofer is to get that full range sound. REL completely fails to deliver on this because of their weak frequency range that can't go down to 20hz.

No need for any sub when you’ve got transmission lines.

It would be great if some companies made more field coil subwoofers, rather than these slow and inefficient subs on the market to day

that's the corniest shirt I've ever seen Steve wear.