REL's T/Zero MkIII subwoofer wows the Audiophiliac 

Got the Rel T Zero MkIII this morning. Combined it with my Elac Debut B6.2 and I'm very happy. The thing that wowed me the most is the fact how the sub completes the sound of a piano or a guitar and just fills in the low end of the sound canvas with precise and articulate bass. And with it you can spot poorly mastered music. And this is all in a non acustically treated room.

I have two of the REL T-Zero MkIIIs - one in my living room for integration with my home cinema set up, and one in my library for dedicated (serious) music listening. They are astonishing - they are tiny, yet the quality, depth and breadth of the bass they produce is almost unbelievable. I had originally set them up as a stereo pair, but my room simply didn't warrant it, and the home cinema sub replaced and bettered in every way a larger and far more expensive sub that had been driving the wife potty for years with its footprint. The finish is gorgeous, and the ability to connect them at line level is a game changer for 2 channel music. So pleased you've reviewed something that fits in pretty much any budget and outperforms equipment costing hundreds of pounds more.

The addition of the T/Zero to my small listening room is perfect! I am hearing bass I haven’t heard in years. Thanks, Steve, for the review. Glad you had paired it with the Klipsch RP600. That took the guess work out of wondering if it would work for me. Made the Shelly Manne “My Fair Lady” album come alive! And it made Sharon Sable’s salute to Blossom Dearie sound like she and pianist Joe Holt were in the room!

I'm using a single T/Zero MKIII sub in a desktop system with Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ speakers. The B1+ has a noticeable bump at the bottom of their range, about 50Hz. Mixing with a sub (high and low level) just hade it worse. So I'm using an external crossover (Rolls SX45) to high pass the speakers, 65Hz seems to be the sweet spot. The high pass feeds the amp that is driving the speakers. The low pass is going to the low input of the sub. Once I got the output level on the sub right it just disappeared. I'm using the input pot on the crossover to control the system volume. In a previous iteration of my desktop system the high pass from the crossover was set at 90Hz and fed active speakers that only had 3" drivers. The sub blended right in, and the overall system sounded more dynamic.

Nice review ! I'm running a REL strata 5 in conjunction with final electrostatic speakers. Very solid combination ! The REL is fast enough to keep up with the speakers.

I have this sub working with a pair of Acoustic Energy 300 speakers. I only have a small room but love the sound I get from this combination. Really pleased with my purchase.

I've been using the first generation T-Zero subwoofer for many years with my Raidho C1.1s which are really not bad in the bass for the size, the sub gives me a little extension of the spectrum, I'm super happy.

Bought the REL T/x based on your recommendation and couldn't be happier. Brought new life to my 20+ year old Thiel 2.2. 's. Thank you!

Steve, I recently bought a pair of these after watching your review of the Magnepan LRS+ where you mentioned the REL Tzero Mark 3. I can’t thank you enough!! They are amazing! And it’s because of your review of the original LRS that I bought a Schiit: Vidar (eventually bought a second one) due to being more in my budget than the Pass Labs XA25. lol Thanks so much for your commitment to providing music lovers with such helpful advice! If I ever take a trip to NYC I’m going to hang out in one of Frank Prisinzano’s restaurants in hopes of running into you! 😉

After discussing set up with REL, I bought a second T Zero to create a stereo pair with my front (tiny) Monitor Audio Radius 90s on their stands. These are very small and elegant speakers having a gold cam tweeter and a 4 inch mid/bass unit with a rear port. They roll off at about 90 to 100hz making them an ideal partner for the T Zeros. Larger RELs would leave a hollowed out frequency range. The impact of a second REL is a stronger stereo imaging and excellent bass for my musical taste. Given this includes Cathedral organ music, the set up is excellent in my mid sized room (19 x 11 ft). Physics comes into play in such a small space hence going for a bigger sub is a waste of time as really deep bass needs a large room of typically 25 to 30 ft. Both subs are in white and match the white Radius 90s and their superb stands really well. It’s not a cheap set up at about $1400 for the front speakers, but it matches the decor and my wife wanted very small rather than large floorstanders or stand mounted medium sized speakers. I guess my set up goes head to head with the MA Silver 200 7Gs but has less colouration due to the rigid boxes of the MA Radius 90s. As a classical music fan I wanted clarity over volume. I use a Marantz 8006 which at 70w is about right for the T Zero. Of course when you add on 100w per channel of bass amplifier within each REL that is still a lot a power for a small room. It’s been working for a year or so now and needed tuning in a specific way, as advised on the REL web site but it’s a great quality set up.

hi Steve , after watching your video I placed my order and zero this is in my hand.. my system;Kef ls 50 meta -node n130-accuphase e 206..my room is 25m2 and the bass performance of kefs was enough for me..I can't believe the result over high level connection right now :))) )great result announcing to you,great result,thanks to you and thank you for this magic box...

I have (2) REL 212/SX's paired with my AV123 LS-6's and I am now hearing notes my previous AV123 15" subs never even output. The low end of my music is now so much fuller and substantial, ultra quick with zero decay, and has the output to make movies absolutely rock the house. It's amazing how fast and tonal they can make a 12" driver these days, and I couldn't be happier with the investment, just wish I had more funds for the true line array of 812's carbons. I will be adding some of these smaller REL subs to the Polk LSiM setup in my home office as soon as I get the money saved, as REL has really opened my eyes as to what a true quality subwoofer can bring to your system.

What a neat little sub!! I can think of a few small systems I’ve had in the past where this sub would have really benefitted!

I do agree with you to a point on dynamics but that area has also been improved.

I'm running 2 15" REL Predators, absolutely love them.

Really have enjoyed the mk1 version with Ampion Argon 1; don't notice it at all, easy to integrate, and fills out the sound very naturally.

Yeah Steve! You are the best! I have been watching for over a year yet I feel like I have known you my entire life. Thanks for sharing your passion for all things audio!

I’m listening to your podcasts and I’m loving ‘em. Just listened to your projectionist one.

The ESG Come Away With tip is gold.

Another great review Steve, I've been using a pair of Mk1's for years with an old pair of Focal Electra 905's and they integrate seamlessly. The biggest revelation was the way vocals-especially female-really popped. Kate Bush was in my front room! The whole presence and depth of the presentation was just bigger with more midrange density. A few years later I added some Townshend Supertweeters and the whole presentation did the same again but with more air, space and dimensionality. Haven't a clue how it all does this but suspect it's got something to do with harmonics-doesn't really matter-I love it. Cheers from Sunny Scotland.

I think what I enjoy more about your videos is your shirts haha. Reminds me of some shirts I wore in the 80s. I get such a nostalgic feeling just looking at you wearing them.

These are always such great reviews, and the new reveals in your taste in music always delight me. ESG are the best!

I got mine about a 10 days ago. Incredible!, considering its size. Perfect match with my Sonus Faber Lumia 2's. I have a 16.5' x 15' room. Sounds amazing in this space. (I listen at or about 80dB +/- 1dB or 2dB max and mostly around 75dB). I also used High/Speaker Level input directly connected to the AMP. This sub is worth Every penny. I may get a pair of Magnepan LRS+'s as a 2nd speaker. I can not wait to hear them with this sub.

Had one with a set of vintage Sonus Farber Concertino’s and it was impressive for its size!

I just picked up two of these for the price of one on US AudioMart... These things are unbelievable in regards to how much real bass these little gems put out. I use this with a pair of Maggie LRS+. They fill my medium sized room, no lack on the bottom, not with the music I listen to, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock... They sound very natural, they disappear in the room, and blend beautifully with the Maggies. I cannot tell where the bass is coming from, it simply envelops the room. And I have a pair of SVS SB3000 subs in the mix too. These little T-Zeros are not going anywhere, the SVS can be for movie night, Music, T-Zeros. Oh, I am using the Rolls SX45 Active Crossover between my preamp and amplifier. I send all of the high and mid frequencies to the Maggies, everything else goes to the RELs. And yes, you need to use an RCA cable to the RELs when using this crossover.

I too toss a thick quilt over my monitor when doing critical audio listening. It really does make a difference in soundstage and imaging.

Interesting... my brother has had his KEF Reference 104/2 that he bought new about 30-years ago. And wow, we used to have a Kenwood KT-5500 tuner that I paired with my Sony TA-F40 amp. It was such a solid tuner.

To me, the effect is akin to the townshend supertweeter effect on my system but from a fuller perspective/scale & speed are improved too.

My B&W 606 S2 picked up the reverse beeping @13:19 and I thought someone was backing into my driveway 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

REL ran a sale on these about 2 years ago on the T-Zero and they were $250 each! I hope they do that again.

Thanks Steve. How would you compare to the kef kc62? Both small subs but very different prices. Thanks!

Yes, I remember esg 👍 and all my diy subs are 6 or 8 inch drivers, still working on TL cabs 😵‍💫

Steve the shirt is epic!

i have 2x zero MK3 w magnepan 1.7,w upgrade crossovers, they are perfect with the speakers, they blend so nicely, you don't even know they are there!!

Just curious. Do you use the same speaker output on your amp that are going to the main speakers, or do you use a second output, like B? Does it even matter?

Having added Klipsche’s RP600 M II’s, this may be the right sub for my small 12’x15’ listening room. Had been thinking about the REL 98 Classics but this may give me enough at a much lower price.

Nice video, great review and sub. You used the speakers at full range but what crossover did you dial when used with the Klipsch? Beautiful viewer system of the day, all vintage stuff, something I can never get tired to look at.

Great review as usual. I also really like music suggestions...keep that up as I love to find new music (to me) that is well recorded......Thanks Steve.

Love the shirt !!!

It will become part of my system later as a partner to a set of Dynaudio Evoke 10 speakers, which have their strength in the soft round treble and natural sound image, but on some recordings, especially acoustic ones, I may well miss a little deeper bass. Here it will or perhaps two pieces, be a perfect choice without the bass being too boomy.

I have two of these in a small room system to augment my Dali Menuet SE's - sounds great.

LRS owner here, and I can definitely confirm that they feel complete with properly integrated subwoofers. In fact, I don't think it's a good idea to run the full signal to the magnapan... it gets really amazing when you high pass the LRS fairly high, like 80 or 90 Hz. Only if I was listening extremely quietly all the time, would I let the full range signal go to the Maggies.

I agree with the review. I'm no where near audiophile. I went to local premium well known audio store. I listen to rel instantly fell in love. And I loved it over other subs. Its soothing, doesn't give me headache. Yet to buy it. To pair up my old focal chorus speakers

Great review! Did you have to max the gain in the sub to reach 40hz in your room?

Steve, I’ve got the Outlaw 2160 with with the speaker EQ. It goes from 55 to 80hz. Will I benefit or move up to the 7x. I have a mid size room. Thx.

That is possibly the greatest shirt ever.

ESG immediately put me in mind of The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing - different but also very similar.

Hi @Steve Guttenberg, What is the best subwoofer solution to connect with a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT8f? Is it worth upgrading a subwoofer in a stereo system with these speakers and Denon electronics? Thank you, from Portugal, for your comment.

My experience is limited for sure, but I have yet to hear a set of speakers that havent or wouldn't benefit from a sub.

I have this REL but not convinced that I have it placed correctly. Followed the guidelines for placement do where do you have your subs placed within your room?

I have a pair of T zeros with my LRS. Love it. I have the subs behind me on either side.

Sub use informs the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder". You should notice their absence but not their presence.

You have made me like this subwoofer, will it be the best to hook up with Audioengine A2+ Wireless 60W Powered Desktop Speakers? Cheers.

Best shirt yet! I definitely had a seizure!

Been using a single REL T5 with my LRS and it is a good combination, crossed over just under 60hz. The LRS sounds good on its own but the REL just fills in the bottom nicely.

Steve, witch one you prefer, the T/zero or the TX/5?

Love my Rel S5/10.

Where are those accoustic panels from? They look amazing!

Agree 100% Adding a REL T9x to my B&W 606 S2 made them sound fuller, deeper, and the way it blends, the sub just disappears! I can’t imagine listening to music without it!

This sub sounds great with the round Anthony Gallo a’diva’s.

I'm a true believer in subs. The setup is the key. It is there to support the main speakers and not be heard directly but complete the fullness of the sound. I run a pair of S5 SHO subs. Love them

The Boston A400's broke me out of my Japanese mid-fi stupor back in '84, and I loved them so much. Incredible scale, dynamics, and LF extension launched from that big flat smooth front baffle. They had dual 8" woofers in a sealed cab, and seemed to go down forever. No sub needed.... powered with an NAD 3150 which I still own! Sadly, I only had the A400's for about 2 years.

One of my favorite bargain basement sealed subs is the Andrew Jones-designed Pioneer SW-E10. Deep, tight, clean.

My Maggie's 1.7 with a REL sub sounded fantastic. You should try the big Soundlab A1PX the newest ones with two REL B1 Subwoofers if you like the sound of the Maggie's with a sub this combo i mentioned will blow you away and your opinion on electrostats will change mine did i used to feel like you did. Soundlabs do not sound like typical electrostats please try it your missing out.

How does it compare to the SVS 3000 micro?

What would a room at small to medium size look like? Those words are used regularly but can mean different things to different people, please give some dimensions ! Thanks

Hey Steve..How well do you think this sub would pair with PSB Imagine X2T's in a 20x15 room. Used for music only. Is it too small?

I think this is a perfect sub for those who have room nodes at 35-37 Hz +10-15 dB. Which is common in mid-size (400 square feet) rooms.

I have white Rel T/Zero that purchased from REL on sale about 18 months ago recently the amp died on me . Since it was under warranty rel sent me a MK 3 !!! amp I use it in a 10 by 10 foot home office with stand mount KEF LS50W they are a perfect match

@theaudiophiliac The ESG album was simply delicious!

Exactly! REL`s are excellent.

Will this pair well with KEF Q350? I have them in my office a small room

I think Flea played bass on the Atoms album.

Great pairings STEVE! You needed two subs tho! 😎 I have a pair of REL T/5Xs to flush out my DynAudio Contour 20s….Dialed in waaaaaay back to seamlessly fill out the sound. LOVE'em! Thanks for the Monday morning WAKE-UP shirt and the music….as always!!! 👍🏼

as a former Maggie LRS owner I know exactly what he's saying about the importance of sub matching. I tried a half dozen subs and ended up with rythmik servo sub and it did well enough but never disappeared. They were quick but still called attention to themselves and did not disappear.

Can you do a review of your shirts? Talk about the stories behind them, what they're made from, what days of the week you like to wear certain shirts.

I have two Tzero’s connected to my Klipsch Hersey IV’s. With this combo I feel like I could live with this set up for a long long time! With the Tzero connected to the Hersey’s the speakers will disappear.

0:35 Sealed subs and sealed speakers also have MUCH better transient response

a great little champ this REL. could you also start with one, then add 3 more. run them in stereo and stack them facing woofers forward? would this option scale compared to let's say two big subwoofers? i am betting that some dps to get the 20hz output would help. just some thoughts.

Did I miss it? What amplifier did Steve use during the test? Also, love his shirts!

I wonder if it would add to the experience with the Buchardt's behind you in this video?

For the Triangle Aio Twins how should i setup the crossover?

I use this REL under my deskt and it ties to my ATC SCM 12's thye go to about 37-38 htz

So true! I recently hooked up a REL T5 to my Decware ZEN driving Club of 27 Amy Horn loudspeakers (Dutch brand) and the REL completes the sound. So funny that you see it is there but the bass comes from somewhere else. Great soundstage.

I’m definitely gonna check out ESG, it sounds right up my alley. What a beautiful lookin viewer system! I just got myself an 70’s era AKAI tape deck replete with VU meters, and I love it. I don’t remember cassettes sounding that good when I was a kid. Of course, I’m not using an Walkman with $5 headphones 😄

steve please review Mark Audio Tozzi One & Cesti MBR with this sub 🙏

I lived for a period of time in a condo, and passed on these, mostly because of the down firing driver and went with a pair of HT 1003’s instead. My background favors large amps, drivers and enclosures, but I’ve done a 180 on that. They were (and are) great subs (I still have them in my much larger space). I once thought as many do who’ve not actually heard them, that they’re over rated and over priced, but discovered that they truly do add nuance, detail and space to the entire presentation, it has to be experienced to be appreciated. I don’t see a reason they couldn’t be positioned on their side if they were creating excessive floor resonance.

So, size isn't the end all determining factor? There's hope for us!

Whoa when I saw that soul patch I thought it was Tom Waits for a second there.

Steve, with KEF LS 50 Metas? Or too small?

WOW! That ESG album is FANTASTIC! DAMN!!! DEY DAH 💣💣💣 My stereo REL T/5Xs DELIVERED!!!! 😎👍🏼🔉🔊 THANKS STEVE!!!!!!!

Hi Steve. I value your opinion on all things audio. I just replaced my Vandy 2ces that I've had for 25 yrs, with sonus faber liuto monitors and a sumiko 5 sub. I'm moving to a smaller place. What are your thoughts on that combo?

Just out of curiosity, let's say I acquired the Rel sub, where do you place it? Left, right or center for great sonics?

What of I put two in a large room ? Thank you!!

Did you use one or two?

Do you attach the high level connectors directly to where the main speakers are hooked up to?

Steve, can you elaborate on the designed in the US aspect? I know REL's have been manufactured in China for some time but thought their research and development was in the UK?

Thank you Steve for this one - it confirmed my choice from two years ago, when I acquired a pair of SMG-c's - and I soon bought a used DALI sealed (Linquitz type) subwofer of the same size as the REL. This was also the time when I discovered your YT channel. The main difference here is that I'm using base management in my receiver, because I want to relieve those vintage Maggies from the lowest frequencies - and avoid de-lamination (I'm in Europe and I could not afford sending them back to manufacturer in the US for refurbishment). Integration was very easy indeed, Though I agree completely, that the Maggies were not lacking base on their own. I paid under $500 for my complete rig (used) and it puts a big smile on my face whenever I have time to listen. I must say here, that I was into physics and electro-accoustics since I was a kid and later I studied electronics. I would encourage all of you audio enthusiasts to learn the science of your hobby - this will help you get better results and more satisfaction for less money. And you may become an authority in hi-fi by helping others make informed purchase decisions.

Steve, reviewers tend to comment on the LRS that it does not blend so easily with a sub. What is your take on that? Thank you so much! Hans

I have 2 REL T/9x's to go with my Magnepan 1.7's on the recommendation of my dealer, Michael Hoatson of The Listening Room. Very good match.