REL T9X Subwoofer Review. No catchy title needed. 

Fantastic review! Thank you for taking the time to do the review on this sub!

By far the best review I have ever viewed on SUBS. Not overly tech talk! The way you pointed out the SQ vs the SPL is what sold me. I'm not the SPL guy. As a matter of fact I've been quite content without the addition of a sub. But I had an experience listening to an SQ sub and I now want one. The fact that REL can disappear is magic and it's that magic I am looking for. Many thanks! Even the CEO of REL was not as convincing. Just plain speak and straight to the highlights and comparisons, how refreshing!!!!!!!!!

“It’s a limited production model, let’s not talk about it” Haha, I love this guy

I learn so much from watching your videos. A job well done!

Just picked up a pair of T9x too. Nemo your are the gold standard for subwoofer reviews. Thank you

Dude, you make GREAT videos... you paint a beautiful picture of how speakers/subs sound with just words and bring out many good points. I truly love your reviews!

This was a great discussion. Very, very helpful. Thanks for sharing, Brother Nemo!

What a great video. Thank you for making this video and giving such an easy to understand review of the REL. I was thinking about getting the T7/X, but based on your comments and the dimensions of your test room, I think I'll go with the T9/X instead. Keep up the great work!

I've been watching a lot of videos about Subwoofers and especially the Rel Ti-Tx series. Your emphasis of Sound Quality (SQ) versus Sound Pressure Level (SPL) in subwoofers is very useful and gets to the heart of the subwoofer debate. Your comparisons of the different subs in a similar range as the t9x is very useful. "Real music vs. fake music" is a great way to consider a listeners needs. I ordered a pair of T9x this morning. Thanks!

5 Gold Stars!! I LOVE my T9i and now understand better why I do. Keep up the good work!

Thanks again for spending the time comparing the variety of SQ first subwoofers you've had the privilege of listening to.

Thank you! Your channel is very refreshing an ON NONSENSE. I love the way you explain everything that many of us don't understand or don't know when it comes to purchasing audio equipment. I think I'm going with TWO REL T9X Subwoofers with my KLIPSCH Heresy IV speakers in my 25 x 25 x 12 room. Can't wait to hear them! Thanks NEMO!

Thoroughly enjoyed your T7X review. And I continued with the T9X. Thanks for the comparison to SVS n KEF. Especially the difference between SQ and SPL buyers and subs. Great review. 🌈👍

Great review as always. You always manage to include lots of interesting tidbits in a short amount of time! Thanks for your videos

Thx. Just got this. At first, couldn’t tell it wasn’t even on. You’re totally right, it blends beautifully with speakers.

After watching this excellent video on the T9x and trusting in your subwoofer expertise, I decide to buy one. WOW! It adds an extra dimensionality to my system. Incredible! Thanks Nemo! 👍

great review! I def appreciate SQ-oriented subwoofers and I love the REL subs. I have also had great experiences with older M&K subs too.

Extremely well done!! Thank you so much

Thank you for the help, not really ready to shop yet but you sure help mate

Somehow I missed this but man, your love for this shit really shows here. Appreciate you!

Thank u, Rel are very good, happy Xmas

Hi Nemo. Thanks for the thoughtful review. I notice in one shot on this video you have a pair of Focals on stands with the T9x's. That's pretty much exactly what I'll have in a month or so! I ordered a pair of the new Focal Aria Evo X no 1's, (they're back-ordered as I really want the green finish...) Along with them will be a pair of REL T9x's, in white :) Considering the living room colors I think it will all look beautiful besides sounding great, with Primaluna CDP and Primaluna Integrated. Currently I'm listening to a pair of oooold original Meadowlark Kestrels, (small 2-way floor-standers), with a T7x in the corner of a very large living room (25 x 35 x 10). The REL makes a huge difference. Very good sounding combo. Can't believe I waited this long for a REL. Based on budget and room considerations I think the Focals and T9x's should be a nice combination. Again, thanks for your reviews. Much appreciated.

I bought a T9x this week and connected it to my LS50W's .1/LFE using the arrow wireless system for a 2.1 mixed HT/Music living room setup. The T7x would have had plenty of extension for my medium-sized room but the T9x was available and will grow with me over time (renter here). It delivers for both with powerful, taught, articulate bass. It does so with ease and singleness of purpose that make it stand out to me.

REL are the masters of sub bass equipment. They specialise in sub bass.

Loved the review. I am a REL fanboy at this point. I just got a t7X to replace a t9i and I was flipper back and forth yesterday to compare. The 7x seems to hit just as hard as the 9i but does it faster and with more clarity. It really is amazing how much the changes to the T series improved the sound. I thought the i series was great until I heard this. The x series just blends away. I thought it was mostly marketing but your review of the t5x made me want to give it a shot and I am glad I did. So thank you for these. If you are on the fence or wondering if an upgrade is worth it… it is IMO.

Shame that I don’t even know your actual name, anyways I love your patience to reply all my novices questions 😊 really helpful!! Hope you continue with that as I can see you going to be very popular soon!!! Best, love watching your videos!!

I bloody love it when you call out hateres and fanboys....ppl need to live and lit live

Just watched this again. I just gotta say. I have no idea why you don’t have 10x the subscribers. Your actual content in just as good as the other hifi reviewers. Just cause you don’t have fancy B roll doesn’t mean the actual meat and potatoes isn’t on par or better than the others.

nice as always bro.

Cayman is a great car -- got one as a loaner during covid and man it was fun!

I listen to all sorts of music: classical, new age, hip hop, pop, EDM and more. I ended up getting a pair of Rythmik E15SE subs in piano black. Overkill for my room? Absolutely but I am sooo satisfied with my purchase. The setup took less than 5 minutes and I've been in bliss ever since.

No catchy title needed! 🔥🔥🔥

Got my T/5x today, love it, it's great for music and I have it set up that my LFE also gives out the bass of all channels, Marantz sr5015. The position I chose to put it in the middle of the speaker driver just to the side.

Great video! I love my Rythimik but your videos make me want to try a bunch of different subs to see what I’m.missing. I’m def an SQ person. I love that my Rythmik sounds like an extension of my Maggies and is impossible to locate. Does a great job for movies too.

Thank you for the explanation between the 2 types. I thought that there was a difference. Seems that I need both and just connect one or the other depending on exactly what I am doing.

You do a great job , lots of information + how you see it . Still listening to my Emotiva RS 11 with the Wharfedale "Linton's " thru a Primaluna Prologue integrated , 200 sf living room, vaulted ceiling. Had two T5i's ,nice but ended up with the RS 11.$1299. like that 500 watts , even though I'm sure I have never kicked it in ,laff . Thinking about this t9x now. Maybe I'm missing more than I know😲 !

awesome review! watched a lot of your reviews! we went to the shop this weekend and listned to both the T9x and HT1205MK2, i thought to go home with the T9x because of the reviews and looks but diddnt.. I missed the low notes in music with the T9x! it sounded kind of flat in our opinion, just trying to get the low notes but just diddnt .. and the HT picked them up just fine! maybe its slower and less detailed than the 9x but also this wasn't what i experienced. i liked the looks of the T9x better though... anyway im happy that i went to the store to compare the 2 and maybe i get an T9x one time to join the HT one day =) keep up the good work!

Great video....most under rated hifi channel in UTOOB....its should 60K not 5.69K! Keep rocking and hope to see you growing. Please try to review more expensive speakers (1000-3000$)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Cheers and have a excellent weekend Nemo,, 🍻😎👍‍‍!!

nice car analogies!

I like the way you can set Rels and then leave them alone and you pretty much ignore them. I always was aware of my SVS SB-2000s.

Thanks!

Fantastic channel, thank you.

Nice review nemo I'm still stuck on my next subwoofer purchase

A car guy and an SQ sub guy? Subbed.

Rel recommended that I buy an s510 to best match my Totem Tribe tower speakers but I just couldn't spend the 3k plus for the s510 so opted for a t9x. I hope I don't regret not getting the one Rel recommended. I'm thinking the t9x will do the job and do it well. Thanks for the review.

Thank you for this review, it has really been very helpful. I am currently looking at different sub-options for two-channel music listening only and have been a little confused over my options, especially when most subwoofer reviewers focus on how much bass subs have, which is not at all what I am interested in. Your explanation of the differences between SQ and SPL subs was very helpful. My question is if you have tested the next level of REL subs in the S series and how they compare overall to the T/ T9. Also what other subs do you recommend purely on an SQ level for matching with some premium speakers and amplification?

Dude, can’t say how much I love your videos. I had a 987 Cayman myself 😂 now I have a Macan Turbo with two JL 10W3s. I just bought a pair of Cornwall IVs… I think I’m going to have to save up for two of these subs since I have a really open vaulted room to fill. Thoughts? Thinking about the NAD M10 to power it all.

I swear you can read my mind because you describe my Rel subwoofers perfectly! "If one wants a high performance subwoofer sound then one should go to someone who only deals with a high performance sound!" BTW Rel subwoofers are not English... they are Welsh 🧐Hence the red dragon

My beloved Velodyne HGS 12 sub finally died for the last time, which was top of the line for it's day (SQ + SPL but big $), and I'm ordering a T9X now. I'm a two channel SQ listener all the way. Don't give a darn about thump thump SPL theater subs. Back in the day, Velodyne was one of only a few brands that was SQ and SPL "musical" sub. Thanx for the review.

Orale Nemo! 🤘🏼🤘🏼I have a Rel s812, and its definitely not over branded.

You're videos are amazing, they are my reference point for buying my first subwoofer, the only problem is I can't make my mind up !!! Then spend further hours going thru them again. I have a 15ft x 13ft room and have ordered a powernode with a pair of ls50 meta's. I only use the set up for music, is the KC62 the best match or are there cheaper alternatives ???????

Your back finally healed 😂

I like the way you describe the difference between SQ and SPL subs. You do it so well I prefer your channel over others. I'm for sure SQ guy. I've ordered a B&M 805 D4 powered by MICHI 5 and am looking for a matching sub. REL recommends S/510, but after watching your videos I leaning towards one or two T/5x. I live in a condo, and my listening position would be about 10' from the speakers (from the couch to TV). The living room, combined with the dining room, is about 12.5x27' with vaulted ceilings. I'm not a fan of punchy bass, my main purpose is for classical music. What is your opinion, should I step up for bigger T/7x or T/9x?

Hey Nemo, I’d love to see a review of the Paradigm Seismic 110.

One thing to consider when using low level inputs without a crossover, or, high level inputs, is how well the main speakers behave at the bottom of their frequency range. (Case 1) I had a pair of well reviewed budget speakers where every frequency below 50Hz flatlined at 50Hz. I went through 3 subs before I realized that was the problem. My equipment at the time did not support a crossover (and I had yet not learned about the crossover in the following case) so I replaced the speakers. The new speakers have enough extension where I'm not compelled to add a sub. (Case 2) I have a pair of desktop speakers that have a sub out without a crossover, the bass frequencies sounded terrible even with a REL T0 MkIII sub attached. I put an analog crossover after the preamp in the circuit, high pass to the speakers and low pass to the sub, the system sounds 10x better that it did before. The sub blends in perfectly.

Rel’s over high level are MAGIC. They disappear like no other. I can’t wait to step up to 510’s or 812 from them.

I would love for you to review the REL S510. Any chance that may happen? Awesome job as always!

Have you tried both high and low level connections? Is there a noticeable difference at all? Some say high level sounds much better as it apparently uses different filters. I recently invested in the S400MKIIs and have a T9/x from my prior setup. I’m still researching different amplifiers at the moment so I haven’t tested the high level yet as the cable is still in the factory packaging. I’ve only used low level on the T9/x in my previous LS50W2 setup so I was curious as to your thoughts on this matter. Thanks for your detailed reviews! :)

Nice review thank you. For me, I will not sacrifice getting a sub without an app. And this is why I love svs' subwoofers. I'm surprised at your honesty that you've got sealed 10inch subs in your room and you even said one could be enough, which should tell many audio fans out there that one doesn't really need a gigantic 16in ported sub in a reasonable sized room for entertainment. These guys with great knowledge about subwoofers themselves are regular down the earth people that get sent extremely large subs for reviews only. Unless they've got a specifically built home theatre place why keep a massive cube-like attention seeking box in a tiny room even if you had the cash? My room size is no different from yours BTW and my sb3000 alone is an over-killer. But it is compact and that's why I've bought it. I ran off after I was invited to see a sb4000. It could never be discrete in my little room due to its sheer size plus weight and spouse acceptance factor.

Good vid. You come across as genuine....👍👍 I had a listen to the t9x the other day, good sub. Im thinking of getti g the 7x . I love in an aprtment with neighbours below. I noticed quite a lot of bass comi g from under the unit, from the passive radiator. Will a down firing radiator mean the neighboirs below will hear more from.me, or not? Should i put the sub on a stone platform if i get it? I have wooden floorvoards atm. Thank you!

Hey Brother im definitely stuck between both camps plus you know I suffer from A.P. In your opinion do you think I could maybe achieve The Best of Both Worlds with Rel S Series? Enjoy your weekend out on the boat. I can't wait to come back to Arizona in about a month

I picked up some Focal On Wall 302 in my living room for a 5.1.4 and of course stereo for music. The fairly clean looks come at the cost of low-end extension, so they kinda need a 70-80 Hz crossover (rated for 50). What sub would you pair with that for about 17 square meters / 180 square ft? Right now I have T9X and 1205 on my list. Focal's own Sub 1000 F would fit within the budget as well. I am leaning a bit more towards 12 inches since it is home theater first. I think 15 inches might be a tad too much for the size of the room and crossover frequency. I definitely want to enjoy low volumes too without the neighbors complaining all the time.

Doubt you will read comment under old video but will give a shot. I have kf92 which is great for movies and music alike. Recently I was thinking to add either another kf92, for better dispersion as I use fraction of Kf92 power, or try to add REL specially for music listening via my Arcam AVR. Now big question is what would be better for music in medium size room with ls50 metas - two kf92s (bonus in movies), two t7x high pass and lfe connected, or 1x t9x. With high pass because I use mono blocks single Rel afaik is a no go so last option would be connected via lfe. All would be room corrected with Dirac with base management. For stereo music listening lfe would be disabled in second option (t7x). Btw for those speakers and room size Rel recommends t7x

Bought this sub to go with an Ambeo soundbar on the recommendation of where I bought the LG OLED 77 and Ambeo soundbar. I said it would be for mostly movie and reg tv . Only music would be from streaming or what the music channels are on local Xfinity cable. Had them out a few times and tried different settings etc .Not sure what was wrong , but just not satisfied with the sub sound performance ! I returned it, so now on the fence of going with the Rel HT-1205 or the SVS SB-2000 ?

Hey Nemo, Just was curious as to what company you purchased your acoustical panels from? Have a similar size room with NAD and Maggie's. Sounds amazing. Need to go to the next step with my room. Next step after room treatment is sub. Thinking either T5x Rel or Kef 62. Thanks for doing the vids...they're GREAT!

Great reviews. I noticed that most of the sub reviews use monitor speakers. What if you have floor standing 3-way speakers? Will the smaller subs like the T7X do the job, or do you have to go with the T9x (if you can only afford having one sub)? I've read so many comments saying that two subs are always better than one, but other comments saying that the smaller subs can't integrate well with the bigger flood standing speakers that have deeper bass than the monitors. Your thoughts?

BK also makes subs with high level inputs.

Get two if you have the room. Don’t have to buy both new; wait until you can find a used one or one where the cabinet is damaged. I have 2 t/7i’s in a 11 x 15 foot listening area and one was fine, but 2 does better.

Hey Nemo, i got my gain setting on 4-5 on my 7ti in my 13x16 ft room, higher than that it gets boomy, what am I doing wrong? Set up everything as per the instructions, in the corner diagonally behind the right speakers at the pressurization point.

Would these pair well or blend with a couple large Bookshelf shelf speakers with 6.5 inch midbass woofers that go down to 55hz? Or is a pair of T7x a better match regardless of room size?

Thanks for your reviews Nemo. Has anyone used the dual T9X's in a large room. I have a room that is 3100 cubic feet and I want to make sure they will provide enough output to provide impactful, room filling base. I am in the final stages of purchasing my new subs Thanks for the input

I'm considering 2 x T/9x to complement my ported floorstanders in a 2-channel music system in a 19x22x8 room that is open to a hallway and open staircase to upstairs level. I can't find anywhere whether the LPF in the T/9x is 24dB per octave (to best match the roll off of my ported mains which are approx -6dB at 50Hz in room) or only 12dB per octave. Any ideas?

Matched with 5-6in driver bookshelf speakers, is the T7x ever better with speed than the 9x? Room size 12x22x8.5. Ik you said the 9x is better at everything, but do you think the larger driver on the 9x can sound not quite matched as well with smaller speakers? Thanks!

Have you listened to any BK subwoofers? In the uk they are pretty cheap and offer a similar sound to REL, i think they were the same company years ago or used to share components?

I am looking for a pair of wireless subwoofers for a medium size room for both music and theatre. I am more on the spl size. What would you recommend?

What do you think of the REL tZero subwoofer for a room about the size of yours? I’m trying to decide if the TZero is enough for me. Thanks!

Hey mate, did you listen to a S/510? Would you go with that instead of a T9/X for better audiophile/home cinema balance?

Thoughts on a t9x vs f12 vs sb3000 for 80% music 20% movies/tv? Room is 13x18. Think I prefer a more subtle sound so prob not svs like you said in the video

Ok, I have a set up question. Maybe I should call/email REL. I'm looking at a pair of T7X's but I need to run them XLR and not HL, I need to crossover my Magnepan 3.7i's and the only way is with using something like my Emotiva XSP-1's bass management. Am I missing anything or is this correct. I'm between a pair or the REL's or SVS SB3000

Hey Nemo , not sure who to ask about my t9x issue. It's already been returned, but I really like the way it sounds. My sub has to set very close to my wooden HiFi cabinet, at the left side but forward. The sub started moving in and out very fast, I turned the volume on the amplifier down. The fluttering stopped. Every time I would try to turn it up past 3 maybe it would start moving out of control while playing records. It did not do that when I ran it through my DVD player and watch d a concert. It sounded great. Went back to the record and it started fluttering again. I had the Emotiva se12 , passive radiator , same location, same turntable, same everything. It never did that. So I don't know why is. Sets on a hardwood floor over a basement. But I don't have much turntable jumping, so the floor is pretty taunt for a wooden floor. Just wondering if there could be anything wrong with that r e l causing it to do that. Any idea? Appreciate you and all the work that goes into infofun videos.

I apologize if you have already done so and I have missed it. But it’d be cool to see a review of the HSU-ULS-15 MK2 if you could get your hands on it.

Does this kind of downfiring passive radiator sub benefit from an isolation platform?

Please review the Rel S/510. I know its expensive, but as you said in another video, buy once buy right.

Hi. Thank you for all of your videos!! I've learned a lot from you and your comparisons!! I'm from Argentina and I, like you, believe that a properly integrated pair of subs can change A LOT your system. They are a must have device. The thing is that in my country subs are very very expensive and it's also very difficult and expensive to import them. I have a high end system and I want to upgrade my two Boston Acoustics Msubs as I believe they are the weakest link in my chain. As I will be traveling to the US on january for vacations, I want to buy a pair and bring them back home on the plane. My first choice, considering your videos, my taste and my room, was a pair of REL T7X subs, but they don't sell them 220V as I have here. SVS does, but I'm not sure a pair of SB1000 Pro would be the best choice for music. I was thinking about a pair of Rythmik F12, not SE as their weight exceeds the plane weight limitations, but they are kind a too big for the room and to carry them around on the rented car. I'm now thinking about a pair of B&W AWS610 as they seem to have it all, but I'm not sure. My listening room is next to the kitchen and the whole place has an L shape and it has about 800 sq feet. I rarely listen to more than 85 dB, almost always below 80 dB, and I also need the subs to have high level inputs. Wich sub would you recommend the best for music? Any other option? Thank you!!!!

Pretty chill revisit! Love the Dont be an @$$ advisement! Smoothly & professionally done bro! 💪🏽🙏🏽🥷 🎶

Sumiko & sonus faber has the same speakon connector for high level.

Quality over quantity

Hi there, Need an expert advise. living room is 17x22 but my listening position is half of it and felt my subwoofer rel ht1205 is not performing that well specially on low volume music. But does pretty well on movies. My setup is marantz sr6014, def tech bp9060 , center as CS9040 and Rel Ht/1205. Rel does not wake up at lower volumes (example: at mid 30's or 40's) but performs well at higher volumes 60's and 70's. Looking for a sub which is punchier on lower volumes specially while listening to RU-vid music. I am ok to go for a dual sub setup. So, replacing rel with an svs pb series sub solve my problem? Thinking of pb4000 or sb16 ultra. Your advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi Nemo…LOVE your reviews! I am running Dynaudio Contour 20s in a 12'x14’ room with 8’ ceilings. Stereo music. I do not listen real loud. Do you think a pair of Rel T/5x Subs will do it for me???

Question: thinking of doing REL T9X for high level & Rhytmic 15 or 18 for LFE. What’s your thoughts?

Hi, I would like to get your opinion on the Rel T7x, between the T5x and T9x, which also has a bass front unit. I want to thank you for the content you publish. It has already helped me decide on the Focal Aria 906 for my system. I've been following the channel since I discovered it, two weeks ago, in a search I did about the Aria 906 and the Tannoy XT6. I was curious and after listening I already decided. Thanks.

In the uk this sub is the same price as theSVS sb3000, Would this Rel tx9 compete with bass output when compared to the sb3000?

Great review Brother Nemo! If one cannot use the high level inputs, and that is taken out of the equation, does that close the gap between the REL and the Rhythmik in terms of SQ for music?

I would love to see a b&w db4s review, Watch some sub reviews here lately and really enjoy it

Hi, have you tested or going to test any os the Rel S series or Carbon Special or Reference range and how do they sound and compare. Thank you.

Could you maybe cover even higher class of subwoofers like the s series, g25hp, or JL audio stuff? Of course, the one I should really be asking is your back.

Sounds really good, thank you for your review! I think the logo is really ugly and the branding is too much for me. That is really a dealbreaker for me unfortunately. I love the looks of the kc62 but I am afraid that it is not enough sound output at really low frequencies. I'd hope for a slightly bigger kc version (92) for example

What do you guys think about putting your subs on isolation feet? Would this tighten up the bass to make it noticeable? The isoacoustic feet are $60 a pair and I have two subs. That’s $240, not a cheap upgrade, but would be worth it if it has as big of an effect as speaker isolators.

Hey mate - great review (from Australia). I’m deciding between one t9x or KC62. I have two setups that I’ll play around with them. 1. Pair of Ls50wiis. 2 Amphion 7LS w Hegel H190. Mostly interested for musicality (listen to all genres but lots of Jazz) and need to have that extra “pronounced” bass in the mix. Any additional thoughts would be super helpful - I can get both for similar price. Cheers