It has been properly over 15 years since I offered my REL Strata III Subwoofer and while it was a improbable performer on the time when used with a pair of Cain & Cain Abby and IM-Ben loudspeakers, it didn’t mix that properly with the remainder of the furnishings in the lounge.
Subwoofer know-how additionally saved progressing and there was a shift within the class in direction of trendy industrial design that labored out properly for manufacturers like SVS, JL Audio, and HSU.
REL lastly realized that it wanted to vary course and provide subwoofers with a extra trendy appear and feel; no person disputed the standard of the merchandise however they seemed outdated.
Quick ahead to 2023 and REL Acoustics remains to be manufacturing among the finest subwoofers out there; the British producer additionally affords very versatile wi-fi choices for its vary of merchandise and they’re among the best to combine into 2.0 methods with a reasonably wide selection of loudspeakers.
We’ve got had a number of success with REL’s T7/x ($1,099 at Amazon) and merchandise just like the Magnepan LRS, Wharfedale Linton, and Q Acoustics 5040.
In the course of the pandemic, REL’s John Hunter observed that Mission, JBL, Klipsch, and Wharfedale had been having a reasonably robust diploma of success with classic revivals of a few of their best-selling loudspeakers.
Customers had been shopping for into the classic audio resurgence and that maybe it was time to revisit the traditional REL subwoofers from the Nineties however with up to date driver know-how and amplification.
Enter the REL Traditional 98.
This revival is a mix of mid-century attraction seamlessly mixed with state-of-the-art know-how. The subwoofer is greater than only a nod to iconic REL designs; it’s a reimagining, mixing the aesthetics of the previous with at present’s technological prowess and efficiency.
The REL Traditional 98 channels the essence of its famend 10” down-firing designs from the late 90s. The wealthy, pure walnut veneer exudes heat and authenticity, harking back to the mid-century stereo gear.
The radiused curve, accentuated by a delicate reveal line, showcases trendy craftsmanship whereas honoring previous design. The rear amp panel, with its white gold silk screening and contrasting knobs, evokes reminiscences of the period, whereas the shiny black emblem set in opposition to a matte background provides a up to date contact.
John Hunter, Chief Designer at REL Acoustics Ltd, expressed his enthusiasm for the brand new product. “Traditional 98 is just not merely a tribute to our previous, however persevering with proof of our dedication to audio perfection. With its impeccable design and unparalleled sound high quality, it guarantees an audio expertise that stands out in each aesthetics and efficiency, outshining the very fashions from which it attracts inspiration,” stated Hunter.
That sounds nice however what makes this subwoofer any completely different from the present T/x collection at a worth of $1,399 USD?
New Driver
The 10” down-firing driveris crafted utilizing REL’s conventional paper cone approach, revives the classic REL sound. This driver, constructed to deal with the abundance of energy provided in Traditional 98, ensures a sound that’s not simply highly effective, however pure and deeply resonant. Whereas Traditional 98 maintains the aesthetics of their older fashions, it performs louder and deeper, providing an audio expertise that marries the reliability and know-how of recent RELs with a retro look and sound.
Scorching-pressed, light-weight paper types the outer 2/3 of the cone. The internal cap is a premium air-dried paper that stiffens the motive force, permitting Traditional 98 to outperform a lot of their older merchandise. A pure butyl encompass produces a delicate, period-correct dynamic that endures.
We’ll get to that final sentence in a second.
Again within the 90s, REL’s subwoofers had been powered with a 300W Class A/B amplifier which added considerably to the worth of the designs. It additionally made them very heavy subwoofers; my toes took the brunt of that quite a lot of instances with the Strata III.
REL did essentially the most logical factor with the Traditional 98 and utilized a 300 watt Class D amplifier for its effectivity, measurement, and price advantages.
Additionally they designed the Traditional 98 to work with the HT-Air MK II and AirShip II wi-fi methods; giving customers flexibility with 2.0 or house theater methods which may require placement removed from any amplifier or tools rack. Each REL wi-fi methods provide connectivity as much as a most of 40 toes from the transmitter and promise 17 ms response instances.
However is that this only a classic model of the T9/x ($1,449 at Amazon) in a beautiful walnut cupboard?
Based on REL, the Traditional 98 affords barely much less bass affect and and that there’s a trade-off in terms of pace, readability, and element.
Is {that a} good factor at a time when competing fashions from SVS and RSL provide deeper bass extension, timbral accuracy, and faster efficiency for a similar worth?
The classic vibe solely goes to date.
While we love the traditional design and integration of wi-fi connectivity, the REL Traditional 98 must provide glorious efficiency as properly to compete in a really aggressive house.
Count on our overview within the coming months…
The place to purchase: $1,399 at rel.web
Specs
- TYPE: Down-firing lively driver
- ACTIVE DRIVER SIZE & MATERIAL: 10 in. (250mm) Amended Pulp-on-Paper, Downfiring Inverted Cone, Metal Chassis
- LOW FREQUENCY EXTENSION: 27Hz at -6 dB
- INPUT CONNECTORS: Hello Stage Neutrik Speakon, Low Stage RCA, LFE RCA
- OUTPUT CONNECTORS: N/A
- POWER OUTPUT: 300 watts (RMS)
- AMPLIFIER TYPE: Class D
- WIRELESS CAPABILITY: HT-Air MKII Wi-fi or AirShip II, Bought individually
- DUAL PARAMETRIC FILTER: N/A
- DIMENSIONS (WxHxD): 13.75 in. x 18.5 in. x 11.75 in. (350mm x 470mm x 298.5mm)
- Add 1.75in (44.5mm) in depth when utilizing a Excessive Stage connector
- NET WEIGHT: 40.0 lbs. (18.1 kg)
- SHIPPING WEIGHT: 48.5 lbs. (22.0 kg)
- FINISH: Walnut veneer
Safety System
- FULLY ELECTRONIC SET SAFE: Sure
- D.C. FAULT: Sure
- OUTPUT SHORT: Sure
- MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE: 220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for sure markets
- FUSES:
- 2.5 Amp semi delay 220 volts operation
- 5 Amp semi delay 120 volts operation
