REL Acoustics T/i Series, Operating Instructions Manual

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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 below 15 Hz. 
Therefore, for the moment, please 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. A REL will take advantage of physics and room acoustics to provide deep 
pressurization as no traditional subwoofer can. It is important that you bring to the set-up process a willingness 
to do things a little differently in order to obtain these superior results. The end result of your labours will 
be an utterly seamless integration of true deep bass to a sound system, regardless of the main speakers’ low 
bass capability.
Basic set-up should take no more than ten to fifteen minutes to accomplish once connected.

Two Things Before You Begin

1   It is helpful to know that you will almost always connect the REL to the input on the rear panel labeled 

“HIGH LEVEL INPUT.” This connection is made using the supplied 32’ 10” (10 meters) cable, the bare leads 
of which connect to the speaker output terminals of the power amplifier. The easy and foolproof connection 
at the REL is done with a Neutrik® Speakon® connector. The purpose of connecting to the speaker output 
terminals is one of the unique secrets of REL’s success. By connecting to the High Level input on the REL 
from the amplifier, you build forward the sonic signature of your main system, including the tonal balance 
and timing cues of the entire electronics chain. In this way, the REL is fed the exact signal that is fed to the 
main speakers.

2   When possible, the REL should be placed in one of the corners behind the speakers. Remember, we are 

dealing with true LOW bass pressurization with RELs. Low bass pressurization below 40Hz is best derived  
from corner placement, where the most linear and efficient low bass can be produced because the  
subwoofer is able to take advantage of the tangential (corner-to-corner) axis which is typically the longest 
axis in a room.

Connecting and Setting Up

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 150,000 ohms, in effect producing NO additional load on the rest of your system.

REL Set-Up Made Simple 

•   The standard high-level hook up procedure is: attach the red wire to the amplifier’s right positive speaker 

output terminal; attach the yellow wire to the amplifier’s left positive speaker output terminal; attach  
the black wire to whichever of the amplifier’s ground output terminals is convenient; plug the Speakon®  
connector into the Sub-Bass System’s high-level input.

•  For differential (i.e. fully balanced) amplifiers using one REL, simply use the standard connecting scheme 

with the exception of NOT connecting the black wire to a negative speaker terminal. Instead, it should 
first be allowed to “float” or hang down without connection to ANY terminal. Should hum occur using this 
method, please try connecting to an unused RCA connector on the rear of a preamp or amplifier. Please 
contact your dealer should there be any questions concerning this or any other hookup procedure.

NOTE:

The SerieT/i models are equipped with internal circuitry to allow seamless connection to Class-D (digital) 

amplifiers. If connecting to a Class-D amplifier, follow the above connection procedure for differential amplifiers.

Standard High-level

Differential (i.e. Fully Balanced)