REL Classic 98 Subwoofer AMAZING BASS NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I am reviewing the new REL Acoustics Classic 98 subwoofer to see if it would be a perfect partner to speakers like my own Mission 770. I really liked the classic aesthetic design of the REL Classic 98 and with there being so many retro designed HiFi speakers I thought the timing is perfect to check it out. Its a great subwoofer I really enjoyed my time with it.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:29 Classic 98
5:10 Setup
8:33 Sound
13:20 Negatives
16:50 Bass Character
18:05 Final Thoughts
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The HiFi System seen in this video and used for the review
Acoustic Treatments from GIK Acoustics gikacoustics.c...
Turntable Bergmann Modi and Thor • MY NEW TURNTABLE BLOWS...
Bespoke Audio Passive Preamplifier • NEVER HEARD ANYTHING L...
Gryphon Essence Pure Class A Power Amplifier
DAC in the video Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 • Chord Electronics Hugo...
Tellurium Q Statement II Digital cables linking M Scaler and TT 2
Tungsten Grooves W70 Isolation Feet • REVIEW Tungsten Groove...
Power IsoTek EVO 3 NOVA / IsoTek Genesis One / IsoTek EVO 3 Titan
• NEW IsoTek EVO 3 NOVA ...
• IsoTek EVO3 Genesis On...
Tellurium Q Statement Analogue Cable • Perfect HiFi Cables?? ...
Power Cables Tellurium Q Silver, Silver Diamond
• Tellurium Q Silver Ult...
Tellurium Q Statement Digital cable.
HiFi Racks - Quadraspire Q4 Evo • RACK FROM THE GODS HiF...
HiFi Racks Podium Reference.
REL NO.31 Subwoofers • REL's NEW BEST EVER SU...
Finally someone made a modern vintage looking sub
That would have been a better video title :)
Another very interesting and insightful video, thanks Terry. Have a good Christmas!
Thanks very much, I am not done yet, I am on a mission this week 😬
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Oh, excellent - can't wait! 👍
Nice review! Everything you say is spot on.
Nice review; the REL Classic 98 subs seem like a really nice addition to the Mission 770's to achieve full range audio. With the current sale at Crutchfield, you could get a pair of 770's with nice stands and a Rel sub for under 6K. Not a bad deal.😉
“Full Range”… the -6db point is 27hz. These are miles away from full range. Christ even my main speakers can do 35hz at -6db, why on earth would anyone buy this sub.
@@1061shrink1061 If you want to put your home to the ground, use a bulldozer. But you won't find one at REL company 😁
@@1061shrink1061🧐
Nice review. We both have the same size listening rooms, my room is also fully treated. Regarding subs, I've experimented for years with all kinds of subs, I've ended with up a pair of Rel carbons placed half on the side walls for the most even and natural sound.
Great review as always. I’m pretty sure I’m going to add at least one Classic 98 to my JBL L100 75’s & Audiolab 9000a set up
That sounds like a great plan George
Having had REL subs in previous set ups I’ve felt that the bottom end feeling a little light from the JBL’s is the niggle that I know a sub will sort which will hopefully make my setup sound as good as I thought it was going to.
Yes the Audiolab 9000 range is very polite at the music extremes aka bass and treble the treble makes it smooth but you can miss a bit of bass for the feeling and fun factor. Thats one of the reasons why using a sub is beneficial as you can control this aspect of the sound and it makes a HUGE difference hence my mid video rant about it :)
You’ve made my mind up……again Terry 😂
sorry about that :) haha
Just purchased this as it’s now on offer at £995. Excited to hear it in my system as I’ve never had a sub before 👍😊
Nice
Get two of it !
@@canaridissident7309 If you buy two you need method of getting the two working together, and EQ'd as a pair. Add a minidsp HD.
Great review as usual, I look forward to all of your videos. I would love to see a review of Martin Logan f200 comparison with audio vector qr7. Hardly any reviews of audiovector by the top TH-camrs. Merry Christmas sir
I like this subwoofer, it doesn't give the game away at a glance. Thanks for the review sir.
I reconised the 770,s from the thumbnail. I sold dozens of pairs of the original versions
Still one of my favs. I can see that sub being a great match with the new versions
Gorgeous sub and a really good job at trying to explain to the uninitiated, just how much of the sonic tapestry you are missing without using an REL…especially with the High Level connection!
"especially with the High Level connection" Unfortunately, it becomes a problem to adjust the level when using two subs. I do not understand why REL do not look for a slave mode here by connecting the subs one to another.
@@canaridissident7309 What’s good for the goose…get the idea 💡. Unless you have a perfectly symmetrical layout, that will not be beneficial plus levels vary by channel
You do realise when using the high level, the plate amp drops the signal back down to low level, the sub plate then amplifies it back to high level? A low level signal is a purer signal.
I’ve always liked the added benefits of extra bass from a sub. If you go into most hifi dealers though they really try to put you off using a sub for music.
Very good review that deserves much more views.
Do you think that a pair of speakers that go down 30 hertz would take advantage of the add of the Classic 98 ? What makes me wonder this is the fact that you say you let the Classic 98 goes up to 80/90 hertz so I guess much higher than where your speakers stop. I thank you.
I have only one spot where I can put a subwoofer. So I have a bit of doubts if i should buy one
thinking about pairing this with my Sonus Faber Duettos
Thinking of adding 98 to sourcepoint 8 and Rega ELEX 4. Thoughts?
I do love them missions.
Hi Terry, please be so kind and give me the benefit of your recent expert experiences with these ... would the Leema Tucana be a good match for the Mission 770's?
I also have a REL Q200 sub - an absolutely glorious addition to my system.
Any & all advice gratefully received 👍
If I had the budget, that would be a superb match with my mission 770.
Meh. personal preference of course. Your video on REL subwoofers took me down the rabbit hole of adding a sub to my 2 channel system. I ended up grabbing a Perlisten and couldn’t be happier
By far, I prefer this finish… not glossy… easier to keep clean and « pristine » over years… my S-510s are cute…. But just don’t touch them! Scratches are so easy to appear!
Only for that and so despite of the good quality if it is I do not want a glossy finish.
Rel's bass its great for music their sealed subs give you the tight bass .still use a rel strata 2 with a pair of Atcs it really dosent need to be cranked up a little is more .
I never asked, but if you could only choose one, which one would it be, Atalante 5 or Mission 770?
As good as the REL T7x?
Don’t know sorry
return of the storm3
Does the sub have a delay feature
No mate no digital processing in it at all
Yeh from 1962😅
No he means the delay in frequency notes, The lower the Frequency the more delay you need. It doesn't have to be digital can be done in the analog domain also, You can do this by moving the subwoofer back from the main speakers a normal calculation at 1M at its 20 hertz so put the subwoofer one meter back from the main speaker to get alignment. professional subwoofer has a delay setting so this is not necessary. The only commercial subwoof I've heard of having a delay setting is the Arendal. looking at there specs I would say they're the best hi-fi subwoofer you can get especially the V2@@PursuitPerfectSystem
With klipsch Cornwall? Thanks
Of course why not
Haha good answer.
Nice video as always, but the majority of this ‘review’ seemed more like a lecture on bass/subwoofer set up and philosophy (nothing wrong with that!) than a review of the sub itself. I just wish this sub was front firing.
Yes you are right and I cut a lot of what I scripted out for that reason. The review was not very long and it was a bit too simple so I tried to add some extra value and context - sorry if it came across like that. I am very passionate about this subject
@@PursuitPerfectSystemno need to apologize! Just an observation. I got the new Dovedales recently and these would match with them wonderfully - I just don’t know if a pair would compliment them well or not. The Dovedales have a lower F6 than the Classic 98 lol
Dovedales are nice and they are a warmer sounding speaker naturally than the Mission - however bass is always room and placement dependent - the whole point of my explanation here was dont focus on what a spec sheet tells you is the bass from a speaker because it means nothing, there will often be a lot more deep bass in a small room than mid bass because low bass rings more (you get more of it) and mid bass gets cancelled more, so you get less of it. Use the sub as the balancer to fill the bass the system and rooms needs. Its hard to know what it might need until you play around adding it and taking it away
@@PursuitPerfectSystemI agree with you 100%! That’s why it’s difficult to know what to get ahead of time. But that’s what trial periods are for I guess!
@@Crandish99 A pair is always better.
Hi Terry another lovely video top notch informative. PS audio Paul magawn as a good book and cd for speaker and sub woofer set.
The viny journey stylus tracking angle or the stylus rake this can tune what you here have youplayed about with this Terry.
I am going to have a play with that and a number of other things when I am back in the vinyl swing, I swing in and out of it depending on whats being reviewed that week. Got some cracking new toys lined up for vinyl so that should be intersting and fun
Color me strange, but when it comes to 100 L floor standing speakers in a stereo pair, I'd rather have that pair dig deep the way I'd like in a decent size room with a good setup, and not use a subwoofer; but, reserving subwoofer use for home theater and concert videos in a less private listening space in the house. My stereo listening is very personal, dating back to the 1960's!
That’s the whole point though. On paper it may seem like that is what you will get. In practice in a room bass never behaves how you want it to so being able to take control and use a subwoofer to enhance what the speakers are doing is a very powerful thing. I have done this with all different types of speakers in all size rooms and it’s the same every time
Does it work well with movies?
I think ok but of course you need to be realistic with your expectations of a 300watt 10 inch sub
I would say yes, if you do not want to put your home down.
They're only 10" Sealed box subs so I'd only use it for small room. A good 12" ported sub will beat dual Rel Classic for output and low entension for movies.
Use two Classic 98. Everything will improve.
You normally only review subwoofers in pairs, any reason why you chose to review this one as a single ?
Normally I ask for two yes but this time they could only send me one that is the only reason
Phase Zero/180 is a joke on higher-end subs, and how about XLR connections?
I have owned several subwoofer with variable phase and did loads of measuring to see if adjusting the phase worked out better, I still ended up on either 0 or 180 in the end. XLR could be good, other REL subs have that connection. I have never run a balanced connection to a sub so I didnt even think of it
Let's see.................
WharfDale EVO4.1 & REL Sub Wharfedale EVO4.4 Towers
$ 2,098 VS. $ 1,798
JBL L82 Classic & REL Sub VS. JBL L100 Classics
$ 3,999 $ 3.630
KLH Model Three & REL Sub VS. KLH Model Fives
$ 2,398 $1,999
Mission 770 & REL Sub VS. Mission has no better
$ 5,899 N/A
Hmmmm............... I'm noticing a trend. Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
I think you still have to pick the speakers you like first and then think about adding sub after for obvious reasons - budget for one thing at a time
@@PursuitPerfectSystem
I argue that the upgrade is not in the Sub. It's progressing up the line. The upgrade is moving towards a pair of full range stereo speakers as an end goal.
Sell the 2-ways, skip the Sub & get to the full range pair as a hierarchical end game.
The sub is not just for small speakers its for all speakers, it doesnt matter what speakers you buy or how big, their bass will never be perfect, I have heard hundreds never once perfect bass. I did a calibration last week, the customer had KEF R11 in a smallish room, you would think they would be overkill. Not at all, they sounded only half as good as they could without his REL Carbon Special subwoofer. As I explained in the video more sources of bass helps to improve things a lot.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem
You're proving my point because one can add a Sub to JBL L100s too. L82 owners don't want L82's & a Sub. They want L100s & maybe a Sub.
The KEF R11 is 3 db down at 45hz. It's not a full range speaker. It's no wonder the Sub fills out the missing LFs.
Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
The fact you have looked at the spec sheet and seen 45hz @ -3db proves my point, that means very little because its not an in room response KEF know in 99% of rooms there will be room gain and there is often a lot of room gain at very low frequencies. The REL was crossoved over in the 50hz region so it wasnt just very low bass it was doing - crossing over at 50hz means its still effecting up to around 60-70hz so quite a large range. Whats written on a spec sheets means very little for any speaker the figures are easily goosed.
Shame it’s not available in black.
Ermmm... Good looking??
Yes pretty good looking for the taste of many as for mine.
Shame its got that badge on top. Stops one using it as a plant stand.
LOL BK subs look just as good, and half the price. Oh at least made in UK, unlike Rel
I’m sorry but REL have lost the plot with the pricing here. £1299 for a 10” paper cone and 300w, with zero app control and a piss poor low end extension of 27hz at -6db!
That means the 0db lower end response is probably in the 30’s… that’s not a subwoofer!
An SVS 3000 micro is smaller, easier to hide, more powerful, goes deeper, louder, has EQ and app connectivity and costs about £400 less.
Sorry REL, this is way way way off the pace
I think it stands to reason if you want very deep bass with high output you wouldn't buy this subwoofer, REL sell subwoofers for the same money that do that. You buy this subwoofer because you like the look of it and want a subwoofer that will work great with a hifi system.
Also never trust the spec sheet it tells you very little, especially for how a subwoofer is going to sound and behave in your room. Often bass extension from small subs comes at the cost to other performance attributes so its choose the right product for the job you want it to do.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I've owned many midsize REL's over the years and they are sadly outperformed these days by many other brands. The specs on the 98 are completely inappropriate for the price being asked.
I'm looking into the Sonus Faber Gravis II as well
@@1061shrink1061
Upgrading your income first and foremost...
Nothing is free down this world but mediocrity.
When I subscribed I thought I would hear the sound of speakers, but I only hear talking. I can decide and get to conclusions myself by hearing the sound of the speakers. Unsubscribing... 😢
Use your noodle a microphone mostly has a 1 inch diaphragm a.30hz bass note is 30 feet long - how can you ever record that accurately?
I don’t know why you would expect something that is not promised? If you think you can accurately record the sound of subwoofers when most microphones don’t even record sub bass frequencies and they overload extremely easy if they do so you cant record anything like a real world sound pressure level. I have tried.
So again it’s your expectation that is off not my channel so please do unsubscribe and best of luck finding what you think you will get
Let me also ask you do you work for free? How many days a week do you work for free? Would you be prepared to work 2-3 days a week for free? By expecting sound demo videos you are asking me to work 2-3 days a week for free - would that be something you would or could do sustainably with a family mortgage and 2 kids? No its not. The channels that do sound demos these days from what I have seen are selling products so they make their main revenue from sales of other things. You are not looking at the overall picture here and it angers me no end. You get my content for free and if you don't like it don't watch it
Sound of speakers via TH-cam?? .... dumbest stuff I've heard in sometime
No, this is not best looking subwoofer in 2023.
😎
You are very right. This is the best looking subwoofer of all time 😁