REL TZero MKIII Subwoofer Review. Who is it for?
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Discord Link: / discord
REL Tzero MKIII: rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofe...
Preamp & Power Amplifiers
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-p7
Kinki Studio EX-B7 mono blocks: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-b7
Buchardt I150: buchardtaudio.com/collections...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfield.com/p_813NODE...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Denafrips Ares II
www.vinshineaudio.com/product...
Speaker & Power Cables: Maze Audio Ref4
www.mazeaudio.com/speaker-cabl...
RCA Cables: Analysis Plus Oval One
analysis.plus/product/oval-on...
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment: - Věda a technologie
Like the vibe of your channel. To the point, informative, chill and well articulated.
thank you James!
Nice! Btw, your anecdotal digressions are almost always the best parts of your review! You gave us real sense of this little speaker.
aye thanks man :)
Nice review. I already have a TzeroMKIII, but I wanted to hear what other reviewers had to say about it. Keep up the great work.
Awesome that REL now includes the high level inputs on the T zero!
Great review, thanks. Bought 2 Tzeros for my small room, couldn't be happier
Can I ask you the length and width of the room?
@@everlastingfripside7510 Sure, my room is approx 3m x 3m.
Another awesome review bro. You are definitely improving and giving the viewers a picture and details of something that they might want to purchase. Got my T5i after viewing your review last year and it immediately made an impact on my system Very well done bro and all the best to you!!
Nice! I still miss those T5i's, they were so small and so good!
My perfect center channel supporter.
Surprising & COOL info….I bought a pair of REL T/5Xs for all the same reasons you recommend for this mini. I am extremely happy with REL's super subtle integration with my stand-mounted audiophile speakers and especially the ability to set them up for stereo listening AND Home Theatre with separate volume controls for each discipline, 'cause I want more BOOM with my movies!….and they look great, TOO!
Nice, I still miss the T5X pair I had here, so easy to move around and they just blend so seamlessly into the room with their small size.
It kicks butt for stereo small room or near field listening!
This sub work great with active desktop speakers, especially if you can high pass to the speakers and low pass to the sub. I did that in my desktop system, the DAC output fed a Rolls SX45 stereo crossover. The high pass output went to Kanto YU2 active speakers and the low pass output went to my T/Zere MKIII sub. It made those YU2s with their 3" drivers sound way above their price.
Really? I had the opposite experience where high-pass took away too much of the bass reinforcement. It seemed like with the zero being so small it needed the speakers as much as the speakers needed it to build bass on top of eachother as opposed to a clean hand off. Could be since you're using desktop it's just different, I know desktop is weird with bass.
I was apprehensive on purchasing the REL T ZERO but after viewing this review I pulled the trigger, the reviewer in this clip is spot on with his appraisal, slotted in under a pair of Wharfedale Dentons the T Zero has integrated seamlessly,,, Fattened the sound up perfectly to point where listeners think it's all part of the mix,,,excellent review and well Done 👍👍
Hi Paul, I'm happy it worked well for you, the Tzero is an excellent buy for those who want to feel like their speakers are a bit larger. Sounds like it hit the nail on the head for you :)
I can’t wait to get one for my office setup
Top reviewer you are sir 🙏🏻
thank you brother!
This is amazing compact subwoofer with detailed bass. I have one with my Focal Chora 806, this combo is a delight.
Nice dude! Focal & REL is a great combo and Chora is my fav speaker at it's price!!
I've a pair of 806s too and I'm in the market for a sub to accompany them.
I'm going to either pick this one or Heco music style sub 25 a.
Heco is bigger and more powerful in terms of cone size and amplifier while the price is a bit steeper.
Are you still happy with your combo ?
Thanks,
I just ran across your channel. Great review and I really like your calm demeaner. I had to significantly down size into a condo and needed to put my reference system in storage for a few years. In my new condo I picked-up a pair of T+A Lignum LGS20 small tower speakers that I am powering with a new Kinki Studio EX-M1 integrated. The LGS20's have wondering voicing and good mid-base but roll off fast at 50kz (small 3.14" bass drivers). I just ordered a REL TZero MKIII - sounds like this little sub could be the ticket to round out my sound on the bottom end.
Hi Joey, thank you for the kind words, T+A is a great brand!! As long as all you're looking for is for those speakers to sound a little bigger the Tzero is great, if you're looking for anymore than that I'd suggest going for the T5X instead, it's only slightly larger but brings more fullness to the table. Don't be afraid to take advantage of that in home trial :)
On point as always 👌🏽
Thanks brosef!
@@NemoPropaganda always bro
Great video...very informative.
Thanks!
Nemo,
Do you recomend I use anti-vibration pads under my 2 REL HT1003 MK11
Subwoofers?
The pads will raise each woofer up by 1/2"..give or take.
Thanks,
David
Nemo, luv it. Your efforts to clarify the value proposition are so money and must watch CZcams!
I appreciate that!
@@NemoPropaganda . So, for a 13.5 by 12 room and Emotiva B1s, is the zero a good entry point for music focus or worth waiting for the T7x?
@@maximo90019 you really just have to ask yourself what you're really looking for, the Tzero will certainly get the job done if you're after a mostly increase of quality and not so much overall bass power. But if you are like me, a bass head who wants that exaggerated bass response and outstanding SQ at the same time then you definately will want something larger like T5X bare minimum and ideally 7x.
Sold!!!!!
The best reviewer in town!
Precisely what I wanted to hear relevant to this tiny sub. Interestingly
enough, the Buchardt S400 MK 2s are precisely the replacement speaker
for my new revamped system. The best subs (to me) are not heard
for their bass but more for their sonic contribution thus providing
a fuller sonic signature rather than being bass-heavy. Excellent review
cos now I am totally convinced I'll be happy purchasing one of these units.
(my room is not large). If, for some reason I am not happy with the unit
in my room setting then I am sure it will be a good add-on to my desk-top
Kef Q150s. (just might need 2 ???????? - one for each system - can't argue
with the price) Excellent review. Big thank-you Nemo
Do keep in mind while the Tzero was a nice enhancement for the S400 the S400 can play much louder than the Tzero so for that reason I would recommend 5x or 7x as they will track much better as you demand more volume from your system.
Great assessment. I just got a T7/X and it’s so good. Works great with my Maggie .7s. Of course my dealer wants to sell me a stereo pair of them. Not necessary at all. I do tune it for whatever I’m playing. And it lets me do that very well!
ah yes, the stereo pair really is amazing but a single one is also amazing!
I'm, considering the Tzero for my (just ordered) magnepan LRS+'s. I just want to complete the sonic experience without too much bass. Thoughts?
@@scottroberts4551 I have not heard the LRS, if you have a little more space/budget I'd go for a T5X just to make sure you have enough headroom. The Tzero is a great sub in the right hands, if you can demo it somewhere that will really help you. If you can't demo it, T5X is easy insurance.
Nice review. This is a subwoofer candidate to matchup with the SVS Prime Wireless speakers in my bathroom.
Subwoofer in a bathroom? I like the way you think!!!
Love your channel! Keep up the good work, you deserfe more followers!
Thank you so much!
I have a single Rel tx7 in a 14'x24' room and the sound is amazing. The gain is set to just under half way and would not want any more or it would overpower the speakers.
Nice! I love the T7X, it's such a good size.
Dude, you are fast becoming my favourite reviewer..you've consistently hit the mark, spoke it straight and laid the facts out in clear terms. Excellent work!
thank you Mark, I appreciate that!
I second that thought! Nemo gives solid advice
He knows his stuff...and gives 'bottom line' information, insights about the gear he is reviewing. He communicates clear & informative way.
Neo has helped me make some good purchasing decisions regarding av gear over the last year.
I definitely appreciate his work.
First-time viewer - really enjoyed your review. Really in-depth, informative, easy to understand for a long-time audiohile but a complete newbie when it comes to subwoofers. Thank-you, all the way from Japan..... now a subscriber. cheers!
Hi Gerri, welcome to the channel bro!
@@NemoPropaganda - Cheers! Right back at you Bro!! Thanks again - top advice - Ordered a REL Sub today!!
@@SmallChurch congrats my man! what did you end up ordering?
@@NemoPropaganda - The REL T/Zero MKIII; thanks to your sterling review. And, just as important, the much smaller than average size of ALL Japanese apartments & the proximity of neighbours. Thanks so much for your precise, all-areas covered review. Cheers, Bro!! Gerri in JPN.
@@SmallChurch awesome, hope in our free discord if you want to share some pictures of the setup :)
Added one of these to my desktop setup powered by a pair of Vanatoo Transparent Zero speakers... The T-0 / TZero combination is exceptional!
I couldn't be more pleased. Just as stated in this review, the addition of the REL TZero MKIII doubled the perceived size of the speakers and greatly expanded an already impressive soundstage.
Dude. Exact same combination and it's my endgame desktop setup. Couldn't be happier.
I'm looking to do exactly this same setup for my desktop system. It's between this one and the SVS SB-1000 (around the same price). My office is medium size with lots of reflective surfaces and windows that rattle with heavy bass, so I think this one with tighter and more detailed presentation will be near-perfect.
I have the same speakers and ordered this sub this morning. Just curious how did you connect them to the vanatoo T-0s? Did you just use the sub out of the zeros with the single subwoofer cable then into the LFE input of the sub?
@@alexlittig7927 that is what i did….took just a bit of fine tuning to get the best sound but still puts a smile on my face every time i set down at my desk.
@@ldk59 how low can you still hear bass tones? Can't this do anything below 40hz?
Somehow missed this, but these are so cool! Likely, ideal for someone with very limited space on the floor too. You could sneak a pair of these anywhere lol
Thanks!
thank you Charles!
Very well done and “real” review. IMO people can be very confused about what a sub can do for 2-channel listeners.
While no speaker at any price is perfect, even the best of class standpoints can be lacking in low frequency information.
In many cases, you’re missing large amounts of what you’re supposed to be hearing.
This can be particularly true with orchestral and jazz music as there is a lot going on down low, lots of texture and decay, so it’s not just about “bass thump”. Even the presence of tones you don’t identify as notes can be felt.
If one does they’re research, blending the correct sub can be an absolute game changer with music.
And in the best case scenario, you won’t even know a sub is there.
When correctly integrated your ears will not only hear the low frequency detail, you will sense it too which is almost never talked about.
REL is one of the few companies out there that just gets it right. The design of their product seems to want to enhance rather than to call itself out w/boom and thuds.
They’re not cheap but they are worth it even at their “entry level”.
I paired this particular sub with a pair of Chora 806 standmounts and it works for me in my medium sized room, placed in the corner so it throws the entire length of the room.
The Choras do have bass but the top end performance outshines it by a country mile! The REL just takes the handoff and anchors that speaker down.
I was never pro-sub or anti-sub, nor am I a REL fanboy, I just think it’s too easy to over-bake a sub’s implementation and frankly 80% of subs just come across as an afterthought.
It took my wife forever to even notice it was there. One could say that the MKIII, T5x, and T7x are great subs for people who don’t like subs.
Well done man 👍🏻
very well said and I strongly agree.
🔥🔥🔥
Tack!
thank you sir!
Great again
Just got the s400mk2’z as well and bass is a stunner. After hearing my friend’s T7 with .7 Magnepans, I began to consider a sub addition but did not want atomic or cinematic bass for a smaller size room. This sounds like a damned good addition to create more dimension and fidelity. Thanks for zeroing in on the zero.
it is but if you have the S400 a T7X or T5X would be a much better options as they'd scale better as you demand more volume from the presentation.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for the guidance!
@@NemoPropaganda I own a T7X and it’s awesome but I’m not a basshead at all and I don’t listen to music filled with beats. The lowest notes I like to hear are from a contrabas in a Jazz band.
Sometimes I’m annoyed by the room modes in my living room and the bass can be too much for my taste as a hifi purist. Would you suggest I buy a T5X instead or two TzeroMKIII’s to solve my problem?
I don’t want very deep bass, only texture and a clear bass. I have the S400 mkII’s.
@@user-qu9pi5th7t what is the freq knob set to on the T7x?
@@NemoPropaganda 15 clicks. Level knob 10 clicks
I bought a pair of S/510. Can't wait for it.
that's what I'm talkin about! I'm jealous!!
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for recommending the song Alquimia! Its not considered a reference track, but it helped me identify an inbalance between the left and right woofer caused by my uneven room!
@@sleepyf1 ahaha, oh yeah, I use that track primarily to evaluate start/stop behavior and transients. Never use that track for integration though. The bass on that song will never sound perfectly integrated and can actually be a bit murky sounding.
@@NemoPropaganda Absolutely. It was that long monotone bass around 1:18 that help me easily identify that the right side of the room had more bass pressure. After taking the gain down a notch, percussion drums in other reference tracks sounded clearer.
This is perfect. What I was needing! Been struggling with this decision, but thinking that a T7/x might actually be good with my quad S2’s (46hz -6db). 11x12 room. Well, still obsessing, but less so 🙏🏼
oh yeah, S2's with a 7x would be a great combo!
I have never been a sub guy since i started this hobby in late 70s but in 2017, i purchased a REL T7i to go with my B&W CM6S2 & until today, i am still enjoying this combo immensely. The T7i not only extended the bass of my CM6 but also the midrange, soundstage depth & highs too. And i did not even have to spend days or weeks dialling in the T7i to my CM6s. Just plonked em there, set crossover freq at abt 50 to 60hz & vol at 9 o’clock & i was good to go. Totally seamless integration. The T7i performs equally well for music & movies. I m totally satisfied with it. I cannot live without it now. And i was never a sub guy.
@@ganck1147 Great to be reading this. Finally got the T7/x and haven’t looked back. Now pairing it with Spendor Classic 4/5’s. It’s been essential. Plan to keep it a very long time! 👍🏼🙏🏼
@@riccitone enjoy your T7x to the max! For me i appreciate the musicality of REL subs & the high level input connection that ensures a totally seamless integration with your main spks. That is very important for me & i guess to most people as well.
This is exactly what I wanted from my system and it's exactly what I got when I connected the T Zero up today. Thanks for the review. I'm not a basshead but I do listen to electronic music as well as orchestral, organ, indie pop etc etc. Everything just sounded bigger and I was able to find a better soundstage as well, like the rest of the frequencies had something to sit on. I have it turned down pretty low and I do lower it further for classical to avoid boominess - the next step is a system able to high-pass the main speakers and add room correction, although this will necessitate a low level connection which seems almost heresy with a REL subwoofer 😳
The whole time I listened to the Tzero was via low level so I wouldn't worry about it too much :). However I would not do the high pass. The Tzero is very small and it needs the bass from the speakers. It builds on the speakers bass and combines with it to form a fuller sound. I tried the Tzero via highpass and didn't really like the result. REL themselves also believe in running speakers full range for both stereo and theater and my own experience shows they are very correct in that suggestion. My advice is forget about the highpass idea and save that money for something else entirely.
@@NemoPropaganda Interesting. I'm looking at changing my amp anyway for one with room correction so I might play about with it. I guess my reasoning was the high pass takes a lot of load off the main amplification and also prevents small main speakers distorting trying to reproduce frequencies they just can't (I'm thinking realistically
@@chrisburn7178 yeah, it's one of those things a lot of people do but I've never felt it sounded better to my ears but maybe you'll like it. I feel like any decent speaker can play down to 50hz, then again my room is smaller and I listen at lower volumes.
@@NemoPropaganda Really appreciate the opinions! Thanks
If you were to high pass the mains you can still run high level. John Hunter (the main man from REL) has said in a video that you can use the gain and crossover controls on the sub to compensate as it will still pick up the bass information from the signal. I'm pretty sure you'd have to make sure the high pass slope isn't too agressive though.
I am stoked to get mine, which I ordered today on Cyber Monday! Why am I stoked after watching this? I have a pair of Buchardt S400 MKII's which I love, and also grabbed a Buchardt I150 today! $$$ spent 😊 I have a smallish office space at home so both these upgrades should fit my ear!
thank you for the kind words bro, but... mmm, how do I saw this politely.... I think this subwoofer is a very bad match for the S400 MK2. I think in a small room S400 MK2 will not need a subwoofer for most people but if you really want one I'd suggest something bigger like the REL 1003 MK2 because S400 already extends very low and the Tzero will not add to its extension in any way.
@@NemoPropaganda That's okay, I bought it through Amazon so an easy return if I hate it. I thought your video, filmed months ago, liked the combo! Oh well! Cheers
@@LifelongMusicJunkie yeah, so I think this video was misunderstood by a lot of people and maybe sometimes people either don't watch the whole video or sometimes don't remember everything I said, I talked about the S400 I said the Zero mostly increases the quality of the bass, if that's what you're after then I think you will be happy but if you want more extension the 1003 MK2 is a better option. I also said the Tzero is not the best option for super bass heavy speakers which S400 are. I will be curious what you think, can you please leaeve an update after you receive it?
@@NemoPropaganda I am not after a booming sound but some subtle bass. It will be a week-10 days before I have both items set up but I will update you, cheers.
@@NemoPropaganda Yeah I am sending the subwoofer back! There is no noticeable difference with the S400 MKII's!
I’ve seen subwoofers that size primarily for computer speaker systems. This REL TZero might be a great performer with really good computer speaker systems.
yeah, it's a niche product for sure, most people would be happier with a T5X but for the few that this product was designed for, they're going to love it. Personally I need something bigger like the T7X minimum :)
Hello. I think I prefer your old style of reviewing; it sets you apart and in a very positive way.... You kinda did so here.
Thank's bro, do you mean you prefer this style over the aggregate style where I quote people? Not to worry, that was never meant to replace my normal style, just for some products it makes more sense to do an aggregate approach, like when there is already so many reviews on a product I'll do an aggregate style but when there is not too many I'll do it more like this :D
I went back and forth between this sub and the mk5. The slightly bigger brother. I went with the mk5 and it changed my entire system. The sound just filled in so nice. My vinyls are alive, when I listen it's just a pleasure.
Looking back I should have got this mk3. I didn't need the mk5, it's way more. REL subs are just quality!
which one is the MK5? is that one of their older subs or did you mean to say T5?
@@NemoPropaganda yep that's it. The t/5x, I got my numbers mixed up. Bottom line it's the best addition I've made to my system.
@@maddhendrix Oh man, yeah I loved the T5X when I had a pair here for review. So small and sounded so good.
@@NemoPropaganda yea it really blew every expectation I had for how good a sub could sound out of the water. The best part to for me besides the sound was the white finish. It matched all my wife's farmhouse decor! It sounds beautiful, looks beautiful. My first REL buy, probably not my last. Keep rocking!
Steve Guttenberg said this is the subwoofer for people that don't like subwoofers. I have one ordered. I have the Sonus Faber Lumia 2's and just wanted to tiny bit more without being loud. I am Not a bass head. I am in a condo and have neighbors to worry about.
This sub is Fantastic with the Magnepan LRS+ etc. and Bookshelf Speakers that roll off at 50hz-60hz
I agree with that statement.
Great job bro & I picked up the Rhythmic E22 subwoofer
Dual 12" sealed. I hope you’re right about the subwoofers! Lol 😂
oh don't worry Henry, you're gonna love it!!!
@@NemoPropaganda thanks bro it’s just the setting that are different in a little confusing. Lol 😂
I’m using it with my Ambeo soundbar & yes I know it’s overkill! Lol 😂
@@HPMIKE55 did you ever watch my subwoofer setup video? That should help, it's fairly simple & straight forward. Phase is the most important thing, then frequency, then of course gain. I'm just guessing here but 24dB slope, 60hz-80hz crossover should be a good starting point. Phase you'll & gain you'll have to experiment with.
@@NemoPropaganda ok thanks bro! 😎👍
Thanks for another great review. There are plenty of small compact subs out there, some are similar or slightly larger than the T zero, some are available in the US or can be imported. How about comparing this Rel to the Audioengine S6, Kanto sub6, Cambridge Audio Minx x201, Dali e9f, Tibo Harmony Sub 6, Audio Pro SW5, Apart Sub 165, Focal Cub Evo to name a few.
What do you think of the Lithe Audio Wireless Micro Sub-Woofer
Generally I only review gear I'm personally interested in and right now I'm not really interested in tiny subwoofers. They're great if you're looking to add just a little extra fullness to the sound but that's not what I'm personally after so it would just be a waste of money for me.
@@NemoPropaganda Perhaps asking Audioengine or one of these companies for a discount or review sub. Do the shops gave a return policy
@@user-fs4fd3gv3r I'm just not interested in small affordable subs at the moment.
If these are making you hear bass above the frequency range of the Bucharts it’s because they are “fixing” a big null in your room. In small rooms, 15dB peaks and nulls are part of the deal unless you go after them with room treatment, EQ, or put a sub where a null is.
nah, i've measured my room with the buchardts only, what's happening more is a compounding effect of having your sub & speakers in phase perfectly with eachother so they support eachother and build on eachother. I'm not saying the Zero extended lower than the s400 per se, more so the combination worked well together if that makes sense.
@@NemoPropaganda curious, are you using any EQ or bass trapping?
@@seanb3303 nope, I happen to like the natural bass response of my room very much, I'm lucky in that regard for sure! I do use acoustic panels at the first reflection points and could not live without them.
Just bought this based on your review. Going to pair it with Martin logan motion 20s for fronts, motion 15s as surround, and a motion 6 for my center.
REL Tzero? As a primary subwoofer?
@@NemoPropaganda yes. Just for a smaller room.
@@ianbousquet2875 mmm, I don't know if it will be enough for you bro. This is a really tiny subwoofer and theater can be very demanding, even in a small room. I think HT1003 will be a much better option for you.
@@NemoPropaganda what about the svs sb1000 pro? I’m trying to match my sub with the white Martin Logan’s. I actually upgraded my motion 6 center to a motion 30 as well.
@@ianbousquet2875 if you are in the USA the best white subwoofer I can recommend around that price is the Rythmik L12, it will give you the most extension for the money and has very good sound quality. If you are outside of the US then the SB1000 Pro is the next best option. It will not extend as low as the Rythmik L12 but it's still very good for how small it is. SB1000 Pro is actually my favorite SVS subwoofer :).
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
HI Paul!!!!
I'm guetting one for my Harbeth C7 in my 17' (well 14' listening position) x 10'
Surprisingly, the Rel subwoofer finder suggests I go with the TZero with my B&W 606 S2. I'm going with the T7x. My gut tells me I won't be happy with either of their lesser models.
I think that is good advice. T7X is great! T5X is great also but it depends on your room. T7X is what I use :)
I've got b&w 707 s2 with the powernode I'm considering this
Great review as always. Thank you 👍
Would you recommend this sub to accompany my Focal Chora 806s in a room no bigger than 13 sqm.
I'm using my system mainly for music listening.
Thank you for your answer in advance,
my advice is always the same for the Tzero: Tzero is great for a small room but if you can afford T5X I would go for that instead incase you want a little more fullness than the Tzero can offer.
Looking forward to combine this mini sub with Arendal 1961 Bookshelf speakers.
Only for music as a mini setup so the 1961 sub will be too big.
extension to 37 Hz -6db is enough for rock imo.
if you have the space and budget go for T5X instead, it will have a fuller sound but of course is not as small. If you're really looking for tiny sub though the Zero really is incredibly small.
Thanks for the reply. The t5x / t5i is also in my list for consideration ;-)
@@moehrepingu excellent choice!
I'd love to hear your review of either of the Cambridge Minx (201 or 301) subs. Both seem to be great values, but I haven't heard most of these subs you've reviewed--very curious how they'd stack up.
maybe one day.
Pair this with the Kef LSX IIs, its great for my office. ;)
just ordered this for my LSX II's for my office as well. Yet to arrive. How are enjoying the combo?
@@phillylawyer it’s great, it just fills the bottom end quite nicely. 👍
The Marantz sr6015 has a function to reduce low bass frequency that travel through walls... If I had known that, I might have gotten a bigger subwoofer than t5x...
T5X is great, maybe you just need a second one!
I love your reviews. Would this sub pair well with a ls50 meta in a small room?
Yes! But T5X will be even better if you have a little more room in the budget.
Great review Nemo....can I ask you for some advice ? I have a small room 3,5 x 4 meters, would the Tzero MK111 do the job or should i go for a T5x ? My speakers are the Magnepans LRS and I drive them with the Vincent SP-331 (150w) amp......thanks
Thank you. I don’t know who Mark is but I recommend a pair of T5X. If you really want the Tzero try and demo one first if possible.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks Nemo
I wonder if the significant base or lower frequency improvement was caused by placement, either generally by bookshelf placement or the flexibility of sub placement
as always, placement is extremely important, even more so when the subwoofer is very small and has limited output.
I use a pair of Totem Accoustic Tribe Floorstanding speakers for my main/ front speakers. The towers are part of a 5.2 surround sound system.
One of my entry level B&W 608 subs died.
I am going to give REL subs a shot. I've read & heard great things about them.
I was wondering which subwoofer would work better with my system when watching movies, in 5.2 suround sound, & for listening to music in 2.2 channels
the REL TZero MK111 or the
HT/1003 MK11?
in my area fir th HT/1003 is $100. more than the TZero.
Best I can tell, the HT1003 has a bigger driver, more advanced technology and a more powerful amplifier.
Thanks Everyone
1003 MK2 for sure!
@@NemoPropaganda
OK Thanks!
For the $100. difference between these 2 models, The more I learn about these 2 REL Subwoofer models, the more it becomes a no-brainer.
I'm choosing the
HT1003 MK11.
The build quality & overall performance is a significant step-up over the other sub.
They are for me.
Thanks!
Correction....The build quality of both subs is the same. A+ for construction,circuitry.
My HT/1003 MK11's have high-end dual
Mono Blocks.
I have a question about using 2 subs. I own a 1205 for my b&w 707 s2 and feel like it losing midrange bass. Would this fill in the midrange bass for music?
the original 1205 is not a midbass chamption at all and sound best with the crossover set to 9 o'clock or lower. Yes the Tzero will help with some midbass presense.
Much will depend on your room. BUT! I use two of these little guys, with an active crossover, the $109 Rolls SX45 with my Magnepan LRS+ speakers. I also have a pair of SVS SB3000 subs in the room. Let me tell you, these little subs put out some solid bass. The crossover made the difference, I can seriously replace the SB3000's with these two little RELs. I honestly thought I would be pissing my money away when I purchased these, but I am completely and totally blown away. It is all in the room, and the setup.
I'm coming from (2) supercube 3s. Love them. However I'm tired of them blowing out. Been dealing with changing out their hardware in order to keep them for way too long. I only have less than 11.5 inches in height. So it's svs micro 3000 or this one. Any advice on which would be the same or better than the DT supercube 3.
The Micro 3000 will be more like a better version of what you already have. A pair of Tzero will sound cleaner but you'll be giving up a lot of extension and output.
Hey the way you described tzero is what im looking for, t5x could do that job without being to much bass?? I want to have it next to speakers on the floor and i feel tzero visually will be to small even tho sound will be ok, can tx5 give richness and fullness to the sound without giving sub like bass??
T5X can do everything the Tzero can do and more. I strongly recommend the T5X over the Tzero if space allows.
Hey man- love your channel. Shopping for a new sub and I’ve watched every single video + the podcast you did with Shane. Really hoping you’ll get to the Kef KF92 review because it’s one I’m considering. You’ll think I’m crazy, but I am cross shopping the KF92 and Rythmik E15HP2SE. Reason is, I much prefer the small form factor of the Kef but worry I’m compromising too much for it (considering they’re close in price.) background: I’ve got Kef R3 fronts and R2c center. 50/50 music movie but prefer tight articulate bass. Live in an apt so I don’t need to shake the building but I do want some impact for theater. Also really appreciate aesthetics and require gloss which rules out a lot of options. Kefs are white so like the white option. Also looked at Rel T7x (beautiful and it’s what Rel recommends for my speakers and room size) but worry it doesn’t dig deep enough for HT. Room is 15x25x14high. Also considered SVS SB3000 but I don’t find it as aesthetically pleasing as the Kef, Rel, or Rythmik. Would love to get your feedback!!! Thanks
Oh- also liked the F12SE for the smaller size but again worried about output for HT and my larger room. Budget is $2,000 so Kef is the absolute max.
Soo, KF92 only comes in black, I don't know if that's a issue for you or not but the KF92 is going to put out crazy amounts of low freq bass much like the E15 but the E15 will be able to do it at much louder volumes and is the tighter between the two but being in an apartment a single KF92 should be able to play much louder than you'll need. It's shockingly capable for how small it is.
@@NemoPropaganda thanks man- really appreciate the response. I actually pulled the trigger on the E15HPSE (which was recommended by Rythmik for my room) gloss white with silver cone. Unfortunately, it’s backordered for a month so can always cancel if I want the Kef. Really appreciate the time you put into these reviews- super interesting and helpful. I like learning about audio as much as listening to it hah.
@@Chad-zo2oy I'm happy to hear my jabbering has been useful :). Did you see my E15hp2 review? You're in for a treat! That badboy is seriously amazing! BTW we have a free discord, link is in the description if you want to join, some of the users have considered getting white with a silver cone so it'd be cool if you could post some pictures in the discord? Could help the next guy visualize it better in their space.
@@NemoPropaganda Yeah, absolutely--if I end up receiving it. I'm going to audition the KF92 at Magnolia since the E15hp2 is on back order. I'd prefer the E15 but it's just a lot bigger. No clue why Kef didn't make the KF92 in white to match their other lines. I wish I could just get a T5x and call it a day but it wouldn't fill the room. I have a damn cat that i'm worried about scratching the cone (or grill) so down firing is preferable and Rythmik used to make a D15SE IN WHITE GLOSS! would have been absolutely perfect but they discontinued it >:O
I was literally hoping you would do a review 🤣 i still dont have a sub in my system my room dimensions are 150x172 super small room. Im running focal 705s and i want more depth without bothering my neighbors below and behind me 👍
what units are you measuring in? 150x172 ft? 😲
@@NemoPropaganda inches, 150 wide 172 long. 65hz-28khz is what i am getting out of my focal 705s so i am missing out on alot of bass information. I also have carpet not hardwood floors.
@@Minus-km7hx I would not do the Tzero then, Tzero sounds best with speakers that can get down to 50hz. For your room size a pair of T5x, a single T7x, or a single HT1205 is what I would be looking at. If you don't want too much bass a single T5X might get the job done too!
Would the L12 or F12 be overkill for my small space? Probably will get some bass traps for the left and right corners of my room and a platform to decouple the sub.
@@Minus-km7hx No at all, if you look up a bit I recommended the HT-1205 which is REL's 12" sub :) L12 and F12 are of course super awesome too!
Thanks for all your great educational reviews! I have the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 for a movie/music system following your recommendation. They are great but with Class D amps they sound a bit too harsh on top and thin in the midrange. With a warmer smoother class AB like the AXA35 and the Denon PMA600NE amps they are more listenable and fuller in the midrange, but I feel they lack tight/fast/deep bass instead compared to the Class D amp.
I’m thinking perhaps a subwoofer like this together with one of the class ABs would be optimal. Bigger subwoofers are too expensive in my country and probably too loud for the neighbors in my apartment building. So, I got two questions: am I correct in thinking a subwoofer could help make the bass faster and “tighter”, and if so would you recommend this subwoofer or the Emotiva SE8 (same price) for this use? My system is in a 200 sqft room.
Tzero is too small for you bro. Tzero driver is smaller than Bronze 100 driver. I would go for SE8 for sure or REL HT1003 if that one is an option.
I have a pair of emotiva b1+ on my desk, and I was looking around for a sub to pair it with. I need something small since this is going right underneath and in the nearfield, so should I settle for the emotiva se8 or look for something more? I've looked at these REL T-zero's but would it make sense to spend $500 on the sub when my bookshelves are almost half the price?
Hi bro, it is totally okay to use a very expensive subwoofer for any system however the Tzero is very niche being just a 6.5". I think you'll be much happier with the Emotiva SE8. If you have your heart set on REL I'd save a little more and go for the T5X. Otherwise the SE8 is one of my favorite small subwoofers and one of the best you can get for its size and price.
@@NemoPropaganda Getting all obsessed on what to get kills the fun, so thanks for the reply really answered some of my questions!
@@xavi431 oh yeah, it happens to all of us bro, we get all obsessed and it really kills the fun of the hobby. Take a step back, breathe, and remember buying stuff is supposed to be fun :D
Would you say that beyond Kef R100 also the Kef R300 would benefit with a single T-Zero?
I only have the R3 Meta and the R3 Meta has a ton of bass, if you want to add to its extension its natural mate would be the KC62 or something larger like a REL T9X.
How does the high level connection work? Does it come with some kind of dongle?
yes it comes with the cable.
Great review, as usual. One thing about this sub that concerns me, however, is the single down firing driver: how does this perform on carpet? What about neighbors below you in an apartment/condo setting? If you turn up gain, will the floor make unpleasant sounds? It appears that none of these things were an issue in your configuration, so that at least is good. If the floor does present a problem, what is your take on turning the sub on its side?
I don't think any floor would be an issue for such a small sub, I would not turn it on it's side as you will lose a good amount of it's output. I had an SVS PC2000 in an apartment once and it was just fine :).
I picked a pair of tzeros over T5x 's to keep the peace with neighbors. Paired with vintage B&O CX100s. Nemo's review is spot on. I tried them on their sides sitting on pads, front firing and it was faster but less extension. They have never buzzed or walked on the hardwood floor. Sound after break in procedure was night and day better. They sound pretty awful out of the box.
@@jamesderby4522 ah yes I failed to mention break-in, absolutely crucial and I found this to break in pretty quickly, a few 2 hour sessions at louder volumes and it was good to go!
@@NemoPropaganda
Thanks for your thoughtful response
@@jamesderby4522
These are probably ideal subs for apartment or condo dwellers, based on your experience
Sup Mr. Nemo.
Lookin for a sub for my PC setup (10m2 bedroom, with focals 605 and a denon pma 710AE).
Should I be looking towards rel HT 1003 or TZero/T5i?
Interested in adding 1 sub, maybe 2nd one in the future.
personally I'd do a 1003mk2 since it'll have more extension which you'll want when gaming.
Stereo subs are better than mono. REL recommends it.
Your first comment on my channel and you choose to take my words out of context? Not a good start my man.
No mention of SVS offerings at their low end, but I assume they were considered and still fell short.
I made a whole video comparing REL to SVS, I don't want to talk about it in every video :) czcams.com/video/rEz03XkcslI/video.html
This song is the ultimate Subwoofer track for low Hz at volume-Decaf White Clouds.
You say you prefer your bass more than accurate. So do I! Seems like you should have stuck with SVS over REL/Rhythmic? On those quieter tracks where I don't want to hear the sub as much, just lower the gain with the remote.
I can't find that song on tidal, where do you listen to it? As far as sticking with SVS or REL/Rythmik, all 3 brands have subwoofers that are more than capable of putting out tons of bass so my taste to run my subs a little hot isn't really a factor in which brand I choose. If anything the cleaner a sub plays the hotter you can run it before it starts to muck things up.
@@NemoPropaganda Decaf White Clouds czcams.com/video/dEDP4_ZpA9Y/video.html
It's hard to beat REL Subs imo
Hi, I know you didn’t want to compare KC62 or SVS 3000 Micro due to budget - but ignoring the budget, are the others a worthy upgrade? I’ve currently got a REL Tzero paired to some LS50 Meta, but I don’t think the REL goes low enough and am looking at either the KEF or SVS. I need a super small sub though as it’s under my desk - so SVS is the biggest I can physically get away with. Cheers!
the Micro 3000 is the best micro sub for output, the KC62 is the best micro sub for extension. Since extension is what you're after the KC62 is the easy choice.
@@NemoPropaganda thanks, that’s crazy when you think the SVS is the slightly larger unit and bigger drivers. I guess it’s the DSP KEF have done to make it extend, but it throttles back that extension when you start to push it based on the KEF graphs, I don’t that’ll effect me as I don’t play crazy loud and it’s nearfield. Man such a though choice! HPF is nice feature of KEF, PEQ is nice feature of SVS…..! Might come down to the fact the SVS has grilles and I won’t end up putting my foot or the chair through a driver!!!
@@Mingchops meh, KC62 has magnesium drivers, you'd really have to hit it with something hard to cause damage.
@@NemoPropaganda interesting, didn’t know that, cheers
You treated us to some freeze frames at the end 😅
ahahaha, that was me almost losing my train of though lol
@@NemoPropaganda 😂😂😂
What do you class as a medium room?
for the sake of this subwoofer anything larger than 10x12 ft.
The driver aiming at the floor is not a smart idea for my appartement is it? Since it Will resonate more? I was looking into an bw asw608 and perhaps putting it on a sub pad. Or maybe u have another same priced quality sound option that doesnt shoot the floor? Got wharfedale evo 4.1's and not a bass head :)
I think it'll be just fine. The Tzero was designed for small spaces & apartment living. apartment floors are generally twice as thick as walls so I actually believe a down firing is better for you.
@@NemoPropaganda thanks for the reply! Im getting a 2nd hand rel t5i for 450 euro's then! And wharfedale evo 4.1s. Hope i didnt make a bad choice spending more on the sub than on the speakers in a small appartement
@@richburmond6761 That's even better than Tzero! Very good choice :)
@@NemoPropaganda nice! Thanks :)
@@NemoPropaganda {
Im looking for a sub to fit in a both music and cinema system, thought about 1 T/5x or maybe 2 off these, any thougts ?
Hi bro, Tzero does not have enough output for theater. 2 T5X maybe. Why not buy REL HT1003 instead? That will give you more output for theater and still sound very good for music.
@@NemoPropaganda Yes i think the Zeros might be to small for movie, but the budget dont alow for two T/5x, but i had an ide of a 1003 for movies and a Zero for music where i dont need that much low extension..maybe a good ide ? But in my setup i have an AVR that i feed to a Pre/Power for the L/R channels, so i will have both connected when i run movie but only the Zero when i do 2 channel. Make sense ?
@@NemoPropaganda And thanks for a great channel, love the reviews :)
@@martinhagberg3477 I would start with the 1003 and see how you like it, the sound is rather good for music.
Would this pair well with Dali Menuet SE.
I never heard that speaker but Dali usually have really nice bass tone & texture so it should pair very nicely. If you can go for the larger T5X that will be even better.
How does this compare to the b&w asw 608?
neither one can play very loud but the larger 8" in the asw608 will extend much lower. ASW608 is more comparible to a T5X.
@@NemoPropagandawhat about the quality of bass?
Even though your S400 are rated to dig lower than the Tzero, do you feel like the Rel actually dug deeper once set up in your room?
it's the bass sound that has more depth with the Tzero, not so much the extension. Usually when I'm referring to deep bass I'm talking about the sound of it and not the extension. I hope that helps clarify.
@@NemoPropaganda Yeah, if it sounds/feels more in the direction of what you want then I guess that's all that matters. How big is your room out of curiosity? I'm running Elac DBR62 in a small room so I'm sure the Tzero would make a nice difference if it did for your S400. I like the tactile upper bass I'm getting now but miss the lower bass fullness I got from the Buchardt S300 I demo'd. Trying to decide between Tzero vs T/5x
@@tpn8402 I have the DBR62’s paired with an Emotiva TA1 and I went with the T/5x and it sounds amazing!!! My room is 11 by 14 with a 9 foot ceiling.
What max room would be covered by this sub?
hard to say, it depends what you're trying to accomplish and what will or will not satisfy you. I've talked to people with small rooms that returned this and people with larger lofts that said it was exactly what they were looking for. It's absolutely tiny, if you want bass like a subwoofer this is not it. If you're looking to have more presense and nuance detail above 35hz you might be satisfied with this.
Will depend upon the room. I have two SVS SB3000 subs in here, roughly 700 sq ft room, "L" shaped, wood floors, rugs, curtains and 9' ceilings... These two T-Zeros can easily replace my two 13" sealed SB3000 subs.
I have a pair of bookshelf speakers in a 400sqft studio. Would they work for me…? Let’s see.
if you want the smallest sub possible then yes but if you have a little more money and can fit the slightly bigger T5X I highly recommend the T5X instead :)
Compare it to T5x :) what is the difference with its bigger brother/sister ?
T5X is way better, slightly larger but you get a much fuller sound. Tzero is very niche while T5X will satisfy most small rooms.
How does this compare to the B&W ASW608?
That's just what I was wondering. With something like the bassy Buchardts.
ASW608 is a great little sub if you can get a deal on it, since it has a larger driver it's going to sound fuller but does not match the detail and overall SQ of the Tzero but is still rather good, I would only pick the ASW608 over the Tzero if it was cheaper which is not the case for US customers. The ASW608 was really good for it's time but it's well over a decade old and has been very ignored by B&W :(.
@@NemoPropaganda That makes sense, thanks!
Would two of these be better than a single KEF KC62?
The REL are -6db at 37Hz. You can technically hear down to 20Hz and feel lower. The kc62 goes down to the teens! I think reported 11Hz?
So you could get more SPL by adding more and more rel, and eventually overtake the single kef, but no matter how many rel you add, they won't get you any lower frequency than any single rel will take it. (Around 37Hz)
If you want that very deep bass or listen to music that plays in those frequencies, the decision is simple. You choose one that can, or one that can't. The quality and presentation in the range they both produce, will ultimately come down to your subjective desires. But there is a reason why the kef is some 4x the cost.
It depends what better is to you, if you're the type of customer I described in the video that is mostly looking for an SQ improvement to the bass with only a slight increase in bass output then yes. Everyone else will be happier with a single KC62.
You can get a little bit of boost in extension with more subs but you are correct, KC62 is fantastic and 3x the price for a reason.
@@NemoPropaganda Nemo have you messed with Dirac or minidsp at all? I'm hovering over the buy button on a minidsp SHD to integrate my subs and try DIRAC. (And also take measurements of any kind of my system for the first time)
@@erics.4113 I'm not a DSP guy personally but I know it has it's place and a lot of people really enjoy the benifits of it. I think it's most helpful with multichannel but for stereo use I've always been able to get better results tuning by ear. Room correction sometimes misses the mark but so can your ears so I say go in the direction that you prefer :D
would this subwoofer be good for a pair of OD-11s?
I'm not familiar with the OD11
@@NemoPropaganda okay, thanks for the response!
What its better the t zero mk3 or bowers & wilkins asw610 for music :)
personally I'd skip both and get a REL HT1003 MK2.
@@NemoPropaganda am looking for a subwoofer a small for me room for music and not that much money do you know a good subwoofer that is good for a small room or whose price is not high .myself have a cambridge cxa81 and the cambridge cxn v2 with the dynaudio excite x14 speaker:)??
@@dariopieterson how about REL HT 1003 MK2?
@@NemoPropaganda in my country it is sold out do you have any subwoofer that come close to rel ht1003
@@dariopieterson if you want to tell me what your options are I can tell you which one to go for.
I was looking at the T zero until you said you do not recommend to a bass head. I listen to EDM and rap and was hoping to output alot of good deep bass. Can anybody recommend anything to use alongside a pair of a2+ audioengine bookshelf speakers?
Rythmik L12 will give you the deepest bass and it’s still fairly small. SVS SB1000 Pro is also a great option or RSL Speedwoofer.
@@NemoPropaganda
Thanks! I decided I’m going to go with the SVS SB1000 pro but with the audio engine 5+ speakers instead of the 2+
Do you think they will pair well?
@@benharvey5175 why do you want computer speakers? Is this for a desktop setup?
@@NemoPropaganda yes sir
@@benharvey5175 ah, okay that makes more sense. I stand behind my original 3 recommendations of subs. If you want smaller it'll cost you more like SVS Micro or KEF KC62.
Have allready 2×RELs T9...helping ATSs SCM 40.....beautifuly.
And allready have 2×RELs TZero.....trying to helping ATCs SCM 7......but, ATCs..need a realy strong, quality and loud amplificatione.
So, thinking ..,for computer...to conecte REL Tzeros with active small Q acoustics M20.
Hope should work well.
Giving up from ATCs scm 7es....because pairing electronics ,will cost a fortune and should be pushed loud.
Any other idea for an nice sound from computer?
Wish will sound comlpete in lover and mid volumes?
Maybe even some studio monitors?
Hi Zoran, I'm not familliar with ATC sound so I don't know what to recommend.
@@NemoPropaganda thanks on answering.
You new zero hi fi
what do you mean?
Unless space was a huge issue, I wonder why one wouldn’t just get a T5x for a couple hundred dollars extra since it’s a more versatile sub.
Hey Davis, I hear ya, so essentially we all have to draw the line somewhere, for me it's a couple thousand per component so a few hundred dollars isn't a big deal but 10 years ago a $500 subwoofer would require serious saving efforts for me so everyone is just in a different spot :). I do agree though if someone has the budget for the 5x they will be much better served doing so :)
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for your reply. I would have loved to have heard some comparison between the two as they are both entry levels to REL but quite different machines in size, weight and amplifier. I was having trouble choosing which one I wanted and ultimately went with the T5 after listening to both. I think Hunter mentioned the TZero pairing better with speakers that had a higher frequency drop off, but don’t recall exact what those numbers were.
@@jdavis234 I think you made the right choice, I always say if you have a little more budget for that next model up subwoofer then absolutely do it!! As good as the Tzero was for how tiny it is the T5X is going to offer a much fuller sound, more extension, more headroom, larger sense of scale, etc....
@@NemoPropaganda The T5x is not necessarily always the better choice. John Hunter from REL said that the TZero can play better up to 60Hz so would suit smaller speakers whose bass runs out around 60Hz whereas the T5x is happier crossing over at around 40Hz so is better suited to speakers with bass extension down to 40Hz.
@@1jhnpennington T5X will blend just fine at 60hz. So long as budget or size is not a concern I will always recommend the user considers T5X instead of Tzero unless they are the type of buyer I described in the video.
Hmm....so its not for movies. I'm looking for a REL Quake replacement.
why not go for the 1003 MK2?
If you're a bass head and want a 6.5 inch to give deep bass? You need your bass head tested
Well, at least it's priced like a toy, matches it's performance.