Compact Size, Compelling Bass: REL T/5x Subwoofer Delivers Low Frequencies with Focus, Clarity, and Punch

REL Acoustics was founded in 1990, and no product in REL's history has sold more units or generated more affection than its beloved T/5 model. Not content to continue winning accolades for the T/5i, the REL team developed the T/5x subwoofer, which delivers performance superior to that of its acclaimed predecessor, offering rich, detailed low frequencies far beyond what one would expect from such a surprisingly compact chassis.

The REL T/5x Subwoofer benefits from a single long-throw, 8-inch bass engine borrowed from its sibling (the T/7x). Developed using a composite of aluminum and light paper, this cone conveys sonic details that will amaze, while supplying sufficient energy to plumb deeper than one would expect, given its easily manageable heft (only 31.5 pounds). For the T/5x, its throw – the ability to play louder – has been increased, as compared to the T/5i. Much like the suspension of an automobile, the suspension components are responsible for the tuning and feel of the subwoofer. These components received numerous upgrades in a process that was akin to transforming the handling of a car – from that of a sleek sedan to that of a true sports car.

With its rounded corners and five, hand-polished coats of lacquer (available in High Gloss White or Piano Black), the REL T/5x Subwoofer can be easily placed in a variety of settings – whether it is a listening room or a home-theater system. About 12 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 12 inches deep, the floor-firing T/5x is focused on function and doesn't even have a grille, making it an ideal, seamless addition to any small or mid-sized room.

The T/5x builds on its predecessor's 125-watt Class A/B amplifiers. REL's engineers made key improvements to the subwoofer's transparency and speed without compromising REL's legendary reliability. On the back panel, separate inputs for High Level Input and Low Level Input (necessary for the increasing number of powered active speakers emerging on the market) allow for a natural, perfect transition from loudspeaker to subwoofer. And a dedicated, .1/LFE input for theater use permits automatic transition between music in high-end 2-channel applications and home theater without needing to change a single setting.

The engineers at REL designed a full upgrade in subwoofer technology for the company's Serie T/x. The REL T/5x offers realistic bass tones and startling power at an affordable price point, making it a better fit for some than the T/7x or the top-of-the-line T/9x subwoofer. The T/5x has a power output of 125 watts and a low-frequency extension of -6dB at 32 Hz. Like all Music Direct products, the REL T/5x Subwoofer comes with the 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guarantee.

"In [our 11-foot by 10-foot] back bedroom system, with the KEF LS50s, paired with the Luxman 550 integrated that was recently reviewed, the T/5x was more than enough to achieve a perfect balance.... What the new REL /x subwoofers bring to your system, in addition to more bass output, is a higher level of definition in the lower frequencies, as well as more presence in the entire frequency spectrum. Don't believe me? Listen to them for an hour and have a friend shut them off while remaining at your listening position. Better yet, have your friend do it while you're listening to music with barely any low-frequency content. It will grab you instantly. The best way to really experience what any REL subwoofer can do is to shut it off. The 30 seconds you hear your system with it disabled will convince you. That's truly all it takes.... These are fantastic subwoofers."
—Jeff Dorgay, TONE Exceptional Value Award

Melding Performance and Design

The team at REL has established an intense linkage between performance and design. Performance is paramount, so it drives physical design revisions. REL audio engineers, recognizing the need for greater acoustic volume to achieve the goals of greater fluidity and power, turned to the design team, which devised gently rounded corner radii that allow the eye to perceive less visual mass. The resulting aesthetic is both modern and familiar, with no unnecessary adornment.

Total Reliability

REL has retained its signature Class A/B amplifiers used in every generation of Serie T since 2006. Reliability is the key to happy ownership, and with some 200,000 (and counting) of this range leading long, happy lives, Serie T/x owners can feel confident in REL's standard-setting reliability.