My REL T9x SHAKES & VIBRATES..WTF is this 🤯🤬😵‍💫 [REL T9x vs T9i subwoofer review & bass sound test]

[@geezerintotech]

This test is there just to demonstrate how energy is transferred from a REL subwoofer cabinet to the outside world. It's up to you whether or not you think this is a good thing or bad thing. I think there are companies on both sides of the fence. I've always read that the cabinet should be heavily braced to discourage this sort of behaviour and stop the subwoofer from moving. More info in the description. Let me know your thoughts! - MDT

[@ity1311]

My soughts are that you are very well know of the efforts loudspeakers manufacturers put in order to prevent the cabinet vibrations... Right? And what is it got to do with the fact that you are seem to manipulate the tests against REL?... Why are you doing this?

[@geezerintotech]

@@ity1311 you're seeing things that aren't there mate. You should buy the REL and see for yourself

[@MrHellrider9]

@@ity1311yes drink the snake oil sheep

[@nxnickk]

Interestingly enough the T9i Red has same driver updates as the T9x. Mechanically the same. Just different cabinets. However, this is a problem that is faced throughout their line up, even on the 212sx. I work for a dealer myself, and we face this issue on occasion. I haven’t really found it to be a major draw back given other advantages. A small rug is also a fantastic solution. But I am a huge fan of REL. I’ve lived with three of the T9 reds for a year now, they are phenomenal.

[@justasimplefox]

Did anyone ever looked inside the REL Tx series to look at the bracing?! I can´t find any ´deep unboxing´ online, very strange...it´s only removing a few screws 🤷

[@funky_bottoms8675]

I’m truly glad I stumbled upon your channel. You sir saved me money. I was heavily considering buying the REL T9i , definitely not now. I agree with you about the other channels viewing this product., that their opinion are slanted. Thank you 🙏

[@Gragon]

so whats the conclusion about the isolation pad? Yes? no?

[@paulupton5557]

For what that sub costs I wouldn't expect it to shake like that. I have four Ht1205's and they sure don't shake like that, though to be fair, they are spiked.

[@geezerintotech]

ive had spiked subs before and if they shake, the spikes can come out of the discs and pierce the floor. I'm willing to be that's why REL don't include spikes in the box

[@paulupton5557]

@@geezerintotech I am sure you are right. All I can say is, thank goodness for carpets!😁

[@paulupton5557]

By the way, I greatly enjoyed the video. Really refreshing presentation. Another winner 🏆

[@geezerintotech]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@limp6986]

I had a demo recently at a hifi shop and this subwoofer was connected. When I put my hand on it during a bass heavy song, I was quite shocked to feel the cabinet vibrate so much. Just the week before I heard a BK XXLS400, did the same test and I felt almost nothing! Solid construction right there. There was also a P12-300SB-PR but I didn't listen to it. But the owner said that one was even better for music. I already thought the xxls400 was excellent for music, it integrated extremely well with his system. I'm now considering the xxls400, p12-300sb-pr, p12-300sb-df or an svs sb1000 pro. Considering I want the level of performance of the xxls400 what would you recommend between those 4 options?

[@geezerintotech]

depends how you'll be connecting it all up. If you want to connect high level then the BK options. If it's just for music then you could pick any of those. If you want something more versatile I'd probably go for the PR version as it will be better for movies. It also has an auto on/off feature which alot of the older BK's don't

[@humanitech]

Why not just use either 3M gel tape or blue tak?

[@jdavis234]

Because that would make too much sense

[@geezerintotech]

Because a £1400 subwoofer shouldn't move

[@humanitech]

True...they could have included eithef adjustable feet (like on washing machines and spin dryers) or gel pads, or additional weight plates for those needing it...especially for those placing subs on hard floor surfaces where frequency, air displacement, vibration, friction can lead to movement issues. But most hifi people I know often use blue tac or gel pads even when placing their speakers on stands etc. So it's not difficult to resole this problem.

[@Drackleyrva]

Wow---that's not good. I had a Canton sub years ago and it sat on a hard surface as well and never moved over the many years I owned it. JL Audio is another brand I'm considering---this is making me think twice about getting a REL.

[@geezerintotech]

glad it helped in some way

[@John-hl6er]

I home demoed a T9i years ago and on one of the star track films the sub literally jumped…but it sounded really good to me and the child in me thought it was rock ‘n’ roll lol 🤘

[@unicornslayer6963]

Thank you.This was a very informative video. I suspected that this cabinet was total garbage.If you unscrew one of the drivers and take a look inside, there is probably no cabinet bracing.You should not feel any vibration at all from the cabinet, and it should not move, even at extreme db.Also the sub must be decoupled. If not, the whole floor will be vibrating in sympathy with the sub. All structural vibration=distortion

[@geezerintotech]

REL take it one step further and say their cabinet vibrates for a reason and this makes the sub more musical. They reckon the vibrations are there on purpose in order to transmit more energy into the room or something. I think that's what I've seen them say anyway

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

After I cut out perfect blu tack squares for the stereo Rels feet... I then push down hard as I can onto there concrete slabs which are sitting on high density foam but considering I've got limited space and I need place my huge house plants somewhere and yes you've guessed it... I've managed to kill two birds with one stone by placing the huge plants on top of the Rels 😯

[@geezerintotech]

it's funny because what you've done sounds perfectly normal (minus the plant 😂) - but rel actually recommend placing these subs in direct contact with the floor

[@Antibackgroundnoise]

@@geezerintotech 🤣🤣!! By having my rels positioned like this... somehow gives me the confidence that I can turn my music up just alittle bit louder without annoying my neighbours 🤪 😃

[@geezerintotech]

@@Antibackgroundnoise i feel sorry for your plants

[@johnsweda2999]

you answered Blu-Tack mate Nothing to do with the bracing energy to weight ratio, you could put a paving slab on top as well just get a cushion put the 2-inch paving slabs inside the cushion without the filling of course so it doesn't scratch and give you more power as well. Blu Tack couples and decouples at the same time, it doesn't cheapen "the brand" common thing in hi-fi even Wilson audio do it maybe they can supply the blu tack but they probably think you got some already. Why should it bother you I don't get it! That's not really an accurate test with the other sub different excursion rates surface area and weight that's why you get vibration on the glass as much

[@erim1134]

Maybe they could just brace it better and ship it with better feet? The fact that the t9i walks and rattles less than the t9x makes it seem that the t9x was just a cost cutting exercise for rel

[@geezerintotech]

yeah I agree ... or maybe they tried squeezing that bit extra performance out of the T9x and now there is simply too much energy for that small cabinet without extra bracing

[@johnsweda2999]

@@erim1134 I don't think there's any cost savings I think the Cabinets are the same, feet might be different, do both of them feel the same weight it could be different magnet structure on the driver could make it lighter, but they're not meant to be driven hard meant for music they're not meant to have high excursions so walking around shouldn't be a problem if used correctly

[@erim1134]

@@johnsweda2999 aren't they marketed as being the best of both worlds for av and hifi? The xtz is half the price and it's larger, plays louder and cabinet is still dead. The sub has its own amp and it's being played within its parameters as far as I can see, the driver is long throw for a reason.

[@geezerintotech]

@@erim1134 that 'fore and aft' spec is strong with this one. That cabinet cant take such mighty fore and afts

[@erics.4113]

Rel can't defy physics though. You've got this on a hard floor that is likely not level, and you have a mechanical object that is designed to vibrate and shake violently. I'd put this on one of those sub pads or get a mini carpet to sit them on.

[@geezerintotech]

watch the whole video mate and you will see I address these concerns

[@erics.4113]

@@geezerintotech haha I did.. and I was getting red in the face as I watched through because i realized that commenting at the first 30 seconds in was a mistake. My bad brother. 😐 The reality is I'm trying to justify a pair of t7x over dual svs 3000 purchase. I'm in the states so dual svs will be $1600 and dual rel t7 $2200... that extra $600 could be another dac for me. And the rel has no phase adjustment is that right? And then there's svs app... But I want highest SQ into the lower mid bass and don't care much about crazy spl.. what I'm saying is on paper I really want to love the rel but I can't audition them and I don't know if that somewhat significant price jump is warranted when I would have significantly less features, lacking dsp and the app to dial in the svs with. Hmmmm..

[@maincharacter2677]

Does this subwoofer have a passive radiator underneath? If so that will be the main problem.

[@geezerintotech]

it does, yes - but many are unaware exactly how much t9x moves. The T9i is much better in this regard

[@maincharacter2677]

Man Discovers Tech Yeah it's better that you show this to people so that they know what they're getting and what they should expect.

[@John-hl6er]

Yes could be the passive radiator combined with a forward firing driver rather than a bracing issue. The passive radiator lifts and the driver moves it forward. For what it’s worth my s3 SHO doesn’t have this problem, though it is much much heavier.

[@erwinvangrinsven9345]

I am so glad you are NOT my neighbour………….

[@MrHellrider9]

The t9i stands higher feom the ground that s why it moves lesser than the t9x

[@ity1311]

Are you crazy? You moved the glass...🤔

[@E3SEL]

Is that sub called Stevens? Because it really is shakin'

[@geezerintotech]

One is called Steven, so is the other. Together, they are both Stevens. Come Christmas time they really get shakin'.

[@E3SEL]

@@geezerintotech be careful, otherwise you'll find snow falling all around your subs.

[@geezerintotech]

@@E3SEL haha either that or random cups of water start flooding man's house

[@hclandscapes]

I guess it wouldn't do that on a carpet but that's not the point it shouldn't be doing that at all really especially as its there newest model , i can't believe how this could have been released and no body from there company noticed it.

[@geezerintotech]

I've had another design (not by REL) skid around on a carpet like that before (review coming at some point). Some subs just have all that energy inside and the company didn't do anything stop this happening. That's why force cancelling drivers are a good thing on smaller subs. That's probably the primary reason those designs work best in smaller designs - but they're more expensive and active sealed so you lose some power compared to bass reflex. Guarantee you they did know about this problem - look at the REL video on youtube...hasn't got many views but it's there. It was released in 2019 - so they know this is an ongoing problem they're unwilling to solve without the customer applying blu tac

[@hclandscapes]

@@geezerintotech i don't ever remember my svs sb3000 moving around like that when i had it on a hardwood floor

[@geezerintotech]

@@hclandscapes well it wouldn't because it's a force cancelling dual opposing design. That's the number 1 benefit of those designs

[@hclandscapes]

@@geezerintotech no i meant SB3000 not the micro 3000

[@geezerintotech]

@@hclandscapes oh that thing doesn't move at all

[@vidocq1961]

well done

[@lloydn2103]

That sub is specifically for music not home cinema. Get their HT range for home Cinema.

[@geezerintotech]

thanks for the input, but that's a myth unfortunately. REL intend for that to be used for home theater (not just movies)...it even says 'Theater Reference' on the back of the unit. Their videos constantly say this subwoofer excels in both music and movies.

[@grahamprescott9426]

@@geezerintotech completely agree with you. The T9i is more than capable for HT. I'm impressed at least. How do you compare it to the t9x? Is there much difference? Other than moving across the floor?

[@geezerintotech]

​@@grahamprescott9426 Hi Graham. I have actually done a comparison video of the T9x vs the T9i - you might want to check that out. I did some binaural recordings in that video, so you might want to monitor with decent headphones. Overall, I'd rather the T9i as it's far cheaper if you can get hold of one

[@berduss7149]

maybe too small of a cabinet for the Rel ??

[@geezerintotech]

suggests it's not well braced enough - i guarantee you that the BK version of this sub (called the platinum) will not exhibit such behaviour and that comes in at about 1/3 of the price

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

I will, Huff and I will puff and sub your home down. I tried JBL 4782 TCB smaller duel 12" professional, and the sub boxes far larger size than the SVS yet the SVS weight is heavier due to that sub bass driver 8" voice coil 16" the magnet weight. I had to struggle with x2 JBL 4782 up three floors that almost wiped me out as well as very dangerous if, slipped on the stairs it would push me over. I had to tumble them up the stairs lift and push over to next few steps and lift and kept repeating that and I was chanting, "incredible hulk" to motivate myself cos they was Heavy and large!! Next time cut the cardboard so it all flops open and when sending back fold all cardboard up around it and tape the whole box up, simple than struggling for 30 mins with a lousy unboxing, next time get the girl to help and assist and place the camera on a tripod. I was 98% thinking of buying PB16 but all my pro cinema JBL 18" and TCB can do lows down to near 10Hz that would have a odd simmering effect pressure in the room and as frequency goes up near to 20Hz and 30Hz 40 50 80Hz it is all audible and extra louder. nearly £3k for SVS PB16, my JBL cinema subs are far less with DSP crossover and amplifiers for the same sub bass sound that is on movies or music CD or yt classical music. Use a pringles can cut the end off the can so both ends are open. 1) Next use a balloon stretch it over one of the can. 2) Next need tiny mirror get one plastics ones from ebay amazon, dental throw away mirrors and remove the mirror and attach the mirror to the balloon with tiny spot of clue and make sure the mirror is centered on the balloon. 3) Next going to need a green or blue laser green is better as the light spectrum is nice and bright. 4) Next attach the laser to a tripod or microphone boom. 5) Next Use CAUTION never aim laser at your eyes or pets/animals. Switch the laser on aim at the mirror. 6) Next place the pringles can attached to another microphone boom stand and placed in front of the sub. 7) Next use REW sine wave sound generator with lower frequencies you'll see the laser beam, Lissajous curves patterns. Play music or LFE.1 or sw-bass-extension with 4.2.4 matrix, depending on the angle of the laser and pringles can angle you align it so the laser beam reflection appears on the ceiling or a sidewall. It also depends on how tight the balloon is and it simply acts as a diaphragm, and that is that. water. we are mostly made up of water it is better to see if it vibrates you, or someone else at lower spl dB , it takes bit of time, trail and error to get it done right. The room itself , all rooms are different. It also depends on the flooring of the room. wooden floorboards or concrete flooring or concrete flooring with a wooden floor. The windows. The walls and what the walls are made of and how thick they are with brick or a plasterboard walling or what is behind that wall as the bass waves have very long wavelengths , longer than the room itself and travel around the room many times per second, and takes x4 subs of the same to get even frequency within the room that is going to add Room Gain that will increase a certain low frequency many dB times more and may sound too much for taking. Take the sub outside in a garden the sound of the sub has less troubles with performing the frequency sweep to a simple Behringer ECM8000 , using REW that is good enough. The sub outdoor/outside has less boundaries around it that is going to alter the frequency, unlike indoors walls and ceiling. Outdoors there is only one boundary the ground surface boundary. If the sub was suspended up many feet from the ground surface boundary with the REW frequency sweep repeated, the Overlays of the frequency graphs would look different. Also the sub would have to be many times more subs due to the amount of outside air that needs to be moved or air particles. One sub SVS PB16 wouldn't do it and can run into snags of making possible popping noises so have to be done carefully and x1 SVS PB16 would only give so much % so got use many... Also if doing REW frequency sweep test outdoors is best done at night when traffic noise settles down otherwise the mic will pick up any traffic noise will be added to the graph and you'd have an error so best at night time or quiet weekend sat/sun. You will find the results very interesting. Even with other speakers outdoors listen to a scene in a movie as music is rather hard and music has no visual reference, unlike a movie soundtrack that has visual reference. Listen outdoors and the sound of matched speakers LCR no mismatching, No mismatching speakers should be exact same for LCR and placed at same height level on tripods will sound way better outdoors vs small homes. Cinema rooms are far wider and that is why they sound good and far longer and higher ceilings so the bass waves can travel around far better, but still outdoors has far less boundary surfaces. There is point to all this to understanding how a speaker/sub performs outdoors even thou outdoors isn't the ideal listening due to the Noise Floor will be very high making you, tuning it up even louder due to the soundtrack recording and the outside Noise Floor vs the inside of room that has large space than most homes and the Noise Floor is lot lower in dB say lower than 30dBc and when measured with microphone RTA to see what frequencies are present that need to be adjusted with room treatment or soundproofing is total opposite to sound treatment of a room within a room so there is an air gap between to isolate certain amounts of low frequncuies as low frequencies from traffic airplanes that produce same constant spl dB vs a movie soundtrack or music, or switch On a vacuum cleaner it is at same constant spl dB and frequency when measured with RTA. Our hearing range is 0dB to 130dB (for pain) 100dBC for bass is fine for short duration. for highs 85dbA peak is loud plenty enough or less is better.

[@geezerintotech]

thanks for this - i agree pb16 ultra is not best value - i got it for £2300, not the £3000 asking price. At that price I thought worth it overall

[@alexludmirsky457]

My soughts are that you are very well know of the efforts loudspeakers manufacturers put in order to prevent the cabinet vibrations... Right? And what is it got to do with the fact that you are seem to manipulate the tests against REL?... Why are you doing this?

[@geezerintotech]

i think you've been watching too many flat earth documentaries mate

[@alexludmirsky457]

@@geezerintotech You are not answering the question) I did not ask you what I was or wasn't watching....

[@Damien-Lugnut]

The volume was a little lower with the other subwoofer but he said that in the video what did he do against rel?

[@rog86]

Whoaaa! Are you going to ask Rel about this? They need to see your videos and explain themselves. Looks somewhat embarrassing for them. 🤷‍♂️

[@geezerintotech]

yep and forgive me if I am wrong....but I haven't seen one youtuber expose this yet...I wonder why that could be?

[@rog86]

@@geezerintotech just been wondering today, was your t9x broken in enough, 50 hours plus? Could be why it didnt seem to dig as low and had a bass hump?

[@geezerintotech]

@@rog86 no it's not that I think. REL have adjusted the amp limiter and the sub design to squeeze a bit more power out of the lower end From testing - I feel it is the dynamic power at the 30hz range that has had the main increase with the t9x. The sustained SPL is very similar between the two. The T9x and T9i have had pretty much identical break in so far

[@florianlay2803]

You are clearly overdriving them 🙄 Buy a bigger sub if you listen at these volumes

[@geezerintotech]

reference levels mate .. i didn't make the standards up. REL - make a better product YOU - i suggest you buy a better product

[@MrHellrider9]

What? So you cant do whatever volume you want to a thing you bought for a high price? Why you blaming the buyer when it s clearly the engineers made a flawed design. Dont protect these snake oil sellers

[@rosendoestimada2823]

A piece of rug will do.

[@geezerintotech]

we like our hard floors thanks

[@vinodlingamsetty]

Had same issue even with rug

[@vidocq1961]

ok

[@gregscott8383]

Lol you are dangerous

[@andrewroberts6575]

it's meant for music. Not whatever that was. You've missed the whole point of the TX range. Like getting a hot hatch, then complaining that it's rubbish off road. If you wanted a bone shaker, Rel (and others) have many suitable options. Seems like you're complaining about your poor choice. 🤡

[@MrHellrider9]

It s meant to use as you pleased because you bought it. This should have they fixed instead of putting rel all over the sub. My first sub was jamo which was also down firing driver and port and i hated it for moving around the floor and jumping too. The engineers should fix this instead they let us read the rel logo everywhere so we forget that it has design flow like other brands too.