Should I buy an used REL Strata 5 sub?

[Orko]

Hi all, This is my first post so please forgive any silly questions or inadvertent bloopers. My current setup for music comprises a pair of Wharfedale 9.2 bookshelves, a Marantz PM7001 and a Marantz CD player. I've been thinking of adding a sub to this to fill out the bottom end a little more. This is solely for music, not movies, and I would prefer quality over quantity when it comes to bass. So my question is this: does it make sense to buy an used REL Strata 5? Also, given that the model has been discontinued for 4/5 years, is there a chance of having service issues soon? How long does a sub last anyway?

 

[Santy]

Welcome to HFV.
Have you heard / tested the sub? If its working fine, I don't think there is anything you should be concerned about.
Speakers (from reputed brands) are generally built to last though sub has a lesser life. But then, things can go wrong in first month too. REL should do well for music duty esp since its a closed box, so if you get a good deal you could go ahead.

 

[aakashr]

Hi all, This is my first post so please forgive any silly questions or inadvertent bloopers. My current setup for music comprises a pair of Wharfedale 9.2 bookshelves, a Marantz PM7001 and a Marantz CD player. I've been thinking of adding a sub to this to fill out the bottom end a little more. This is solely for music, not movies, and I would prefer quality over quantity when it comes to bass. So my question is this: does it make sense to buy an used REL Strata 5? Also, given that the model has been discontinued for 4/5 years, is there a chance of having service issues soon? How long does a sub last anyway?

GRAB IT!!! There are very few subs, if any that can match the performance of a Strata. It's sad they stopped making them. But I would go for it ASAP, what price are you getting it? REL are pioneers in subs so the name says it all.

 

[arj]

Hi all, This is my first post so please forgive any silly questions or inadvertent bloopers. My current setup for music comprises a pair of Wharfedale 9.2 bookshelves, a Marantz PM7001 and a Marantz CD player. I've been thinking of adding a sub to this to fill out the bottom end a little more. This is solely for music, not movies, and I would prefer quality over quantity when it comes to bass. So my question is this: does it make sense to buy an used REL Strata 5? Also, given that the model has been discontinued for 4/5 years, is there a chance of having service issues soon? How long does a sub last anyway?

it would be good to get a clearer picture of "bottom end" that is troubling you as this can mean need for
1. more powerful representation of Bass/Mid Bass (45-150) which is what is needed for most music. or
2. more articulation in the 20-40 which is needed to enjoy western classical or large scale music with such low content.

It is very easy to mix up the two. if the problem is 1, a Sub is NOT the solution,. in fact the very reason there are many people not happy with subs is due to this fact..they were solving the wrong problem

From your speakers, my guess is the problem is more of 1 and a sub could be a a waste of money and something that should be spent on speakers. what ill suggest is getting the Room-Speaker synergy right playing around with the positioning of speakers first. moving it closer to walls/away form walls etc (google cardas method etc to get that right). if you can post your current positioning there are folks who can help you in the forum.

After optimizing your setup and you still find it missing then its the Amp-Speaker combination. this may mean either changing the amp or the speaker (my guess would be the speaker)

the RELs are at a level much much higher than the wharfies and since they are designed to work as a synergy with the speakers, i personally dont think they will be a good combination.

once you have got this right, a Sub is a great option to extend the bass response . having used Dual REL Stratas i can vouch for their effectiveness if you get them right

all of the above IMHO of course

 

[Orko]

GRAB IT!!! There are very few subs, if any that can match the performance of a Strata. It's sad they stopped making them. But I would go for it ASAP, what price are you getting it? REL are pioneers in subs so the name says it all.

The seller is quoting 50,000. He says he's the first user and bought it 2 years ago (which is kind of odd because they were phased out at least a couple of years before that). Meanwhile, I had a word with Jay, the REL distributor, and he said it won't have access to support because it wasn't bought through the official channels. So that's something to think about too, I suppose.

it would be good to get a clearer picture of "bottom end" that is troubling you as this can mean need for
1. more powerful representation of Bass/Mid Bass (45-150) which is what is needed for most music. or
2. more articulation in the 20-40 which is needed to enjoy western classical or large scale music with such low content.

It is very easy to mix up the two. if the problem is 1, a Sub is NOT the solution,. in fact the very reason there are many people not happy with subs is due to this fact..they were solving the wrong problem

From your speakers, my guess is the problem is more of 1 and a sub could be a a waste of money and something that should be spent on speakers. what ill suggest is getting the Room-Speaker synergy right playing around with the positioning of speakers first. moving it closer to walls/away form walls etc (google cardas method etc to get that right).

I'll try and articulate it as best as I can. I would like the bass to be "tighter" and more "defined," if you know what I mean. A touch more "kick" would be nice too. I'm not looking for room-shaking power, just a clear, taut bass that underpins the music. I suspect you're right about the issue being Problem 1 and perhaps I should look at upgrading the speakers instead.

 

[arj]

The seller is quoting 50,000. He says he's the first user and bought it 2 years ago (which is kind of odd because they were phased out at least a couple of years before that). Meanwhile, I had a word with Jay, the REL distributor, and he said it won't have access to support because it wasn't bought through the official channels. So that's something to think about too, I suppose.

interesting. I had sold 2 only last last year
used price of a REL strata would be around 35-40 depending on the condition.
Jay is one of the reliable/dependable dealers in our country so i would go by him

I'll try and articulate it as best as I can. I would like the bass to be "tighter" and more "defined," if you know what I mean. A touch more "kick" would be nice too. I'm not looking for room-shaking power, just a clear, taut bass that underpins the music. I suspect you're right about the issue being Problem 1 and perhaps I should look at upgrading the speakers instead.

Should be the mid-lower mid bass. typically in the 40-80 hz. thats where all the tighness comes in for most music.
this is a result of Amp+Speaker synergy or the speaker or amps own inability to move air.
there are some good deals in the used section here for Quad/Jamo etc.

 

[Orko]

I had sold 2 only last last year

Damn! I wish I'd known.

there are some good deals in the used section here for Quad/Jamo etc.

Thanks, I'll take a look.