REL Classic 98 SUBWOOFER Can Save Your System with VINTAGE Vibe and SONIC BOOM!
United States of Analog | February 22, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is a review of the REL Classic 98 subwoofer. The host Bob is sharing his personal experience after spending two weeks testing and dialing in this subwoofer, which he describes as blurring the lines between high-end audio gear and furniture, combining vintage sound with modern technology.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- REL Classic 98 Subwoofer [00:01:19]:
- 10-inch down firing driver with paper cone for vintage sound signature
- Real walnut veneer finish
- White gold silk knobs inspired by German automotive industry
- 300-watt digital amplifier
- Three inputs: high-level speakon (cable supplied), single RCA low-level, single RCA LFE for home theater
- Phase selector switch, crossover and gain controls
- Dimensions: 18.5″ tall x 13.75″ wide x 11.75″ deep, weighs 40 pounds
- Designed and built in Wales, UK
- REL Strata 3 [00:02:53]: Previously owned by the host for many years, described as “pretty cool” but requiring extensive adjustment
- Origin Hi-Fi (Austin, Texas) [00:02:22]: Audio dealer that loaned the REL Classic 98 to the host for evaluation
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:04:33] States that REL has delivered with the Classic 98 on “everything from power to performance to speed”
- [00:04:44] Critical that REL hasn’t delivered on “simplicity” despite marketing claims
- [00:05:21] Calls it “the best subwoofer I’ve ever had in my home”
- [00:03:15] Admits to being “insecure and confused when dealing with subwoofers”
- [00:04:26] Believes the subwoofer setup process is “a little if not a lot subjective”
Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes
- [00:00:52] Self-deprecating humor: asking for likes and subscriptions gives him “self-confidence something I didn’t have as a kid”
- [00:04:49] Sarcastic take on manufacturer claims: “I think if it was really super simple you wouldn’t need all those pages and all those videos. You would just plug it in and it would be perfect”
- [00:04:49] References wanting to hear “Tom Cruise smash through the sound barrier” when describing boom-focused subwoofer users
- [00:03:25] Humorous admission: “Maybe you’ve got the magic ears. They can hear the speed of a driver. I don’t know if I can hear the speed of a driver”
Summary
The video opens with host Bob introducing his review of the REL Classic 98 subwoofer, positioning it as a unique product that combines vintage aesthetics with modern technology. He provides detailed technical specifications, noting its Welsh construction, 10-inch down-firing paper cone driver, walnut veneer finish, and 300-watt digital amplifier. The subwoofer features multiple connection options and manual controls for crossover and gain adjustment.
Bob candidly admits his own insecurities with subwoofer setup and evaluation, sharing that he’s historically struggled with getting subwoofers properly dialed in. He categorizes subwoofer users into two camps: those who just want impactful bass for movies and those who obsess over perfect integration. Despite his self-professed uncertainty, he acknowledges spending two weeks carefully adjusting the REL Classic 98.
The host offers a mixed but ultimately positive preliminary assessment, praising REL’s delivery on power, performance, and speed while criticizing their claims about setup simplicity. He finds it ironic that a manufacturer needs extensive documentation and videos to explain something they market as simple. Despite these setup challenges, Bob concludes this early portion by declaring the Classic 98 the best subwoofer he’s ever had in his home, setting up anticipation for the detailed performance analysis to follow.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- REL Classic 98 subwoofer [05:36-10:32]
- Klipsch Forte fours (main speakers) [06:05, 07:25, 09:38]
- Technics SU-G700 digital amplifier [07:11]
- McIntosh MA-252 hybrid amp [07:17]
- KEV LS50 Metas speakers [07:20]
- Hego 300 ($400 speakers) [07:26]
- Speak-on cable for subwoofer connection [08:08]
- Y adapter for RCA connections [09:05]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- The REL Classic 98 is visually stunning with beautiful real walnut veneer and deep grain [05:52-06:03]
- So impressed with the aesthetics that he considered keeping the unit [06:16]
- Some of his equipment (LS50 Metas, McIntosh MA-252) has “fallen out of favor” over the years [07:30-07:47]
- Setup took two weeks but the listening experience was “really really nice” [09:16-09:21]
- First time experiencing great subwoofer sound where he couldn’t locate the source – the subwoofer “disappeared” [10:25-10:32]
Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?
- Used three test records spanning big band jazz, intimate jazz, and rock [07:03-07:05]
- Testing was done to see if the Classic 98 could benefit equipment that had fallen out of favor [07:47-07:52]
- Final assessment was very positive sound quality across all applications [08:33-08:38]
- Achieved seamless integration where subwoofer location was undetectable [10:25-10:32]
Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?
- Compared digital Technics amplifier to the more analog McIntosh MA-252 [07:11-07:18]
- Tested multiple speakers including KEV LS50 Metas, Klipsch Forte fours, and $400 Hego 300 [07:20-07:28]
Any vinyl records, albums, or music discussed?
- Gerald Wilson Big Band “Moment of Truth” (Tone Poet release) [06:38-06:44]
- Kirsten Edkins “Shapes and Sounds” (first release from Kevin Gray’s label) [06:44-06:51]
- Lou Reed “Transformer” (Speakers Corner pressing) [06:56-06:59]
- Records selected from In Grooves’ “Top 100 Analog Records You Should Own” list [06:26-06:35]
Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?
- Recommends watching REL’s videos and reading the manual before setup [08:01-08:05]
- Optimal connection requires removing and reattaching chassis screw for proper grounding [08:16-08:24]
- REL customer support confirmed Y adapter is acceptable for RCA connections despite online criticism [09:05-09:16]
- REL recommends placing subwoofer behind main speakers, though placement flexibility exists [09:32-09:35]
- Final settings: crossover at 60Hz for Forte fours, gain at 12 o’clock [10:07-10:24]
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- “It was the first time I thought in my head that maybe I should keep these stunning beautiful opulent rich” [06:13-06:25]
- “So like any good American I picked up the phone and called REL customer support” [09:04-09:06]
- “But what do they know?” [regarding online advice about Y adapters] [09:14-09:16]
- “That’s the first time in my experience I’ve had great subwoofer sound that I couldn’t tell where it was coming from” [10:25-10:32]
Summary
The host begins this portion by praising the REL Classic 98’s stunning visual appeal, particularly its real walnut veneer and craftsmanship, noting that it complements his Klipsch Forte speakers beautifully. He was so impressed with the aesthetics that he genuinely considered keeping the unit. For testing, he selected three diverse vinyl records from the In Grooves top 100 list, spanning big band jazz, intimate jazz, and rock, and paired the subwoofer with various amplifiers and speakers in his system.
The setup process proved challenging, taking two weeks to dial in properly. The host explored different connection methods, ultimately choosing the low-level RCA input over the optimal speak-on connection due to convenience concerns about switching cables frequently. When faced with technical questions about using a Y adapter, he contacted REL customer support directly, who confirmed it would work fine despite contrary opinions found online.
After extensive positioning experiments and settings adjustments, the host achieved exceptional results with the Classic 98. He settled on a 60Hz crossover frequency with the Forte speakers and 12 o’clock gain setting. The final outcome exceeded his expectations – for the first time in his experience with subwoofers, the Classic 98 completely “disappeared” sonically, creating seamless integration where he couldn’t identify the subwoofer’s location while listening. This represented a significant achievement in subwoofer performance for his system.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion:
- REL Classic 98 subwoofer ($1,400 retail price)
- Technics amplifier
- Forte speakers
- Studio Deck turntable
- KEF LS50 Meta speakers
- McIntosh MA 252 amplifier
- REL T9X subwoofer (mentioned for comparison)
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion:
[00:12:57] The host states “It’s the best subwoofer experience that I’ve had to date and I’m gonna do everything in my power to keep this”
[00:14:39] Final recommendation: “So get the classic 98 from rel. Enjoy it. You won’t regret it. I’m gonna try to keep it”
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider:
[00:14:39] Strong buy recommendation: “So get the classic 98 from rel. Enjoy it. You won’t regret it”
[00:14:07] “The price is right. The look is phenomenal. The sound is great”
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers:
[00:14:14] Setup warning: “Just be prepared to spend a little bit of time with it setting it up. This is not by any means a automatic”
[00:14:19] No app control: “It doesn’t have an app. You’re not gonna be able to sit on your couch and dial in the sound you’re gonna have to get up”
[00:14:24] Manual adjustment required: “You’re gonna have to exercise a little bit… Subwoofer jazzercise you’re gonna be getting up getting down pressing buttons turning knobs”
How did the video wrap up:
[00:13:51] “All right, it’s time to wrap this puppy up”
[00:14:43] Standard channel sign-off: “We’ll see you next time on United States of analog”
[00:14:46] Viewer engagement request: “Let me know where you’re from and tell me what subwoofer you like put it in the comments below”
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions:
[00:11:23] Philosophical analogy: “I can only relate it to like the Bible, right? There’s no good without evil and so I guess there’s no trouble without bass”
[00:14:26] Humorous description: “It’s like Subwoofer jazzercise you’re gonna be getting up getting down pressing buttons turning knobs”
[00:15:07] Casual aside about REL’s marketing: “I hope rel doesn’t think I was digging at him, but they got a lot of videos telling me how simple it is”
Summary:
In this final portion, the host delivers an overwhelmingly positive assessment of the REL Classic 98 subwoofer, calling it “the best subwoofer experience” he’s had to date. He emphasizes how seamlessly the subwoofer integrates with his system, noting that he had to keep looking to see if it was actually on because the bass integration was so natural it “disappeared.” The host particularly praises how the subwoofer enhanced his system combinations, especially with the Technics amplifier and Forte speakers, and how it breathed new life into his KEF LS50 Meta and McIntosh MA 252 setup.
The host positions this as primarily a music-focused subwoofer rather than a home theater solution, preferring it over REL’s T9X model for both looks and sound quality. At $1,400, he acknowledges it’s expensive but believes the price is justified by the performance, aesthetic appeal, and “spouse approval” factor. He describes the sound quality using audiophile terminology, noting the absence of “flabbiness” and praising the clarity, speed, and how it expands the soundstage while adding structure and depth to the overall sound.
However, the host provides an important caveat about setup complexity, warning viewers that this isn’t an automatic “set and forget” subwoofer. He humorously describes the manual adjustment process as “subwoofer jazzercise,” emphasizing that users will need to invest time in physical setup since there’s no app control. Despite this minor inconvenience, he gives a strong buy recommendation and admits he’s trying to keep the review unit, even joking about canceling his son’s allowance to pay for it.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
