In this review, we will be comparing T 5x and T 9x SE, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by REL. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of REL T 5x and REL T 9x SE first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both REL T 5xand REL T 9x SE have a single woofer setup however the REL T 5x's woofer is 8-inch whereas the REL T 9x SE features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
T 5x has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz whereas T 9x SE has a frequency range of 27-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 27Hz, the T 9x SE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the T 5x's min frequency of 32Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare REL T 5x's and REL T 9x SE's external dimensions. REL T 5x has external dimensions of 312.7 x 300.0 x 360.4mm () whereas REL T 9x SE has external dimensions of 344.5 x 371.5 x 465.1mm ().
REL T 9x SE is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 71.5mm wider, 31.8mm taller and 104.7mm deeper than REL T 5x.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
REL T 9x SE needs about 60% more floor or shelf area. REL T 9x SE is 105mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. REL T 9x SE is 32mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the REL T 5x is approximately 1081.2cm2 / 167.6inch2 and base area of the REL T 9x SE is approximately 1727.8cm2 / 267.8inch2. The T 5x requires 37% less surface area than the T 9x SE which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The REL T 5x weighs 14.29kg / 31.4lbs and the REL T 9x SE weighs 20.64kg / 45.4lbs. This makes the T 9x SE 44% heavier than the T 5x.
Here is a comparison of how T 5x and T 9x SE's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Height |
312mm
vs
344mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1081cm2
vs
1727cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
27 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
REL T 9x SE needs about 60% more floor area. REL T 9x SE stands 105mm further into the room. REL T 9x SE is 32mm taller.
| General |
REL T 5x |
REL T 9x SE |
| Brand |
REL |
REL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
32-120 Hz |
27-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
125-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
312.7mm (12.3") |
344.5mm (13.6") |
| Width |
300.0mm (11.8") |
371.5mm (14.6") |
| Depth |
360.4mm (14.2") |
465.1mm (18.3") |
| Weight |
14.29kg (31.4lbs) |
20.64kg (45.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A sealed subwoofer against a passive radiator one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | REL T 9x SE goes deeper - 27Hz against 32Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 32Hz. |
| Amplifier power | B | REL T 9x SE has the bigger amplifier - 300W against 125W RMS, about 3.8dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | B | REL T 9x SE moves more air: 10" against 8" is 1.56x the cone area, not the 1.25x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | depends | REL T 5x is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; REL T 9x SE is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | REL T 5x is about 43% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | REL T 5x costs less - $799 against $1,799, about 56% less. |
A REL T 5x B REL T 9x SE
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: REL T 9x SE measures better, REL T 5x costs about 56% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, REL T 9x SE will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, REL T 5x is usually the easier one to make sound right. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $799 each, two REL T 5x cost about $1,598 against $1,799 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.