In this review, we will be comparing T 7x and T 5x, 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 7x and REL T 5x 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.REL T 7xand REL T 5x have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 8" drivers.
Frequency Response
T 7x has a frequency range of 30-120 Hz whereas T 5x has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the T 7x can go slightly deeper then 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 7x's and REL T 5x's external dimensions. REL T 7x has external dimensions of 325.4 x 358.8 x 436.6mm () whereas REL T 5x has external dimensions of 312.7 x 300.0 x 360.4mm ().
REL T 7x is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 58.8mm wider, 12.7mm taller and 76.2mm deeper than REL T 5x.
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 7x is approximately 1566.5cm2 / 242.8inch2 and base area of the REL T 5x is approximately 1081.2cm2 / 167.6inch2. The T 7x requires 45% more surface area than the T 5x which gives it a small disadvantage 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 7x weighs 17.46kg / 38.4lbs and the REL T 5x weighs 14.29kg / 31.4lbs. This makes the T 7x 22% heavier than the T 5x.
Here is a comparison of how T 7x and T 5x's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
312mm
vs
325mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1081cm2
vs
1566cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1299USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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 7x needs about 45% more floor area. REL T 7x stands 76mm further into the room. REL T 7x is 13mm taller.
| General |
REL T 7x |
REL T 5x |
| Brand |
REL |
REL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
30-120 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
200-watt RMS |
125-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
325.4mm (12.8") |
312.7mm (12.3") |
| Width |
358.8mm (14.1") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Depth |
436.6mm (17.2") |
360.4mm (14.2") |
| Weight |
17.46kg (38.4lbs) |
14.29kg (31.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A passive radiator subwoofer against a sealed 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 | evenly matched | Effectively the same reach (30Hz vs 32Hz). |
| Amplifier power | A | REL T 7x has the bigger amplifier - 200W against 125W RMS, about 2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (8" against 8"). |
| Enclosure | depends | REL T 7x is passive radiator - a passive radiator behaves like a port without the pipe noise, and suits a slim cabinet; 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. 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 34% 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 | B | REL T 5x costs less - $799 against $1,299, about 38% less. |
A REL T 7x B REL T 5x
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?
REL T 7x is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 63% more. REL T 5x is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, REL T 7x 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 $1,299 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.