REL-205 vs BK XLS200

polarcheese

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So I was all set on buying a BK XLS200, but I had a quick last minute check, and Sevenoaks have an ex display REL-205 for £350. Basically I was wondering whether it's worth going for the REL as the RRP is pretty much twice as much as the BK?.

I have a Yamaha AS-500, and a pair of KEF Q300's. The system will be used almost entirely for music, and some things I have read say that REL have a reputation for being more 'musical' than other sub manufacturers, is this true or false, or just a load of marketing crap?

Also I would probably be able to pick up the REL pretty quick, and the BK will obviously take a while to arrive (anyone know how long?), so I'd like to have the sub ASAP (been waiting a while to buy a sub, and I head back to uni soonish, so want it to arrive before then).

Thanks a lot
 
Ignore rrps when comparing to BK, if BK were a company like Rel they would probably charge £600 for the xls200. BK used to make subs for Rel and they are just as musical as the Rels.
 
If you want a quick turnaround it's best to give BK a call and see if they have what you want in stock.

I'm a big BK fan (have the 200 and 400) and wouldnt buy anything else for subs but at £350 I doubt the rel will disappoint and as you say, it might be available quicker.

Best to call :)
 
To be honest there is little to choose between them, except that the BK has a touch more power and is a little heavier. Thats as much to choose between them as anything, as is the fact you might et the Rel quicker if thats whats important. If I was pushed to choose, I would still pick the BK because of the additional power, but other than that these subs are very well matched, and the price of the Rel you can get it for now is more realistic than its original rrp.

Personally though, I would still go for the more powerful and heavier brand new BK over an ex dem unit.
 
Safe safe safe, thanks a lot for the advice,

looks like I'm gonna go grab the REL, I think it probably looks a lil bit shinier and fancier than the BK anyway which is kinda nice.

thanks again
 
Nothing wrong with the choice, but your main reason for choosing audio equipment shouldnt be because of how it looks, sometimes its used to help justify higher rrp's. I dont think there will be much difference between these though and I reckon you will be happy with either of these.

Let us know how you get on :thumbsup:
 
Nothing wrong with the choice, but your main reason for choosing audio equipment shouldnt be because of how it looks, sometimes its used to help justify higher rrp's. I dont think there will be much difference between these though and I reckon you will be happy with either of these.

Let us know how you get on :thumbsup:
I gotta disagree with that - looks are v important as well :)
 
I gotta disagree with that - looks are v important as well :)

I never said looks werent important, but at the end of the day the best looking speaker in the world is entirely pointless if it sounds like crap. Choosing between fine looking products, I will invariably choose the one I like the sound of the best, even if its not the best looking of the two.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Moonfly said:
I never said looks werent important, but at the end of the day the best looking speaker in the world is entirely pointless if it sounds like crap. Choosing between fine looking products, I will invariably choose the one I like the sound of the best, even if its not the best looking of the two.
Nope but you said main reason and for me and many others looks are probably equally as important as SQ to fit in with the house - a compromise if you will :)
 
Nope but you said main reason and for me and many others looks are probably equally as important as SQ to fit in with the house - a compromise if you will :)

The point was that if you have two perfectly fine products, but the slightly better looking one isnt the best sounding one, and both fit your decor just fine, which do you choose. I know which one I would.
 
Nope but you said main reason and for me and many others looks are probably equally as important as SQ to fit in with the house - a compromise if you will :)

It's not really a compromise though is it? If the sub were furniture first and a specialised speaker second, then yes. But if you're buying a sub, especially for a mainly music use, the sound trumps all other considerations doesn't it? Besides BK stuff hardly looks like its built from recycled cardboard.
 

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