REL Acoustics ‘ST III’ User Manual
24
POWER SAVING EFFICIENCY
All REL Sub-Bass Systems are designed for maximum power efficiency, both when passing a
signal through to its resultant output sound into the room and also when silent.
REL circuitry is designed for “power starvation” operation under no signal conditions. This
means that immediately when there is a gap in the signal the sub is instantly at maximum
power saving efficiency, yet remains at maximum readiness to respond immediately to a
sudden transient signal, such as an explosion in a movie, even after a long quiet period and
at whatever level.
This compares to some “auto power on/off systems” which remain powered up for a set
period of no-signal condition (up to 10-15 minutes) and which need to power-up on receipt of
a sudden transient thus failing to catch the start of that transient. There is also the possibility
of the sub remaining inoperative during listening sessions where the overall volume is low.
It is not necessary to switch off between listening sessions - it will not significantly shorten its
life by leaving it switched on. On the other hand, it will not harm sound quality if it is always
switched off. The power consumption in the quiescent (no signal) state is negligible. REL’s
power starvation technology uses less than 4w when idle (less than 1/25th the power of a
standard light bulb).
It is perfectly safe under all normal domestic circumstances as it is fully protected by internal
fuses and an external mains fuse in the sliding drawer of the mains input socket, with a spare
inside this drawer.
