Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat My Rel Q200e is dead, can I turn it passive ?

Hello All,

My small REL Q200e subwoofer is dead and asking for repair should cost more than its value.

I noticed there are 2 cables connecting the woofer. Can I bypass the filter and internal power amp by connecting directly the REL to my Class D power amp and connecting my power amp to my G68 for bass and LFE management (acting as the filter) ?

This would be a temporary solution until I go to UK and listen range of Meridian speakers, which should be soon (project being signed off)

What do you think ?

I don't immediately see why not. I once considered adding a passive sub to my analogue G68 set-up which would have required an external monoblock amp. It would be useful to know the impedance of the sub speaker I suppose to ensure compatibility with your amp

If you have been brave enough to go up to the two wires connecting the woofer, maybe you can look a bit into the internal'amp pcb.
I remember my old Rel Storm3 went mute and was a big ceramic resistor burned inside and at the time this was 'usual' (the resistor just needed to be even bigger ).
But what you propose is perfectly fine: the LFE input of your REL is a direct bypass to the sub internal amp (no filters here, they are used with the other inputs like the 'high level speaker ones).
Regards