Introducing REL’s first-ever LFE (Low Frequency Effects) cable. As always, REL brings the same dedication and attention to detail to Commander, our debut LFE cable, that we bring to our subwoofers. Designed to perfectly complement our current T/x and HT models, Commander delivers the same suite of benefits as the subwoofers it’s paired with: exceptional value, extraordinary performance, and first-rate build quality.
We took the time to study and listen to various cables marketed specifically for subwoofers. What we found was a broad range of performance, and frankly, none of the less expensive cables we tested met our standards.
With Commander, we set out to design a full-bandwidth LFE cable. Yes, full bandwidth, not just bass. By testing these cables across the full audio range, we applied the same principles we use when designing our subwoofers. Listening beyond the subwoofer’s typical frequency range helps us pinpoint sonic issues both within the bass region and higher up the spectrum. The way music progresses upward, from the deepest bass you feel, through midbass that attacks, and into the upper bass that blends seamlessly with your main speakers, is a critical performance criterion for a great LFE cables.
Great Looking
Here’s a simple truth: before we let any component into our homes, we ask ourselves, “Can I live with this?” So early in the process, we made a critical decision: Commander would be offered in two colors: black and white. This is not just because our subwoofers are available in these finishes, but also because most home theaters and living rooms demand these options.
White cables are ideal for about 70% of LFE cable installs. Why? LFE cables often require long runs, since subwoofers are frequently positioned far from the equipment stand or rack. The best way to visually minimize the cable is to blend it into the room’s baseboard, and most baseboards are white or off-white. That’s why Commander comes in white. If your REL subwoofer happens to be white too, all the better. Even the connectors are white, adorned with a tiny navy-blue crown logo, a small but satisfying detail.
Black Says Professional: Then, there are serious home theaters. The lucky few with dedicated rooms for movie immersion. These spaces lean toward darker palettes for optimal picture quality. In these environments, black cables are the go-to choice to stay out of sight. And now you know why we offer Commander in both black and white.
Balanced Sounding Performance
Unless you’ve spent time listening to various LFE cables, you might underestimate how hard it is to design one that truly excels. Some manufacturers silver-plate copper wires just to make them sound different from their full-range cables. Throughout our design journey, we gravitated toward full-bandwidth cable designs. Cables intended to reproduce the entire frequency range, much like the interconnects in a good 2-channel system.
Likability: Commander could easily be sold as an upgrade interconnect for a powerful 2-channel rig. It’s richly balanced, with excellent harmonic structure. It sounds powerful, full of energy, and, as you’d expect, delivers dynamics with gusto, faithfully reproducing the biggest, loudest effects in any film. But what our skilled listening panel appreciated most was its likability. Some cables we tested seemed desperate to impress, “Listen to that BOOM!” they shouted. Others dulled the leading edge of fast transients. Frankly, some were boring; not all copper cables are created equal.
Commander, true to its name, commands the performance. It’s resolved, firm, and balanced in its voicing. It didn’t do anything wrong and did so much right. That’s why it earned its place as our first LFE cable. Commander simply balances all the right virtues.
I hate cables that frustrate me when handling them. Home theater setups can be challenging, especially with the inevitable tangle of cables behind your AV receiver or processor. Most of us, eager to enjoy our new gear, rush through setup, creating a snarl of wires. The more patient (or experienced) among us carefully lay out each cable, letting them relax from their packaging and thoughtfully arrange them. These are probably the same folks who submit their taxes a month early.
Eventually, no matter who you are, you’ll need to reach behind your setup, maybe you’ve added a component, and you'll have to unplug something. Here’s how it usually goes: you try pulling the connector straight out, only to find it’s practically fused to the RCA jack. Realizing brute force might damage the receiver, you twist the connector left (because most of us are right-handed). With most cables, this only unscrews the barrel from the connector, compounding the frustration.
After running into this a few hundred times, I figured, why not design a high-quality RCA connector with a left-hand threaded barrel? That way, turning it left would tighten it for easy removal. We built a prototype, and just like that, one of life’s little audio annoyances disappeared. Commander, like all REL LFE cables, now features this simple but ingenious fix.
Final Thoughts
Commander is a beautifully crafted, high-quality cable that delivers everything a moderately priced home theater setup needs to unleash dynamic, thrilling sound from the critical LFE channel. Made from ultra-pure copper, soldered to copper RCA connectors with thin nickel and thick gold plating, all wrapped in smooth, flexible polyurethane in the most practical colors for real-world use. We’re certain you’ll love them; they’re a vital, long-awaited link in the REL performance chain.
Enjoy!
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