REL Acoustics ST 5 User Manual
18
POWER SAVING EFFICIENCY
All REL sub-bass systems are designed for maximum power efficiency, when operational and
also when at rest.
REL circuitry is designed for “power starvation” operation when no signal is present. However
it remains at maximum readiness to respond immediately to a sudden transient signal, such
as an explosion in a movie, even after an extended period of rest and at whatever level.
REL’s maximum power efficiency should not be likened to ‘auto power on/off‘ systems, which
‘power-down’ after a set period of rest (up to 10-15 minutes) and which need time to power-up
again when required to reproduce a sudden transient. They invariably fail to respond to the
leading edge of that transient. There is also the possibility of ‘auto power on/off‘ systems
remaining inoperative during quiet listening sessions.
It is not necessary to switch the REL sub-bass system off between listening sessions; leaving
it switched on will not significantly shorten its life. On the other hand, sound quality will not be
affected if the system is always switched off. 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).
The system is perfectly safe under all normal domestic circumstances as it is fully protected
by internal fuses and an external mains fuse, located in the sliding drawer of the mains input
socket. There is also a spare fuse inside this drawer.
