Short answer: the ELAC Varro PS250. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#152 and #151 of 212 subwoofers), and the ELAC Varro PS250 costs $689 against $699 for the REL Acoustics T/5x, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The case for the ELAC Varro PS250: 10-inch treated paper cone driver in a bass-reflex cabinet with 250W RMS / 500W peak BASH amplification. The catch: Bass output rolls off below 27Hz, limiting extreme infrasonic movie energy.
What the REL Acoustics T/5x does well: Compact sealed enclosure with a down-firing 8-inch long-throw FibreAlloy driver powered by a 125W Class A/B amplifier. The tradeoff: Single 8-inch sealed driver rolls off below 32Hz (-6dB) and provides limited headroom for visceral home theater low-frequency effects in medium to large rooms.
Buy the ELAC Varro PS250. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $10 less than the REL Acoustics T/5x.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: ELAC Varro PS250 3.3 to 3.7; REL Acoustics T/5x 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Subwoofers rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Varro PS250 | REL Acoustics T/5x | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $689.00 | $699.00 |
| Ranked | #152 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated | #151 of 212 in Medium Home Subwoofers (30-75 lbs) Estimated |
| Country | Germany | United Kingdom |
| Warranty | 3/1 | 3 |
| Enclosure | ported | sealed |
| Drivers | 10” (254mm) treated paper cone | 8” (200mm) down-firing long-throw FibreAlloy cone |
| Amplifier Power | 250W RMS / 500W peak (BASH) | 125W RMS (Class A/B) |
| Frequency Response | 27Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | 32Hz at -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 15.6”H x 14.2”W x 14.2”D (396 x 360 x 360 mm) | 11.8”H x 12.1”W x 12.3”D (300 x 307 x 313 mm) |
| Weight | 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg) | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to REL Acoustics T/5x:
- Klipsch RP-1000SW vs REL Acoustics T/5x
- REL Acoustics T/5x vs Monoprice Monolith M-10 V2
- Klipsch RP-1000SW vs ELAC Varro PS250
- ELAC Varro PS250 vs Monoprice Monolith M-10 V2
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DS103 vs JBL Stage 200P
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
ELAC Varro PS250: $689.00 Estimated Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the ELAC PS350 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5) and the ELAC Varro PS500 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: 10-inch treated paper cone driver in a bass-reflex cabinet with 250W RMS / 500W peak BASH amplification. Features smartphone app control (Sub Control 3.0) with automated microphone-based AutoEQ room calibration.
Cons: Bass output rolls off below 27Hz, limiting extreme infrasonic movie energy. Vinyl wrap cabinet styling is basic.
Full ELAC Varro PS250 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 250W RMS / 500W peak (BASH) |
| Country | Germany |
| Dimensions | 15.6”H x 14.2”W x 14.2”D (396 x 360 x 360 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” (254mm) treated paper cone |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Frequency Response | 27Hz - 150Hz (in-room, manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3/1 |
| Weight | 36.2 lbs (16.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
REL Acoustics T/5x: $699.00 Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the REL Acoustics T/7x (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5) and the REL Acoustics T/9x (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 3.9/5). See every REL T Series generation.
Pros: Compact sealed enclosure with a down-firing 8-inch long-throw FibreAlloy driver powered by a 125W Class A/B amplifier. Includes REL signature high-level Neutrik Speakon input alongside RCA/LFE inputs for seamless stereo music integration.
Cons: Single 8-inch sealed driver rolls off below 32Hz (-6dB) and provides limited headroom for visceral home theater low-frequency effects in medium to large rooms. Lacks onboard app control or parametric EQ.
Full REL Acoustics T/5x review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 125W RMS (Class A/B) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 11.8”H x 12.1”W x 12.3”D (300 x 307 x 313 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” (200mm) down-firing long-throw FibreAlloy cone |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz at -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs (14.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons