Сабвуферы — Rel (Radio Electronic Labs) Carbon Special Black Label

This model is a self-powered REL Acoustics subwoofer, introduced on 23 September 2025 with three other models when the company relaunched its Serie S line to mark 35 years of making subwoofers. REL presents it as the top of Serie S in a medium-size chassis, carrying technology from its Reference series. Both the active driver and the passive radiator are made of pure carbon fibre. It is priced at USD 4,999 in the US.

Key specs that matter

A single 12-inch long-throw active driver has a carbon-fibre cone and a carbon-fibre centre cap of inverted shape, held in a frame of die-cast alloy. It is joined by a 12-inch passive radiator whose flat cone is a carbon/carbon composite, carried by a steel frame. REL quotes more than 60 mm of cone travel front to back. The amplifier delivers 900 W RMS and can sustain 1,250 W. Low-frequency extension is given as -6 dB at 19 Hz. Its enclosure is 488 mm wide, 410 mm tall and 565 mm deep. Net weight comes to 44.5 kg, rising to 53 kg packed in a 690 x 590 x 660 mm carton.

Engineering and use context

REL built the amplifier as a hybrid Linear Class D design which, according to REL, combines the current delivery of Class A/B with the efficiency of Class D. It is fed by a power transformer weighing about 6.8 kg and is backed by extensive heatsinking. The Black Label tag marks Serie S models made with tighter tolerances, upgraded parts and special finishes. Here the cabinet carries eight coats of piano black lacquer, and a wood grille is included in the box, with a black cloth grille available as an option. Inputs include a Neutrik Speakon high-level connector, twin RCA line-level sockets and LFE connections on both RCA and XLR. Outputs cover a Speakon high-level link, one RCA low-level output and an LFE output on RCA or XLR, so further subwoofers can be chained. The unit is prepared for the REL Airship Direct wireless kit, which is sold separately.

Pairing

The high-level Speakon connection draws its signal from the same power amplifier outputs that drive the main stereo speakers, and both LFE sockets take the dedicated subwoofer channel coming out of a surround decoder or receiver, allowing one unit to serve both stereo and cinema duties.

Alternatives

The REL 212 Black Label is the larger Black Label model in Serie S, with two active 12-inch drivers, two passive radiators and a 1,000 W amplifier in an 840 mm tall cabinet weighing 60.8 kg, at a US price of USD 5,999.