REL Carbon Special Black Label Active Subwoofer – Reference Carbon Fibre Performance

REL Carbon Special Black Label – The Ultimate Expression of Serie S Performance

Developed for listeners who accept no compromises. The REL Carbon Special Black Label represents the pinnacle of the medium-chassis Serie S range, bringing technologies derived directly from REL's prestigious No.31 Reference into a more versatile form factor. Featuring a newly developed 12-inch all-carbon fibre driver, an upgraded 900W Linear Class D amplifier and a precision-engineered cabinet with increased internal volume, it delivers exceptional speed, authority and musical transparency for the finest stereo and home cinema systems.

• Reference-inspired Black Label edition
• 900W RMS Linear Class D amplifier
• 12" all-carbon fibre long-throw active driver
• 12" Carbon/Carbon passive radiator
• Premium wood grille included
• REL AirShip Direct™ wireless ready
• Designed for stereo pairs and REL Line Array configurations

Overview

The Carbon Special Black Label has been engineered to deliver the highest level of performance ever achieved in REL's medium cabinet platform. Closely related to the technologies developed for the flagship No.31 Reference, it combines greater amplifier power, a substantially redesigned driver and an enlarged cabinet to produce bass that is deeper, faster and more expressive than previous Serie S models.

Rather than simply increasing output, REL focused on improving every aspect of bass reproduction—from transient speed and tonal nuance to dynamic headroom and system integration. The result is a subwoofer that disappears into the performance, allowing loudspeakers to reproduce music and film soundtracks with greater realism and effortless scale.

Key Benefits

• Reference-derived all-carbon fibre driver offering exceptional rigidity and low distortion.
• 900W Linear Class D amplifier delivering outstanding current capability and dynamic control.
• Expanded cabinet volume improves scale, authority and low-frequency extension.
• Premium wood grille supplied as standard, combining elegant aesthetics with improved airflow.
• Simultaneous High-Level and LFE operation for seamless music and cinema integration.
• Designed for stereo pairs and REL's renowned Line Array configurations.
• Compatible with optional REL AirShip Direct™ wireless transmission.

Key Features

• 900W RMS Linear Class D amplifier
• 12" (305 mm) all-carbon fibre long-throw active driver with inverted carbon fibre centre cap
• 12" Carbon/Carbon flat-cone passive radiator
• Reference-inspired driver architecture derived from REL No.31
• New suspension allowing over 60 mm of cone travel
• Hand-selected passive radiator for tighter production tolerances
• High-Level Neutrik Speakon input
• Stereo RCA inputs
• RCA and balanced XLR LFE inputs
• REL AirShip Direct™ wireless compatibility (optional)
• Premium wood grille included as standard
• Piano Black lacquer finish with Black Label detailing

Ideal For

The Carbon Special Black Label has been designed for premium two-channel and high-performance home cinema systems where low-frequency precision is every bit as important as output capability.

• Reference stereo systems
• Large floorstanding loudspeakers
• Premium electronics from Gold Note, Sugden, Lyngdorf, Hegel, McIntosh and Unison Research
• Klipsch Heritage, Pylon Audio Diamond and Jasper, Wharfedale Super Linton and BEC Akustik loudspeakers
• Dedicated home cinema systems requiring exceptional dynamics and control
• Stereo pair and REL Line Array installations

Specifications

Why We Selected This Product

At ExclusivIT, we view the Carbon Special Black Label as the ultimate evolution of REL's medium-sized platform. It combines technologies inherited from the prestigious No.31 Reference with practical dimensions that integrate comfortably into premium listening rooms.

What impresses us most is not simply the remarkable output capability, but the way the Carbon Special Black Label combines authority with finesse. Bass notes start and stop with exceptional precision, preserving the rhythm and tonal character of the recording while adding effortless scale and realism. Whether supporting a flagship stereo system or anchoring a high-performance Dolby Atmos installation, it consistently demonstrates the qualities that have made REL a benchmark for musical subwoofers.

For listeners seeking reference-grade performance without moving to REL's largest Reference models, the Carbon Special Black Label represents one of the most compelling choices available today.