REL Classic 98 – Vintage Musicality Meets Modern Engineering
Designed for music lovers who appreciate the warmth and elegance of classic hi-fi. The REL Classic 98 combines the timeless styling and rich musical character of REL's celebrated late-1990s subwoofers with the reliability, engineering and refinement of modern REL technology. Developed specifically for two-channel music systems, it enhances the natural foundation of your loudspeakers without drawing attention to itself, delivering deeper, fuller and more realistic bass that simply feels part of the performance.
- Designed specifically for stereo music systems
- 300W Class D amplifier
- 10" down-firing paper-cone driver
- Real walnut veneer cabinet
- High-Level Neutrik Speakon, RCA and LFE inputs
- Compatible with REL AirShip II and HT-Air MKII wireless systems
Inspired by a Classic REL
Rather than recreating an older design, REL reimagined the character of its much-loved Strata III and Series III subwoofers using modern engineering. The Classic 98 retains the relaxed, generous and natural bass presentation that made those models famous, while improving extension, output capability and overall reliability.
Its elegant walnut cabinet, discreet proportions and understated styling make it the perfect companion for both vintage loudspeakers and contemporary designs inspired by the golden era of hi-fi.
Designed for Music First
Unlike REL's HT Series, which prioritises cinematic impact, the Classic 98 has been carefully voiced for musical integration. Bass notes develop naturally, preserving tonal richness, harmonic texture and timing while extending the frequency response of your loudspeakers without altering their character.
Whether listening to jazz, classical music, acoustic recordings or classic rock, the Classic 98 enriches the listening experience by adding scale, body and realism rather than exaggerated bass output.
The Heart of Classic 98: A Paper-Cone Driver
At the centre of the Classic 98 is a bespoke 10-inch down-firing driver using an amended paper cone with a soft paper centre cap. REL deliberately chose paper because of its natural tonal balance and effortless musicality, qualities that perfectly complement classic loudspeakers and analogue systems.
The driver operates within a carefully tuned sealed enclosure, producing bass that is smooth, expressive and exceptionally coherent.
300W Class D Amplifier
Power comes from REL's proven 300W Class D amplifier, delivering ample headroom while maintaining excellent efficiency and reliability. Combined with REL's proprietary PerfectFilter™ input stage, the amplifier provides remarkably flat and controlled low-frequency response, extending bass while preserving speed and articulation.
High-Level Connection: The REL Difference
One of the defining features of every music-focused REL subwoofer is the High-Level Neutrik Speakon connection. By receiving exactly the same signal as your main loudspeakers, the Classic 98 integrates naturally with virtually any stereo amplifier, preserving tonal balance, timing and musical coherence.
For systems with AV processors or dedicated subwoofer outputs, conventional RCA low-level and LFE inputs are also provided.
- High-Level Neutrik Speakon input
- Stereo RCA low-level input
- Dedicated LFE RCA input
- Compatible with optional REL AirShip II or HT-Air MKII wireless systems
Designed for Classic Loudspeakers
The Classic 98 was created to partner loudspeakers whose natural presentation benefits from deeper bass extension rather than sheer output. It is particularly well suited to classic British monitors and modern heritage-inspired designs.
- Wharfedale Linton Heritage & Super Linton
- Klipsch Heresy series
- Harbeth loudspeakers
- Spendor Classic series
- Graham Audio BBC monitors
- KLH Model Three & Model Five
- Vintage Sonus faber loudspeakers
Technical Specifications
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Type: Closed-box active subwoofer
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Driver: 10" (250 mm) amended pulp-on-paper down-firing inverted cone, steel chassis
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Amplifier: 300W RMS Class D
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Low Frequency Extension: 27 Hz (-6 dB)
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Inputs: High-Level Neutrik Speakon, Stereo RCA, LFE RCA
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Phase: 0° / 180°
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Wireless Compatibility: REL AirShip II or HT-Air MKII (optional)
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Protection: Fully Electronic SET-SAFE protection
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Dimensions (W × H × D): 350 × 470 × 298.5 mm (add 44.5 mm depth with Speakon connector)
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Weight: 18.1 kg
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Finish: Real Walnut Veneer
Ideal For
- Premium two-channel hi-fi systems
- Vintage and heritage loudspeakers
- Valve and solid-state amplifiers
- Jazz, classical, acoustic, blues and classic rock
- Medium-sized listening rooms
Why We Selected This Product
At ExclusivIT, we believe that the finest subwoofers should disappear into the music rather than dominate it. The REL Classic 98 perfectly embodies this philosophy. It is not designed to impress with overwhelming bass, but to reveal the scale, warmth and natural foundation already present in a recording.
Its combination of vintage-inspired aesthetics, paper-cone driver technology, High-Level connectivity and modern REL engineering makes it an exceptional partner for classic hi-fi systems and heritage loudspeakers. For listeners who value musical coherence above spectacle, the Classic 98 offers one of the most authentic stereo subwoofer experiences available today.
