REL Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer

The REL Carbon Special Black Label represents the pinnacle of the Serie S, elevating the celebrated medium chassis to a true reference-grade performer. It is a no-compromise design that combines breathtaking power with the speed and nuance of REL's flagship models. At its heart is a 12-inch, all-carbon fibre driver, closely related to the one REL used in the Reference No. 31, powered by a new 900-watt hybrid amplifier. This potent combination is housed in an expanded, specially braced cabinet designed to deliver greater scale and authority. The Carbon Special Black Label is engineered for the purist who values transparency as much as power, delivering bass that is effortless, fluid, and profoundly musical.

Key Features

• 12” All-Carbon Fibre Driver: A reference-derived, 12-inch active driver with a pure carbon fibre cone for extreme stiffness, lightness, and speed.
• 900W Hybrid Amplifier: A new 900-watt (RMS) hybrid amplifier combines a Class A/B-style input stage with a powerful Class D output stage, capable of 1,250-watt peaks.
• Carbon Fibre Passive Radiator: A 12-inch down-firing passive radiator, built with a carbon/carbon flat cone structure, for deep, authoritative extension down to 19Hz.
• Line Array Capable: Engineered from the ground up to be stacked in vertical line arrays, with included hardware for secure coupling.
• Premium Bespoke Design: Features subtle black crown inlays, stainless steel handles, and includes a premium wood grille as standard.
• Optional Wireless Connectivity: Fully compatible with the optional REL AirShip Direct system for uncompressed, reference-quality wireless signal transmission.

A Beating Heart of Carbon Fibre

The sonic character of the Carbon Special Black Label begins with its driver, a component derived directly from REL’s Reference Series. This 12-inch, all-carbon fibre unit is designed for one purpose: to be both incredibly light and immensely stiff. This allows it to handle the massive power from the 900-watt amplifier and move with extraordinary speed and precision. A newly engineered suspension allows for over 60mm of travel, producing breathtaking dynamics with absolute control. This driver is the key to the subwoofer's ability to be both powerful and fluid, capturing the subtlest textures of music as effortlessly as it handles explosive movie soundtracks.

A New Breed of Hybrid Power

Powering this advanced driver is a new 900-watt (RMS) hybrid amplifier. This design uniquely marries the rich, high-current delivery of a traditional Class A/B monoblock input stage with the cool-running efficiency of a Linear Class D output stage. This "best-of-both-worlds" approach, anchored by a massive 15-pound power transformer, creates a foundation of high-current performance that can sustain peaks of over 1,250 watts with ease. The result is bass that is louder, cleaner, and more controlled than any previous medium-chassis REL.

Engineered for Line Array Supremacy

While a single Carbon Special Black Label is a formidable performer, it was truly engineered to excel in stereo pairs and, ultimately, in towering vertical Line Arrays. The cabinet is designed to be a building block, with thick internal aluminum slabs anchoring its stainless steel handles for safe and secure stacking. REL supplies precision mechanical couplers that securely lock units together, ensuring perfect stability. A Line Array of Carbon Special Black Labels delivers a floor-to-ceiling sense of authority and scale that rivals the world’s finest and most expensive audio systems.

Acoustic Elegance: The Premium Wood Grille

The Carbon Special Black Label is as beautiful as it is powerful. Its cabinet proportions are inspired by the Reference line, with subtle black crown inlays and recessed, curved stainless-steel handles. Included as standard is a premium wood grille, which is a functional and aesthetic upgrade. This beautifully crafted, slatted grille is not just for looks; its design enhances airflow compared to a traditional cloth grille, allowing for greater dynamic expression while adding a touch of architectural elegance.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications