REL S-850 Subwoofer, Gloss Black (Each)

The REL S-850 belongs to REL's S Series, the flagship range for music listeners with high demands on depth, speed and control. It combines an active driver with a passive woofer (active 12" front + passive 12" down-firing, CarbonAlloy™) and a linear Class D amplifier.

Why the REL S-850?

In the S Series, REL bundles its entire experience from over three decades of subwoofer development: an active driver delivers attack and control, while a large passive driver adds extra depth without the amplifier having to work disproportionately hard for it. The result is a subwoofer that stays controlled even at low frequencies instead of booming.

What you hear

The S-850 delivers rich yet precisely contoured bass that blends seamlessly into music playback – from acoustic double bass through electronic music to orchestral depths. In home cinema use, the same controlled attack delivers impact without droning.

Who is the REL S-850 suited for?

The S-850 is designed for music and home-cinema listeners who want the optimum in depth and control in a medium to large room and are willing to invest significantly more for it than in the T Series. Honestly: for small rooms or a tight budget, the T Series is the smarter choice – the S-850 only shows its true strengths from a certain room size upward.

Our verdict

The REL S-850 is a statement subwoofer for anyone who wants uncompromising, musical deep bass. Not an entry-level unit, but one of the most consistent implementations of REL's two-driver philosophy.

Technical data

• Design: active 12" front + passive 12" down-firing, CarbonAlloy™
• Amplifier: linear Class D amplifier
• Frequency response: from approx. 19 Hz
• Dimensions: 41 × 48.8 × 54 cm (H×W×D)
• Weight: approx. 42.5 kg
• Inputs: Neutrik Speakon (high-level, 10 m cable), RCA (line-level + LFE), LFE also as XLR
• Wireless option: REL Airship Direct (available separately)
• Grille: fabric grille as standard, premium wood grille optional
• Finish: Gloss Black

Frequently asked questions

What room size is the REL S-850 suited for?
The S-850 is designed for medium to large living rooms (roughly 25–65 m², depending on the model). We're happy to work out with you how many subwoofers and what exact positioning would be optimal.

What's the best way to connect the S-850?
For the best musical connection, the high-level input straight to your amplifier's speaker terminals is recommended. For pure home-cinema use, the LFE input on the AV receiver also works.

Can I choose between fabric and wood grille for the S-850?
Yes, the subwoofer ships with a fabric grille as standard; a premium wood grille is available as an option – we're happy to advise you on looks and availability.

Why buy the REL S-850 from HD Zürisee?
We've specialised in hi-fi in Wädenswil since 1997 and advise you on integration into your system and placement in the room, and handle delivery and installation on request.

Goes well with

A REL subwoofer ideally complements existing bookshelf speakers or floorstanding speakers, whether you listen the classic way through an integrated amplifier or through a streaming amplifier.