REL Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer (Each)

The REL Carbon Special Black Label is the brand's technological flagship: an active-passive subwoofer with an active 12" all-carbon-fibre cone up front + a passive 12" driver below, and the most powerful amplifier concept REL has ever built in series production.

Why the REL Carbon Special Black Label?

In the Carbon Special Black Label, REL bundles everything the brand has learned over three-plus decades of subwoofer development: continuous carbon-fibre drivers instead of mixed constructions, a powerful hybrid amplifier combining a Class A/B power supply with a Class D output stage, and a cabinet consistently engineered for reference performance rather than compromise.

What you hear

The Carbon Special Black Label delivers deep bass with a level of control and resolution normally only found in far larger floorstanding speakers – powerful, yet never sluggish, with a clean handover to the midrange. In demanding music playback as well as in home cinema, it shows what REL's two-driver concept can achieve at the very top of its capability.

Who is the REL Carbon Special Black Label suited for?

The Carbon Special Black Label is aimed at music and home-cinema enthusiasts with a correspondingly high-calibre system and the ambition to own the best that REL currently builds. Honestly: anyone with a smaller budget or listening in a compact room gets better value from the S or T Series – the Carbon Special Black Label is deliberately positioned without compromise, including on price.

Our verdict

The REL Carbon Special Black Label is exactly what the name promises: REL's most uncompromising subwoofer statement. For anyone who has already reached the top end of their system and no longer wants to compromise on deep bass either.

Technical data

• Design: active 12" all-carbon-fibre cone front + passive 12" down-firing
• Amplifier: hybrid concept (Class A/B power supply + Class D output stage)
• Frequency response: from approx. 19 Hz
• Dimensions: 41 × 48.8 × 56.5 cm (H×W×D)
• Weight: approx. 44.5 kg
• Inputs: Neutrik Speakon (high-level, 10 m cable), RCA (line-level + LFE), LFE also as XLR
• Wireless option: REL Airship Direct (available separately)
• Finish: Gloss Black (piano lacquer, 8 coats), wood grille

Frequently asked questions

What does the "Special Black Label" designation mean for the Carbon?
It marks REL's most thorough implementation of carbon driver technology combined with the brand's strongest amplifier concept – the absolute top model in the current REL range.

What room size is the Carbon Special Black Label designed for?
It's designed for medium to large rooms with a correspondingly high-calibre system. We're happy to advise whether one or two units make sense for your room.

Is the Carbon Special Black Label also available in white?
No, the model is built exclusively in Gloss Black with a wood grille – that's part of this flagship model's character.

Why buy the REL Carbon Special Black Label from HD Zürisee?
We've specialised in hi-fi in Wädenswil since 1997 and advise you on system integration, placement and delivery for high-end purchases. Get in touch with us personally.

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.