REL 212 Black Label Subwoofer

REL 212 Black Label Subwoofer with Dual 12” Active Drivers and Dual 12” Passive Radiators

212 Black Label is unique, the most dynamic and powerful subwoofer in the Serie S range. At its core are dual 12" (305mm) CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, dual 12" passive radiators, and a 1,000 Watt amplifier, working together to deliver over 450 square inches (1,166 sq cm) of piston area and the authority to energize even the largest rooms. The result is bass that is immense yet agile, combining breathtaking slam with the speed, nuance, and tonal colour that define REL.

More than just raw output, 212 Black Label is the Swiss Army knife of the range. Whether anchoring reference-grade theatres or underpinning world-class stereo systems, it delivers unmatched scale and refinement. In stereo pairs, 212 Black Label can approach the authority of a full Line Array, offering massive scale in a form that integrates beautifully into both systems and spaces. An optional premium wood grille further elevates both design and performance.

Design with Distinction

In a REL product line defined by gorgeous cabinetry, perhaps no model has received a more comprehensive update than 212 Black Label. A single vertical strake runs the cabinet’s height, capped by a distinctive crown badge that signals its refined status. On the top panel, an all-black badge framed in carbon fibre further marks it as Black Label. The warm silver, bead-blasted handles have a raw titanium feel, both striking and practical, while solid billet aluminium inside keeps things safe and steady, cutting down on unwanted resonance. An optional premium wood grille enhances both airflow and aesthetics, completing a design of unmistakable authority and refinement.

Driven with Authority

Driver development lies at the core of every REL. For 212 Black Label, both active and passive elements were re-engineered to handle the massive outputs made possible by its uprated 1,000 Watt amplifier. Dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, fitted with lightweight carbon-fibre centre caps, release more energy on every stroke, yielding speed and control at levels unheard of in earlier designs. To match, the dual passive radiators were redesigned with longer suspensions and greater excursion, allowing the system to traverse massive distances without strain. The result is a subwoofer that plays some 40% louder than its predecessor. For the engineers, the real triumph was refining every nuanced aspect of performance, made clear each time ultra-dynamic movie scenes or sprawling, complex pieces of music flow effortlessly without strain.

Outrageousness Amplified

Like its Carbon Special Black Label stablemate, 212 Black Label is powered by a newly developed 1,000-watt hybrid amplifier that marries the current delivery of high-current Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Linear Class D output stage. This best-of-both-worlds design delivers immense dynamic power while consuming just 40 watts at idle — no more than a handful of night lights. Peaks of over 1,200 Watts can be sustained for extended periods, producing explosive authority without strain. The result is an amplifier that sounds urgent, driven, and unshakably powerful, yet refined enough to underpin reference-grade stereo systems and anchor the largest theatres with complete composure.

Analog Filtered to Perfection

All REL input filters are 100% analogue — among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. REL choose analogue because it is the only way to achieve natural sound. At the centre is REL’s famous High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This does not draw power; instead, it carries the complete sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers, a trait reviewers have celebrated for decades. And for systems where High Level isn’t possible, the low-level input employs the very same filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, delivering the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. For theatre and dual-use systems, REL allows High Level and .1/LFE to be run together, so music gains natural integration, while movie soundtracks deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

Wired For Sound… Wirelessly

Sometimes the best wire is no wire. Quality cables are a given in high-end audio systems, but there are occasions where it is impractical, unsafe, or unsightly to drape a cable across the room. REL delivers the ultimate solution with Airship Direct™, the optional wireless system that transmits wide-bandwidth, compound signals, carrying both High Level and .1/LFE simultaneously. Even with the immense scale and output of 212 Black Label, Airship Direct™ preserves the speed, transparency, and authority that define REL. It allows seamless transitions between music and movies without ever touching the controls, all from a single module that plugs neatly into the rear panel and stays invisible in your room. Simple, direct, uncompromised: Airship Direct™.

Our Review

The REL 212 Black Label isn’t just a subwoofer, it’s a statement piece — the most dynamic and powerful model in the Serie S range, designed to bring both thunder and finesse into your listening space. With dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, twin 12" passive radiators, and a mighty 1,000 Watt amplifier, it delivers bass that feels immense yet remarkably agile, energising even the largest rooms with ease. What makes it special, though, is how seamlessly it balances brute force with nuance — offering breathtaking slam for movies while preserving speed, tonal colour, and musicality for stereo listening. Add in its refined cabinet design, optional premium wood grille, and the flexibility of REL’s analogue filters or wireless Airship Direct™ system, and you’ve got a subwoofer that doesn’t just perform at the highest level, it integrates beautifully into both your system and your space.