REL Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer

REL Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer with 12” Active Carbon Fibre Driver and 12” Passive Radiator

Carbon Special Black Label elevates the medium chassis to its highest form. At its heart lies a 12" (305 mm) all-carbon fibre driver, closely related to the design used in REL’s No.31 Reference, powered by a 900 Watt amplifier and housed in an expanded cabinet that frees the carbon driver to deliver greater scale and authority. The result is bass that combines breathtaking power, speed, and tonal nuance.

Each Carbon Special Black Label includes a premium wood grille that enhances both beauty and airflow, underscoring the model’s dual commitment to form and function. On its own, as a stereo pair, or in towering Line Arrays, it delivers Reference-inspired authority reserved for those who demand the very best of Serie S. Black Label models represent the most advanced expressions of Serie S, built with tighter tolerances, upgraded components, and unique finishes.

Achingly Beautiful

Carbon Special Black Label pulls together the finest elements of Serie S design. Its cabinet proportions, inspired from the Reference line, achieve a natural sense of scale. Subtle black crown inlays along the sidewalls and curved stainless-steel handles recessed into elliptical returns underscore its unique position within the range. Beneath each rail, knurled billet cylinders permit precise leveling, while thick internal aluminium slabs anchor the handles for safe stacking in Line Arrays. Each unit also includes a premium wood grille that adds warmth while enhancing airflow for greater dynamics. A design where beauty and performance converge.

Driven to Perfection

At REL, development begins with the driver, the foundation of sonic character. For Carbon Special Black Label, REL designed a 12" all-carbon fibre unit capable of handling three times the peak power of its predecessor. A newly engineered suspension allows the cone to travel over 60 mm front to back, delivering extraordinary dynamics with complete control. The result is bass that is effortless, powerful, and fluid, extending lower with greater authority. Whether reproducing the subtle textures of music at concert levels or the impact of modern theatre soundtracks, this latest generation driver transforms performance across the entire medium-chassis class.

Amped Up

Carbon Special Black Label is powered by a 900 Watt hybrid amplifier that combines the rich current delivery of Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Class D output stage. A 6.8 kg power transformer and extensive heatsinking form the foundation for high-current performance, adding to the model’s weight and commanding authority. This design sustains peaks of 1,250 Watts with ease, delivering louder, cleaner, and more controlled bass than any previous medium-chassis REL. The result is an amplifier that unites raw power with the composure and finesse that define Black Label.

Analogue Filtered to Perfection:

REL choose analogue because it is the only way to achieve truly natural sound. All REL input filters are 100% analogue - among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. At the core is REL’s renowned High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This doesn’t draw power; instead, it carries the full sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers - a quality reviewers have praised for decades.

For systems where High Level isn’t possible, the low-level input uses the same analogue filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, to deliver the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. And in theatre or dual-use systems, REL uniquely allows High Level and .1/LFE to run together - so music benefits from natural integration, while movies deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

Serie S Line Array

REL’s Line Arrays are renowned for producing sound staging and dynamics that rival the world’s finest systems. Designed to grow in pairs, a Line Array can begin with a simple stereo pair, expand with a second, and ultimately rise to three units per channel, delivering floor-to-ceiling authority and scale.

Carbon Special Black Label was crafted to support the step-by-step build of a Line Array system. It comes supplied with precision mechanical couplers that securely lock the top and middle units to the anchor REL below, ensuring stability and optimal performance. Proven at international shows and in private listening rooms, Carbon Special Black Label Line Arrays achieve true state-of-the-art performance - even when paired with stand-mounted monitors or compact floor standers in medium-sized rooms. Imagine the presence and impact of a half-million-dollar system, brought to life in a modest space.

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 Carbon Special 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 Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer is one of those rare pieces that blends jaw-dropping performance with equally refined design. At its core is a 12 inch all-carbon fibre driver borrowed from REL’s flagship lineage, powered by a muscular 900 Watt hybrid amplifier that delivers bass with breathtaking speed, depth, and authority. The expanded cabinet gives the driver space to breathe, while the analogue filters ensure the sound stays natural and seamlessly integrated with your system. Beyond the tech, it’s also achingly beautiful: subtle inlays, sculpted handles, and a premium wood grille strike the perfect balance between elegance and functionality. Whether you use one on its own, pair them up, or go full Line Array, the Carbon Special Black Label feels like a subwoofer built to take the medium chassis to its absolute pinnacle - both in looks and in sound.