About The REL Carbon Special Subwoofer
The Carbon Special Subwoofer takes REL's Serie S concept to unimagined heights whilst taking its bass producing capabilities to unimagined depths. With a new cabinet, a very special carbon fibre drive unit and a massive 1,000 watts of power this subwoofer sounds too good to be true and it almost is.
Carbon Special is a new limited availability model that combines REL's latest engineering with cutting edge components from the reference line, all housed in a moderately sized chassis. It features their third-generation carbon fibre 12" driver with a new, bespoke Carbon Fibre passive driver that delivers 50% longer stroke, powered by a 1,000 watt amplifier, itself guided by REL's CS PerfectFilter™.
Where previous special editions have used existing cabinets, drivers and filters, Carbon Special uses many elements developed solely for Carbon Special. REL have employed their newest BlackWidow 12" (305mm) carbon fibre driver, developed to deliver superior dynamic balance throughout the full range of its considerable 4" (100mm) of fore-and-aft stroke. It is better able to handle, smoothly and effortlessly, the massive power needed to deliver explosive dynamics. This is then mated with their NextGen 5 1,000 watt amplifier which has proven to be both a sonic wonder and utterly reliable. Directing all this is a CS PerfectFilter, a custom-designed variant of the latest evolution of filters that improves both ends of the spectrum. It delivers airy, delicate highs with greater reach into the nether regions within a soundstage, as well as truer, more powerful ultra-low bass delivery. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost is.
REL didn't stop there. An all new cabinet with highly polished metal and carbon fibre touches appears only in this model. The cabinet extends deeper than previous mid-chassis designs to optimize performance for this new driver complement. And its looks are delivered in a refined, mature manner with subtle use of carbon fibre details sprinkled among chrome and polished stainless accents. Here at Audio Trends we predict the REL Carbon Special will become one of the most in demand ultra-high performance subwoofers of all time.
CS PerfectFilters - Elevating Low Bass Performance & Overall Clarity: Perfect is not a word REL throws around lightly but these latest filters are so good they require its use. The PerfectFilters elevate the low bass performance to a new standard for a mid-chassis design, while subtle tweaks to its upper range performance allow for an airier, more transparent soundstage and improved clarity throughout the entire system's performance. It is impossible to overstate its benefit to a fine audio system and all benefits that accrue to its musical performance go on to expand its merits in power theatre. A true two-for-one upgrade.
Sound Beyond Its Size - Inspired By The G1 Mk II: : The key to Carbon Special's amazing performance is its new BlackWidow 12" (305mm) forward firing active driver. Carbon fibre grabs the headlines with its ultra-lightweight and tough, resilient nature. Carbon fibre, while light, has excellent self-quieting properties that allow for far greater dynamics because the driver itself is so quiet. This generation 3 version features a much larger surround to better allow the explosiveness needed to set itself apart from the pack. The inner suspension was re-tuned to take advantage of this and the result, found only here and in upcoming versions of the G1 MK II is a 12" that hits like a heavyweight but reacts like a much smaller driver.
Now Hear This - NextGen5 1,000w Digital Amplifier: Power matters, and especially when the CS PerfectFilter demands more from the driver, additional power is crucial. This is why REL placed the heart of their flagship No.25 amplifier into Carbon Special. At 1,000 watts, it has the current reserves to easily keep up with the demands placed upon it by even the most rigorous user. Carbon Special is capable of startling the listener, used in dual duty for both theatre and music its merits are immediately obvious in music which can lull the theatre aficionado into complacency, only to be yanked out of any sense of normalcy when a huge, unexpected transient explodes without warning. Think Pierce Brosnan's 007 using plastique at work here.
Totally Stacked Performance - The REL Line Array: REL's signature gift to the art of sub bass performance is undoubtedly the Reference Line Arrays, wherein three units per side are stacked vertically. This arrangement was practically invented for subs with the deportment of Carbon Special. For those who always dreamed of owning a REL Reference Line Array but were denied it because of their size, your ship has arrived.
Without Wire's Snarl - AirShip™ Wireless Connectivity: Carbon Special works brilliantly with AirShip™, REL's state of the art wireless that transports sound invisibly with none of the compromises of conventional wireless. Available optionally, and at reasonable expense with Carbon Special. While most wireless compresses horribly, Airship uses military grade 5.8Ghz wireless with zero compression to send signals so pure and fast they sonically outperform hardwired using anything but the best cables. Not having to see a snarl of cables tangling up in one's grand salon is itself a reward for you having worked so hard.
About REL
REL was founded in 1990 in Bridge End, Wales, UK by Richard E Lord and for the last 30 plus years REL has been developing better and better subwoofers designed to bring the ultimate bass response to your stereo or home theatre system, regardless of budget.
But lots of companies make subwoofers, so what makes REL special? Well for starters, they ONLY make subwoofers, whereas almost every other company make a range of products, including subwoofers. You can guess which company pays subwoofer development the most attention. Also most REL subwoofers are designed for music systems and have two very unique features. The first is the High Level Input which brings the signal in from the amplifier's speaker outputs so the signal your subwoofer is seeing is the same as the one your speakers are seeing. This means the subwoofer has a much better chance of sounding like an extension of your speakers.
The second unique feature is the lightning fast filters which REL have developed which allow REL subwoofers to be as quick as your speakers. To illustrate, a typical loudspeaker has a response time of 4ms (milliseconds), whereas most subwoofers have a response time between 37ms & 80ms. No wonder most subwoofers sound as slow as a wet week. By contrast the response times of a REL Subwoofer vary between 9ms for the Serie T, 7ms for the Serie S and a loudspeaker-equalling 4ms for the Reference series. On top of that, REL have some of the lightest most rigid cones found on any sub and some of the most powerful amplifiers, all housed in uniquely braced cabinets that ensure no cabinet resonances of any kind and no turbulence or noise inside the cabinet. Last, but certainly not least, REL subwoofers are some of the most harmoniously designed and downright good looking subwoofers on the planet, ensuring it's not just the bass response that brings a smile to your face.
Our Take On The REL Carbon Special Subwoofer
So you're eyeing up a REL Serie S sub and thinking one or two of those are going to make your system sound amazing, and then you spot the Carbon Special and suddenly time seems to stand still. If bass could move in slow motion it would be perfectly in time with the feeling of your jaw hitting the floor and your wallet jumping into your hand. Without flinching you know, you just know, that a couple of these stunning subwoofers are going to be gracing your system soon, preferably yesterday. Not only do they sound like they come from another dimension but they look like the carbon fibre fairy has sprinkled her magic all over them, to stunning visual effect. We've said it before and we'll say it again, we predict the REL Carbon Special will become one of the most in demand ultra-high performance subwoofers of all time.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Front-firing active woofer, down-firing passive radiator
- Active Driver: 12" (305mm) long-throw, carbon fibre cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap
- Passive Radiator: 12" (305mm) Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis
- Amplifier Type: NextGen5 Class D
- Power Output: 1,000 watts (RMS)
- Low Frequency Extension: 19Hz at -6 dB
- Input Connectors: High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level stereo RCA, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
- Output Connectors: Hi Level Neutrik Speakon, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
- Wireless Capability: REL AirShip system - sold separately
- Protection System: Fully Electronic Set Safe, D.C. Fault, Output Short
- Mains Input Voltage: 220-240 volts
- Fuses: 5 Amp 220 volts operation
- Supplied Accessories: Mains Lead, 10m Neutrik Speakon cable, User Manual
- Finish: Piano Black Lacquer
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 455 x 539mm (Add 44.5mm in depth when using Hi Level connector)
- Net Weight: 38.7 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE