REL Classic 99 Subwoofer
Nothing continues to say lifestyle like mid-century modern RELs. Classic 99 extends REL's Classic Line to loftier heights. Richer, bolder, and more powerful? Certainly. Yet 99 is also capable of far greater nuance, air, and resolution than its lesser brethren. For those with more capable systems and larger rooms, Classic 99 delivers advances on every front, while still maintaining the same easy-going, room-filling nature all Classic offerings possess.
The high-grade genuine dark walnut veneer complements a variety of decors. Classic 99 delivers this in the same simple, comforting form of Mid-Century Modern design. Perfect for those who welcomed the original, yet were waiting for the next chapter to be written, those who crave even higher performance and the ability to fill larger, grander spaces with a broad carpet of deep bass. You'll still want to put on a record, pour a favourite drink, sink into a comfy chair, and relax into the music or movie of your choice. Classic 99, for those who waited for more.
Designed To Be Superior: Classic 99 adopts the form language introduced in its model 98 stablemate. As comfortable as a pair of well-worn loafers, it features solid cabinet walls as thick as 32 mm, clad in rich, warm walnut veneer, hand fitted with care. The simplest of natural aluminium badges and softly radiused feet milled from solid billet, blacked out to allow it to seemingly float, ensure that nothing, not even a grille disturbs the vibe. Yet, as with all RELs, the styling conveys far more than simple comfort. The down-firing 12" driver, while unseen, will surely be felt. Continuing to the rear panel, one finds the period-correct detailing extends to the amplifier panel, where all controls are finished in lovely white gold. Everything that one encounters has the heft of quality switch gear, even the click made by the phase switch is near perfection. Quality abounds everywhere one looks or touches. Don't be surprised if your children fight over it later in life.
Driven To Be Louder, And Quieter: As anyone familiar with REL will tell you, development always begins with the driver. In this case, a bespoke 12" long stroke driver that uses lightweight, stiff, hot-pressed paper to form the main body of the cone. Laid atop that is a stiff centre cap made of hand-thrown paper, to randomize the fibres, ensuring that the driver has excellent self-damping. This is one of REL's secrets. Understanding that it is the quietness, that attention to bring the driver to complete silence, that produces the most startling dynamics. Whilst Classic 99 will play shatteringly loud, it's from the very black background that the loudest dynamics emerge to produce the sense of shock sought by great composers and directors.
More Than Ample Amplification: Classic 99 is big, bold, and full of character, similar to the Stentor II from years back, but at one-third the price. Of course, the 99 has a great amp. In order to generate deeper bass and significantly higher output, REL turned to a tried-and-true Class D amplifier that they've already used in thousands of previous units. This 450 Watt amplifier is fed by an all analogue PerfectFilter™ front end that extends useful output well into the low 20 Hz range – superb for a design of this size and price. It produces a sound that's both rich and richly detailed at the same time. Classic 99 borrows the best from current technology to deliver a sound slightly warmer and more like what we all imagine vintage sound to be, with superior reliability and performance than was ever available back in the day.
Classics RELs: What's The Difference: How does the Classic 99 stack up against the hot little Classic 98? While they look similar, the newer Classic 99 is some 50 percent larger (by volume) delivering 450 Watts of power (300W for CL98) into a 12″ driver (10″ for CL98). Those are significant upgrades in the basic spec of the Classic 99. Yes, the Classic 99 is more powerful, plays louder and goes deeper. It should.
Less Wiring? How About Wireless Technology Only REL Offers: The future meets the past gloriously in REL's wireless offerings. For the ultimate, select the REL Airship II which encourages the use of REL's High-Level Connection PLUS .1/LFE should your listening tastes run toward movies. And these days who doesn't stream quality video content? This is REL's ultimate wireless design at 5.8 GHz and uses discrete components in the front end to transform your system's sound flawlessly into totally uncompressed wireless capable of eliminating the sprawl of cables across one's living space.
On a tighter budget? REL slips the exact same 5.8 gig master chip into an affordable system that allows for Low Level or .1/LFE to deliver across the same 10 metres with the same bulletproof signal delivery that REL have become famous for over the past 15 years. HT-Air MKII Wireless is one of life's great bargains.
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 Classic 99
The REL Classic 99 Subwoofer takes the mid-century modern aesthetic of REL's Classic Line and takes it to new heights. It's richer, bolder, and more powerful, yet capable of delivering greater nuance, air, and resolution. Designed for larger rooms and more capable systems, the Classic 99 combines a high-grade genuine dark walnut veneer with a form that complements various decors, maintaining the comforting simplicity of mid-century modern design. The 99 adopts the sturdy construction and elegant detailing of its predecessors, featuring a down-firing 12" driver and a 450 Watt amplifier. This amplifier, along with the PerfectFilter™ technology, ensures deep bass and high output. The Classic 99 balances modern technological advancements with a nostalgic warmth, making it ideal for audiophiles seeking both performance and aesthetic harmony.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Closed Box, Down-Firing Active Subwoofer
- Active Driver Size & Material: 12" (305mm) Amended Pulp-on-Paper, Down Firing Inverted Cone, Steel Chassis
- Low Frequency Extension: -6 dB at 24Hz
- Input Connectors: High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level RCA, LFE RCA
- Power Output: 450 Watts (RMS)
- Amplifier Type: Class D
- Wireless Capability: HT-Air MKII or AirShip II (Sold Separately)
- Protection System
- Fully Electronic Set Safe
- C. Fault
- Output Short
- Fuse: 4 Amp semi delay
- Supplied Accessories: Mains Lead, 10m Neutrik Speakon High Level Cable, Users Manual
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- High Level Cable Upgrade: The REL Bassline Blue is the perfect way to improve the sound quality of your REL subwoofer
- Finish: Walnut
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 400 × 534 x 350mm (Add 44.5mm in depth when using a High Level connector)
- Weight: 22.4 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.