REL Acoustics S/510 Subwoofer

Description

MY TAKE: Most any subwoofer can produce boom and thump, bur very few can recreate the important aspects of note and timbre critical for music. REL subwoofers are not only supremely capable, they also possess the speed and articulation required to keep pace with the your main speakers, which allows them to create a seamless blend. Highly recommended. - Galen Carol

S/510 takes REL’s compact-medium chassis concept to reference-like levels of performance and does so with style, power, and incredible speed. It delivers incredible levels of all ‘round performance. S/510 allows those with less space, or when pairing with high-end speakers that are slightly less robust to have a perfect dance partner when the S/812 is simply too much of a great thing.

Extreme Performance, Compact Package -

For S/510, every aspect of the previous generation’s inner workings was examined without regard to its critical and customer-driven success. We turned a fresh eye to power requirements, driver improvements, and specialty filters, upgrading each-to extract all the extra performance possible. All this alongside the cabinet refinements necessary for those upgrades to emerge cleanly. This latest S range is a triumphant development that has exceeded every expectation of our design team.

Our requirements were for far stronger deep bass output between 20-35 Hz, vastly improved theatre dynamics, and an even more open and spacious soundfield that benefits both music and film. We turned to our NextGen3 amplifier, tuned to 500 watts with substantial reserves of power, added a light film of carbon fiber to the rear of the driver to handle the extra power, and developed two new sets of custom filters to extract the utmost in brute force and spaciousness. Finally, we imbued S/510 with the ability to be stacked in 4- or 6-unit line arrays, just like our reference models.

Invisibly Upgraded -

S/510’s Bass Engine -

S/510 required upgrades to its ContinuousCast™ Alloy Cone to allow it to survive its massive power upgrades. To permit its thin, aluminum cone to survive 500 watts and incredibly long-stroke, we added an ultra-lightweight backing of pure carbon fiber strategically placed over portions of the rear surface of the cone. This produces two benefits; it strengthens and stiffens the cone and also eliminates reversion, wherein the back wave inside the cabinet is now prevented from interfering with the main launch of bass into the room. The result is more accurate and far louder deep bass.

Nothing Passive About This -
SuperProgressive™ passive radiator -

Our uniquely tuned passive radiators use special suspensions, now with an additional 8mm of linear travel, to produce performance, unlike conventional subwoofers. Our new SuperProgressive™ passive radiator produces extremely long travel allowing for very loud output while retaining the variable stiffness of its suspension. This allows it to act like a sealed box compact 12” design at low volumes and a high output 14” design at its limit.

500 Watt Monoblock Within -

NextGen3 Amplifier -

At 500 watts the NextGen3 amplifier is borrowed from our former flagship model and produces huge reservoirs of power and current. The 20%+ increase in power (the previous version was 400 watts) is needed to deliver the high output levels needed for modern theatre, as well as to produce the extremely deep bass in a high-end 2-channel system. This increase in power is necessitated by our development on the musical front of an all-new circuit termed PerfectFilter™ that balances both frequency extremes.

PerfectFilter performs two seemingly disparate qualities; extending the strong, even response of the extreme low end of bass frequencies while simultaneously opening up air and delicacy in the middle and high frequencies of one’s system. Additionally, we applied customized PureTheatre™ filters to allow S/510 to keep up with modern theatre effects without breaking a sweat.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Type: Front-firing active woofer, down-firing passive radiator

Active Driver Size & Material: 10 in., 250mm long-throw, die-cast aluminum chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material: 12 in., 300mm

Low-Frequency Extention: 20Hz at -6 dB

Input Connectors: High-Level Neutrik Speakon, Low-Level stereo RCA, LFE RCA, LFE XLR

Output Connectors: High-Level Neutrik Speakon, LFE RCA, LFE XLR

Power Output: 500 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type: NextGen3 Class D

Wireless Capability: Yes- REL AirShip system [required]. Sold separately.

Protection System: Fully Electronic Set Safe

Fuses: 5 Amp semi delay 220 volts operation 9 Amp semi delay 120 volts operation

Dimensions: W x H x D 15.7 x 16 x 18.25 in., (400 x 410 x 464 mm) Add 1.75in (44.5mm) in depth when using Hi Level connector

Net Weight: 70 lbs. (31.7 kg)

Finish: Piano Black Lacquer, White Lacquer, 10 coats

Supplied Accessories: Mains Lead, Neutrik Speakon Interconnect, Users Manual