REL Acoustics S/812 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/812 takes REL’s medium chassis concept to reference-like levels of performance and does so with style, beauty, and devastating power. It delivers incredible levels of all ‘round performance for both music and film sound, gives customers a taste of what our reference models offer, and does so at a fraction of the cost.

The All-New S/812 -

Shattering Performance Barriers -

For S/812, every aspect of the previous generation’s inner workings were 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 19-35 Hz, vastly improved theatre dynamics, and an even more open and spacious soundfield which benefits both music and film. We turned to our NextGen5 amplifier, tuned to 800 watts, with huge reserves of power beyond this, 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 812 with the ability to be stacked in 4- or 6-unit line arrays, just like our reference models.

Invisible Upgrades to S/812’s Bass Engine -

Pure Carbon Fiber Backing -

S/812 required upgrades to its ContinuousCast™ Alloy Cone to allow it to survive the massive power upgrades. To permit its thin, aluminum cone to survive 800 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.

There is Nothing Passive About These -

Carbon Passive Radiator -

Our uniquely tuned passive radiators use special suspensions, now with an additional 30mm of linear travel, to produce performance far beyond 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 volume and a high output 14” design at its limit.

Warning: Power Amplifier on Steroids -

800 watts and Counting -

At 800 watts the NextGen5 amplifier is borrowed from our reference models and rocks huge reservoirs of power and current. The 45% increase in power (the previous version was 500 watts) is needed to deliver both the profound output levels needed for modern theatre, as well as to produce the deepest 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/812 to deliver the most awe-inspiring theatre effects ever offered in a classic REL.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Type: Front-firing active driver, down-firing passive

Active Driver Size & Material: 12 in., 300mm long-throw, Continuous CastAlloy™ cone structure, cast chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material: 12 in., 300mm Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis

Low Frequency Extention: -6dB at 19 Hz

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: 800 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type: NextGen5 Class D

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

Protection System: Fully Electronic Set Safe

Fuses: 5 Amp 220 volts operation, 9 Amp 120 volts operation

Dimensions: W x H x D 17.5 x 18 x 20 in. (430 x 455 x 514 mm)

Net Weight: 75 lbs. (34 kg)

Finish: Piano Black Lacquer, White Lacquer, 8 coats

Supplied Accessories: Mains Lead, Neutrik Speakon (10 Meters Nominal) Interconnect, Users Manual