REL S/812 Subwoofer
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.
The 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 fibre 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.
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 fibre, 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 backwave 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.
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 producesextremely long travel allowing for very loud outputwhile 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.
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 (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 balance 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.
In the real world, bass occurs with width, depth and height. By stacking up to three units per side (stereo or theatre main L-R speakers) the proper perspective and height of sonic events are illuminated. This elevates reproduction from conventional stereo or theatre to a floor-to-ceiling panoramic, full scale perspective of each sonic event. Reviewers are lining up to marvel at the transformation of music and film into the full-scale representation that REL Line Arrays uniquely deliver.
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, SMA for wireless antenna
OUTPUT CONNECTORS N/A
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 Yes D.C. FAULT Yes OUTPUT SHORT Yes MAINS INPUT VOLTAGE 220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for certain markets 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