REL Classic 99 Subwoofer

The REL Classic 99 is a music-focused active subwoofer that combines mid-century styling with modern amplification, filtering and protection technology.

Its substantial sealed cabinet contains a bespoke 305mm down-firing paper driver powered by a 450W RMS Class D amplifier.

The Classic 99 builds on the character of the smaller Classic 98, providing greater output, deeper low-frequency extension and increased room-filling scale while retaining the same warm and naturally integrated presentation.

Designed for Larger Systems and Rooms

The Classic 99 is approximately 50 percent larger by cabinet volume than the Classic 98.

Its larger enclosure, 12-inch driver and more powerful amplifier allow it to support bigger loudspeakers and energise more substantial listening spaces without losing the easy-going musical quality that defines REL’s Classic range.

This additional capability is particularly valuable with orchestral music, electronic recordings, live performances and film soundtracks containing large changes in low-frequency level.

305mm Amended Pulp-on-Paper Driver

The Classic 99 uses a bespoke 305mm long-throw driver manufactured from REL’s Amended Pulp-on-Paper material.

The main cone is formed from lightweight, stiff hot-pressed paper, while its centre cap uses hand-thrown paper with deliberately randomised fibres.

This construction provides natural self-damping, helping the cone settle quickly after each musical transient rather than continuing to resonate.

Paper also contributes to the warmth, texture and tonal character associated with REL’s earlier sealed-box designs.

Down-Firing Driver Arrangement

The active driver is mounted beneath the cabinet and radiates towards the floor.

This helps spread low-frequency energy throughout the room while keeping the large driver visually hidden and preserving the Classic 99’s clean mid-century appearance.

The cabinet feet provide the required operating clearance. The area beneath the subwoofer must remain unobstructed so the driver can move freely.

Closed-Box Acoustic-Suspension Cabinet

The Classic 99 uses a sealed enclosure without a reflex port or passive radiator.

The air trapped inside the cabinet helps control the movement of the driver, producing a gradual low-frequency roll-off and avoiding the airflow noise that can occur with an open reflex port.

Cabinet walls measuring up to 32mm thick provide the mass and rigidity required to support the powerful down-firing driver.

The result is bass intended to sound substantial and richly textured while retaining clear pitch definition.

24Hz Low-Frequency Extension

REL specifies low-frequency extension to 24Hz at the stated minus 6dB point.

This allows the Classic 99 to reinforce the lowest registers of bass guitar, piano, organ, drums and electronic instruments while recovering low-frequency ambience from the recording space.

Its greater extension also provides additional physical scale during home cinema playback without changing the fundamentally music-led character of the design.

450W Class D Amplifier

A 450W RMS Class D amplifier powers the long-throw paper driver.

This provides considerably greater headroom than the amplifier used in the smaller Classic 98, allowing the Classic 99 to reproduce large musical peaks and deep effects with more confidence.

Class D technology also delivers the required power efficiently, without the external heatsinks that would interrupt the cabinet’s traditional styling.

All-Analogue PerfectFilter Front End

REL’s PerfectFilter circuit operates within an all-analogue signal path.

It is designed to extend useful output into the lowest frequencies while preserving speed, dynamics and the transition between the subwoofer and main loudspeakers.

The High Level music signal is not routed through digital processing, helping retain the tonal character and timing of the connected amplifier.

REL High Level Connection

For most conventional stereo systems, REL recommends connecting the Classic 99 to the main amplifier’s loudspeaker outputs through its Neutrik Speakon High Level input.

This allows the subwoofer to receive the same signal being delivered to the main loudspeakers, including the tonal balance and timing characteristics of the amplifier’s output stage.

The High Level input has a very high impedance and senses the signal without drawing meaningful power away from the loudspeakers.

A nominal ten-metre High Level Speakon cable is included. The REL Bassline Blue High Level cable provides a dedicated connection upgrade for compatible systems.

Low-Level RCA Input

A low-level RCA input allows connection to a suitable pre-amplifier output, integrated-amplifier output or compatible active loudspeaker system.

This provides an alternative where High Level connection is unavailable or unsuitable for the system architecture.

The High Level and low-level inputs share the main crossover and gain controls and should therefore be treated as alternative music connections.

Dedicated RCA LFE Input

A separate RCA LFE input connects to the subwoofer output of a compatible home cinema receiver or surround processor.

This reproduces the dedicated low-frequency effects channel contained within film and multichannel soundtracks.

The LFE input has its own level adjustment, allowing cinema impact to be controlled independently from the High Level or low-level music connection.

Music and Home Cinema Together

The High Level and LFE inputs can be used within the same system.

This allows the Classic 99 to integrate with the main loudspeakers during two-channel listening while also reproducing the dedicated effects channel during home cinema playback.

The stereo and cinema levels can be adjusted separately, avoiding the need to alter the main music settings whenever the system changes source.

Wireless Connection Options

The Classic 99 supports optional REL wireless systems where a long signal cable would be difficult to accommodate.

Wireless transmission carries the audio signal only. The Classic 99 and the wireless components continue to require their appropriate power connections.

Room Positioning

Subwoofer position has a major influence on extension, output and integration.

Begin near a suitable corner behind the main loudspeakers, then move the Classic 99 gradually to find a position that produces strong and even bass without excessively exciting one room resonance.

Keep the down-firing driver clear of obstructions and retain access to the controls and connections on the rear panel.

The final position should add depth, scale and warmth without making the physical location of the subwoofer obvious.

Phase, Crossover and Level Setup

Establish the preferred 0 or 180-degree phase setting before completing the crossover and gain adjustment.

The correct phase position is normally the one that produces the strongest and most coherent bass at the listening seat.

Keep the crossover low enough to avoid thickening voices or upper bass, then increase the gain gradually until the system gains weight and soundstage scale without becoming bass-heavy.

When integration is correct, switching the Classic 99 off should make the system sound smaller and less complete rather than simply removing an obvious low-frequency effect.

Single Classic 99 or Stereo Pair?

The Classic 99 is designed for conventional floor placement and is not intended for vertical REL line-array stacking.

Classic 98 or Classic 99?

Classic 99 or T/9x?

Natural Walnut and Mid-Century Detailing

The cabinet is finished in high-grade genuine walnut veneer with softly radiused edges and thick, solid walls.

Natural aluminium badges, blackened feet milled from solid billet and white-gold rear-panel controls complete the understated mid-century appearance.

No conventional front grille is required because the driver is positioned beneath the cabinet.

Natural wood varies in grain, shade and colour, giving every cabinet a slightly individual appearance.

System Matching

Browse our Hi-Fi subwoofers , home cinema subwoofers , stereo speakers , Hi-Fi amplifiers , wireless accessories and subwoofer and system cables , or explore the REL range at Audio T .

Key Features

• Music-focused active subwoofer
• Mid-century-inspired REL Classic design
• Closed-box acoustic-suspension cabinet
• Cabinet walls measuring up to 32mm thick
• 305mm down-firing Amended Pulp-on-Paper driver
• Hot-pressed paper main cone
• Hand-thrown paper centre cap
• Steel driver chassis
• 24Hz low-frequency extension at minus 6dB
• 450W RMS Class D amplifier
• All-analogue REL PerfectFilter front end
• Neutrik Speakon High Level input
• RCA low-level input
• Dedicated RCA LFE input
• Separate music and LFE level adjustment
• Compatible with REL HT-Air MKII or Airship II
• Genuine walnut veneer
• Natural aluminium and white-gold detailing
• Nominal ten-metre High Level Speakon cable included
• Three-year REL warranty, subject to current terms

Frequently Asked Questions