Audio T Verdict
The REL Planar PL-1 tackles one of the biggest practical problems associated with adding a serious subwoofer: finding somewhere sensible to put it.
At just 144mm deep before its wall brackets are added, the PL-1 occupies considerably less room than a conventional box-shaped subwoofer. However, this is not simply an ordinary REL squeezed into a thinner cabinet. Its twin front-firing 6.5-inch active drivers work with a rear-firing 10-inch passive radiator that uses the nearby wall as part of the acoustic system.
A 300-watt Pure Class D amplifier provides the power and control required to produce fast, articulate bass in smaller and medium-sized rooms. Built-in Airship Direct wireless connectivity, wall-mounting hardware and a cloth grille are all included as standard.
The PL-1 can be mounted directly onto a suitable wall or positioned close to one using the optional Planar Cart. An optional Premium Wood Grille is also available for customers who would prefer to make the subwoofer part of the room’s design rather than hide it away.
Ultra-Thin Cabinet
At 144mm deep, the PL-1 can fit into rooms and spaces where a conventional subwoofer cabinet would be intrusive or impractical.
Boundary-Coupled Bass
A rear-firing 10-inch passive radiator works with the nearby wall to reinforce low-frequency output and produce greater scale.
Twin Active Drivers
Two front-firing 6.5-inch FibreAlloy long-throw drivers provide the speed, impact and control required for music and film sound.
300-Watt Amplifier
REL’s Pure Class D amplifier delivers 300 watts RMS, combining high-current delivery with efficient and cool-running operation.
Airship Direct Included
The supplied wireless system supports high-level, low-level and LFE connection without requiring a long signal cable across the room.
Wall or Cart Placement
Use the supplied wall-mounting system or add the optional Planar Cart for a purpose-designed free-standing installation.
Deep Bass with Minimal Intrusion
Traditional subwoofers can require a substantial cabinet and a valuable patch of floor space. The Planar PL-1 takes a different approach, using an ultra-thin enclosure designed specifically to operate in close relationship with the wall behind it.
This makes it particularly suitable for smaller and medium-sized rooms, apartments, media rooms, open-plan spaces and interiors where a conventional subwoofer would be difficult to accommodate. It can also support architectural in-wall or in-ceiling speakers without undermining the clean appearance that made those speakers attractive in the first place.
Twin 6.5-Inch FibreAlloy Drivers
The PL-1 uses two front-firing 165mm long-throw active drivers. Their FibreAlloy cones and steel chassis have been developed to provide the speed, control and dynamic response associated with REL subwoofers while working within the constraints of the shallow enclosure.
Using two active drivers increases the total radiating area and available impact without requiring one much larger and deeper driver. The result is a subwoofer capable of adding weight and scale while retaining the articulation needed to integrate convincingly with the main loudspeakers.
Boundary-Coupled Passive Radiator
A specially tuned 250mm passive radiator fires towards the wall behind the PL-1. Rather than treating the wall as an obstacle, REL uses boundary effect coupling to make it part of the acoustic system.
With more than 45mm of excursion available, the passive radiator reinforces low-frequency output and allows the PL-1 to reach an in-room extension of -6dB at 31Hz. This helps it produce surprising depth and scale from a cabinet measuring only 144mm from front to back.
300 Watts of Pure Class D Power
The two active drivers are powered by a 300-watt RMS Pure Class D amplifier. This design combines high-current delivery with the efficiency and thermal stability required inside the PL-1’s shallow enclosure.
The amplifier has been designed to remain controlled during demanding low-frequency passages, whether the PL-1 is underpinning a two-channel music system or reproducing the dedicated effects channel of a home cinema soundtrack.
Analogue Filtering and REL High-Level Connection
REL uses fully analogue input filters rather than introducing unnecessary digital processing into the signal path. Its high-level connection takes the signal from the amplifier’s loudspeaker terminals, allowing the PL-1 to receive the same tonal and timing information being sent to the main speakers.
A low-level RCA input is available when high-level connection is not appropriate, while the dedicated .1/LFE input allows the PL-1 to reproduce the subwoofer channel from an AV receiver or processor. High-level and LFE connections can also be used together in a suitably configured home cinema system.
Airship Direct Wireless System Included
Airship Direct is supplied as part of the PL-1 package rather than being an additional accessory. Its compact receiver is pre-installed on the subwoofer, while the separate transmitter connects to the amplifier or AV processor.
The transmitter provides high-level Neutrik SpeakON, low-level RCA, RCA LFE and balanced XLR LFE inputs. This allows the signal to be sent wirelessly to the subwoofer without running a long interconnect around the room.
The wireless system does not make the PL-1 completely cable-free. The subwoofer requires a mains connection and the Airship Direct transmitter uses its supplied power adaptor. Wireless and direct-wired signal connections must not be used simultaneously.
Designed for Wall Mounting
The PL-1 is supplied with wall brackets, mounting hardware and a positioning template. REL’s VIMAR vibration-isolation material is incorporated into the mounting system to help reduce unwanted energy transferring from the cabinet into the wall while preserving the speed and control of the bass.
The wall and chosen fixings must be capable of safely supporting the PL-1’s 18.9kg weight. The suitability of the wall should therefore be checked before installation, with professional assistance used where necessary.
Planar Cart and Premium Wood Grille
The Planar Cart and Premium Wood Grille are optional extras and are not included in the standard PL-1 price.
Every PL-1 is supplied with a cloth grille, Airship Direct wireless system and wall-mounting hardware. The Cart and Premium Wood Grille can be added using the product options on this page.
Optional Planar Cart
The matching Planar Cart provides a purpose-designed alternative for rooms where wall mounting is not suitable. It allows the PL-1 to stand close to the wall while making it easier to refine its position during setup.
The Cart is available in Piano Black or Gloss White to match the chosen PL-1 finish. REL recommends installing the supplied anti-tip restraint whenever the subwoofer is used on the Cart or in another free-standing arrangement.
Optional Premium Wood Grille
The real-wood slatted grille gives the PL-1 a more prominent, furniture-inspired appearance while continuing to protect the front drivers without altering performance.
Versions are available to complement black and white PL-1 finishes. Natural variations in the wood grain and colour mean that each grille will have its own appearance.
Choosing Your PL-1 Configuration
- Cabinet finish: Gloss Piano Black or Gloss White Lacquer
- Standard grille: Cloth grille included
- Premium Wood Grille: Optional, with a frame selected to suit the chosen cabinet finish
- Wall mounting: Brackets, template and mounting hardware included
- Planar Cart: Optional, available in Piano Black or Gloss White
- Wireless connection: Airship Direct transmitter and receiver included
If you are unsure whether wall mounting or the Planar Cart will work best, speak to your local Audio T store before ordering. The room, wall construction, available mains sockets and intended listening position should all be considered.
For Music and Home Cinema
In a two-channel system, the PL-1 can extend the lowest frequencies while adding weight, scale and a stronger sense of space without drawing attention away from the main loudspeakers. Its high-level connection is intended to help the subwoofer follow the tonal balance and timing of the complete amplification chain.
In a home cinema system, the dedicated LFE connection adds low-frequency energy and impact to film soundtracks. The PL-1’s shallow form can also make it suitable for centre-channel bass reinforcement and more advanced REL 3D arrangements where a conventional subwoofer would be difficult to position.
System Matching and Home Demonstration
Subwoofer performance depends heavily on the room, placement, connection method, phase, crossover frequency and level. A specification sheet cannot show how naturally the PL-1 will integrate with your loudspeakers or whether wall mounting or Cart placement will work best in your home.
An Audio T demonstration allows you to hear the PL-1 with suitable amplification and loudspeakers. Where available, a home demonstration is particularly valuable because it allows the subwoofer to be tested with your own system and in the room where it will actually be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the REL Planar PL-1 have to be wall mounted?
No. It can be mounted using the supplied wall brackets or placed close to the wall using the optional Planar Cart.
Is the Planar Cart included with the PL-1?
No. The Planar Cart is a separately priced optional accessory and must be selected when ordering if required.
Which grille is supplied as standard?
A cloth grille is included with every PL-1. The real-wood Premium Wood Grille is an optional extra.
Is Airship Direct included?
Yes. The Airship Direct transmitter and the receiver fitted to the subwoofer are supplied as standard.
Does wireless operation remove every cable?
No. Wireless operation removes the long signal cable between the system and subwoofer, but the PL-1 and Airship Direct transmitter still require power.
Can the PL-1 be connected with a cable instead?
Yes. Direct high-level, low-level RCA and RCA LFE inputs are fitted to the subwoofer. Direct-wired and wireless signal connections must not be used simultaneously.
Is the PL-1 suitable for both music and home cinema?
Yes. It provides high-level and low-level connection for music systems together with a dedicated .1/LFE input for home cinema.
What size room is it intended for?
REL positions the PL-1 for smaller and medium-sized rooms where a conventional box-shaped subwoofer may be intrusive or impractical.
Related REL Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Independent advice from experienced hi-fi and home cinema specialists
- Help choosing between wall mounting and the optional Planar Cart
- Advice on the standard cloth and optional Premium Wood Grilles
- In-store demonstrations with suitable amplifiers and loudspeakers
- Home demonstrations where available
- Subwoofer positioning, crossover, phase and level guidance
- High-level, low-level, LFE and Airship Direct connection advice
- Stereo and home cinema system-matching support
- Part-exchange options on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing setup and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss the REL Planar PL-1, arrange a demonstration or get help choosing the most suitable finish, grille and installation option for your room.