REL Acoustics Carbon Special Black Label

Carbon Special Black Label elevates the medium chassis to its highest form. At its heart lies a 12″ all-carbon fibre driver, closely related to the design used in our No.31 Reference, powered by a 900-watt amplifier and housed in an expanded cabinet that frees the carbon driver to deliver greater scale and authority. The result is bass that combines breathtaking power, speed, and tonal nuance.

Each Carbon Special Black Label includes a premium wood grille that enhances both beauty and airflow, underscoring the model’s dual commitment to form and function. On its own, as a stereo pair, or in towering Line Arrays, it delivers Reference-inspired authority reserved for those who demand the very best of Serie S. Black Label models represent the most advanced expressions of Serie S, built with tighter tolerances, upgraded components, and unique finishes.

Achingly Beautiful

Carbon Special Black Label pulls together the finest elements of Serie S design. Its cabinet proportions, inspired from our Reference line, achieve a natural sense of scale. Subtle black crown inlays along the sidewalls and curved stainless-steel handles recessed into elliptical returns underscore its unique position within the range. Beneath each rail, knurled billet cylinders permit precise leveling, while thick internal aluminum slabs anchor the handles for safe stacking in Line Arrays. Each unit also includes a premium wood grille that adds warmth while enhancing airflow for greater dynamics. A design where beauty and performance converge.

Driven to Perfection

At REL, development begins with the driver, the foundation of sonic character. For Carbon Special Black Label, we designed a 12″ all-carbon fibre unit capable of handling three times the peak power of its predecessor. A newly engineered suspension allows the cone to travel over 60mm front to back, delivering extraordinary dynamics with complete control. The result is bass that is effortless, powerful, and fluid, extending lower with greater authority. Whether reproducing the subtle textures of music at concert levels or the impact of modern theater soundtracks, this latest generation driver transforms performance across the entire medium-chassis class.

Amped Up

Carbon Special Black Label is powered by a 900-watt hybrid amplifier that combines the rich current delivery of Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Class D output stage. A 15-pound power transformer and extensive heatsinking form the foundation for high-current performance, adding to the model’s weight and commanding authority. This design sustains peaks of 1,250 watts with ease, delivering louder, cleaner, and more controlled bass than any previous medium-chassis REL. The result is an amplifier that unites raw power with the composure and finesse that define Black Label.

Analog Filtered to Perfection:

We choose analog because it is the only way to achieve truly natural sound. All REL input filters are 100% analog—among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. At the core is our renowned High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This doesn’t draw power; instead, it carries the full sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers—a quality reviewers have praised for decades.

For systems where High Level isn’t possible, our low-level input uses the same analog filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, to deliver the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. And in theater or dual-use systems, REL uniquely allows High Level and .1/LFE to run together—so music benefits from natural integration, while movies deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

 

Specifications:

Type

Front-firing active driver, down-firing passive

Active Driver Size & Material

12 in. (305mm) long-throw, carbon fibre cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap, die cast alloy chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material

12 in. (305mm), Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis

Low Frequency Extension

-6 dB at 19Hz

Input Connectors

High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level (2) RCA, (1) LFE RCA, (1) LFE XLR

Output Connectors

High Level Neutrik Speakon, (1) Low Level RCA, (1) LFE RCA or (1) LFE XLR

Power Output

900 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type

Linear Class D

Wireless Capability

REL AirShip Direct (sold separately)

Dual Parametric Filter

N/A

Finish

Piano Black Lacquer 8 coats

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

8 Amp semi delay 220 volts operation, 15 Amp semi delay 120 volts operation

Supplied Accessories

Mains Lead

Yes

Neutrik Speakon

Yes (10 Meters Nominal)

Interconnect

–

User Manual

Yes

DIMS

W x H x D
19.25 x 16.125 x 22.25 in.
(488 x 410 x 565 mm)

Net Weight

98 lbs. (44.5 kg)