REL Acoustics 212 Black Label

212 Black Label is unique, the most dynamic and powerful subwoofer in the Serie S range. At its core are dual 12″ CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, dual 12″ passive radiators, and a 1,000-watt amplifier, working together to deliver over 450 square inches (1,166 sq cm) of piston area and the authority to energize even the largest rooms. The result is bass that is immense yet agile, combining breathtaking slam with the speed, nuance, and tonal color that define REL.

More than just raw output, 212 Black Label is the Swiss Army knife of the range. Whether anchoring reference-grade theaters or underpinning world-class stereo systems, it delivers unmatched scale and refinement. In stereo pairs, 212 Black Label can approach the authority of a full Line Array, offering massive scale in a form that integrates beautifully into both systems and spaces. An optional premium wood grille further elevates both design and performance.

Design with Distinction

In a REL product line defined by gorgeous cabinetry, perhaps no model has received a more comprehensive update than 212 Black Label. A single vertical strake runs the cabinet’s height, capped by a distinctive crown badge that signals its refined status. On the top panel, an all-black badge framed in carbon fibre further marks it as Black Label. The warm silver, bead-blasted handles have a raw titanium feel, both striking and practical, while solid billet aluminum inside keeps things safe and steady, cutting down on unwanted resonance. An optional premium wood grille enhances both airflow and aesthetics, completing a design of unmistakable authority and refinement.

Driven with Authority

Driver development lies at the core of every REL. For 212 Black Label, both active and passive elements were re-engineered to handle the massive outputs made possible by its uprated 1,000-watt amplifier. Dual 12″ CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, fitted with lightweight carbon-fibre center caps, release more energy on every stroke, yielding speed and control at levels unheard of in earlier designs. To match, the dual passive radiators were redesigned with longer suspensions and greater excursion, allowing the system to traverse massive distances without strain. The result is a subwoofer that plays some 40% louder than its predecessor. For the engineers, the real triumph was refining every nuanced aspect of performance, made clear each time ultra-dynamic movie scenes or sprawling, complex pieces of music flow effortlessly without strain.

Outrageousness Amplified

Like its Carbon Special Black Label stablemate, 212 Black Label is powered by a newly developed 1,000-watt hybrid amplifier that marries the current delivery of high-current Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Linear Class D output stage. This best-of-both-worlds design delivers immense dynamic power while consuming just 40 watts at idle — no more than a handful of night lights. Peaks of over 1,200 watts can be sustained for extended periods, producing explosive authority without strain. The result is an amplifier that sounds urgent, driven, and unshakably powerful, yet refined enough to underpin reference-grade stereo systems and anchor the largest theaters with complete composure.

Analog Filtered to Perfection

All REL input filters are 100% analog — among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. We choose analog because it is the only way to achieve natural sound. At the center is our famous High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This does not draw power; instead, it carries the complete sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers, a trait reviewers have celebrated for decades. And for systems where High Level isn’t possible, our low-level input employs the very same filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, delivering the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. For theatre and dual-use systems, REL allows High Level and .1/LFE to be run together, so music gains natural integration, while movie soundtracks deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

 

Specifications:

Type

(2) Front-firing active drivers, (1) rear passive, (1) down-firing passive

Active Driver Size & Material

(2) 12 in. (305mm) long-throw, CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material

Rear: 12 in. (305mm)CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis; Down: 12 in. (305mm) CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis

Low Frequency Extension

-6dB at 18 Hz

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

1,000 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

N/A

User Manual

Yes

DIMS

W x H x D
14.25 x 33 x 20.5 in.
(362 x 840 x 523.3 mm)

Net Weight

134 lbs. (60.8 kg)