REL Carbon Special Black Label – The Missing Half of Your Music
You don’t buy the REL Carbon Special just to hear more bass. You buy it to hear more space.
The Carbon Special Black Label is the "Formula 1" of subwoofers, engineered not just for power, but for startling speed. It is designed to keep pace with the world’s fastest loudspeakers, ensuring that the low-end never lags behind the music.
When you add this to your system, something magical happens: the walls of your room seem to vanish. You don't just feel the weight of a kick drum; you hear the air around the vocalist, the depth of the concert hall, and the texture of the recording. It doesn't just add bass; it restores the foundation of the performance.
Why It Stands Apart
Speed That Matches Your Speakers Most subwoofers are blunt instruments, loud, but slow. The Carbon Special uses a 12" carbon fiber driver that is incredibly light yet rigid. Because it can start and stop instantly, it blends perfectly with your main speakers. There is no "mud" or "boom", only distinct, textured low frequencies that hit with the precision of a snare drum.
Authority With Finesse (900W Class D) Under the hood lies a massive 900-watt Next-Gen Class D amplifier. This reserve of power ensures the sub is never straining, even during the most demanding cinematic explosions or orchestral crescendos. It creates a sense of "ease"—the sound simply washes over you without grit or distortion.
The "High-Level" Secret Unlike other brands that plug into a generic "sub out," REL connects directly to your amplifier’s speaker terminals. This allows the Carbon Special to receive the exact same sonic signature as your main speakers, ensuring a seamless tone. The bass doesn’t sound like it’s coming from a box in the corner; it sounds like your main speakers just grew three times larger.
Expert Consensus
"A quantum leap in subwoofer technology... It creates a three-dimensional soundstage that must be heard to be believed." — The Audio Tailor
"The Carbon Special appears to fill in the fine detail so much that turning it off creates an impression of something missing... It makes the music richer and more full-bodied." — Hi-Fi+
"Unmatched in its price category... The Carbon Limited throws a curve ball into the mix with a level of power, weight, and definition that is simply sublime." — TONEAudio
Tech You Can Hear
Technical Highlights
- Active Driver: 12" carbon fiber cone
- Passive Radiator: 12" down-firing unit
- Amplifier: 900W Next-Gen Class D
- Low Frequency: –6 dB @ 19 Hz (In Room)
- Inputs: High-Level Neutrik Speakon, RCA/LFE, balanced XLR
- Wireless: Airship Direct™ compatible (optional)
- Dimensions: Wider, lower Serie S enclosure for flexible placement
Why Audio Two Recommends This
At Audio Two, we believe a subwoofer shouldn't draw attention to itself—it should draw attention to the music. We install the Carbon Special in our highest-performance systems (like those with Audiovector or DALI) because it is one of the few subs fast enough to keep up. If you want the visceral thrill of a live concert without losing the intimacy of a studio recording, this is the reference standard.
Ready to Feel It?
Reading about bass is like reading about a fine wine, you have to experience it to understand.
Visit us at 5910 Malden Road, LaSalle, Ontario, or call 519.979.7101 to book a private audition.