REL S/850 Subwoofer

A serious subwoofer should make the entire system feel larger, clearer, and more convincing without making the room feel like it was built around bass.

When Output Alone Is Not the Whole Answer

It is easy to compare subwoofers by driver size, wattage, and low-frequency extension. Those numbers matter, but they do not explain why one subwoofer can add weight while another makes the main speakers feel more natural, more expressive, and more complete.

The better question is not only how deep it plays. The better question is whether it can support music and movies without pulling attention away from the system or flattening the emotional pull of the performance.

Serie S Scale With Proper REL Integration

We chose the REL S/850 because it brings flagship Serie S performance into a form that can work in serious music and theatre systems without dominating the room visually. It uses a 12-inch CarbonAlloy active driver, a 12-inch down-firing passive radiator, and an 850-watt Linear Class D amplifier for scale, speed, and control.

Just as important, the S/850 includes REL’s High Level Neutrik Speakon input, low-level inputs, LFE RCA, and LFE XLR. That gives it the connection flexibility needed for a refined two-channel system, a theatre system, or a higher-performance room where both matter.

What the Specs Won't Tell You

It Builds Scale Without Turning Bass Into a Trick

The S/850 has the output and extension to add real weight, but the point is not simply more bass. Properly matched and tuned, it helps the main speakers sound larger and more relaxed while preserving the tone, timing, and space that make music feel more human and believable.

It Gives Movies Weight Without Sacrificing Music

The separate LFE inputs allow the S/850 to handle cinema effects with authority while the high-level connection keeps music tied to the main amplifier and speakers. That matters in a room where the same system has to carry an intimate acoustic track one night and a full soundtrack the next.

It Belongs in Better Systems

The S/850 makes the most sense when the speakers and electronics are already capable enough to show what a better subwoofer can do. In that kind of system, the change is not only deeper bass. Vocals gain body, acoustic instruments feel more authentic, and the space around the performance becomes easier to hear.

The Audio Two Verdict

The REL S/850 is the Serie S model we would look at when the system deserves more than theatre impact alone. It is built for rooms where music quality still matters, where the main speakers are already good, and where the subwoofer should improve the whole presentation rather than simply announce itself.

This is the kind of REL that can make a strong speaker system feel like it moved up a class. When it is placed and tuned correctly, you should notice more scale, more ease, and more emotional connection, then notice immediately when it is turned off.

Tech You Can Hear

Technical Highlights

• 12-inch long-throw CarbonAlloy active driver
• 12-inch down-firing Carbon/Carbon passive radiator
• 850 watts RMS Linear Class D amplifier
• Low-frequency extension: -6 dB at 19 Hz
• High Level Neutrik Speakon, low-level RCA, LFE RCA, and LFE XLR inputs
• AirShip Direct wireless compatible, sold separately
• 19.25 x 16.125 x 21.25 inches; 93.5 lb

Why Choose Audio Two

Audio Two ships across Canada. That said, a system at this level is worth a conversation before you commit — we can make sure it's the right fit for your room, your source, and how you actually listen. Reach out and we'll help you get it right.