REL Carbon Special Subwoofer

Carbon Special is a new limited availability model that combines REL’s latest engineering with cutting edge components from their reference line, all housed in a moderately sized chassis. It features REL’s third-generation carbon fibre 12” driver with a new, bespoke CSP passive driver that delivers 50% longer stroke, powered by their 1,000 watt amplifier, itself guided by their CS PerfectFilter™. An all new cabinet with highly polished metal and carbon fibre touches appears only in this model.

Where previous special editions have used existing cabinets, drivers and filters, Carbon Special uses many elements developed solely for Carbon Special. They employed their newest BlackWidow 12”(350mm) carbon fibre driver, developed to deliver superior dynamic balance throughout the full range of its considerable 4”(100mm) of fore-and-aft stroke. It is better able to handle, smoothly and effortlessly, the massive power needed to deliver explosive dynamics. REL mated it with their NextGen 5 1,000 watt amplifier which has proven to be both a sonic wonder and utterly reliable. Directing all this is a CS PerfectFilter, a custom-designed variant of their latest evolution of filters that improves both ends of the spectrum. It delivers airy, delicate highs with greater reach into the nether regions within a soundstage, as well as truer, more powerful ultra-low bass delivery. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost is.

REL didn’t stop there. The cabinet extends deeper than previous mid-chassis designs to optimise performance for this new driver complement. And its looks are delivered in a refined, mature manner with subtle use of carbon fibre details sprinkled among chrome and polished stainless accents. They predict Carbon Special will become one of the highest demand ultra-high performance subwoofers of all time.

ELEVATING LOW BASS PERFORMANCE AND OVERALL CLARITY

Perfect is not a word REL throws around lightly but these latest filters are so good they require its use. Their PerfectFilters elevate the low bass performance to a new standard for a mid-chassis design, while subtle tweaks to its upper range performance allow for an airier, more transparent soundstage and improved clarity throughout the entire system’s performance. It is impossible to overstate its benefit to a fine audio system and all benefits that accrue to its musical performance go on to expand its merits in power theatre. A true two-for-one upgrade.

INSPIRED BY THE G/1 MK II

The key to Carbon Special’s amazing performance is its new BlackWidow 12”(350mm) forward firing active driver. Carbon fibre grabs the headlines with its ultra-lightweight and tough, resilient nature. Carbon fibre, while light, has excellent self-quieting properties that allow for far greater dynamics because the driver itself is so quiet. This generation 3 version features a much larger surround to better allow the explosiveness needed to set itself apart from the pack. The inner suspension was re-tuned to take advantage of this and the result, found only here and upcoming versions of the G-1 MK II is a 12” that hits like a heavyweight but reacts like a much smaller driver.

NEXTGEN5 1000W DIGITAL AMPLIFIER

Power matters, and especially when their CS PerfectFilter demands more from the driver, additional power is crucial. This is why they placed the heart of their flagship No.25 amplifier into Carbon Special. At 1,000 watts, it has the current reserves to easily keep up with the demands placed upon it by even the most rigorous user. Carbon Special is capable of startling the listener, used in dual duty for both theatre and music its merits are immediately obvious in music which can lull the theatre aficionado into complacency, only to be yanked out of any sense of normalcy when a huge, unexpected transient explodes without warning. Think Pierce Brosnan’s 007 using plastique at work here.

THE REL LINE ARRAY

REL’s signature gift to the art of sub bass performance is undoubtedly REL’s Reference Line Arrays, wherein three units per side are stacked vertically. This arrangement was practically invented for subs with the deportment of Carbon Special. For those who always dreamed of owning a REL Reference Line Array but were denied it because of their size, your ship has arrived.

AIRSHIP™ WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

Carbon Special works brilliantly with AirShip™, their state of the art wireless that transports sound invisibly with none of the compromises of conventional wireless. Available optionally, and at reasonable expense with Carbon Special. While most wireless compresses horribly, Airship uses military grade 5.8Ghz wireless with zero compression to send signals so pure and fast they sonically outperform hardwired using anything but the best cables. Not having to see a snarl of cables tangling up in one’s grand salon is itself a reward for you having worked so hard.