REL Carbon Special Black Label 12” Powered Subwoofer

REL Carbon Special Black Label 12” Powered Subwoofer Key Features: 

• 12" all-carbon-fiber driver – Delivers exceptional dynamics, tonal nuance, and authoritative bass across music and home theater applications.
• 900-watt hybrid amplifier – Combines Class A/B current delivery with Class D efficiency for powerful, controlled, and refined low-end performance.
• Fully analog input filters with High Level integration – Preserve natural sound and seamlessly integrate the subwoofer with speakers for musical cohesion.
• Premium design and build – Sturdy cabinet, stainless-steel handles, and optional wood grille enhance aesthetics, airflow, and stacking stability in Line Arrays.
• Optional Airship Direct™ wireless system – Transmits High Level and .1/LFE signals wirelessly without compromising speed, clarity, or authority.

Product Description: 

The Carbon Special Black Label represents the pinnacle of the Serie S line in a medium-sized chassis. Its 12" all-carbon-fiber driver, closely derived from the No.31 Reference, is paired with a more powerful amplifier and a larger cabinet, delivering remarkable dynamics, tonal nuance, and commanding authority.

Black Label Performance, Medium Chassis Form

The Carbon Special Black Label takes the medium chassis to its highest expression. Its 12" all-carbon-fiber driver, closely related to the No.31 Reference, is powered by a 900-watt amplifier and housed in an expanded cabinet, allowing the driver to achieve greater scale, speed, and authority. The result is bass that combines impressive power with remarkable tonal nuance.

Each unit includes a premium wood grille that enhances both aesthetics and airflow, reflecting the model’s balance of form and function. Whether used solo, in stereo pairs, or in towering Line Arrays, the Carbon Special Black Label delivers Reference-level authority for those who demand the finest performance from Serie S. As a Black Label model, it represents the most advanced expression of the line, featuring tighter tolerances, upgraded components, and unique finishes.

Achingly Beautiful

The Carbon Special Black Label unites the finest aspects of Serie S design. Its cabinet proportions, inspired by REL’s Reference line, create a natural sense of scale, while subtle black crown inlays along the sidewalls and curved stainless-steel handles recessed into elliptical returns highlight its distinctive status within the range. Knurled billet cylinders beneath each rail allow precise leveling, and thick internal aluminum slabs reinforce the handles for secure stacking in Line Arrays. Each unit comes with a premium wood grille that adds visual warmth while improving airflow for enhanced dynamics—a design where beauty and performance seamlessly converge.

Driven to Perfection

At REL, driver development sets the foundation for every model’s sonic character. The Carbon Special Black Label features a 12" all-carbon-fiber driver engineered to handle three times the peak power of its predecessor. A newly designed suspension allows over 60mm of cone travel, producing exceptional dynamics with complete control. The result is bass that is powerful, fluid, and effortless, extending lower with authority. From the delicate textures of music at concert levels to the explosive impact of modern theater soundtracks, this advanced driver elevates performance across the medium-chassis class.

Amped Up

The Carbon Special Black Label is driven by a 900-watt hybrid amplifier that merges the robust current delivery of Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Class D output stage. A 15-pound power transformer and extensive heatsinking provide the foundation for high-current performance, contributing to the model’s weight and commanding presence. This amplifier sustains peaks of 1,250 watts effortlessly, producing bass that is louder, cleaner, and more controlled than any previous medium-chassis REL. The result is a powerplant that combines raw authority with the composure and refinement characteristic of Black Label models.

Analog Filtered to Perfection

REL prioritizes analog design because it is the only way to achieve truly natural sound. All input filters are 100% analog, among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. Central to this is the acclaimed High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of the main amplifier. Rather than drawing power, it transmits the full sonic signature of the system, allowing the Carbon Special Black Label to integrate seamlessly with speakers—a quality praised by reviewers for decades.
For setups where High Level isn’t feasible, the low-level input employs the same analog filter circuit, available via RCA and XLR connections, delivering the speed, naturalness, and cohesion REL is known for. In theater or dual-use systems, High Level and .1/LFE inputs can operate simultaneously, combining natural musical integration with full cinematic impact.

Serie S Line Array

REL’s Line Arrays are celebrated for delivering soundstage and dynamics that rival the world’s finest audio systems. Designed to expand progressively, a Line Array can start with a stereo pair, grow with a second, and ultimately include three units per channel, creating floor-to-ceiling authority and scale.
The Carbon Special Black Label is engineered to support this stepwise Line Array expansion. Each unit includes precision mechanical couplers that securely attach the top and middle modules to the base subwoofer, ensuring stability and peak performance. Proven in international shows and private listening rooms, Carbon Special Black Label Line Arrays achieve state-of-the-art performance—even when paired with stand-mounted monitors or compact floorstanders in medium-sized spaces—delivering the presence and impact of a half-million-dollar system in a more modest environment.

Wired For Sound…Wirelessly

Sometimes the best connection is no connection at all. While premium cables are standard in high-end audio systems, there are situations where running wires is impractical, unsafe, or visually intrusive. REL addresses this with Airship Direct™, an optional wireless system that transmits wide-bandwidth signals carrying both High Level and .1/LFE simultaneously. Even at the substantial scale and output of the Carbon Special Black Label, Airship Direct™ preserves the speed, clarity, and authority that define REL. It enables seamless transitions between music and movies without touching a control, all through a single module that plugs discreetly into the rear panel and remains virtually invisible in the room. Simple, direct, and uncompromised—Airship Direct™.

Specifications: 

Dimensions and Weight: 

Overall - W x H x D

19.25 x 16.125 x 22.25 in.

(488 x 410 x 565 mm)

Product Weight - 98 lbs. (44.5 kg)

What’s in the Box

• Carbon Special Black Label Subwoofer
• 6' AC Power Cord
• 32' Neutrik Speakon cable
• Line Array Mounting Hardware
• Premium Wood Grille
• User Manual & Warranty Information

*The Standard Clothe Grille is NOT included in your subwoofer purchase but is available for purchase