REL S/850 Active Subwoofer stands as the definitive heavyweight champion of the Serie S lineup, engineered to deliver absolute low-frequency scale, thunderous impact, and breathtaking transient speed. Tailored for large-scale custom reference listening rooms and premium private cinemas, this flagship active subwoofer brings structural bass energy to life without a hint of strain. By deploying a massively upgraded long-throw driver matrix alongside a high-current 850-watt Pure Class D monoblock, the S/850 effortlessly anchors full-range speaker systems, resolving complex low-frequency textures down to a seismic 17 Hz.
CarbonAlloy Flagship Transducer Core — Houses an expanded, ultra-stiff 12-inch front-firing active CarbonAlloy woofer engineered to respond to heavy subterranean dynamic shifts with instantaneous agility.
High-Current 850W Class D Monoblock — Driven by a commanding, conservatively rated 850-watt continuous internal amplifier that easily manages demanding peak excursions while running cool and efficient.
Simultaneous Input Signal Routing — Equipped with REL's high-speed pure analog filter network, allowing the high-level speaker terminal hookup and the home theater .1/LFE channel to run simultaneously for automatic dual-use performance.
The acoustic foundation of the REL S/850 is centered on a highly advanced, ultra-long-excursion dual-driver configuration. The front-firing 12-inch active CarbonAlloy driver is meticulously balanced by a massive 12-inch down-firing passive radiator built from a specialized carbon/glass fiber sandwich matrix. This configuration provides a massive 60 mm of linear mechanical travel, allowing the cabinet to compress and push massive amounts of air cleanly. By employing this passive radiator setup instead of a traditional port tube, the S/850 achieves the thunderous depth of a ported box alongside the tight control, linear decay, and absolute silence of a sealed system.


12" CarbonAlloy Dual-Driver Array: Pairs a 12-inch active carbon-capped driver with a 12-inch passive radiator to deliver linear extension down to a seismic 17 Hz.


Pure 850W Analog Filter Amp: Provides massive, cool-running high-current power while bypassing digital latency via high-speed analog networks.


Reference Line Array Capability: Features a structurally stabilized and stackable cabinet architecture to easily form massive multi-subwoofer arrays.
To maintain absolute authority over the heavy 12-inch active piston, the S/850 utilizes a high-efficiency 850-watt Pure Class D power block. Rejecting digital signal processing (DSP) to avoid the processing latency that smears fine stereo imaging, REL relies entirely on a custom-tuned, ultra-fast pure analog input board. This high-speed network uses reference-grade polypropylene capacitors to shape the low-frequency boundaries, matching the speed of high-end main loudspeakers perfectly. Backed by second-generation PerfectFilter circuitry, the amplifier exerts an immense damping factor to start and stop the woofer cone instantly on a dime.
The physical profile of the S/850 reflects its high-performance mission, featuring a low, wide, and heavily braced enclosure that optimizes internal air volume while retaining a clean lifestyle footprint. The heavy cabinet walls are CNC-machined with internal matrix bracing and horizontal strakes to thoroughly damp out secondary panel resonances. The outer shell is finished in an exquisite eight-coat high-gloss mirror lacquer, highlighted by raw-titanium-finished side handles and subtle accents. For added customization, users can swap out the standard cloth grille for a luxury, slatted Premium Wood Grille to blend into high-end interiors.
Designed to accommodate the most ambitious audio systems, the S/850 features stabilizing lower rails and integrated front-rail leveling adjusters that allow cabinets to be stacked vertically. This enables users to build a world-class REL Reference Line Array, stacking up to three subwoofers per side to project a towering wall of full-scale low-frequency energy that aligns perfectly with the physical height of massive flagship speakers. To maintain a clutter-free installation, the S/850 supports the optional Airship Direct wireless module, streaming uncompressed High-Level and LFE signals across a lightning-fast 5.8 GHz band with zero loss in transparency.
12-Inch CarbonAlloy Active Woofer: Lightened and stiffened cone structures ensure razor-sharp transient snaps on heavy musical pulses.
12-Inch Carbon/Glass Passive Cone: Downward-firing design moves massive amounts of structural air while preventing port chuffing.
Simultaneous Dual-Input Filtering: Feeds two-channel hi-fi systems and multi-channel LFE theater maps concurrently without manual switching.
Reference Polypropylene Capacitors: Audiophile-grade capacitors inside the filter pipeline broaden soundstage width and acoustic realism.
8-Coat High-Gloss Cabinet Lacquer: Wrapped in multiple horizontal and vertical cross-sprayed layers of premium lacquer finishes.
Front-Rail Leveling Adjusters: Features built-in mechanical leveling feet to maintain a completely secure, rattle-free stance on uneven floors.
Airship Direct Wireless Support: Accommodates optional zero-latency wireless streaming modules to get rid of long, unsightly cable runs.
Pure Titanium-Tone Handles: Features robust, recessed side handles finished in an elegant titanium-silver hue to help move its heavy chassis.
Fully Electronic Set Safe Suite: Houses advanced internal DC fault defense, output short circuit protection, and thermal protection sensors.
Optional Premium Wood Grilles: Accommodates custom, slatted hardwood grilles with white or black trims for a high-end furniture appearance.
How does the High-Level connection integrate sonic timing better than an RCA line input?
REL's iconic High-Level connection links directly to your main amplifier's speaker output terminals via an included Neutrik SpeakOn cable. This forces the S/850 to receive the exact same electrical timing, power curve, and sonic coloration as your main speakers, creating a perfectly blended full-range system.
What is the benefit of a passive radiator design over a standard ported enclosure?
A standard bass reflex port can generate wind noise (chuffing) and phase distortion when driven hard. The S/850's heavy-duty 12-inch passive radiator works like a sealed box but uses the active driver’s internal air pressure to move massive low-frequency weight with absolute control and silence.
What are the required conditions for creating a vertical Line Array stack?
The S/850's cabinet structure includes specific top plate recesses and heavy-duty grounding rails on its underside. Up to three units can be stacked safely per side using integrated coupling hardware, and their model numbers are etched specifically to remain hidden when stacked.