There are systems, and then there are systems that demand more. More scale. More power. More composure at the extremes. For those, we built the 212 Black Label, the most powerful subwoofer in the Serie S line and, frankly, one of the most ambitious designs we’ve ever delivered. It’s built for large-scale, high-output systems where subtlety still matters, and brute force must come wrapped in finesse.
212 Black Label is the most powerful expression of Serie S. With four 12" drivers delivering over 450 square inches of surface area and a 1,000-watt amplifier, it anchors the largest reference-grade stereo systems and theaters. More than sheer output, it is the Swiss Army knife of the range, capable of solving the hardest rooms and most demanding systems with equal ease. Unmatched in scale, speed, and authority, 212 Black Label sets the standard for performance in the Serie S line.
- 1,000-watt Linear Class D Amplifier
- Dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ Active Drivers with Dual 12” Passive Radiators
- Extraordinary Scale and Dynamics, Approaching Line Array Performance
- Stereo Pairs and Large-Scale Theater Integration
- Optional Premium Wood Grille Available. As a natural wood material, grain and color variations are expected and unique to each grille
Dynamic Power Meets Precision
212 Black Label is unique, the most dynamic and powerful subwoofer in the Serie S range. At its core are dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, dual 12" passive radiators, and a 1,000-watt amplifier, working together to deliver over 450 square inches (1,166 sq cm) of piston area and the authority to energize even the largest rooms. The result is bass that is immense yet agile, combining breathtaking slam with the speed, nuance, and tonal color that define REL.
More than just raw output, 212 Black Label is the Swiss Army knife of the range. Whether anchoring reference-grade theaters or underpinning world-class stereo systems, it delivers unmatched scale and refinement. In stereo pairs, 212 Black Label can approach the authority of a full Line Array, offering massive scale in a form that integrates beautifully into both systems and spaces. An optional premium wood grille further elevates both design and performance.
Design with Distinction
In a REL product line defined by gorgeous cabinetry, perhaps no model has received a more comprehensive update than 212 Black Label. A single vertical strake runs the cabinet’s height, capped by a distinctive crown badge that signals its refined status. On the top panel, an all-black badge framed in carbon fibre further marks it as Black Label. The warm silver, bead-blasted handles have a raw titanium feel, both striking and practical, while solid billet aluminum inside keeps things safe and steady, cutting down on unwanted resonance. An optional premium wood grille enhances both airflow and aesthetics, completing a design of unmistakable authority and refinement.
Driven with Authority
Driver development lies at the core of every REL. For 212 Black Label, both active and passive elements were re-engineered to handle the massive outputs made possible by its uprated 1,000-watt amplifier. Dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, fitted with lightweight carbon-fibre center caps, release more energy on every stroke, yielding speed and control at levels unheard of in earlier designs. To match, the dual passive radiators were redesigned with longer suspensions and greater excursion, allowing the system to traverse massive distances without strain. The result is a subwoofer that plays some 40% louder than its predecessor. For the engineers, the real triumph was refining every nuanced aspect of performance, made clear each time ultra-dynamic movie scenes or sprawling, complex pieces of music flow effortlessly without strain.
Outrageousness Amplified
Like its Carbon Special Black Label stablemate, 212 Black Label is powered by a newly developed 1,000-watt hybrid amplifier that marries the current delivery of high-current Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Linear Class D output stage. This best-of-both-worlds design delivers immense dynamic power while consuming just 40 watts at idle — no more than a handful of night lights. Peaks of over 1,200 watts can be sustained for extended periods, producing explosive authority without strain. The result is an amplifier that sounds urgent, driven, and unshakably powerful, yet refined enough to underpin reference-grade stereo systems and anchor the largest theaters with complete composure.
Analog Filtered to Perfection
All REL input filters are 100% analog — among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. We choose analog because it is the only way to achieve natural sound. At the center is our famous High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This does not draw power; instead, it carries the complete sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers, a trait reviewers have celebrated for decades. And for systems where High Level isn’t possible, our low-level input employs the very same filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, delivering the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. For theatre and dual-use systems, REL allows High Level and .1/LFE to be run together, so music gains natural integration, while movie soundtracks deliver the full impact intended by the mix.
Wired For Sound…Wirelessly
Sometimes the best wire is no wire. Quality cables are a given in high-end audio systems, but there are occasions where it is impractical, unsafe, or unsightly to drape a cable across the room. REL delivers the ultimate solution with Airship Direct™, our optional wireless system that transmits wide-bandwidth, compound signals, carrying both High Level and .1/LFE simultaneously. Even with the immense scale and output of 212 Black Label, Airship Direct™ preserves the speed, transparency, and authority that define REL. It allows seamless transitions between music and movies without ever touching the controls, all from a single module that plugs neatly into the rear panel and stays invisible in your room. Simple, direct, uncompromised: Airship Direct™.
What's in the box
- 212 Black Label Subwoofer
- Power Cord
- Standard Black Cloth Grille
- User Manual and Warranty Information
- *The Premium Wood Grille is NOT included in your subwoofer purchase but is available for purchase
There are systems, and then there are systems that demand more. More scale. More power. More composure at the extremes. For those, we built the 212 Black Label, the most powerful subwoofer in the Serie S line and, frankly, one of the most ambitious designs we’ve ever delivered. It’s built for large-scale, high-output systems where subtlety still matters, and brute force must come wrapped in finesse.
Four Drivers. One Voice
The 212 Black Label features two active 12-inch drivers and two passive radiators firing across three planes, a configuration that delivers thunderous dynamics, remarkable speed, and near Line Array performance. Its unique driver system digs deep, reveals inner detail, and pressurizes even the largest rooms with effortless authority.
Powering this system is a 1,000-watt Linear Class D™ hybrid monoblock amplifier, combining the explosive energy of Class A/B with the efficiency of Class D, while sipping just 40 watts at idle. The result is immense headroom, control, and scale with lightning-fast response.
Engineered for Scale and Grace
Every aspect of the 212 Black Label is overbuilt for maximum performance. The cabinet is braced and reinforced to manage extreme energy without flex or resonance. Yet despite its power, the 212 Black Label is astonishingly articulate. Properly set up, it disappears—breathing life into music, delivering cinematic impact, and extending the soundstage in a way that feels completely natural.
Seamless Integration
With its lighter, faster drivers and redesigned passives, the 212 Black Label achieves what we call “quiet speed”—bass that carries force yet decays with precision. Whether in a reference two-channel system, a Dolby Atmos theatre, or stacked in Line Arrays, the 212 Black Label adapts seamlessly to the performance demands of the system. And with Airship Direct™ wireless connectivity, placement is effortless and uncompromised.
Black Label, Inside and Out
As part of the Black Label family, the 212 is finished in high-gloss Piano Black lacquer with refined industrial details that elevate its presence. It’s built to look as commanding as it sounds.
Who It’s For
If you have a truly grand room, large speakers, or large expectations, the 212 Black Label is your match. It’s not meant for everyone. But for those who want a subwoofer that transforms a strong system into an unforgettable one—this is where you start.
—John
Technical Specifications
Type
(2) Front-firing active drivers, (1) rear passive, (1) down-firing passive
Active Driver Size & Material
(2) 12 in. (305mm) long-throw, CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis
Passive Radiator Size & Material
Rear: 12 in. (305mm)CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis; Down: 12 in. (305mm) CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis
Low Frequency Extension
-6dB at 18 Hz
Input Connectors
High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level (2) RCA, (1) LFE RCA, (1) LFE XLR
Output Connectors
High Level Neutrik Speakon, (1) Low Level RCA, (1) LFE RCA or (1) LFE XLR
Power Output
1,000 watts (RMS)
Amplifier Type
Linear Class D
Wireless Capability
REL AirShip Direct (sold separately)
Dual Parametric Filter
N/A
Finish
Piano Black Lacquer 8 coats
Protection System
Fully Electronic Set SafeYes
D.C. FaultYes
Output ShortYes
Mains Input Voltage220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for certain markets
Fuses8 Amp semi delay 220 volts operation, 15 Amp semi delay 120 volts operation
Supplied Accessories
Mains Lead
Yes
Neutrik Speakon
Yes (10 Meters Nominal)
Interconnect
N/A
User Manual
Yes
14.25 x 33 x 20.5 in.
(362 x 840 x 523.3 mm)
Net Weight
134 lbs. (60.8 kg)
In the interest of product development, REL Acoustics Limited reserve the right to vary these specifications without notice.
