REL Acoustics : Carbon Special Black Label (Gloss Black)

Carbon Special Black Label is the pinnacle of Serie S in a medium chassis. Its 12" all-carbon fibre driver, closely related to our No.31 Reference, is backed by a more powerful amplifier and increased cabinet volume for breathtaking dynamics, nuance, and authority.

U.S. subwoofer orders will ship the week of November 21, 2025.
Premium Wood Grille orders ship the week of December 20th, 2025.

• 900-watt Linear Class D Amplifier
• 12" Carbon Fibre Active Driver with 12” Down-Firing Passive Radiator
• Precision-Engineered Cabinet and Driver for Power, Speed, and Scale
• Stereo Pairs, Line Arrays, and Theater Integration
• Premium Wood Grille Included. As a natural wood material, grain and color variations are expected and unique to each grille

---

Black Label Performance, Medium Chassis Form

Carbon Special Black Label elevates the medium chassis to its highest form. At its heart lies a 12" all-carbon fibre driver, closely related to the design used in our No.31 Reference, powered by a 900-watt amplifier and housed in an expanded cabinet that frees the carbon driver to deliver greater scale and authority. The result is bass that combines breathtaking power, speed, and tonal nuance.

Each Carbon Special Black Label includes a premium wood grille that enhances both beauty and airflow, underscoring the model’s dual commitment to form and function. On its own, as a stereo pair, or in towering Line Arrays, it delivers Reference-inspired authority reserved for those who demand the very best of Serie S. Black Label models represent the most advanced expressions of Serie S, built with tighter tolerances, upgraded components, and unique finishes. Also available through select Black Label dealers, easily found via our Dealer Locator.

---

Achingly Beautiful

Carbon Special Black Label pulls together the finest elements of Serie S design. Its cabinet proportions, inspired from our Reference line, achieve a natural sense of scale. Subtle black crown inlays along the sidewalls and curved stainless-steel handles recessed into elliptical returns underscore its unique position within the range. Beneath each rail, knurled billet cylinders permit precise leveling, while thick internal aluminum slabs anchor the handles for safe stacking in Line Arrays. Each unit also includes a premium wood grille that adds warmth while enhancing airflow for greater dynamics. A design where beauty and performance converge.

---

Driven to Perfection

The down-firing passive radiator in the new Carbon Special Black Label is an elevated component, hand-selected to meet the tightest tolerances within our design parameters. Each is chosen for its ability to deliver the most precise pistonic behavior, resulting in greater transparency and control than any prior generation.

At REL, development begins with the driver the foundation of sonic character. For the Carbon Special Black Label, we designed a 12" all-carbon fibre unit capable of handling three times the peak power of its predecessor. A newly engineered suspension allows the cone to travel over 60mm front to back, producing extraordinary dynamics with complete control.

The result is bass that is effortless, powerful, and fluid, extending lower with more authority than ever before. Whether capturing the subtle textures of live music or the impact of modern cinematic soundtracks, this latest-generation driver system redefines what’s possible across the medium-chassis class.

---

 

Amped Up

Carbon Special Black Label is powered by a 900-watt hybrid amplifier that combines the rich current delivery of Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Class D output stage. A 15-pound power transformer and extensive heatsinking form the foundation for high-current performance, adding to the model’s weight and commanding authority. This design sustains peaks of 1,250 watts with ease, delivering louder, cleaner, and more controlled bass than any previous medium-chassis REL. The result is an amplifier that unites raw power with the composure and finesse that define Black Label.

Analog Filtered to Perfection:

We choose analog because it is the only way to achieve truly natural sound. All REL input filters are 100% analog—among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. At the core is our renowned High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This doesn’t draw power; instead, it carries the full sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers—a quality reviewers have praised for decades.

For systems where High Level isn’t possible, our low-level input uses the same analog filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, to deliver the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. And in theater or dual-use systems, REL uniquely allows High Level and .1/LFE to run together—so music benefits from natural integration, while movies deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

---

Serie S Line Array

REL’s Line Arrays are revered for producing sound staging and dynamics that rival the world’s finest systems. Designed to grow in pairs, a Line Array can begin with a simple stereo pair, expand with a second, and ultimately rise to three units per channel, delivering floor-to-ceiling authority and scale. 

Carbon Special Black Label models now feature a precision-milled knurled aluminum adjustment knob integrated into the body rails. This knob allows the bottom subwoofer in a Line Array to achieve perfect level on uneven or soft flooring such as thick-pile carpets or dual-pad installations ensuring a safer, more stable foundation. Purpose-built exclusively for Line Array use, these adjustment knobs enable ideal setup and secure performance without compromise. (Note: 212 Black Label does not include these adjustment knobs.)

Carbon Special Black Label was engineered from the ground up to support the step-by-step build of a Line Array system. Each unit includes precision mechanical couplers that lock the upper and middle subwoofers to the anchor REL below, ensuring rigidity and optimal acoustic coupling. Proven at international shows and in private listening rooms, Carbon Special Black Label Line Arrays achieve true state-of-the-art performance even when paired with stand-mounted monitors or compact floor standers in medium-sized rooms.Imagine the presence and impact of a half-million-dollar system, brought to life in a modest space.

---

Technical Specifications

Type
Front-firing active driver, down-firing passive

Active Driver Size & Material
12 in. (305mm) long-throw, carbon fibre cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap, die cast alloy chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material
12 in. (305mm), Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis

Low Frequency Extension
-6 dB at 19Hz

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
900 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 Safe
Yes

D.C. Fault
Yes

Output Short
Yes

Mains Input Voltage
220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for certain markets

Fuses
8 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