S/812 Subwoofer
S/812 takes REL’s medium chassis concept to reference-like levels of performance and does so with style, beauty and devastating power.
Description
For S/812, every aspect of the previous generation’s inner workings were examined without regard to its critical and customer-driven success. REL turned a fresh eye to power requirements, driver improvements, and specialty filters, upgrading each to extract all the extra performance possible. All this alongside the cabinet refinements necessary for those upgrades to emerge cleanly. This latest S range is a triumphant development that has exceeded every expectation of our design team.
REL’s requirements were for far stronger deep bass output between 19-35 Hz, vastly improved theatre dynamics, and an even more open and spacious soundfield which benefits both music and film. They turned to their NextGen5 amplifier, tuned to 800 watts, with huge reserves of power beyond this, added a light film of carbon fibre to the rear of the driver to handle the extra power, and developed two new sets of custom filters to extract the utmost in brute force and spaciousness. Finally, they imbued 812 with the ability to be stacked in 4- or 6-unit line arrays, just like the reference models.
S/812 required upgrades to its ContinuousCast™ Alloy Cone to allow it to survive the massive power upgrades. To permit its thin, aluminium cone to survive 800 watts and incredibly long stroke, REL added an ultra-lightweight backing of pure carbon fibre, strategically placed over portions of the rear surface of the cone. This produces two benefits; it strengthens and stiffens the cone and also eliminates reversion, wherein the backwave inside the cabinet is now prevented from interfering with the main launch of bass into the room. The result is more accurate and far louder deep bass.
At 800 watts the NextGen5 amplifier is borrowed from the reference models and rocks huge reservoirs of power and current. The 45% increase in power (previous version was 500 watts) is needed to deliver both the profound output levels needed for modern theatre, as well as to produce the deepest bass in a high end 2-channel system. This increase in power is necessitated by the development on the musical front of an all-new circuit termed PerfectFilter™ that balance both frequency extremes.
PerfectFilter performs two seemingly disparate qualities; extending the strong, even response of the extreme low end of bass frequencies while simultaneously opening up air and delicacy in the middle and high frequencies of one’s system. Additionally, REL applied customised PureTheatre™ filters to allow S/812 to deliver the most awe-inspiring theatre effects ever offered in a classic REL.
Product Specifications
TYPE
Front-firing active driver, down-firing passive
ACTIVE DRIVER SIZE & MATERIAL
12 in., 300mm long-throw, Continuous CastAlloy™ cone structure, cast chassis
PASSIVE RADIATOR SIZE & MATERIAL
12 in., 300mm Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis
LOW FREQUENCY EXTENTION
-6dB at 19 Hz
INPUT CONNECTORS
High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level stereo RCA, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
OUTPUT CONNECTORS
High Level Neutrik Speakon, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
POWER OUTPUT
800 watts (RMS)
AMPLIFIER TYPE
NextGen5 Class D
WIRELESS CAPABILITY
Yes- REL AirShip system [required]. Sold separately.
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
5 Amp 220 volts operation, 9 Amp 120 volts operation
Dimensions
W X H X D
17.5 x 18 x 20 in. (430 x 455 x 514 mm)
NET WEIGHT
75 lbs. (34 kg)
FINISH
Piano Black Lacquer, White Lacquer, 8 coats