At REL, we’re celebrating our 35th Anniversary this year—and what a year it’s becoming. We introduced two new colors in the T/9x SE range: Green with Envy™ and French Racing Blue™, both quickly shot to the top in customer enthusiasm. We followed with two all-new .1/LFE subwoofer cables: the affordable Commander™ and the sizzling hot Commodore™ . Both make instantly audible improvements in the systems they were designed for. And this Fall, our new Serie S debuts, putting an exclamation point on this celebratory chapter in our REL journey.
This is a story about subwoofers, but more than that, it’s a story about people. About you, our incredible customers, and dealers. About a company built on a passion for sound that started in a tiny workshop and now resonates around the world. Yes, REL makes subwoofers, but REL goes far beyond the bass. It shapes the full experience of music and film in ways that are often hard to put into words.
So, let’s begin where it all started: with music and movies. Richard Lord, our founder, built the first REL subwoofer out of frustration. His system simply couldn’t reach the depth he craved. What began as a DIY solution for one man quickly sparked interest among friends, and from there, REL was born. It’s been 35 years, but that original spirit of curiosity, invention, and obsession with better sound, is what still drives us.
Of course, that was many subwoofers and many years ago. When we acquired REL in 2004, our subs maxed out at 98 dB. Now? Most exceed 110 dB with ease. One hits 115. And we’ll be knocking on 120 dB soon. But loudness is only one part of the story.
The real challenge—the real art—is what happens at the other end of the performance curve. It’s in the whisper of a pipe organ fading into cathedral air. The shimmer of a ride cymbal kissed by a drumstick. Those delicate, emotional details are what separate a good sub from a REL. And it’s why people fall in love with them—not because of what they hear, but because of what they feel.
Take it from our customers. JW, a proud owner of Magico M3s and Boulder monoblocs, had this to say after adding our Reference No.31s:
“The sound didn’t just improve; it illuminated something within the music I hadn’t realized was missing. There was a richness, a presence, a new kind of connection that wasn’t just sonic—it was felt. I found myself saying, ‘I’m part of the sound. I feel it. I’m inside the music now.’ That may sound poetic, but it’s honestly the best way I can describe it.”
That connection—to the music, the moment, the emotion—that’s what we live for.
Not every customer is a seasoned audiophile. Many come to us simply wanting better performance and end up discovering something transformative. C.F. from Milford, CT shared this after upgrading to two T/9x SEs:
“I have the 2 subs hooked up in stereo via the high-level connection for music. They also get the .1/LFE channel for TV and movies. When listening to music, the instruments are full. They have weight and volume. The fullness of the sound makes my 2-way bookshelf speakers sound like large floor standers... I have found that the T/9x SE has made my bookshelf speakers better in every way, for music and home theater.”
We love stories like this—someone who’s always loved music, but suddenly hears their system come alive.
And then there are customers like Jeff Speck, who took things to a level even we don’t see every day:
“Having purchased a Predator six-pack and living with it for a year, I was so impressed I added four more Predators for the back of the room and a T/9x for a center effect sub to complete a REL 3D system... Once set up and dialed in, I was treated to an experience I had never had before. Somehow, 11 subs disappeared in the room, and what I was left with was the quickest, most dynamic bass that punches you in the chest.”
Jeff concludes:
“For those who believe that the lowest frequency response wins, I challenge them all to audition a properly set up REL 3D system.”
We’re humbled by stories like these. And we’re constantly inspired by you, our customers and partners, who push us to keep creating, improving, and dreaming.
New Ideas: At REL, inspiration can strike from anywhere. Years ago, my teenage son casually remarked, “Dad, you should make subs that are more affordable, play loud, and are made just for theatre.” The idea stuck with me, but it was our CEO, Alex Brody, who soon after brought forward a serious proposal to explore that kind of product line. Within two years, the HT Serie was born. Fast, power, and fun – yet still unmistakably REL in their speed, openness and musicality – our HT models have gone on to become some of the most successful and widely loved subwoofers we’ve ever created.
We also listen to dealers. Jess, a manager in Colorado, pointed out a small issue with Line Arrays tipping forward on plush carpet. This Fall, the new Serie S will debut with precision knurled knobs to solve exactly that. Because when you speak, we act.
Thirty-five years is a long time, but we’re just getting started. There’s more to break, more to learn, more to build.
And if you’re new to REL, welcome. You’re now part of something rare: a family of people who care deeply about sound and about each other.
Here’s to what’s next.
Warmly,
John Hunter
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