At REL, we believe performance should be beautiful—and beauty should serve a purpose.
With the new Serie S lineup, we’ve extended that philosophy beyond the cabinet and into the final detail: the grille. For this generation, we’re offering two grille options—our classic cloth grille, and for the first time ever in this category, an optional premium wood grille that redefines what a subwoofer can look like in a high-end interior.
Let me walk you through these choices and the thinking behind them.
The Cloth Grille: Timeless, Functional, and Included
Our black cloth grille has long been a staple at REL. It’s clean, understated, and acoustically transparent. For the new Serie S, the cloth grille remains the standard inclusion on 212 Black Label, along with a black and white cloth grille for S/850 and S/550.
It’s designed to disappear visually and sonically—just like the subwoofer itself. Whether you’re building a stealthy home theatre or a modern two-channel system, this grille gets out of the way, both visually and audibly.
The Premium Wood Grille: Elevated Craftsmanship
The big news is the new premium wood grille, is standard on the Carbon Special Black Label and optional on all other Serie S models.
Crafted with attention to materiality and proportion, the premium wood grille is more than a cosmetic upgrade. It’s a design element that transforms the sub into a furniture-grade object—a piece that looks at home alongside fine cabinetry, media consoles, and mid-century modern furnishings. The curved slat design offers a sense of rhythm and airflow, echoing the precision and natural beauty of the sound it helps deliver. We designed it to complement the cabinet without overwhelming it. The result is warm, architectural, and quietly confident.
Easy Swapping, Secure Fit
Each grille—cloth or wood—uses a hidden magnetic mounting system for clean lines and secure placement. Swapping from one to the other is effortless, allowing customers to choose the look that best fits their space or evolve it over time.
Why Offer Two?
Because no two listening spaces—or listeners—are exactly alike. Some want their system to visually disappear, while others want it to become part of the story. With the new Serie S grille system, you can now choose. As for performance, both grille types have been voiced into the design, ensuring that what you see never compromises what you hear. For us, that’s non-negotiable.
Which One is Right for You?
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Cloth grille: standard, minimalist, and ideal for hidden setups.
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Premium Wood grille: expressive, architectural, and perfect for design-forward spaces.
If you’re buying a Carbon Special Black Label, you’ll receive the premium wood grille by default. If you’re purchasing a 212 Black Label, S/850, or S/550, you’ll receive the cloth grille—but have the option to upgrade to wood for an additional charge. And let me just say—it’s worth it. Because when your subwoofer looks this good and sounds even better, that’s REL at its best.
—John
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