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35 Years of Audio Mastery:
The Timeless Evolution of REL

Crafting the Best Subwoofer in the World: The REL Acoustics Journey
The deep voice on the other end of the telephone growled, resonant with a unique mix of Australian and German accents. It was Joe Reidiger, a celebrated audio distributor, calling from Australia. “I am going to tell you about the most remarkable product, something that transforms every audio system we’ve ever tried it in,” he said. That was my introduction to REL in early 1994.
From its inception, REL Acoustics has been driven by a singular purpose: to deliver uncompromised audio excellence. Founded by Richard Edmund Lord (the “R-E-L” of REL), this remarkable journey began with dissatisfaction. Frustrated by the subwoofer offerings of the day, Richard built his own. What began as a mammoth, custom-built design integrated into a bay window quickly became a phenomenon. Celebrated by audiophiles, it was dubbed the best-sounding subwoofer they had ever heard.
Today, REL’s commitment to redefining the possibilities of audio continues, pairing innovation with artistry to craft the world’s most reliable, high-performing subwoofers.
Revolutionizing Audio from the Start
Richard’s first groundbreaking contribution, the High-Level Input, revolutionized the industry. Unlike conventional subwoofers that rely on preamp signals, REL’s High-Level Input connects directly to the main amplifier’s speaker outputs. This ensures that REL subwoofers seamlessly blend with speakers, delivering sound as cohesive and natural as the original recording. It’s like hearing music with open eyes and ears—no corrections required. This innovation became the cornerstone of REL’s legacy and remains a defining feature today.
Another practical breakthrough followed soon after: the addition of a dedicated .1/LFE input with its own gain control. This feature allowed a single subwoofer to handle music and theater sound effortlessly, eliminating the need for cumbersome manual adjustments. While other subwoofer makers instructed users to “turn it up for theater and down for music,” REL’s elegant solution provided seamless integration for both experiences, embodying its ethos of simple yet transformative engineering.
The early 2000s saw another milestone with the launch of the Britannia range. This forward-firing design combined substantial power with sleek cabinets, appealing to a broader audience and setting the stage for future innovations.

Elevating Every Listener’s Experience
Our focus has always been on how the entirety of a system integrates, not just the bass. Early models like the Strata 2 and Stadium set the stage for REL’s reputation, delivering solutions that were as innovative as they were musical. Audiophile Alex Peters once described replacing his traditional subwoofer with a REL as “unlocking hidden dimensions of my music collection. Suddenly, it felt like I was sitting in the concert hall, surrounded by sound.” This is the REL difference—precision engineering that doesn’t just deliver bass but completes the audio experience.
The R-Series, introduced in 2005, embraced modern Class D amplification. Compact yet powerful, these designs paired beautifully with piano black lacquer finishes, showcasing REL’s ability to blend performance with elegance. This range laid the foundation for today’s Serie S models, which continue to push the boundaries of design and capability.
The G-1, launched in 2010, marked a pivotal moment. With its stackable design, it introduced the concept of line arrays to the consumer market, igniting a passion for systems that deliver unprecedented scale and depth. It also brought faster crossover filters with an impulse response of just 4 milliseconds, ensuring crystal-clear sound and dynamic performance—a hallmark of REL’s Reference designs.
Pioneering New Standards in Bass Performance

REL’s evolution reads like a roadmap for industry innovation. From the Britannia range’s powerful forward-firing designs to the Mid-Century Modern-inspired T-Series introduced in 2007, REL consistently balanced style and substance. These models featured simplified crossovers and innovative cabinet designs, paving the way for today’s Serie T/x.
Technical breakthroughs like the PerfectFilter™ and LimitLess™ limiters, introduced in the 2015-2020 era, brought unprecedented control and clarity to subwoofer technology. These advancements allowed REL to deliver powerful deep bass without sacrificing precision. Imagine the thrill of an action film where explosions feel visceral yet never overpowering. Or a live jazz recording where the bassline breathes life into the performance, grounding every note. That’s the promise of REL—subwoofers that integrate seamlessly into your life and your soundscape.
REL’s driver designs have continually evolved, with innovations like reducing moving mass by 20%, resulting in faster and more dynamic transients. This meticulous engineering ensures that REL subwoofers respond with unmatched speed and precision, capturing every nuance of the music or cinematic experience.
The No.25, released in 2016, introduced groundbreaking innovations like dual parametric EQ. It addressed common room acoustic challenges, allowing users to elevate bass performance below 30 Hz while taming upper bass boom. This model also set off the 6-pack phenomenon, where customers discovered the joys of stereo pairs and expanded to full line arrays, enhancing their listening experience step by step.

Always Looking Ahead
Our commitment to innovation extends far beyond what the eye can see. Even components as subtle as internal insulation and capacitor design are scrutinized to ensure every REL subwoofer exceeds expectations. The No.31 and No.32, launched in 2022, epitomize this philosophy, combining tonal color depth, dynamic precision, and unmatched reliability.
What’s next? As we explore new forms of subwoofers and uncharted directions, one promise remains: REL will never stop being curious. We’re here to surprise and delight, blending performance with beauty in ways the industry has yet to imagine.
The REL Commitment
At REL Acoustics, we don’t just build subwoofers. We build experiences. Experiences that redefine how you listen to music, immerse yourself in cinema, and connect with sound. Our journey is guided by the same principle that started it all: if it doesn’t exist, we’ll create it…and we’ll create it better.
Here’s to sound without limits. Thank you for joining us on this extraordinary journey.
Best,
J