REFERENCE SERIES

No.32

$10,000

At the pinnacle of our lineup stands the flagship model, a groundbreaking masterpiece that redefines the art of sound like never before.

1,000-watt NextGen 7 Class D Amplifier
15" Carbon Fibre Driver
Line Array Compatible

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Delivering More Than Sound

3 Year warranty

Lifetime Customer Support

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No.32

Single Subwoofer

$10,000

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When Nothing but the Finest Will Do

No.32 represents the sum of our efforts, research, and knowledge gained over the past three decades as a leader in audio and subwoofers. Nothing we have built competes with the speed, agility, absence of texture, and vivid dynamic contrasts delivered by No.32. It represents the pinnacle of REL’s considerable experience and is our standard for future innovation. A remarkable sonic achievement, it transcends its illustrious forebear, which was named Product of the Decade just a few years ago. It is 1,000 watts, has a 15”(380 mm) pure carbon fibre driver, and has exquisite cabinetry requiring three weeks of labour to complete. However, each of these features only hints at what it takes to reside at the top of REL’s offerings, and No.32 is poised to be a design for the ages.

Design

Beautiful Form Follows Functional Perfection

It is often said that form follows function. If that is true, what a lovely function we are following. The cabinet traces a curvilinear path established over a decade ago on the original Gibraltar. Here, the top surface tumbles down at the rear corners - a difficult treatment to execute, but one that produces a uniquely beautiful effect.

Triple-plated steel handles are inset into ellipses that allow for a secure grip, which is necessary when lifting an object over 200 pounds. Inside, the rear backing plate is well over half an inch thick and contoured to follow the inner surface, yielding a massively strong structure.

No.32’s new badge treatment combines the materials that appear most frequently within its design; the carbon fibre used throughout the driver is inset within a polished, cast alloy basket that is finished in 3 layers of plating to achieve a jewel-like sparkle. The overall design speaks to the remarkable efforts that went into ensuring No.32 is as striking visually as it is technically.

Driver

Drive On

As with all RELs, No. 32’s heart and soul is its 15” (380mm) driver. The driver’s cone is constructed entirely of carbon fibre. Additionally, a carbon fibre centre cap is overlaid on the primary cone surface. This cone design results in a far stiffer driver that possesses superior self-damping qualities, removing even minor resonances that can obscure detail retrieval whilst keeping moving mass to an absolute minimum. No.32’s driver suspension permits a full 4” (100mm) of travel fore and aft, an enormous amount of travel for such a large driver. These are some of the secrets to its performance. Transparency, allied to tremendous dynamics, is the result.

Amplifier

The Utterly Reliable Beast

No.32’s NextGen 7 Class D 1,000 watt amplifier was also used in its predecessor for over seven years. Thousands of these amplifiers are in use all over the world; they are a paragon of reliability. Its implementation in No.32 combines a new limiter with a much wider envelope to permit the widest dynamic swings possible. Also, No.32’s dual parametric EQs allow for robust and flat response in the lowest ranges, extending below 20 Hz. When its second EQ is set to frequencies above the crossover point, No.32 meshes perfectly with the main speakers while simultaneously reducing room-based resonances.

Line array

Arrayed For Battle

No.32 permits the same vertically stacked line array as the ultimate No.31. It delivers transformative performance that no competitor has been able to. For those who have been seeking the ultimate musical and theatre experience, Line Arrays unlock the final dimension of system reproduction. Audiophiles have chased three-dimensional sound for years, yet they have missed the simple fact that the height—not the depth—of image is the missing link. By creating products that are designed to be stacked 3 (or in exceptionally tall rooms, 5) units high while retaining individual crossover and gain control of each subwoofer in the array, REL has created a masterpiece that finally delivers what the most experienced audiophiles have been chasing for the past 40 years.

How to Build Up to a Line Array.

How to Setup and Dial in a Line Array.

Remote

Total Control

Take control of your No.31 by grasping the REL Reference Remote Control. Immediately, you will be struck by the perfect fit in your palm, the result of careful thought and numerous generations of trial-and-error fittings during prototype development. The second reaction to it is the awareness of its mass, which conveys its quality, permanence, and immutability. It tells you, “I am a thing of substance, of quality. Pay attention, what you do next matters.” If you have owned a REL in the past (and fully 90% of Rel Reference owners are), all the familiar controls are right at hand, exactly where you’d want them. High (or low if using active speakers) level gain sits comfortably to the right side, the crossover rests in the middle, and .1/LFE gain is off to the left.

Below are three lovely metal toggle switches handle the critical setup functions. The remote’s on/off switch is at the bottom. It is both as out of the way as possible and remains on once turned on and in use during setup without being accidentally turned off. In the middle sits the phase control. This is used only initially to determine the correct 0 or 180 degrees of phase. Additionally, the top access to the Dual Parametric EQ-marked with A and B—permits the flattest, deepest bass and, at the other end of the bass frequencies, the fine-tuning of crossover behavior. This gives you the perfect blending of subwoofer to main speakers and any vestiges of room-generated boom and resonance can be gently trimmed away.

REL’s Reference Remote reminds you of the perfect butler—always immaculate, indispensable when called upon, then quietly set aside until a future time when perhaps additions or further improvements to one’s system further require its services.

Specifications

Technical Specifications

Type

Closed box, front-firing driver

Active Driver Size & Material

15 in. (380mm) long throw, carbon fiber cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap, die cast alloy chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material

N/A

Low Frequency Extension

15Hz at -6 dB Low Frequency

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 XLR, (1) Line XLR

Power Output

1,000 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type

NextGen 7 Class D

Wireless Capability

REL AirShip II (sold separately)

Dual Parametric Filter

Yes

Finish

Piano Black Lacquer, 12 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

7 Amp semi delay 230 volts operation, 15 Amp semi delay 115 volts operation

Supplied Accessories

Mains Lead

Yes

Neutrik Speakon

Yes (10 Meters Nominal)

Interconnect

User Manual

Yes

In the interest of product development, REL Acoustics Limited reserve the right to vary these specifications without notice.

Dimensions

DIMS

W x H x D
29 1/4 x 21 x 32 1/8 in.
(743 x 540 x 816 mm)

Net Weight

187 lbs. (85 kg), shipping weight - 225 lbs. (102kg)

Faq

What are the benefits of adding the No.32 Reference Series subwoofer to my system?

There is a moment in every great system when everything locks into place — when the soundstage deepens, the air shifts, and music gains weight and meaning. The REL No.32 exists for that moment.

Designed without compromise, the No.32 is more than a subwoofer. It is a foundational element — delivering depth, speed, and control that make silence grounded and the first note inevitable. Its cabinet releases pressure with ease, its driver captures the finest textures, and its amplifier provides effortless authority. The No.32 doesn’t compete with your loudspeakers; it completes them.

What it brings is not just bass, but space. Not just power, but poise. The bowed string, the final chord, the unfolding scale of a room — all arrive intact and fully formed.

This is the moment the system becomes whole. This is No.32.

What makes Reference Series subwoofers different from other REL subwoofers?

REL’s Reference Series — the No.31 and No.32 — are designed without compromise, serving as the foundation for the world’s finest audio systems. These are not scaled-up versions of other models, but purpose-built instruments with custom alloy drivers, ultra-fast analog filters, and high-current amplifiers delivering 900–1000 watts of effortless control.

Every element, from hand-finished, internally braced cabinets to lightning-fast transient response, is crafted to integrate seamlessly with reference-level loudspeakers. What sets the Reference Series apart is not sheer output, but execution — bass delivered with texture, space, and finesse. They disappear into the system while expanding the soundstage, grounding silence, and revealing the full emotional weight of music.

In systems where nothing else is compromised, the low-frequency foundation shouldn’t be either.

Is the No.32 good for both music and home theatre systems?

The REL No.32 is designed to excel in both music and home theater, delivering true reference-grade performance without compromise.

It features REL’s unique ability to run simultaneous high-level and LFE inputs, reproducing the full dynamics of film soundtracks while remaining perfectly integrated with the natural bass from your main speakers. Advanced filters keep these signals separate yet complementary — explosive LFE effects arrive with impact, while musical bass retains timing and detail.

The result is effortless depth, precision, and control whether you’re immersed in a live acoustic performance or a high-impact action scene. The No.32 doesn’t just handle both — it elevates both.

Are Reference Series subwoofers compatible with wireless systems?

The REL No.31 and No.32 are fully compatible with the Airship II wireless system, engineered to meet the exacting standards of reference-level performance. Operating on a zero-compression 5.8 GHz connection, Airship II transmits both high-level and LFE signals simultaneously, preserving the speed, dynamics, and tonal accuracy REL is known for.

The result is seamless integration and lightning-fast response, without the limitations or clutter of long cables. Whether in a high-end stereo system or a world-class theater, Airship II delivers the freedom of wireless with the precision of a wired connection.

What room size is No.32 best suited for?

The REL No.32 is ideally suited for medium to large rooms (300–1,000 sq. ft.), but room size is only part of the story. Its true role is defined by the caliber of the loudspeakers it supports and the demands of the system it joins.

Paired with high-performance, full-range speakers — even in moderately sized rooms — the No.32 delivers depth, speed, and control that elevate the entire system. For those seeking greater immersion, stereo pairs expand the soundstage and create true low-frequency symmetry. And as systems evolve, stacking multiple No.32s in a line array offers a path to even higher performance without starting over.

It’s not just about the room you have — it’s about the system you’re building, and where you want it to go.

Can I stack No.32 in a line array configuration?

Yes. One of the most advanced features of the Reference Series is the ability to stack the No.32 in vertical Line Arrays, typically three units per side.

Stacking isn’t just about more bass — it mirrors how low-frequency energy behaves in live acoustic spaces, radiating vertically to fill the room from floor to ceiling. A Line Array creates a uniform, immersive wavefront that reduces room interactions and brings the system closer to the feel of a live performance.

The result is not only deeper, more consistent bass, but also greater clarity, openness, and scale across the system. Instruments sound more grounded, voices more present, and the soundstage expands in all directions. As rooms or systems grow, Line Arrays provide a path forward — preserving balance, finesse, and authority at any scale.