REL Acoustics 212 Black Label (Gloss Black)

212 Black Label is the most powerful expression of Serie S. With four 12" drivers delivering over 450 square inches of surface area and a 1,000-watt amplifier, it anchors the largest reference-grade stereo systems and theaters. More than sheer output, it is the Swiss Army knife of the range, capable of solving the hardest rooms and most demanding systems with equal ease. Unmatched in scale, speed, and authority, 212 Black Label sets the standard for performance in the Serie S line.

• 1,000-watt Linear Class D Amplifier
• Dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ Active Drivers with Dual 12” Passive Radiators
• Extraordinary Scale and Dynamics, Approaching Line Array Performance
• Stereo Pairs and Large-Scale Theater Integration
• Optional Premium Wood Grille Available. As a natural wood material, grain and color variations are expected and unique to each grille

Dynamic Power Meets Precision

212 Black Label is unique, the most dynamic and powerful subwoofer in the Serie S range. At its core are dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, dual 12" passive radiators, and a 1,000-watt amplifier, working together to deliver over 450 square inches (1,166 sq cm) of piston area and the authority to energize even the largest rooms. The result is bass that is immense yet agile, combining breathtaking slam with the speed, nuance, and tonal color that define REL.

More than just raw output, 212 Black Label is the Swiss Army knife of the range. Whether anchoring reference-grade theaters or underpinning world-class stereo systems, it delivers unmatched scale and refinement. In stereo pairs, 212 Black Label can approach the authority of a full Line Array, offering massive scale in a form that integrates beautifully into both systems and spaces. An optional premium wood grille further elevates both design and performance. 

Design with Distinction

In a REL product line defined by gorgeous cabinetry, perhaps no model has received a more comprehensive update than 212 Black Label. A single vertical strake runs the cabinet’s height, capped by a distinctive crown badge that signals its refined status. On the top panel, an all-black badge framed in carbon fibre further marks it as Black Label. The warm silver, bead-blasted handles have a raw titanium feel, both striking and practical, while solid billet aluminum inside keeps things safe and steady, cutting down on unwanted resonance. An optional premium wood grille enhances both airflow and aesthetics, completing a design of unmistakable authority and refinement.

Driven with Authority

The 212 Black Label represents a comprehensive redesign of both active and passive driver systems to fully harness the output of its uprated 1,000-watt amplifier. Dual 12" CarbonAlloy™ active drivers, featuring lightweight carbon-fibre center caps release more energy with every stroke, delivering speed, control, and composure at levels unheard of in earlier generations.

To match, the two passive radiators, one down-firing for the deepest bass, the other rear-firing to enhance height and depth were completely re-engineered. Both now feature cast aluminum baskets to manage the extreme excursion required to support the additional 5dB (approximately 40%) increase in output. The internal cabinet has been carefully reshaped to allow the rear-firing passive to develop upper and mid-bass energy that wraps around the listener, creating an immersive, line-array-like effect.

The result is a subwoofer of immense authority faster, louder, and more spatially expressive than any before it. Every note, from the lowest rumbles to the most complex musical passages, flows with effortless power and precision.

Outrageousness Amplified

Like its Carbon Special Black Label stablemate, 212 Black Label is powered by a newly developed 1,000-watt hybrid amplifier that marries the current delivery of high-current Class A/B monoblocks with the efficiency of a Linear Class D output stage. This best-of-both-worlds design delivers immense dynamic power while consuming just 40 watts at idle — no more than a handful of night lights. Peaks of over 1,200 watts can be sustained for extended periods, producing explosive authority without strain. The result is an amplifier that sounds urgent, driven, and unshakably powerful, yet refined enough to underpin reference-grade stereo systems and anchor the largest theaters with complete composure.
Analog Filtered to Perfection

All REL input filters are 100% analog — among the fastest ever offered in a subwoofer. We choose analog because it is the only way to achieve natural sound. At the center is our famous High Level Input, which connects directly to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier. This does not draw power; instead, it carries the complete sonic signature of your system, allowing REL to blend seamlessly with your speakers, a trait reviewers have celebrated for decades. And for systems where High Level isn’t possible, our low-level input employs the very same filter circuit, available via both RCA and XLR connections, delivering the speed, naturalness, and integration REL is known for. For theatre and dual-use systems, REL allows High Level and .1/LFE to be run together, so music gains natural integration, while movie soundtracks deliver the full impact intended by the mix.

Technical Specifications

Type
(2) Front-firing active drivers, 
(1) rear passive, 
(1) down-firing passive

Active Driver Size & Material
(2) 12 in. (305mm) long-throw, CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis

Passive Radiator Size & Material
Rear: 12 in. (305mm)CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis; Down: 12 in. (305mm) CarbonAlloy™ cone structure, die cast alloy chassis

Low Frequency Extension
-6dB at 18 Hz

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 RCA or (1) LFE XLR

Power Output
1,000 watts (RMS)

Amplifier Type
Linear Class D

Wireless Capability
REL AirShip Direct (sold separately)

Dual Parametric Filter
N/A

Finish
Piano Black Lacquer 8 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
8 Amp semi delay 220 volts operation, 
15 Amp semi delay 120 volts operation

Supplied Accessories

Mains Lead
Yes

Neutrik Speakon
Yes (10 Meters Nominal)

Interconnect
N/A