REL Carbon Special subwoofer > Hi-Fi+ Review

Carbon Special is the latest addition to the line and a good size beast it is, too. Standing 18 inches high and equipped with a 12-inch driver, it is, however, described by REL as a ‘modest size’ unit. Therefore, I am clearly out of the loop when it comes to what constitutes ‘big’ these days. Its shiny black cabinet is
made of 65mm thick MDF and features REL’s so-called BlackWidow carbon fibre drive unit (so, whatever you do, don’t mate with it), the material selected for its combination of stiffness and self-damping properties. It has a big roll surround to allow for a massive 100mm throw, with which it is said to deliver
‘explosive dynamics’, possibly a term borrowed from the rarely relaxed world of home cinema.

Conclusion
The result with the 802 D3s was too enjoyable to stay away from, especially when I started playing some vinyl. Jeff Beck’s Blow by Blow (Epic) was superb with magnificent scale and a vibrant, live sound. My ancient copy of Led Zeppelin III (Atlantic) is usually a little on the thin side, but the REL filled in
the gaps and made it richer and more full-bodied. It was at this point I realised I’d need a stomping mat if I wasn’t going to wear out the carpet.
I was genuinely smitten with results achieved by the REL Carbon Special when partnered with the big B&Ws. If those were the only speaker I used, I would probably have to acquire one. Improving so much on midrange and treble coming from a large floor-standing speaker by using a subwoofer might
look like cheating to many. It is not. If you already have a decent system, have some understanding about the harmonic behaviour of the frequency range, and are looking to get more fun out of your music collection, this is probably the least expensive and most comprehensive way to do it.
- Jason Kennedy, HI-FI+, Jun 2023

REL Carbon Special
REL Carbon Special Overview
HI-FI+ Review