REL 212 SX

Bass Territory: REL 212 / SX - A Legend

In the Bass Territory section, we continue to publish translations of materials from the blog of John Hunter, owner and chief developer of the British company REL, a world-renowned manufacturer of subwoofer systems. 

The new REL 212 / SX subwoofer easily outperforms the 212 / SE, which entered the market five years ago and was named among the "Most Influential Products of the Last 20 Years". The 212 / SX surpasses its predecessor in sonic boom power, reaction speed, and design perfection.

Starting the development of the 212 / SE in those years, we realized that the release of this model carries a certain amount of risk. After five years and a couple of thousand issued "two hundred and twelve", it became absolutely obvious: we were right, ignoring conventions and following our instincts.

Most people associate subwoofers with bulky, squat boxes. The public was accustomed to such expectations by monotonous decisions of manufacturers. And most of us are simply unable to go beyond our own limited ideas. But in fact, this is far from the case!

With solid experience in building line arrays from the Reference range models (stacks of three individually configurable subwoofers stacked on top of each other, one for each of the front channels, for a total of six units), for both stereos and home theater systems, we are good knew how to change the traditional design.

We already understood that it was necessary to make the cabinet higher in order to liven up the bass and fill the room with low frequencies, positioning them at the desired height. This arrangement makes it possible to project the bass, if we speak in spatial terms, in a huge sound canvas. So how do REL 212 / SX and line array compare?

The mission remains the same

The purpose of the 212 / SX, like its outstanding predecessor, is to provide about 80% of the capacity of a full line array at about half the cost. And at the same time, it occupies the same area as a medium-sized subwoofer from our range.

So what exactly makes the new 212 / SX significantly better than the previous model? It's a string of numerous and seemingly subtle enhancements that combine to deliver a quantum leap forward.

See for yourself

Based on the successful design of a pair of active 12-inch drivers, we have kept a fast and low mass of moving parts. However, here we are supported by carbon fiber plates on the back of the diffusers, making them three times stronger, but weighing less than a sheet of paper. We used this solution for the rearward-directed passive 12-inch radiator.

Listening has shown that this improves the sound even more than the active drivers. Finally, the all-new 12-inch downward-facing carbon fiber “flat cone” uses a double suspension for improved control and resonance distribution. It starts and stops working so quickly that the SX sometimes makes you flinch with surprise.

Perfection? Perhaps.

Our PerfectFilter ™ scheme was first implemented just eight months earlier. It is based on the experience gained in the development of Reference Subwoofer No. 25. PerfectFilter ™ produces a strong and even response at the lowest frequencies. And at the same time provides air and refinement in the rest of the operating range. This filter, which has become a foothold for us, extends the ultra-low frequency range beyond what the speaker and cabinet can provide, delivering audible bass about 8-10 Hz lower than the previous model.

This new bass depth, which reaches 212 / SX, explains why movies with incredibly deep bass literally come to life when viewed and why music takes on a depth and grandeur rarely found in sub-bass systems under $ 30,000. approximately at the level of the REL reference models. Instruments whose full range is much higher than the bass range (guitars, harpsichords, flutes, and oboes) will feel completely unexpected for those who are not yet familiar with the impact of REL subwoofers at the level of the audio system in general.

Only one hundred percent reliability

We naturally hate things that break. The built-in 1000W NextGen 5 amplifier has proven itself in thousands of No.25 and S / 812 models as the most reliable source of the powerful signal you can always rely on. And it allowed, without any longer limiting the maximum volume of the subwoofer, to increase the output power of the 212 / SX by about 20% compared to the model 212 / SE. The NextGen 5 is undoubtedly one of the best amplifiers in REL history.

Beauty without compromise

And finally, the body. At first glance, it might seem that the 212 / SX doesn't look too different from the 212 / SE. However, in fact, the new model is narrower, looks more modern, and sounds better, thanks to the well-thought-out proportions of the case. And it is more practical, as the polished stainless steel handles on the side walls are attached above the large elliptical niche. This makes it easy to lift and carry the massive subwoofer.

Not forgetting the specially designed support runners made of alloy with linear slots. They are more stable and stable than the previous supports. And do not interfere with the spread of bass.

212 / SX is the result of making good use of the experience gained over the past five years. All this time, our specialists were engaged in experiments and improvements in pursuit of perfect sound. The results of this research are embodied in the magnificent REL 212 / SX.