REL Reference No. 32 Subwoofer

The REL No. 32 is a new reference, a flagship subwoofer designed to be the foundational element for the world's finest audio and theater systems. It is an instrument of uncompromising design, engineered to deliver not just profound bass, but a new dimension of air, space, and three-dimensionality to the entire system. The No. 32 combines a massive 15-inch carbon fibre driver with a prodigiously powerful 1,000-watt amplifier, all housed in an exquisitely finished, acoustically inert cabinet. Designed for seamless integration with reference-grade loudspeakers and capable of being stacked in Reference Line Arrays, the No. 32 delivers effortless, authoritative bass that extends down to an incredible 15Hz, completing the sonic picture with unparalleled speed, texture, and control.

Key Features

• 15” Pure Carbon Fibre Driver: A massive, 380mm long-throw driver with an inverted carbon fibre center cap for extreme stiffness and speed over its full 4" (100mm) of excursion.
• 1,000W Reference Amplifier: A formidable 1,000-watt (RMS) NextGen 7 Class D amplifier provides limitless dynamic headroom and absolute control.
• Reference High Level Input: Utilizes REL’s legendary High Level connection with specialized reference-grade filters for a perfect sonic blend with the main speakers.
• Reference Line Array Capable: Purpose-built to be stacked in vertical line arrays of three (or more) units per side for the ultimate in bass reproduction.
• Dual Parametric Filters: A sophisticated EQ system allows for precise in-room tuning to smooth resonances and perfectly integrate the subwoofer.
• Acoustically Inert Cabinet: A new, gently-rounded cabinet form is meticulously braced and finished with 12 coats of hand-rubbed piano black lacquer to eliminate resonance.

The Heart of Carbon

The performance of the No. 32 is anchored by its immense 15-inch (380mm) driver. The cone is crafted entirely from pure carbon fibre, a material prized for its incredible stiffness-to-mass ratio. This allows the driver to be pistonic, fast, and self-damping, all while handling the enormous forces generated by its 4 inches (100mm) of front-to-back travel. This combination of size and speed is what allows the No. 32 to move massive amounts of air with the agility and nuance of a much smaller driver, revealing textures in the deepest bass that are simply unheard in lesser designs.

Limitless Dynamic Headroom

To control its reference-grade driver, the No. 32 employs a true 1,000-watt (RMS) Class D amplifier. This NextGen 7 powerhouse is a brute in a velvet glove, capable of delivering massive, instantaneous current to produce staggering sound pressure levels and explosive dynamics. More importantly, its vast power reserves mean it operates in an effortless state, providing the iron-fisted grip needed to start and stop the 15-inch cone instantly, ensuring that the bass is always perfectly timed and free of overhang or bloat.

Seamless Sonic Integration

The No. 32 features REL’s renowned High Level Input, allowing it to be fed directly from your main amplifier's speaker outputs. This method ensures the No. 32 receives the exact same sonic signature—the gain, the phasing, the soul—as your main speakers, creating a seamless, top-to-bottom sonic tapestry. For this reference application, REL's engineers developed all-new filters that reach deeper and open up the soundstage, while the built-in Dual Parametric EQs allow for meticulous fine-tuning to perfectly match your speakers and eliminate any room-based resonances.

The Reference Line Array: Ultimate Performance

While a single No. 32 is a formidable performer, its design anticipates the ultimate in bass reproduction: the Reference Line Array. The cabinet and chassis are specifically engineered to be stacked three (or more) units high per channel. This vertically stacked array transforms the performance, coupling with the room to produce bass with a "height" and effortlessness that a single unit cannot. It creates a line source of bass that pressurizes the room more evenly, delivering truly transformative, three-dimensional sound and unlocking the final dimension of your system's capabilities.

A Cabinet Built Like an Instrument

A driver and amplifier this powerful require an enclosure of commensurate quality. The No. 32’s cabinet is a new, gently-rounded form designed to diffuse internal standing waves. Internally, it is massively braced and constructed from thick, high-density materials to create an acoustically inert vault. This ensures that the only sound you hear is the pure, powerful output of the driver, not the resonance or coloration of the cabinet itself. Each unit is immaculately finished in 12 coats of hand-rubbed piano black lacquer, a visual statement that matches its sonic prowess.

The Listening Room Difference

We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications