REL Reference No. 36 Subwoofer

The REL Reference No. 36 is a sealed 15-inch subwoofer that drives REL's latest 15-inch Pure Carbon Fiber Reference driver with a new 1,000-watt Class AB/D amplifier. It reaches 15Hz at -6 dB in room, the deepest figure in the new Reference generation. It keeps the dimensions of earlier 15-inch Reference models, so it can anchor a Line Array that already includes the No. 32 or No. 25.

Key Features of the REL Reference No. 36

• 15-Inch Pure Carbon Fiber Driver: A 380mm long-throw carbon fiber cone with an inverted carbon fiber center cap, reinforced and given a revised suspension for more travel.
• 1,000-Watt Class AB/D Amplifier: A Class A/B power supply for current reserves feeding a Class D output stage for speed and efficiency, 1,000 watts RMS.
• 15Hz In-Room Extension: -6 dB at 15Hz in room from a closed-box, front-firing design.
• Carbon Fiber Locking Shells: Carbon fiber locking shells and larger full-ring terminals carry the amplifier's current into the driver.
• Reference Remote with Dual Parametric EQ: Gain, crossover, .1/LFE gain, phase and two bands of parametric EQ, all adjustable from the listening seat, then lockable.
• Anchors No. 32 and No. 25 Arrays: Same dimensions as REL's previous 15-inch Reference models, with Line Array mounting hardware in the box.

How is the No. 36 driver different from the No. 32?

It is the latest evolution of REL's 15-inch Reference driver, refined to handle a bigger amplifier. REL reinforced the Pure Carbon Fiber cone structure to reduce unwanted cone noise, revised the suspension to allow more travel with control intact, and fitted carbon fiber locking shells and larger full-ring terminals to carry the extra current.

REL describes the changes as deliberately targeted. The No. 32 driver was already highly developed, so the work went into what the No. 36's new amplifier asks of it: more current, more excursion and more dynamic contrast, while keeping the speed and nuance that REL builds its Reference line around. The driver is a 15-inch (380mm) long-throw carbon fiber cone with an inverted carbon fiber center cap, mounted in a closed-box, front-firing cabinet.

How does the 1,000-watt Class AB/D amplifier work?

It splits the job in two. A traditional Class A/B power supply provides the current reserves REL wanted, and a Class D output stage delivers that power with speed and efficiency. The result is 1,000 watts RMS that REL says moves from the atmosphere around a recording to the full physical force of music and film.

REL builds deliberate headroom into its amplifiers, well beyond what normal playback needs, so the No. 36 answers sudden dynamic peaks with current in reserve instead of running out of room. REL says the new generation reproduces bass below 25Hz with greater amplitude and less apparent effort than the previous one, and credits the combination of amplifier and driver with more natural weight on music and a more open soundstage.

Can the No. 36 anchor an existing Reference Line Array?

Yes. The No. 36 retains the dimensions of REL's previous 15-inch Reference models, so it can anchor an existing Reference Line Array built with No. 32 or No. 25 subwoofers. REL says each No. 36 brings greater current, more driver capability and a more rigid, precisely adjustable cabinet, for deeper extension and more output per unit.

A Reference Line Array stacks several subwoofers vertically on each side of the system. REL's argument is that spreading the bass through the height of the room energizes the space more evenly, which frees the main loudspeakers and opens the soundstage well above the bass range. Daisy-chaining a stack uses REL's Bassline Blue Line Array Connectors.

The No. 36 Cabinet

The No. 36 cabinet takes its sweeping forms from classic wooden runabouts, and REL says it pushes the Reference cabinet further in woodworking, structural engineering and finish. It is finished in twelve coats of hand-rubbed piano black lacquer and measures 29.25 inches wide, 21.3 inches tall and 32.125 inches deep, at 202.5 pounds.

The sculpted string grille follows the cabinet's curves, with its taut strings showing the shape beneath instead of hiding it. Carbon fiber, used through the No. 36 for its engineering properties, frames the triple-plated badge, and triple-plated stainless-steel handles are inset into the cabinet and anchored into thick plates of milled aluminum.

High Level Connection, .1/LFE and AirShip Direct

The No. 36 takes REL's High Level connection for two-channel music and the .1/LFE input for film at the same time, so one subwoofer serves both. High Level feeds it the same signal your amplifier sends to your speakers, which is how REL matches the main speakers' tonal character and timing.

For a wireless setup, the optional REL AirShip Direct plugs into the rear panel and carries High Level and .1/LFE together with zero digital compression.

The REL Reference Remote

Every critical setup control is on the included Reference Remote: High Level or Low Level gain, crossover, .1/LFE gain, phase and Dual Parametric EQ. That means the No. 36 gets tuned from the listening chair while music plays, and once setup is done the remote can be switched off to lock the settings.

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 exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. 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.

REL Reference No. 36 Specifications