REL S/550 Subwoofer
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Family-Owned Authorized Dealer
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We're an authorized dealer for every brand listed on this site, so your warranty is valid and fully supported. We're a real brick-and-mortar shop in Chestertown, MD with shelves of actual inventory, not a drop-shipper. Family-owned and run for three generations, since 1978.
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REL S/550 Subwoofer
The REL S/550 is the gateway to the Serie S line, combining compact proportions with serious output and control. A 550-watt Pure Class D amplifier drives a new 10 inch CarbonAlloy™ active driver and a 12 inch down-firing passive radiator, delivering speed, depth, and dynamic headroom for both music and theater systems.
The S/550 is the smallest of the four Serie S models and, in REL's words, identical in quality to its larger stablemates; it substitutes a 10 inch driver and a smaller amplifier. For listeners who want Serie S speed and depth without stepping up to a larger cabinet, the S/550 is the perfect balance of power, speed, and refinement
Key Features
- 550-watt Pure Class D amplifier designed for continuous high output with stability and control.
- 10 inch CarbonAlloy™ active driver with redesigned suspension and carbon fiber cap for fast attack and natural decay.
- 12 inch Carbon/Carbon passive radiator extends response with authority to 19 Hz.
- Built for both two channel music systems and multichannel home theater.
- Stereo pairs and line arrays supported for scalable performance in larger spaces.
- High Level Neutrik Speakon input preserves the sonic character of your main amplifier for seamless integration.
- .1/LFE inputs on RCA and XLR for cinema systems, with simultaneous connection support.
- Wireless ready via the optional REL Airship Direct receiver, which plugs into a dedicated connector on the rear panel, for flexible placement without long cable runs.
- Premium finishes in Piano Black or Gloss White, with optional Premium Wood Grille (natural grain and color variations are expected).
Design
The cabinet increases internal volume while remaining visually light. Horizontal strakes and elliptical returns frame integrated handles with a warm golden silver finish. Internal bracing controls resonance, badges recess into the grille cloth, and model markings are etched discreetly into the front rails for clean stacking in a line array. Front rail leveling adjusters simplify setup on uneven floors. The optional Premium Wood Grille adds a bespoke touch with unique grain and tone for each piece.
Driver
The 10 inch high amplitude CarbonAlloy™ driver is a ground up redesign, retaining only the cast frame from the prior generation. A carbon fiber center cap increases stiffness where it matters, sharpening transient attack and smoothing decay so notes fade naturally. The new suspension allows greater linear excursion, enabling higher output with less strain. A 12 inch down firing Carbon/Carbon passive radiator complements the active driver to extend low frequency energy while maintaining control.
Amplifier
The Pure Class D module is rated at 550 watts RMS and has been tested at 600 watts continuous without signs of stress. Crest power exceeds the previous generation by fifty percent. Premium polypropylene capacitors in the input filters, borrowed from REL Reference designs, open the soundstage and improve transparency. REL’s second generation PerfectFilter™ optimizes very low frequency behavior so the S/550 remains articulate and composed at depth.
Integration and Connectivity
REL’s 100 percent analog high level input connects to the speaker outputs of your main amplifier to carry its full sonic signature, which is a proven path to seamless blend with your mains. Low level stereo RCA and dedicated .1/LFE on RCA and XLR support theater builds, and the inputs can be used in tandem for mixed music and cinema systems. Wireless operation is available with the optional Airship Direct receiver, which carries both the High Level and .1/LFE signals, for installations where cabling is impractical.
The Listening Room Difference
We are a third-generation, family-owned hi-fi shop in Chestertown, Maryland, known for service and trust rather than hype. Every system begins with a conversation about your room, your music, and your goals, and the advice you receive comes directly from our owner, Mike Hoatson, and our small, dedicated team. We offer white-glove delivery, careful setup, and ongoing support so your system performs as it should. We do not just ship boxes, we build relationships that last well beyond the sale.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Front firing active driver with down firing passive radiator |
| Active Driver | 10 in (250 mm) long throw CarbonAlloy™ cone, die cast alloy chassis |
| Passive Radiator | 12 in (305 mm) Carbon/Carbon flat cone, steel chassis |
| Amplifier | Pure Class D |
| Power Output | 550 W RMS (600 W continuous tested) |
| Low Frequency Extension | 19 Hz at −6 dB |
| Inputs | High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level stereo RCA, .1/LFE RCA, .1/LFE XLR |
| Outputs | High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level RCA, .1/LFE RCA or .1/LFE XLR |
| Wireless | REL Airship Direct (sold separately) |
| Recommended Use | Music and theater systems; supports stereo pairs and line arrays |
| Finishes | Piano Black Lacquer, Gloss White Lacquer (8 coats); optional Premium Wood Grille |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 17.5 × 14.75 × 19.75 in (445 × 372 × 500 mm) |
| Net Weight | 68 lb (31 kg) |
| Protection | Fully electronic Set Safe, DC fault, output short; region specific fusing |
| Included | Power cord, 32 ft (10 m) Neutrik Speakon cable, cloth grille, line array mounting hardware, user manual |
REL S/550 or S/850?
REL S/550 or S/850?
REL calls the S/550 the gateway to Serie S, built to the same standard as its larger stablemates with a 10-inch active driver and a smaller amplifier. It pairs that front-firing 10-inch CarbonAlloy driver with a 12-inch down-firing passive radiator and 550 watts. The S/850 moves to a 12-inch active driver and 850 watts (surging to 1,000) in a larger 488 x 410 x 540mm cabinet, against the S/550's 445 x 372 x 500mm. Both are rated to 19Hz at -6dB, and REL describes the S/850 as bigger, more relaxed and far more powerful.
Which wireless kit works with the S/550?
Which wireless kit works with the S/550?
REL's Airship Direct, which REL specifies for every current Serie S model. Its receiver plugs straight into a dedicated connector on the back of the sub, with no extra cables or power supply, and pairs within about five seconds; one transmitter can serve several subs. REL warns that you cannot use the wireless link and a wired connection at the same time.
Can one S/550 handle both music and home theater?
Can one S/550 handle both music and home theater?
Yes. REL designs Serie S to run its high-level Speakon input and its LFE input together: the high-level connection from your amplifier carries the music and underpins the front speakers, and the LFE input, on RCA or XLR, takes the processor's subwoofer channel, bypassing the sub's crossover. Set the front speakers to large or full range on the processor.
Can I stack S/550s later?
Can I stack S/550s later?
Yes. The S/550 shares Serie S line array capability, up to three subs per side, with supplied couplers that lock each sub to the one below, tightened with a 6mm hex wrench; REL strongly advises anchoring a stack to the wall. A knurled aluminum knob in the body rails levels the bottom sub on uneven floors, and each stack can run from one high-level cable, daisy-chained, with every sub adjusted individually.
How should I set up the S/550?
How should I set up the S/550?
REL starts a single sub in a corner behind the main speakers, toed in toward your seat, then draws it slowly out of the corner on the diagonal while music plays. The correct phase is whichever setting sounds loudest or fullest; start the crossover at 10 o'clock and bring the level up until the sub just blends in. REL warns that the usual mistake is a crossover set too high and a level set too low. Allow about 24 hours of use to run it in.
