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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Described as a 'real beauty', it is the new reference top-of-the-range flagship subwoofer from REL
- Deep bass output and really good bass extension, with REL claiming -6dB at 15Hz
- Exquisite paint finish with 12 coats of final lacquer applied, with each subwoofer taking 5 weeks in total to build
- The remote control and digital display make it a very nice way of setting things up, and then after dialing in, the remote is probably not needed again
Product Considerations
- It is a huge and very heavy subwoofer, weighing 85 kilograms
- The handles on the side are useful for lifting such a heavy unit, but they are not very nice to look at
Takeaway: The No.32 is a top-of-the-line subwoofer that offers exceptional bass performance and exquisite build quality. It's perfect for audiophiles who want the very best and have the space to accommodate it.
All
No.32
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Type: Closed box, front-firing driver
- Active Driver Size & Material: 15 in. (380mm) long throw, carbon fiber cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap, die cast alloy chassis
- Low Frequency Extension: 15Hz at -6 dB
- Power Output: 1,000 watts (RMS)
- Amplifier Type: NextGen 7 Class D
- Input Connectors: High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level (2) RCA, (1) LFE RCA, (1) LFE XLR
- Output Connectors: High Level Neutrik Speakon, (1) Low Level RCA, (1) LFE XLR, (1) Line XLR
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 29 1/4 x 21 x 32 1/8 in. (743 x 540 x 816 mm)
- Net Weight: 187 lbs. (85 kg), shipping weight - 225 lbs. (102kg)
- Finish: Piano Black Lacquer, 12 coats
Edge Of The Art Design
No.32 represents the sum of our efforts, research, and knowledge gained over the past three decades as a leader in audio and subwoofers. Nothing we have built competes with the speed, agility, absence of texture, and vivid dynamic contrasts delivered by No.32. It represents the pinnacle of REL's considerable experience and is our standard for future innovation. A remarkable sonic achievement, it transcends its illustrious forebear, which was named Product of the Decade just a few years ago. It is 1,000 watts, has a 15"(380 mm) pure carbon fibre driver, and has exquisite cabinetry requiring three weeks of labour to complete. However, each of these features only hints at what it takes to reside at the top of REL's offerings, and No.32 is poised to be a design for the ages.
Beautiful Form Follows Functional Perfection
It is often said that form follows function. If that is true, what a lovely function we are following. The cabinet traces a curvilinear path established over a decade ago on the original Gibraltar. Here, the top surface tumbles down at the rear corners – a difficult treatment to execute, but one that produces a uniquely beautiful effect.
Triple-plated steel handles are inset into ellipses that allow for a secure grip, which is necessary when lifting an object over 200 pounds. Inside, the rear backing pla...
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- REL subwoofers often enhance midrange resolution and expand the sound field, rather than simply adding "more bass."
- The brand's signature high-level connection, using a Speakon connector, integrates the subwoofer with the main amplifier, preserving the sonic character of the system.
- REL emphasizes a balance between power and speed in their subwoofers, resulting in nimble bass articulation and definition of bass notes.
- The company delivers a high level of quality and attention to detail in the build and finish of its subwoofers, making them visually elegant additions to any system.
Select products
Tzero MKIII
- Positioning: The entry-level model in the Serie T lineup, designed for small spaces and budget-conscious users.
- Description: Offers a compact design with a new aluminum cone driver that enhances stiffness for better bass performance. Compared to other models like the T/9x SE, it is ideal for small rooms or apartments due to its size and affordability, but it lacks the power and depth of larger models.
T/9x SE
- Positioning: A special edition model in the Serie T/x lineup, offering enhanced aesthetics and performance.
- Description: Features a carbon fiber center cap for improved rigidity and speed, making it faster and more dynamic than the Tzero MKIII.
Classic 99
- Positioning: Part of the Classic series, offering a blend of vintage design and modern performance.
- Description: With a 12-inch paper-on-paper driver and 450 watts of power, delivers deeper bass and more power than the T/9x SE.
HT/1510 Predator
- Positioning: A high-performance model in the Serie HT lineup, designed for home theater enthusiasts.
- Description: Features a 15-inch CarbonGlas driver and a 1,000-watt amplifier, providing powerful bass and is perfect for large home theater setups. It offers more power and depth than the Classic 99.
Carbon Special
- Positioning: A premium model in the Serie S lineup, combining advanced technology with a compact design.
- Description: Includes a third-generation carbon fiber driver and a bespoke CSP passive driver for superior dynamics. Compared to the HT/1510 Predator, it offers a more refined sound for music lovers.
No. 32
- Positioning: The flagship model in the Reference Series, representing the pinnacle of REL's subwoofer technology.
- Description: With a 15-inch carbon fiber driver and a 1,000-watt NextGen 7 amplifier, delivers groundbreaking dynamics and tonal richness. It is ideal for audiophiles seeking the ultimate in sound quality.
Our take on the brand
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Used
REL
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Delivers dynamic, detailed, and nuanced sound with incredible clarity and power
- Incorporates an Automatic Room Optimization (ARO) system to effectively remove room-induced bass response errors
- Impressive low-end extension, reaching down to 19Hz
Product Considerations
- Due to its huge weight (163 kg), placement requires careful consideration, and frequent relocation may not be feasible
- As a very large product, it is not recommended for smaller or medium-sized rooms
- To achieve ideal performance, it is necessary to pair it with speakers of the same power and category
Takeaway: The product provides exceptional clarity and powerful bass, making it a great choice for larger rooms where the best possible sound is desired. Its room optimization features also facilitate maximizing an audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SubmergeFound deep in the groves of your favorite LPs, and concealed in the soundtrack of the movies you can't wait to watch, is the critical low-frequency information that provides the the sense of space of the recorded music hall and the impact of the explosions the movie hero narrowly escapes. Submerge reveals the tension and sonic foundation below the surface of your audio experience.
Advanced Enclosure TechnologyOur precision-engineered and handcrafted X-Material enclosures, paired with an S-Material front baffle, bring you a level of vibration control that's simply without equal in the center channel market. Every note, every whisper, every thunderous explosion is delivered with unparalleled clarity and authority.
Cutting-Edge HardwareThe 1,600 watt amplifier is uniquely mounted to the massive heatsink plate found on the rear of the enclosure. Coupling the amplifier to the T6061 Aluminum back plate efficiently transfers heat from the internal components of the amplifier to the decorative heatsink fins, the design of which is inspired by the mountain ranges surrounding Wilson Audio.
Remove the handcrafted front grille to expose the sleek aluminum baffle design. The attachment hardware for this mass of metal is strategically placed underneath grille post catchers, ensuring a clean and visually pleasing appearance without compromising functionality.
Taking a page from the Master Subsonic's playbook, the combination of thick X-Material as a substrate coalesced with the bulk of the aluminum baffle create a truly solid and extremely damped surface for the Submerge driver to be secured to.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Enhances room pressurization and provides a sense of the recording's space
- Adds texture to both low-frequency and mid-range sounds, significantly enhancing the listening experience
- Improves deep bass and addresses room-related issues
- Flexibility helps to recover low octaves, ensuring the subwoofer matches the measured response
Product Considerations
- High price point
- The unit is very heavy, weighing just over 115 kilos (250 pounds)
- Requires careful setup involving the crossover, gain, and phase/delay to achieve perfect time alignment
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Builds on the success of the smaller Wilson Audio LōKē Powered Subwoofer
- Includes the same proprietary driver found in the Wilson Audio Subsonic Subwoofer
- Features a built-in crossover inspired by the Wilson ActivXO crossover
- Bigger than the Loke, with a larger cabinet and woofer, and increased amplifier power from 500 to 1,600 watts
- The WATCH Dog has a split port with a divider, but in the Submerge, the split is pushed back to improve airflow and quieten the cabinet
Takeaway: The Wilson Audio Submerge provides a more immersive listening experience by adding depth, texture, and improved bass response, making it a worthwhile addition for high-end hifi systems, especially when paired with Wilson Audio speakers. Its ability to address room acoustics and provide a balanced soundstage makes it a valuable addition.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Basis shatters the notion that soundstage-enriching, deep and authoritative sub-bass must come from a large cabinet. Basis performs with the precision of a scalpel and the power of a sledgehammer. As a true ultra-fidelity subwoofer, Basis has huge bandwidth. It combines an entirely new, innovative driver, extreme cabinet engineering and an exceptional, wideband amplifier: Basis is capable of performing as nearly a full range speaker by itself.
When all of this capability is focused on the challenging and all-important sub bass region, the Basis proves its place well beyond the competition. Where other high-end subwoofers still struggle to avoid harmonic distortion, Basis delivers industry-leading behavior at the very lowest frequencies, with true fundamental bass for the discerning audiophile. It does this powerful work seamlessly, weaving bass energy into the expanded soundstage as if the Basis is an elemental part of the foundation.
Graceful curves and diminutive size belie an authority and strength we have only found to be bettered by our legendary Invincible subwoofer. For Basis, we incorporated a holistic design approach aimed at achieving the ultimate in high-end subwoofer performance. That we also achieved this in a compact package, one which can disappear sonically and visually in any listening environment, was a satisfying by-product of our process.
Listeners can enjoy a single unit, or stack multiple units in Duo or Trio configurations. This does much more than simply adding greater power: stacking loads rooms more evenly with bass energy, flattening modes more effectively than any other strategy. Basis lends beauty and soul to a reference-level system, delivering a meaningful improvement without adding any character of its own. Its quiet strength comes from thousands of hours of development focused on every single aspect of the design.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional bass precision and control
- Features a powerful 6kW RMS amplifier
- Has a sophisticated DSP crossover system
- Achieves bass extension below 16Hz with virtually no distortion
- Has high-quality BilletCore driver technology
Product Considerations
- Premium price point
- Substantial weight (70kg) may require professional installation
Takeaway: The YG Acoustics Basis Subwoofer redefines bass performance with exceptional precision and control. The flexibility of the DSP crossover makes it easy to integrate into existing systems.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Enhances the venue in which a recording was made
- Can smooth out the treble by providing a more solid musical foundation
- Enhances subtle details in a recording
- Provides tight and precise bass and the ability to reveal a wide gamut of textural colors
- Integrates seamlessly into the system
Product Considerations
- The single line LCD display and click/turn navigation rotary is a clunky, time-consuming method of accessing nested functions
- The different parameters of the sub are on the back and controlled from the back, which means that users may have to keep pulling it in and out of position for each parameter change
- Reviewer notes a sense of skepticism due to the amp being manufactured by Dayton Audio
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- LōKē is smaller than Wilson Audio's WATCH Dog
- Compared to systems without a subwoofer, LōKē reproduces music otherwise unheard
- LōKē, unlike the Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic subwoofer, has a built-in amplifier
- Some reviewers feel that two JL Audio 12's provide a better value compared to LōKē
Takeaway: The LōKē is a well-built subwoofer that integrates nicely with Wilson Audio and other loudspeaker systems to provide a fast and coherent bass response. Adding the LōKē to an existing system enhances the musical experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Digital Motional Feedback (DMF) minimizes distortion in the bass region by monitoring acceleration on the aluminum cone and feeding back information to the DSP
- Response is flat down to 20Hz
- Sound quality improves in areas that have nothing to do with bass, and everything brightens up
- Immediately balanced and sophisticated sound
Product Considerations
- Some tweaking with regards to the positioning of the speakers is needed to get the best from the soundstaging
- The full manuals are online or to print off, which some may find a pain
- Packaging is massive
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dynaudio 18S: The Grimm subs overshadowed and outshone the Dynaudio
- Vs Audiovector R6: The soundstage thrown by these speakers is not as expansive as the Audiovector R6 speakers
Takeaway: The SB1 is designed to deliver a proper representation of music without sonic fireworks, it just works. It offers a turnkey solution for music lovers that want superlative sonics in a package that will fit with any home.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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