The REL Acoustics No.35 Reference subwoofer sets a fresh benchmark for 12-inch Reference performance, pairing immense power and scale with the speed, precision, and refinement typical of REL Reference. Its revised amplifier and driver design reach performance levels once beyond any single 12-inch REL.  

The REL No.35 raises the standard for what one 12-inch Reference subwoofer can deliver. A new 900-watt Class AB/D amplifier merges the high current reserves of a conventional Class A/B layout with the speed and efficiency of a Class D stage. Combined with a thoroughly redesigned 12-inch Pure Carbon Fibre driver, the outcome is effortless, rapid, and tightly controlled bass at levels previously unattainable for any single 12-inch REL.  

Indeed, No.35 plays louder than the prior 15-inch Reference flagship while retaining the speed, nuance, and refinement expected from REL Reference. The effect is more than greater output. Music gains natural weight and dimension, dynamics feel unrestrained, and the whole system operates with greater ease. The REL No.35 Reference subwoofer provides reference performance without compromise, offering an exceptional balance of scale, precision, and authority from a 12-inch architecture.  

REL’s No.35 matches the outstanding cabinet quality of the No.36, REL’s other new reference model, within the compact proportions long associated with REL’s 12-inch Reference models. Its curvilinear form is distinctive in the REL range, with sweeping surfaces inspired by classic wooden runabouts and a top that flows gracefully into the rear corners. Creating these continuous curves demands exceptional woodworking, finished in 12 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer. The details receive equal attention. A sculpted string grille follows the cabinet’s curves, carbon fibre offers a visual link to the internal engineering, and triple-plated stainless-steel handles anchor into thick plates of milled aluminium. Inside, elaborate bracing like a ship’s structural ribs builds an exceptionally rigid base.

The REL No.35 keeps the exact dimensions of No.31 while taking about 20 percent less space than No.36. Precision-knurled cylinders under the front rails allow exact levelling, which matters for Reference Line Arrays where existing No.31 models can join No.35. It is full Reference craftsmanship, presence, and substance, distilled into well-balanced proportions.

The No.35’s 12” (305mm) Pure Carbon Fibre driver was thoroughly re-engineered. The much greater output from its new Class AB/D amplifier placed demands on the driver that no earlier 12” REL had met, requiring nearly every major part to be reviewed. A new cast-aluminium frame permits substantially more movement, while a stiffer yet more supple spider keeps precise concentricity even at maximum output. A redesigned surround gives the control needed at the cone’s front. Together, these changes add 12mm of travel in each direction. Yet greater output was only part of the aim. The carbon fibre cone itself moves to a finer 12K weave, bundling 12,000 micro-strands into each fibre for more strength and improved self-damping. The outcome is extraordinary scale and impact paired with greater control, detail, and nuance. The REL No.35’s new 900-watt Class AB/D amplifier blends the strong current and natural authority of a traditional Class A/B monoblock with the speed, resolution, and efficiency of a Class D stage. At its core sits a 17-pound toroidal transformer, supplying the current needed to manage the No.35’s redesigned 12-inch driver even at high output. This Class D stage provides power with notable speed and efficiency, avoiding the heat and energy use typical of a conventional amplifier at this size. The outcome is 900 watts of smooth power, merging the weight of a strong Class A/B design with the control and attack of top Class D systems.

For over twenty years, Reference Line Arrays have embodied our approach to deep bass. The No.35 extends this legacy with its high-current Class AB/D amplifier, fully re-engineered 12-inch driver, and finely adjustable cabinet, offering greater drive, deeper reach, and more than 3 dB of extra output per unit. Yet a Reference Line Array involves more than output. By spreading multiple subwoofers vertically through the room, the array energises the space in a different way, letting the main loudspeakers operate with more freedom and scale. This shift goes beyond bass: the soundstage expands, dynamics feel more natural, and midrange and high-frequency clarity gain depth. Because the No.35 keeps the same dimensions as the No.31, it can support existing Line Arrays using earlier No.31 models, offering a smooth upgrade for long-term Reference owners. With the No.35, Reference Line Arrays reach a new level of scale, precision, and authority.

Optional AirShip Direct transmits REL’s well-known High Level Input and .1/LFE signals without wires, avoiding digital compression and preserving sound quality. High Level and .1/LFE may operate together, letting No.35 integrate music and film soundtracks smoothly without long cables. Discrete Texas Instruments ADC and DAC chips are chosen and tested through careful listening to keep nuance, dynamics, and clarity. Designed to connect straight into the rear panel, AirShip Direct keeps installation tidy and nearly hidden while retaining the natural character expected from REL Reference.

The REL Reference Remote follows the same detail as No.35. Its shaped form rests easily in the hand, while its weight and refined controls suggest the quality and permanence of a Reference item. More importantly, it puts every key setup control where it matters: in the listening chair. High Level or Low Level gain, crossover, .1/LFE gain, phase, and Dual Parametric EQ can be tuned while hearing the system. Once set up, the remote can be turned off to lock settings and avoid accidental changes. Dual Parametric EQ offers exact control at both ends of the bass range, correcting deep room resonances while gently trimming upper-bass excess. The outcome is deeper, cleaner bass and smooth integration with the main loudspeakers, all without moving from your seat.

Technical Specifications

Type: Closed box, front-firing driver
Active Driver Size & Material: 12 in. (305mm) long throw, carbon fibre cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap, die cast alloy chassis
Passive Radiator Size & Material: N/A
Low Frequency Extension: -6dB at 17Hz in Room
Input Connectors: High Level Neutrik SpeakOn, Low Level stereo RCA and XLR, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
Output Connectors: High Level Neutrik SpeakOn, LFE RCA, LFE XLR, Line XLR, Line RCA Gain Control Range: 80 dB
Power Output: 900 watts (RMS) Ultra High-Current Power Supply
Amplifier Type: Class AB/D
Wireless Capability: REL AirShip Direct (sold separately)
Dual Parametric Filter: Yes
Finish: Piano Black Lacquer, 12 coats
Protection System:
Fully Electronic Set Safe: Yes
D.C. Fault: Yes
Output Short: Yes
Mains Input Voltage: 220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for certain markets
Fuses: 8 Amp semi delay 230 volts operation 15 Amp semi delay 115 volts operation
Supplied Accessories:
Mains Lead: Yes
Neutrik Speakon: 10 Meters (32’10”) Nominal: Yes
Interconnect:–
User Manual: Yes
Dimensions:
W x H x D: 25.12 x 17 x 28.5 in. | (638 x 435 x 724 mm)
Shipping Dimensions:
W x H x D: 37 x 27 x 35 in | (933 x 681 x 870 mm)
Net Weight: 130 lbs. | (59 kg).
Shipping Weight: 172.5 lbs | (78.25 kg)