The REL No.36 Reference subwoofer delivers expansive scale, deep extension, and total control for the most ambitious systems. Its 15-inch Pure Carbon Fibre driver and 1,000-watt RMS Class AB/D amplifier shift smoothly from the atmosphere around a recording to the full physical impact of music and film. The outcome is more than deeper bass. It provides greater dimensionality, more natural dynamics, and a system that feels completely free. Reference Performance, Redefined.

The No.36 carries forward REL’s tradition of advancing deep bass performance. Its 1,000-watt RMS Class AB/D amplifier gives the renowned 15-inch Reference driver the speed, control, and reserves required to move from fine spatial detail to striking scale without strain. The result is more than higher output. Music gains natural weight and depth. Film transitions effortlessly from silence to impact. The soundstage opens, dynamics feel unrestrained, and the whole system performs with greater ease.

The cabinet is equally ambitious. Drawing on the sweeping shapes of classic wooden runabouts, REL’s No.36 enhances the Reference cabinet through exceptional woodworking, structural engineering, and finish. It keeps the dimensions set by earlier 15-inch Reference models, so it can anchor a Reference Line Array using No.32 or No.25. The design moves ahead while honouring prior investment. The REL No.36’s curvilinear cabinet is unique in the REL range, a lineage that began with the original Gibraltar and reflects insights John Hunter gained from his mentor, the legendary Italian designer Franco Serblin. Its continuous curves are remarkably hard to craft, especially where the top surface flows gracefully into the rear corners. Inspired by the sweeping forms of classic wooden runabouts, the shape is more than beautiful; it embodies a long-held REL belief that cabinet form, rigidity, and sound are inseparable.Every visible detail strengthens the form. The sculpted grille follows the cabinet’s curves rather than breaking them, its taut strings revealing the architecture beneath. Carbon fibre, chosen throughout No.36 for performance, becomes a visual signature that frames the triple-plated badge and links exterior design to internal engineering. Triple-plated stainless-steel handles inset into the cabinet add a jewel-like touch while anchoring into thick plates of milled aluminium. Twelve coats of hand-rubbed lacquer produce a surface of depth and permanence.  

The same approach continues inside. An elaborate system of internal bracing, like the structural ribs of a ship, binds the cabinet while preserving the exterior flow. A rear backing plate follows the curve, contributing to a rigid structure. Precision-knurled cylinders beneath the front rails allow exact levelling, especially useful when assembling Reference Line Arrays. The REL No.36 unites cabinetry, engineering, and acoustic performance as one whole.  

To satisfy the demands of No.36’s 1,000-watt RMS Class AB/D amplifier, the cone structure is reinforced and the suspension revised for greater travel with control. Carbon fibre locking shells and larger full-ring terminals transfer the available current with confidence. The outcome is the authority and effortless scale of a 15-inch driver, delivered with the speed, control, and nuance that have defined REL Reference for generations. The No.36’s 1,000-watt RMS Class AB/D amplifier was designed to give its 15-inch Pure Carbon Fibre driver exceptional speed, control, and dynamic freedom. It delivers immense current when performance demands it, then settles instantly as the music returns to silence.The efficiency of REL’s No.36 enables a striking scale without the excess heat or power draw typical of a conventional amplifier at this output. More importantly, it keeps composure at every level, retaining texture, timing, and spatial detail even in demanding passages. The outcome is power without spectacle: effortless authority when required and total control throughout.  

For more than two decades, REL Reference Line Arrays have embodied the peak of their approach to deep bass. The No.36 extends that tradition with greater current, improved driver capability, and a more rigid, precisely adjustable cabinet, yielding deeper extension, stronger drive, and higher output from each unit. Yet a Reference Line Array is about more than output. By distributing multiple subwoofers vertically through the room’s height, the array energises the space in a different way, letting the main loudspeakers perform with greater freedom and scale. The change reaches beyond bass: the soundstage opens, dynamics feel more effortless, and midrange and high-frequency performance gain clarity and dimensionality. Because the No.36 keeps the dimensions of earlier 15-inch Reference models, it can also anchor existing arrays using No.32 or No.25, offering a natural upgrade path for long-term Reference owners. With the REL No.36 anchoring the array, REL’s most ambitious systems reach a new level of scale, precision, and authority.

The optional AirShip Direct transmits REL’s well-known High Level Input and .1/LFE signals without wires, avoiding digital compression or loss of sound quality. High Level and .1/LFE may operate together, letting No.36 blend smoothly for music while retaining full film impact, without long cables. Plugging straight into the rear panel, AirShip Direct keeps setup tidy and nearly hidden while maintaining the speed, clarity, and natural feel expected from REL Reference.  

The REL Reference Remote matches the care given to No.36. Its shaped form rests easily in the hand, and its solid weight and refined controls suggest the quality and lasting value of a Reference item. More importantly, it puts every key adjustment 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 you listen. After setup, the remote can be turned off to lock settings and avoid accidental changes. Dual Parametric EQ offers exact control across the bass range, correcting deep room resonances while gently reducing upper-bass excess. The outcome is deeper, cleaner bass and smooth integration with the main speakers, all without moving from your seat.

Technical Specifications

Type: Closed box, front-firing driver
Active Driver Size & Material: 15 in. (380mm) long throw, carbon fiber cone with inverted carbon fibre centre cap
Passive Radiator Size & Material: N/A
Low Frequency Extension: -6dB at 15Hz 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
Power Output: 1000 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

Supplied Accessories:
Mains Lead: Yes
Neutrik Speakon: 10 Meters (32’10”) Nominal: Yes
Interconnect: –
User Manual: Yes