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REL S/812 Subwoofer - As Traded
Condition: Used. No obvious damage, light swirl marks from cleaning only - Plastic wrap still on feet
Includes: High-Level Cable, Power Cable (No Box)
SN: S8121119721
Includes 3 month (90 day) warranty
Local pick up only
Overview
With ultra-stable rails that give it a floating appearance, the S/812 draws directly from REL’s reference models. Designed for serious music, and home theatre systems, alike with typical REL speed and tonality.
REL’s own NextGen5 amplifier provides quality power, rated at 800 watts with peak capability beyond 1,000 watts, driving an upgraded ContinuousCast™ alloy driver reinforced with carbon fibre. New PerfectFilter™ circuitry delivers deeper extension, while custom PureTheatre™ filters provide almost double the output below 40 Hz for serious impact. A SuperProgressive™ passive radiator with extended linear travel ensures massive low-frequency output while maintaining speed.
Equally at home in high-end two-channel or immersive theatre systems, the S/812 combines powerful, ultra-flat deep bass with seamless mid-to-upper bass integration. Multiple units can also be stacked into line arrays for a true floor-to-ceiling soundstage.
Specification
Design: Front-firing active woofer, down-firing passive radiator
Active Driver: 12” (300mm) long-throw, Continuous CastAlloy™ cone structure, cast chassis
Passive Radiator: 12” (300mm) Carbon/Carbon flat cone structure, steel chassis
Amplifier Type: NextGen5 Class D
Power Output: 800 watts (RMS)
Low Frequency Extension: 19Hz at -6 dB
Input Connectors: High Level Neutrik Speakon, Low Level stereo RCA, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
Output Connectors: Hi Level Neutrik Speakon, LFE RCA, LFE XLR
Protection System: Fully Electronic Set Safe, D.C. Fault, Output Short
Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 455 x 514mm (Add 44.5mm in depth when using Hi Level connector)
Net Weight: 34 kg
AUDIO CONNECTION QUALITY GUARENTEE
✔️Comprehensive three month warranty on Trade In's*
✔️Passed our checks for functionality
✔️A full inspection noting for any defects
✔️A full completeness check for all included parts and accessories
This is a later-generation sub, so timing matters mostly in the sense that REL’s Serie S models are still current enough that you’re not buying into an obsolete platform. At A$4,500, the asking price looks ambitious versus the typical new street price around A$5,000–A$5,300 and a used market that often lands closer to the low- to mid-A$4,000s for clean examples.
What makes it appealing is the S/812’s reputation for fast, articulate bass that blends exceptionally well with serious two-channel systems, plus the usual REL strengths: high-level integration, real output, and flexibility for music-first setups. If the unit is genuinely tidy and includes the original power cable plus the Speakon lead, it’s a strong candidate; just make sure the driver surrounds, amp plate, and controls are all behaving properly, because at this price you want a clean, complete example rather than a project.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
REL Acoustics traces its origins to the inventive mind of Richard Edmund Lord, the man behind the brand's acronym, who founded the company in the United Kingdom around 1990 out of frustration with the subpar subwoofers available at the time. Dissatisfied with conventional low-frequency solutions, Lord crafted his own mammoth custom design, integrated into a bay window, which quickly earned acclaim from audiophiles as the finest they had encountered. This grassroots beginning in a tiny workshop marked the start of REL's relentless pursuit of audio perfection, evolving through innovations like the revolutionary High-Level Input that connects directly to a main amplifier's speaker outputs for seamless integration.
The brand specializes exclusively in powered subwoofers, eschewing amplifiers, speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables to focus intently on sub-bass systems. Early models like the Strata 2, Stadium, and Britannia range established REL's signature forward-firing designs and simplified crossovers, while later series such as T/x and the reimagined Serie S—launched in 2025 with models like the 212 Black Label and S/850—refine musicality, style, and power. Acquired in 2005 by John Hunter and Donald Brody, REL modernized its aesthetics and engineering without diluting its core philosophy.
REL commands a prestigious niche in the high-end hi-fi market as the preeminent authority on subwoofers, revered by discerning audiophiles for transforming even elite $15,000-to-$20,000 speaker systems into reference-caliber performers. Its boutique status stems from unwavering innovation and musical fidelity, positioning it as an essential upgrade for serious setups rather than a mass-market or mid-tier option.
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