REL Acoustics Reference No31 - Subwoofer

The No.31 is nothing less than a pure reference model, carved from the flanks of the remarkable No.32, but utilizing a newly developed 12" (350mm) all-carbon fiber driver. Every aspect of the No.31 has been vastly improved and refined over its predecessor. The No.31 features the classic reference filter used in the No.32, the same dual parametric filters, a driver that handles three times the power to deliver a truly thrilling experience.

When only the best will do
(BUT YOU'RE OUT OF SPACE)

The No.31 exists to meet the needs of those who want the best but have space limitations. While some can afford our flagship No.32 model, it's larger and deeper than some rooms can accommodate. How can you best deliver the sound quality, build quality, and thoughtful features of the No.32 in a more compact footprint? Meet the No.31.

Repeated perfection
No.31 mirrors the No.32's design in every way, yet somehow manages to appear slimmer, nestling closer to the floor, almost feline in its grace. The elegant plated handles set in an ellipse have been retained, as has the string grille that allows large amounts of air to blast into the room without creating the noise of fabric grilles. No.31 features the curved radius of its side walls that defines both its performance and its character. But the reduction in physical, visual and actual three-dimensional mass is remarkable. No.31: when the best must be offered in a smaller space.

Line up for battle
The No.31 allows for the same vertically stacked line array as the definitive No.32. It delivers transformative performance that no competitor has been able to match. For those seeking the ultimate musical and theatrical experience, line arrays unlock the ultimate dimension of system reproduction. Audiophiles have chased three-dimensional sound for years, but have missed the simple fact that height, not depth, of imaging is the missing link. By creating products designed to be stacked 3 (or in exceptionally tall rooms, 5) units high while retaining the individual crossover and gain control of each subwoofer in the array, REL has created a masterpiece that finally delivers what discerning audiophiles have been chasing for the past 40 years.

How to Build a Line Array.

How to set up and compose a Line Array.

Perfection amplified
The No.32's 1,000-watt NextGen 7 Class D amplifier is also present inside the No.31, limited to just 900 watts to ensure the perfect complement to the No.31's 12" bass engine. This allows for maximum dynamics while ensuring a long and cheerful life for both components. The LimitLess Limiter™, which allows the amplifier to tiptoe right to the limit without audible compression, is also part of the magic here, conveying an effortlessly rhythmic quality. Furthermore, its dual parametric filters allow for precise micro-tuning; the deepest bass is slightly reinforced, while the upper bass ranges can be gently cut to ensure a brilliantly rendered transition from the bass to the main speaker. The Reference Range's electronic design is a work of art in itself.

Drive this
The incredible excursion of the 12" pure carbon fiber driver allows it to play as loudly as its larger stablemate. However, the No.31 possesses the tactility, agility, and attack that only the largest subwoofers have ever been able to offer. Furthermore, its sonic signature works in modestly sized rooms and with a wide range of excellent speakers. The driver is accelerated by a specially wound 3" voice coil, driven by a 13-pound magnetic structure; even near its limits, the voice coil remains firmly within the space. It is this visceral power, combined with great delicacy and nuance, that is the signature of the No.31.

Total control

Take control of your No.31 by picking up the REL Reference remote. Immediately, you'll be struck by its perfect fit in the palm of your hand, the result of careful consideration and many generations of trial and error during prototype development. The second reaction is the awareness of its mass, which conveys its quality, permanence, and immutability. It tells you, "I'm a thing of substance, of quality. Pay attention; what you do next matters." If you've owned a REL before (and 90% of Rel Reference owners have), all the familiar controls are within easy reach, exactly where you'd want them. The high-level gain (or low if using active speakers) is conveniently located on the right side, the crossover is in the center, and the .1 gain/LFE switch is off on the left.

Below are three attractive metal toggle switches that control critical setup functions. The remote's on/off switch is at the bottom. It's as out of the way as possible and stays on once powered on and in use during setup without accidentally turning off. In the center is the phase control. This is only used initially to determine the correct 0 or 180-degree phase. Additionally, the top access to the Dual Parametric EQ, labeled A and B, allows for the flattest, deepest bass and, at the other end of the bass range, fine-tuning the crossover behavior. This ensures the subwoofer blends perfectly with the main speakers, and any hint of room-generated boominess and resonance can be delicately eliminated.

The REL Reference Remote reminds you of the perfect butler, always immaculate, indispensable when called upon, then quietly set aside until a future time when perhaps additions or further improvements to your system will further require its services.