REL Classic 99 - Subwoofer

A powerful symphony of design, power, and grace. Building on the foundation laid by the Classic 98, this model amplifies every attribute: more power, deeper bass, and a design that captures both the eye and the ear. With 450 watts driving a robust 12-inch paper-on-paper driver, the Classic 99 not only plays louder and reaches deeper, but also adds layers of subtle textual enhancements that continually impress.

Classic 99
NOTHING CONTINUES TO SAY LIFESTYLE LIKE MID-CENTURY MODERN RELS

The Classic 99 extends our Classic line to greater heights. Richer, bolder, and more powerful? Absolutely. However, the 99 is also capable of far greater nuance, airiness, and resolution than its lesser siblings. For those with more capable systems and larger rooms, the Classic 99 offers advancements on every front, while retaining the same easy-going, room-filling nature that all Classic offerings possess. The high-quality, genuine dark walnut veneer complements a variety of decors. The Classic 99 offers all this in the same simple, comforting form of Midcentury Modern design. Perfect for those who embraced the original but were waiting for the next chapter to be written, those who crave even greater performance and the ability to fill larger, grander spaces with a wide canvas of deep bass. You'll still want to put on a record, pour yourself a favorite drink, sink into your favorite chair, and relax with your favorite music or movie. The Classic 99, for those who were waiting for more.

Designed to be superior
The Classic 99 adopts the design language introduced in its stablemate, the Model 98. As comfortable as a pair of worn moccasins, it features solid cabinet walls up to 32 mm thick, clad in a warm, rich walnut veneer, meticulously handcrafted. The simplest natural aluminum badges and delicately rounded feet milled from solid billet, darkened to appear to float, ensure that nothing, not even a grille, disturbs the ambience. However, as with all RELs, the style conveys much more than simple comfort. The down-firing 12" driver, though invisible, is sure to make its presence felt. Continuing toward the rear panel, you'll find period-correct detailing that extends to the amplifier panel, where all the controls are finished in a lovely white gold. Everything you encounter has the weight of a quality switch, even the click produced by the phase switch is near perfect. Quality abounds wherever you look or touch. Don't be surprised if your kids fight over this later in life.

Pushed to be louder. And quieter.
As anyone familiar with REL will tell you, we always start with the driver. In this case, a custom-built 12" long-throw driver uses lightweight, rigid, heat-pressed paper to form the main body of the cone. On top is a rigid center cap made of hand-thrown paper to randomize the fibers, ensuring the driver has excellent self-damping. This is one of REL's secrets. Understanding that it's the silence, that attention to bringing the driver to complete silence, that produces the most astonishing dynamics. While the Classic 99 will sound shocking, it's from the very black background that the strongest dynamics emerge, producing the sense of shock sought by great composers and conductors.

More than a broad amplification
The Classic 99 is big, bold, and full of character, similar to the Stentor II of our youth, but at a third of the price. Naturally, the 99 has a great amplifier. To generate deeper bass and significantly higher output, we turned to a proven Class D amplifier we've used in thousands of previous units. This 450-watt amplifier is powered by an all-analog PerfectFilter™ front end that extends usable output well below 20 Hz—superb for a design of this size and price. It produces a sound that is both rich and richly detailed. The Classic 99 borrows the best of current technology to deliver a slightly warmer, more vintage-like sound, with greater reliability and performance than was ever available at the time.

REL Classic: What's the difference?
How does the Classic 99 compare to the small, warm Classic 98?

While they look similar, the new Classic 99 is approximately 50 percent larger (by volume) and delivers 450 watts of power (300W for the CL98) into a 12" driver (10" for the CL98). These are significant upgrades to the Classic 99's core specs. Yes, the Classic 99 is louder, plays louder, and goes deeper. It should. We reveal the untold, less obvious story that makes the Classic 99 truly special, while still appreciating the magic that is the original Classic 98.

Less cables?
HOW ABOUT THE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY OFFERED ONLY BY REL

The future gloriously meets the past in REL's wireless offerings. For the ultimate in audio, select our Airship II, which encourages the use of REL's High-Level Connection PLUS .1/LFE if your listening tastes lean toward movies. And who doesn't stream quality video content these days? This is our ultimate 5.8GHz wireless design, using discrete front-end components to transform your system's sound impeccably into completely uncompressed wireless, eliminating cable clutter in your living space.

Are you on a tighter budget? We put the exact same 5.8 gig master chip into an affordable system that allows Low Level or .1/LFE to transmit across the same 35' with the same bulletproof signal transmission we've become known for over the last 15 years.