{"id":19353,"date":"2025-03-18T17:05:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T21:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/?p=19353"},"modified":"2025-03-18T17:05:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T21:05:43","slug":"rel-carbon-special-review-high-expectations-poor-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/2025\/03\/rel-carbon-special-review-high-expectations-poor-results.html","title":{"rendered":"REL Carbon Special Review: High Expectations – Poor Results."},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve spent 18 months<\/strong> with the REL Carbon Special<\/strong> subwoofers, and while I wanted to love them, I find myself more frustrated than impressed<\/strong>. For a subwoofer at this price point (MSRP: $4,499 each<\/strong>), there are design flaws that make setup and fine-tuning unnecessarily difficult<\/strong>\u2014flaws that shouldn\u2019t exist in a product marketed as a high-end audiophile subwoofer.<\/p>\n

REL has a strong reputation, and their subs do some things well. But when you actually live with them, small issues become big frustrations<\/strong>, and at this level, I expect better.<\/p>\n

Let me back up a bit. I reviewed the REL Carbon Specials here, back in September 2023. I’d owned them a few months at that point but what I hadn’t done was schlep them around different rooms, using different speakers and different amps. So the review back then was a bit lukewarm, but slanted toward the positive. I touched on some of the issues in that review, and I’m going to expand upon them here. Around the same time, I published a YouTube video aimed at helping people set a pair of REL subs, and that video is here: REL Carbon Special – Setting up a Pair of Subs<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\"REL

Here I pulled them out of the corners so I could get behind the subs..<\/p><\/div>\n

Let me cut to the chase:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Main Issue: Impossibly Frustrating Adjustments for Gain and Crossover<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The biggest flaw of the REL Carbon Special<\/strong> isn\u2019t its sound\u2014it\u2019s the terrible user experience when setting them up.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At this price, I shouldn\u2019t have to fight with poorly designed potentiometer dials<\/strong> every time I want to make an adjustment.<\/p>\n

\"REL<\/p>\n

1. Gain and Crossover Dials Are Too Sensitive<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The volume (gain) and crossover dials<\/strong> are absurdly sensitive<\/strong>. Turning them even a single degree<\/strong> results in large jumps in output<\/strong>\u2014there\u2019s little room for precise fine-tuning.<\/p>\n

With most subs, you can gradually<\/strong> adjust output to match the system. With the Carbon Special, it\u2019s a nightmare. You either have too much bass or too little, and finding the sweet spot is pure frustration.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. No Tactile Notches, No Point of Reference<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are no tactile notches<\/strong> on the dials. So when making adjustments, there\u2019s no way to track or repeat your settings<\/strong>\u2014you just have to guess.<\/p>\n

This wouldn\u2019t be a huge issue if you could see the dials clearly<\/strong>, but\u2026<\/p>\n

3. Controls Are Inaccessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n

REL recommends placing the subs close to a wall<\/strong>, which is fine\u2014except the controls are on the back<\/strong>, and since there are no tactile notches, you can\u2019t feel your way through adjustments.<\/p>\n

The result? You\u2019re blindly reaching behind the sub, trying to turn a hyper-sensitive dial in half degree increments, hoping you don\u2019t overshoot your target.<\/strong> It\u2019s beyond frustrating<\/strong>. Half the time I don’t even know if I’ve made an adjustment or not. I think maybe I moved the dial a fraction, but I then get back to my seat and repeat the test-tone or track, only to find that the output is the same.<\/p>\n

Now, multiply that frustration if you\u2019re using two subs<\/strong>, as REL recommends.<\/p>\n

\"rel-carbon-special-review\"<\/p>\n

4. Matching Settings Between Two Subs Is Nearly Impossible<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since there\u2019s no detent system<\/strong> and no clear markings<\/strong>, trying to replicate settings from one sub to the other is a complete guessing game<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

With most subs, you can match levels easily<\/strong> using clicks, digital readouts, or even just better-calibrated scales. Not here. You just have to eyeball the dials<\/strong> and hope for the best<\/strong>. Except you can’t see the dials because they’re on the back of the subs and there’s no room to get back there!<\/p>\n

For a product aimed at precision audiophile integration<\/strong>, this is a fundamental failure in design<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Voxativ

It looks like there’s space here, but I’m a fat old sod and I can’t get behind the subs without breaking something.<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

<\/h2>\n

Where\u2019s the Remote? Where\u2019s the DSP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At $4,499 per sub<\/strong>, I expect some form of remote control or digital interface<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

No Remote, No Presets, No EQ<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most modern subs\u2014including those at far lower price points<\/strong>\u2014have some form of remote adjustment, DSP, or at least a basic preset system<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Switching between music and home theater?<\/strong> Prepare to spend an hour recalibrating the subs manually.<\/li>\n
  • Want to slightly adjust bass for a vinyl record vs. a digital source?<\/strong> Good luck getting back to where you started.<\/li>\n
  • Need more bass for a movie?<\/strong> You\u2019ll have to crawl behind the sub, guess your adjustments, and hope you don\u2019t ruin your 2-channel setup in the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Other brands\u2014like Martin Logan, JL Audio, SVS, and even some Velodyne models<\/strong>\u2014have self-calibrating DSP, parametric EQ, and app-based remote control<\/strong>. REL? Nothing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    Phase Adjustment Is Crude<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Another oversight: the lack of a variable phase control<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    At this price, I expect a rotary phase adjustment for fine-tuning from 0 to 180 degrees<\/strong>, not just a basic two-position phase switch<\/strong> (0 or 180).<\/p>\n

    Why does this matter? Because integrating a sub seamlessly into a system requires precise phase alignment<\/strong>, and the REL\u2019s simplistic approach makes it much harder<\/strong> than it should be. You have to physically move the subwoofer to get accurate time alignment and integration with the mains, it’s just plain silly.<\/p>\n

    \n

    <\/h2>\n

    \"iconoclast<\/h2>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    The Hi-Level Input Workaround Isn\u2019t Enough<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    REL markets their Neutrik hi-level input<\/strong> as a way to match the sub\u2019s character to the main speakers<\/strong>, but even if you follow their recommendations, the gain issue persists<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • REL suggests using only the red and black leads<\/strong> (leaving the yellow unconnected) to lower gain, but it barely helps<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Running from the pre-out on your linestage doesn’t help either, you still have the same issues with integration.<\/li>\n
    • I\u2019ve tested the subs with multiple power amps<\/strong>\u2014tube and solid-state\u2014and the gain range is always too sensitive to make reliable adjustments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Maserati interiors look stunning<\/strong>\u2026 but then you realize they use parts from a Chrysler<\/strong>. Is that what REL are doing? Maybe they bought out the old Radioshack inventory a few years back.<\/p>\n

      \n

      <\/h2>\n

      \"Audio<\/h2>\n

      Other Subs Do It Better<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      I\u2019ve owned several high-end subs<\/strong> over the years\u2014some integrated seamlessly in minutes. Aerial Acoustics SW-12 were old-school but far easier to integrate than the REL. The REL Carbon Special<\/strong>\u00a0feels archaic and unnecessarily difficult<\/strong>. In fact, I’ve owned older RELs in the past that were easier to integrate than the Carbon Specials.<\/p>\n

      Compare This to Other High-End Subs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      \u2705 JL Audio Fathom<\/strong> \u2013 Has full DSP, parametric EQ, and remote calibration<\/strong>.
      \n\u2705 Martin Logan Dynamo<\/strong> \u2013 Comes with an app for remote control and adjustment<\/strong>.
      \n\u2705 Velodyne Digital Drive Plus<\/strong> \u2013 Features automated room correction and detailed user controls<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      Even the built-in subs on Martin Logan ESL 11A electrostats<\/strong> come with software integration to help with setup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      The REL? No remote. No DSP. No software. No easy adjustments. No shit.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n

      <\/h2>\n

      \"Carbon_Special_sub-controls\"<\/h2>\n

      <\/h2>\n

      Final Verdict: Not Worth the Hassle?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      The REL Carbon Special<\/strong> sounds good\u2014but so do plenty of other subs that are easier to integrate, adjust, and live with.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      At this price point, I shouldn\u2019t have to fight with hyper-sensitive dials, inaccessible controls, or an outdated phase switch.<\/strong> And I shouldn\u2019t be manually tweaking levels every time I switch from music to movies. (which I never do, but what if?)<\/strong><\/p>\n

      For REL to call this an \u201caudiophile\u201d sub, while ignoring basic usability features, is a major letdown. Their whole mantra about their subs being ‘fast and musical’ – come set them up for me and I”m sure I would be thrilled with their speed and musicality.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      If you\u2019re willing to put up with these quirks, you can make them work\u2014but for someone who changes out gear quite a bit, they’re a pain in the rear.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Should You Buy the REL Carbon Special?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      \ud83d\udd34 No\u2014if you want ease of use, remote control, or digital integration.<\/strong>
      \n\ud83d\udfe1 Maybe\u2014if you\u2019re willing to fight with poor controls for good sound.<\/strong>
      \n\ud83d\udfe2 Yes\u2014if you love the REL house sound and don\u2019t mind outdated design choices.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      At $4,499 per sub<\/strong>, I expected more. Much more.<\/p>\n

      Rant over – Your move, REL.<\/p>\n

      CAH March 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      I\u2019ve spent 18 months with the REL Carbon Special subwoofers, and while I wanted to love them, I find myself more frustrated than impressed. For a subwoofer at this price point (MSRP: $4,499 each), there are design flaws that make setup and fine-tuning unnecessarily difficult\u2014flaws that shouldn\u2019t exist in a product marketed as a high-end […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":18089,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[87,237],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-audio-equipment-reviews","category-subwoofers"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/rel-carbon-special-review5.jpg?fit=1024%2C823&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19353\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.audioresurgence.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}