REL Acoustics No.35 - Reference Subwoofer

Reference, Perfectly Proportioned

No.35 delivers the same extraordinary cabinet quality as No.36, expressed in the more compact proportions that have long defined REL’s 12-inch Reference models. Its curvilinear form is unique within the REL range, with sweeping surfaces inspired by classic wooden runabouts and a top that tumbles gracefully into the rear corners. Achieving these continuous curves requires exceptional woodworking, finished in 12 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer.

The details are equally considered. A sculpted string grille follows the cabinet’s curves, carbon fibre provides a visual connection to the engineering within, and triple-plated stainless-steel handles anchor into thick plates of milled aluminum. Inside, elaborate bracing reminiscent of a ship’s structural ribs creates an exceptionally rigid foundation.

No.35 retains the exact dimensions of No.31 while occupying approximately 20 percent less space than No.36. Precision-knurled cylinders beneath the front rails provide exact leveling, particularly important for Reference Line Arrays, where existing No.31 models can be incorporated with No.35. It is full Reference craftsmanship, presence, and substance, distilled into beautifully balanced proportions.

Driven to Be Perfect

No.35’s 12” (305mm) Pure Carbon Fibre driver was comprehensively re-engineered. The vastly greater output made possible by its new Class AB/D amplifier placed demands on the driver that no previous 12” REL had faced, requiring virtually every major component to be reconsidered.

A new cast-aluminum frame allows substantially greater movement, while a stiffer yet more supple spider maintains precise concentricity even at maximum output. A redesigned surround provides the control required at the front of the cone. Together, these changes deliver an additional 12mm of travel in each direction.

But greater output was only part of the goal. The carbon fibre cone itself advances to a finer 12K weave, bundling 12,000 micro-strands into each fibre for greater strength and improved self-damping. The result is extraordinary scale and impact combined with greater control, detail, and nuance.

When Tradition Meets the Future

No.35’s new 900-watt Class AB/D amplifier combines the immense current delivery and effortless authority of a traditional Class A/B monoblock with the speed, resolution, and efficiency of a Class D output stage.

At its heart is a massive 17-pound toroidal transformer, providing the current reserves needed to control No.35’s newly re-engineered 12-inch driver even at extreme output. The Class D output stage delivers that power with exceptional speed and efficiency, without the heat and power consumption of a conventional amplifier of this scale.

The result is 900 watts of effortless power, combining the weight and authority of a great Class A/B monoblock with the speed, control, and attack of the finest Class D designs.

Legendary. Iconic. REL Reference Line Arrays.

For more than two decades, Reference Line Arrays have represented the ultimate expression of our approach to deep bass. No.35 advances that tradition with its new high-current Class AB/D amplifier, comprehensively re-engineered 12-inch driver, and precisely adjustable cabinet, delivering greater drive, deeper extension, and more than 3 dB of additional output per unit.

But a Reference Line Array is about far more than output. By vertically distributing multiple subwoofers through the height of the room, the array energizes the space in a fundamentally different way, allowing the main loudspeakers to perform with greater freedom and scale. The transformation extends beyond bass: the soundstage opens, dynamics become more effortless, and midrange and high-frequency performance gain clarity and dimensionality.

Because No.35 retains the exact dimensions of No.31, it can anchor existing Line Arrays incorporating earlier No.31 models, providing a natural upgrade path for longtime Reference owners. With No.35, Reference Line Arrays achieve a new level of scale, precision, and authority.

Wireless Needn’t Be a Compromise

With AirShip Direct, There Is None.

Optional AirShip Direct delivers REL’s renowned High Level Input and .1/LFE signals wirelessly, with zero digital compression and no compromise in sound quality. High Level and .1/LFE can be used simultaneously, allowing No.35 to deliver seamless integration for music and the full impact of film soundtracks without long cable runs.

Discrete Texas Instruments ADC and DAC chipsets are carefully selected and validated through extensive listening to preserve nuance, dynamics, and transparency. Designed to plug directly into the rear panel, AirShip Direct keeps installation clean and virtually invisible while preserving the natural character expected from REL Reference.

Take Control of Your World

The REL Reference Remote is designed with the same attention to detail as No.35 itself. Its sculpted form sits naturally in the hand, while its substantial weight and beautifully finished controls convey the quality and permanence expected of a Reference product.

More importantly, it places every critical setup control exactly where it belongs: in the listening chair. High Level or Low Level gain, crossover, .1/LFE gain, phase, and Dual Parametric EQ can all be adjusted while listening to the system. Once setup is complete, the remote can be switched off to lock the settings and prevent accidental changes.

Dual Parametric EQ provides precise control at both ends of the bass range, allowing deep room resonances to be corrected while upper-bass excess can be gently trimmed. The result is deeper, cleaner bass and seamless integration with the main loudspeakers, all without leaving your seat.

DIMS
W x H x D
25.12 x 17 x 28.5 in.
(638 x 435 x 724 mm)

Shipping DIMS
W x H x D
37 x 27 x 35 in
(933 x 681 x 870 mm)

Net Weight
130 lbs. (59 kg).
Shipping weight: 172.5 lbs (78.25 kg)