REL Acoustics R-328 Subwoofer – Gloss Black

Here we have a subwoofer from the experts at REL Acoustics. Our R-328 is in good condition with a little light marking and a some damage to one corner area of the grille. It is supplied in original packaging along with mains cable, speaker cable and our regular three month warranty.
REL Say….
Serie R was conceived as a maximum value offering in the REL product range the “sweet spot”, if you will, possessing many of the performance attributes of our legendary Gibraltar Sub-Bass Systems, yet realised in a more compact and affordable package. This fresh design approach offers superiority in all regards over the previous REL mid-level offerings through improved amplification, vastly upgraded filter networks and updates to cabinet and driver designs.
Models R-528 and R-328 feature active front-firing drivers and down firing passive radiators to drive the room acoustically in two modes for the smoothest room response and produce prodigious amounts of bass. The range excels in drive, extension, ease and musicality wherein their speed mixes with greater body and heft to produce an altogether more profound musical event. Each Serie R model is available in a stunning hand-rubbed Piano Black Lacquer that will grace your living environment as well as your stereo music or film sound system.
A full complement of connectivity is available to the Serie R owner including REL’s proprietary pure resistive element Hi Level Input that allows for the most natural sounding integration of main speakers and sub bass. This is traditionally the most difficult area of performance for adding a sub and only REL’s perform flawlessly in this area. REL utilise a Speakon-type connector commonly found in professional sound reinforcement applications for the same reason it is used here; the connection is locking and utterly bulletproof, preventing the connector from becoming disconnected during particularly high volume passages – a very real concern with some of the larger models.
Perhaps your Serie R is doing double duty in a high-end film sound system? Serie R offers a dedicated Dolby-accurate .1 channel featuring a true discrete input, combined with dedicated level control. This then performs in parallel with the main Hi Level circuit allowing for the best of all worlds; when used as a high quality music system, the Hi Level circuit is fed full range sound from the main amplifiers. For theatre, this adds to the dedicated .1 producing thunderous output for movie effects and drama.
The signal proceeds through state of the art filter networks, utilising relatively shallow (12db/octave), gentle roll off points in order to promote the most natural balance with the main system. These circuits are exceedingly fast, which benefit carries through to the sense of speed and clarity present in the final performance. Each input board is fitted with a proprietary REL D™ circuit that decouples the input stage allowing the majority of well-designed Class D main amplifiers to be connected in traditional REL fashion using the Hi Level connection scheme.
The properly filtered sound enters state of the art, high-current Class D amplifiers. There are digital amps and there is REL Serie R High-Current Class D. These units are conservatively rated, like all RELs, and produce torrents of current for a sound with vice-like grip. As REL’s reputation is based on utter reliability, build construction is first rate utilising telecommunications-grade boards and specialized “Hardened” techniques we have evolved over the years to allow these circuits to last for years in a high vibration environment.
Leaving the amplifier, the signal enters the heart of any REL; the Bass Engine, more commonly referred to as the driver. Our engines are enormous structures, designed for reliability under extreme conditions. Naturally, we use aerodynamic, solid aluminium castings (R-528/328 only) that provide a firm foundation for the bass dynamics. The aerodynamic nature of the rear portion of the casting permits cooling air to flow unimpeded into the driver and also minimizes self-borne resonances created by sharp corners creating turbulence. While they are massively over built, the moving elements are relatively lightweight and superbly damped. This produces mechanical efficiencies that is one of the secrets behind why RELs do not require amplifiers displacing several thousands of watts sucking power from ones’ home. We utilise hand-thrown, air dried heavily structured paper cones that have substantial strength and stiffness – the resulting balance is lighter than the competition, yet stiff enough to resist the tremendous internal pressures generated by music and special effects – in the case of movies. Models R-528 and R-328 feature bespoke down-firing carbon fibre passive radiators that are exceptionally stiff and responsive, producing the equivalent surface area of a 17” driver from a 15” box (R-528) or a 15” driver in a 13” cube (R-328).
REL Serie R use a special combination of marine-grade plywood braces, carefully tuned using techniques borrowed from the musical instrument industry to produce cabinets that are quiet and result in superlative dynamics. Identifying major resonance points and addressing them is a key component in the musically rich sound of REL’s and allows for their ability to produce a sound that is on pitch and keeps pace with the music, rather than the tonally dull, plodding sound so many conventional subwoofers make. The braces damp cabinets 1.25” thick, capable of withstanding the high pressures that develop inside their cabinet walls.
The look of Serie R is pure. REL designers worked long into many nights to achieve a style that is unmistakably REL – simple, honest, truthful – yet is polished to a degree never before attempted in these price ranges before. Combining 13 coats of carefully applied lacquer that sees hand sanding, then hand polishing to a gleaming finish, results in a depth and beauty that is long lasting. No plastic bits here. Anything your eye can see or the hand can caress that isn’t lacquer is true solid aluminium, whether machined plate or solid aluminium ingots for the feet. It imparts a solidity that is reassuring and is too often missing on lesser products. And results in better sound.
Allow the eye to linger over details. Yes, those are high nickel-content polished M6 Allen bolts on the back panel because RELs are sold the world over, many in tropical climates that are quite humid. Is that true bead blasting using garnet chips to achieve the particular effect of frosting the aluminium? Naturally. Every detail in the design and evolution of these pieces were attended to with this level of attention because we intend for your REL to be a source of long lasting satisfaction.
Specifications
Type: Passive Radiator, front-firing active woofer, down-firing passive radiator
Active Drive Unit: 10 in., 250 mm long-throw, steel chassis
Passive Radiator: 12 in., 300 mm
Lower Frequency Response: 22 Hz at -6 dB
Input Connectors: Hi Level Neutrik Speakon, Lo Level single phono, LFE phono
Gain Control Range: 80 dB
Power Output: 350 watts(RMS)
Phase Switch: Yes, 0 or 180 degrees
Amplifier Type: Class D
Mains Input Voltage: 220-240 volts, 110-120 volts for certain markets
Fuses: 4 Amp semi delay 230 volts, 8 Amp semi delay 115 volts
Dimensions: 384 (H) x 343 (W) x 385 (D) mm
Weight: 20.4 kg

For a review from Hi-Fi+ magazine please click here