REL Planar PL-1 – Dual 6.5” Powered Subwoofer

REL Planar PL-1 – Subwoofer

Planar PL-1 brings true REL performance to smaller and medium-sized rooms where traditional subwoofers often feel intrusive or impractical. Designed to work in close relationship with the wall behind it, PL-1 uses boundary effect coupling to deliver deep, articulate bass from an ultra-thin form that integrates naturally into the living space. Whether mounted directly on-wall or placed close to the wall using the optional cart, PL-1 adapts easily to a wide range of spaces and systems, proving equally effective in music systems, compact theaters, unconventional placements, and specialized applications such as center-channel bass reinforcement where traditional subwoofers often prove difficult to integrate.

• Dual 6.5” Long-Throw Drivers
• 10” Boundary-Coupled Passive Radiator
• 300-Watt Pure Class D Amplifier
• Low frequency extension: –6 dB at 31 Hz, in room
• Ultra-thin sealed cabinet for near or on-wall placement
• Built-in AirShip Direct wireless
• Net weight: 41.6 lbs. (18.9 kg)
• Made in China
• 3 Year Warranty

Highlights & Key Technologies

Deep Bass, Minimal Space
Traditional subwoofers often demand significant floor space and careful placement to perform at their best. Planar PL-1 takes a different approach. Designed to work in close relationship with the wall behind it, Planar uses boundary effect coupling to produce deep, articulate bass from an ultra-thin form that integrates naturally into smaller and medium-sized rooms. Whether mounted directly on-wall or placed close to the wall using the optional cart, PL-1 adapts easily to a wide range of spaces and systems. In many ways it has become the Swiss Army Knife of REL subwoofers, equally effective in music systems, compact theaters, unconventional placements, and even specialized applications such as center-channel bass reinforcement where traditional subwoofers often prove difficult to integrate.

Designed to Fit Naturally
PL-1 was designed for rooms where space matters as much as performance. Its ultra-thin cabinet, flowing edges, and deep lacquer finishes allow it to integrate naturally into smaller and medium-sized living spaces where traditional subwoofers can feel oversized or intrusive. Available in black or white lacquer finishes, PL-1 transforms underused areas into opportunities for serious low-frequency performance while preserving the openness and flow of the room itself. Thoughtful details, including recessed controls, concealed cable management, and optional premium wood grille upgrades, reinforce a design philosophy where elegance and functionality exist together naturally. To help manage the interaction between the cabinet and the wall, Planar incorporates REL’s VIMAR (Vibration Isolation Material and Resonance Control) system. Integrated into the mounting brackets, VIMAR reduces the transfer of unwanted energy into the wall while preserving the speed and integrity of the bass, resulting in cleaner, more controlled low-frequency performance.

Dual Drivers, Dynamic Performance
PL-1 uses twin long-throw 6.5" drivers specially developed from proven REL driver platforms to deliver fast, dynamic bass from an ultra-thin cabinet. Working together, the dual-driver configuration increases surface area and impact while preserving the speed, articulation, and control that define REL performance. The result is deep, engaging bass that brings music and theater systems to life without overwhelming smaller and medium-sized rooms.

Boundary-Coupled Bass
A specially tuned 10" passive radiator fires toward the wall behind Planar, using boundary effect coupling to reinforce and expand low-frequency output. With over 45mm of excursion, the passive radiator works in close relationship with the wall surface to produce surprisingly deep bass and remarkable scale from a cabinet only inches deep, delivering immersive, room-filling performance from a form designed to integrate gracefully into real living spaces.

Compact Form, Serious Power
PL-1 is powered by a 300-watt Pure Class D amplifier engineered to deliver fast dynamics and exceptional control from an ultra-thin platform. Proven across thousands of REL subwoofers, this latest generation design combines high current delivery with long-term reliability, allowing PL-1 to produce deep, articulate bass with remarkable composure. Conservatively rated at 300 watts, the amplifier delivers substantially greater real-world output under demanding conditions, providing effortless performance for both music and theater systems while remaining efficient, cool-running, and dependable over years of use.

Filtered to Perfection
REL’s fully analog input filters play a critical role in Planar PL-1’s natural and cohesive sound. By avoiding unnecessary digital processing, PL-1 preserves timing, tonal balance, and the sense of musical flow that allows bass to integrate seamlessly into the system. REL’s renowned High Level Connection allows Planar to receive the same signal fed to your main speakers, creating a unified presentation that feels connected and effortless. Combined with REL’s all-analog PerfectFilter circuitry, PL-1 delivers deep, controlled bass with exceptional speed and clarity. The High-Level, unbalanced, dual-channel input is via a Neutrik SpeakOn connector and is designed to accept the stereo signals from the speaker terminals of your receiver, integrated amplifier, or basic amplifier, ensuring the subwoofer receives precisely the same signal as the main speakers. Combined with REL’s input filters, this ensures superior integration of the Sub-Bass System with the main system. The amplifier’s input impedance is 150,000 ohms, in effect producing no additional load on the rest of the system.

Wireless Freedom Included
Unlike traditional subwoofers that require long visible cable runs, Planar PL-1 includes AirShip Direct wireless technology as a fully integrated part of the design. By eliminating the need for signal cables, PL-1 preserves the openness and simplicity of modern living spaces while maintaining the speed, dynamics, and musicality expected from a REL. The compact receiver integrates directly into a concealed rear-panel compartment and arrives pre-paired from the factory for effortless setup, with no apps, software updates, or complicated configuration. The AirShip Direct transmitter provides true REL Theatre Reference connectivity, permitting both High-Level and LFE channels to be wirelessly fed to Planar with virtually zero delay and a complete absence of compression. One transmitter can pair up to four subwoofers.

Filter & Connection Technology
Planar uses a very fast, gentle, and transparent filter, referred to as Natural Rolloff, intended to allow excellent impulse response and a natural sound, in contrast to the slow, very steep filters used by most subwoofers. The Planar employs a highly refined Class-D amplifier combining high performance and high efficiency. The drivers are simple, rugged, and relatively light, yet offer excellent self-damping for better reproduction of musical nuance and preservation of transient impact. To increase versatility of connection, Planar provides three separate input types — a High-Level input via Neutrik SpeakOn, a .1/LFE input via choice of RCA or XLR, and a Low-Level stereo or mono RCA input — though only High-Level or Low-Level is used at one time. Crossover is always engaged for the High-Level input, while the .1/LFE signal does not pass through the crossover circuit. The transmitter’s internal circuitry allows seamless connection to Class-D (digital) main amplifiers.

Stability & Anti-Tip Safety
Planar is designed to be mounted to a wall or used in close relationship with a wall for optimal performance. When used in a freestanding position, it may tip if subjected to sufficient force. An anti-tip restraint system is included, comprising a wall tether block that mounts to the rear of the cabinet, wall hardware, and tethers that anchor the pieces together. REL strongly recommends installing the included restraint in all freestanding applications, especially in environments with children, pets, or high foot traffic.

Details & Specifications

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type: (2) Front-firing active woofers, (1) Rear-firing passive radiator
Active Driver Size & Material: (2) 6.5in. (165mm) FibreAlloy cone, long-throw, steel chassis
Passive Radiator Size & Material: 10in. (250mm) FibreAlloy cone, steel chassis
Low Frequency Extension: –6 dB at 31 Hz, in room
Input Connectors: HIGH-LEVEL Neutrik SpeakOn, LOW-LEVEL RCA, LFE RCA
Power Output: 300 watts (RMS)
Amplifier Type: Pure Class D
Wireless Capability: Built-in Wireless
Dual Parametric Filter: N/A
Finish: Gloss Piano Black or Gloss White Lacquer

PROTECTION SYSTEM
Fully Electronic Set Safe: Yes
D.C. Fault: Yes
Output Short: Yes
Mains Input Voltage: 100–240 volts selectable
Fuses: 2.5A for 230V operation, 5A for 120V operation

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Dimensions (W x H x D): 20.6 x 19.4 x 5.7in. (522 x 492 x 144mm); add 1.5in. (39mm) depth for on-wall bracket
Net Weight: 41.6lbs. (18.9 kg)

AIRSHIP DIRECT TRANSMITTER
Input Connectors: HIGH-LEVEL Neutrik SpeakOn, L/R LOW-LEVEL RCA, LFE single phono RCA, LFE balanced XLR
Input Impedance: HIGH-LEVEL 150k ohms; LOW-LEVEL 10k ohms; RCA .1/LFE 10k ohms; XLR .1/LFE 10k ohms
Wireless Output Power: Less than –3dBm
Wireless Effective Distance: 30 ft (10 meters) with clear line of sight
Mains Input Voltage: 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive centre
Power Consumption: 0.6 Watts
Dimensions (W x H x D): Transmitter 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.8in. (215.5 x 215.5 x 46.5mm); Receiver 3.15 x 2.40 x 0.7in. (80 x 60 x 17.5mm)
Finish: Black

GAIN & PHASE
Gain Control Range: 80 dB
Phase Switch: Yes, 0 or 180 degrees
Crossover: Variable between 30 Hz and 120 Hz

COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE
Made in China

WARRANTY
3 Year Warranty (parts and labor)

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
Planar PL-1 Subwoofer
Cloth Grille
AirShip Direct Wireless System (with receiver unit pre-installed on subwoofer)
Right-Angle Power Cord
Control Panel Cover
Owner’s Manual and Warranty Information
Wall Mounting Template
Wall Mounting Brackets
VIMAR Material for Wall Mounting
One (1) 4mm Allen/Hex Wrench
One (1) 5mm Allen/Hex Wrench
Flat head screw M6 thread, 4mm hex drive, 18mm length (x6)
Socket cap screw M6 thread, 5mm hex drive, 50mm length (x2)
Socket cap screw M6 thread, 5mm hex drive, 14mm length (x3)
Self drilling #9 drywall anchor (x2)
Flat head wood screw Size 9, 1-¼in. length (x2)
Flat head wood screw Size 8, 1-¾in. length (x4)
Two (2) Cable Retainer Clips, pre-installed to lower bracket
Neutrik SpeakOn interconnect: 1.5m cable intended for use with AirShip Direct transmitter
X2 RCA cable