REL Planar PL-2 – 8” Powered Subwoofer

REL Planar PL-2 – Subwoofer

PL-2 is REL’s solution for spaces where traditional subwoofers do not fit. Designed to work in close relationship with the wall behind it, Planar uses boundary effect coupling to deliver deep, room-filling bass and remarkable scale from an ultra-thin form that occupies little-to-no floor space. Building on the foundation of Planar with increased output, greater depth, and a more commanding sense of scale, PL-2 is designed for larger and medium-sized rooms and more demanding systems, performing equally at home in high-performance music systems and immersive home theaters.

• 8” FlatPiston Driver
• 10” Boundary-Coupled Passive Radiator
• 500-Watt (RMS) Pure Class D Amplifier
• Low frequency extension: –6 dB at 24 Hz, in room
• Ultra-thin cabinet for near- or on-wall placement
• Built-in AirShip Direct wireless
• Net weight: 44.6 lbs. (20.25 kg)
• Made in China
• 3 Year Warranty

Highlights & Key Technologies

Deep Bass, Minimal Space
Traditional subwoofers often demand significant floor space to produce deep, powerful bass. PL-2 takes a different approach. By working in close relationship with the wall behind it, Planar uses boundary effect coupling to make the wall part of the acoustic system, projecting bass into the room with scale, depth, and authority that feels far larger than the product itself. Whether mounted directly on-wall or placed close to the wall using the optional Cart, PL-2 delivers powerful, immersive performance for modern rooms and open living spaces where traditional subwoofers struggle to integrate gracefully.

Designed for Modern Living
Planar PL-2 was designed to deliver true REL performance from an ultra-thin form that integrates naturally into modern spaces. Its slim proportions, flowing radiused edges, and deep lacquer finishes allow it to occupy spaces where traditional subwoofers often feel intrusive. Every detail was carefully considered, from the recessed controls and concealed cable management to the optional hardwood grille upgrades that further elevate its architectural presence. Available in black or white lacquer finishes, Planar PL-2 combines elegant industrial design with purposeful engineering, creating a subwoofer designed not only to sound extraordinary, but to live beautifully within the room itself. 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.

Flat Piston, Massive Scale
Developed exclusively for Planar, PL-2’s new 8” Flat Piston driver was engineered to deliver remarkable output from an ultra-thin cabinet. Producing deep, powerful bass from a driver barely 80mm deep required an entirely new approach to excursion, rigidity, and control. The result is fast, dynamic bass that extends to 24 Hz, reaching more than an octave below the fundamental range of many acoustic instruments while delivering the scale and authority expected from far larger subwoofers.

Boundary-Coupled Bass
A specially tuned 10” long-stroke passive radiator, featuring a lightweight paper cone reinforced with a rigid aluminum center cap, fires toward the wall behind Planar, using boundary effect coupling to reinforce and expand low-frequency output. Working in close relationship with the wall surface, PL-2 transforms the wall into part of the acoustic system, producing deep, room-filling bass and remarkable scale from an ultra-thin form, resulting in bass that feels effortless, expansive, and far larger than the cabinet itself suggests.

Effortless Power, Proven Reliability
PL-2 is powered by a Pure Class D amplifier engineered to deliver effortless 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-2 to produce fast, powerful bass with remarkable composure. Despite being conservatively rated at 500 watts continuous RMS of power, the amplifier was capable of delivering a clean 600 watts on REL’s test bench under demanding conditions. The result is an amplifier capable of delivering the scale and impact demanded by both music and theater while remaining efficient, cool-running, and dependable over years of use.

Filtered to Perfection
REL’s fully analog input filters are central to Planar’s natural, seamless sound. By avoiding unnecessary digital processing, PL-2 preserves speed, timing, tonal balance, and the organic character that define great music and theater reproduction. At the center is REL’s renowned High Level Connection, allowing Planar to receive the same signal fed to your main speakers for exceptional integration across the entire system. Combined with REL’s all-analog PerfectFilter circuitry, PL-2 delivers deep, extended bass with remarkable clarity, speed, and balance. For dual-use music and theater systems, dedicated High Level and .1/LFE inputs allow both signals to operate simultaneously, preserving musical coherence while delivering the full impact of cinematic low-frequency effects. The High-Level, unbalanced, dual-channel input is via a Neutrik SpeakOn connector and accepts 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. 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-2 includes AirShip Direct wireless technology as a fully integrated part of the design. By eliminating the need for signal cables, Planar preserves the openness and visual 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: (1) Front-firing active woofer, (1) Rear-firing passive radiator
Active Driver Size & Material: 8in. (205mm) FlatPiston active long-throw, steel chassis
Passive Radiator Size & Material: 10in. (250mm) FibreAlloy cone, steel chassis
Low Frequency Extension: –6 dB at 24 Hz, in room
Input Connectors: HIGH-LEVEL Neutrik SpeakOn, LOW-LEVEL RCA, LFE RCA
Power Output: 500 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: 4A for 230V operation, 8A for 120V operation

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Dimensions (W x H x D): 25.6 x 18.9 x 5.7in. (650 x 480 x 144mm); add 1.5in. (39mm) depth for on-wall bracket
Net Weight: 44.6lbs. (20.25 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-2 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