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The REL Acoustics R-528 is the top model in the Serie R subwoofer line, designed for both high-performance stereo and home theater applications. It features a heavy-duty 12-inch front-firing active woofer with a carbon fiber cone and aluminum chassis, paired with a 12-inch down-firing carbon fiber passive radiator, effectively providing the output equivalent of a 16-inch driver in a larger cabinet. The subwoofer is powered by a 500-watt Class D amplifier that delivers clean, fast, and powerful bass with low distortion. It has a frequency response extending down to 21Hz at -6 dB, allowing it to reproduce deep bass with high resolution and impact. The cabinet is robustly constructed with thick billet backplane milled from aerospace-grade aluminum acting as a heatsink, and finished in gloss piano black lacquer with nickel-plated chrome badges and feet on the special edition (R-528SE). Connectivity includes high-level Neutrik Speakon, low-level single phono, and LFE phono inputs, with independent volume controls for high-level and LFE inputs. The R-528 is praised for its speed, detail, and ability to integrate seamlessly with large speakers and large rooms, offering superlative depth, scale, and slam. It weighs approximately 58 lbs (26.3 kg) and measures about 15.5 x 17.5 x 17.2 inches (394 x 445 x 436 mm). The R-528SE variant includes upgraded amplifier, cabinet bracing, and driver design, borrowing technology from REL's flagship Gibraltar series, and is The product is discontinued but remains highly regarded for its performance and build quality.
Driver and acoustic performance characteristics
Amplification power output and characteristics
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Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The S/3 SHO's low-frequency extension is 22 Hz against the R528's 21 Hz, its woofer 10" against 12", its power handling 400 W against 500 W, and its drivers 2 against 1.
The T/9x's low-frequency extension is 27 Hz against the R528's 21 Hz, its woofer 10" against 12", its drivers 2 against 1, and its power handling 300 W against 500 W.
The Studio 12 v5's low-frequency extension is 16 Hz against the R528's 21 Hz and its power handling 1700 W against 500 W. Both share woofer (12") and drivers (1).
The Defiance S12's low-frequency extension is 16 Hz against the R528's 21 Hz and its power handling 1200 W against 500 W. Both share woofer (12") and drivers (1).
R505
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