Introducing PLANAR: REL Acoustics Reinvents the Subwoofer

For decades, subwoofers have followed the same formula - large black cubes tucked into corners, hidden beside cabinets, or reluctantly accommodated within carefully designed living spaces. Now, REL Acoustics is challenging that convention entirely with the launch of the new PLANAR Series.

And while the name may suggest planar speaker technology, these are not planar magnetic subwoofers. Instead, PLANAR represents an entirely new category of ultra-slim, design-led subwoofer that delivers genuine REL performance in spaces where traditional subwoofers simply don’t fit - visually or physically.

A New Approach to Bass

The new PLANAR range has been engineered around a simple but powerful idea:

“What if a subwoofer no longer dictated the layout of your room?”

Rather than building another conventional floor-standing cube, REL has created an incredibly slim enclosure at just 5.7 inches deep - designed to integrate beautifully into modern interiors without compromising musicality or impact.

Available in two models:

• PLANAR PL-1 (RRP approx £2000)

• PLANAR PL-2 (RRP approx £3000)

Both models can be:

• Wall mounted

• Floor positioned

• Installed on optional rolling stands for flexible placement

This flexibility opens up possibilities for media rooms, minimalist interiors, luxury apartments, and high-end living spaces where traditional subwoofers often become visually intrusive.

Slim by Design. REL by Nature.

What makes the PLANAR series especially interesting is that REL hasn’t simply built a “lifestyle subwoofer.”

These are still unmistakably REL products, engineered around speed, integration, musicality, and low-frequency realism.

The PL-1 uses dual 6.5-inch active drivers paired with a 10-inch passive radiator and a 300W amplifier, while the larger PL-2 steps up to an 8-inch long-throw active driver, passive radiator technology, and a powerful 550W amplifier.

In-room extension reaches:

• Down to 38Hz on the PL-1

• Down to 27Hz on the PL-2

For an enclosure this slim, those figures are seriously impressive.

Designed for Real Homes

Perhaps the biggest innovation with PLANAR isn’t just acoustic — it’s architectural.

Traditional subwoofers demand compromise:

• Floor space disappears

• Room layouts become constrained

• Interior aesthetics suffer

PLANAR changes that conversation completely.

Mounted discreetly on-wall or integrated into contemporary interiors, these subwoofers become part of the room rather than obstacles within it. Available in Piano Black or Gloss White finishes, alongside interchangeable cloth and wood grilles, they’re clearly designed with both audiophiles and interior-conscious homeowners in mind.

Wireless Flexibility Included

Both PLANAR models also support REL’s AirShip Direct wireless technology, enabling cleaner installations without long subwoofer cable runs across the room.

For custom installation projects and modern open-plan spaces, that’s a huge advantage.

Why PLANAR Matters

At Yorkshire AV, we’re increasingly seeing clients wanting:

• Cleaner room aesthetics

• Minimal visual intrusion

• Better integration into modern interiors

• High-performance cinema and hi-fi without equipment dominating the space

The new PLANAR range feels like REL’s answer to exactly that demand.

This isn’t a compromise product built purely for looks. It’s a serious rethink of how low-frequency performance can integrate into contemporary living environments.

And importantly, it still carries the DNA that has made REL one of the most respected names in subwoofers worldwide.

Coming Soon to Yorkshire AV

We’re incredibly excited to explore the new PLANAR range further and see how these innovative subwoofers perform in real-world cinema and hi-fi environments. We have a pair ordered for our main showroom area which should be arriving towards the end of May.

If you’re planning a discreet media room, minimalist living space, or simply want exceptional bass performance without the traditional subwoofer footprint, the new PLANAR series could be one of the most exciting launches of the year.