REL Acoustics 212/SE User manual
Operang Instrucons for the
212/SE
Sub-Bass
System
REL Acouscs Limited
North Road, Bridgend industrial Estate . Bridgend, CF31 3TP . United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1 656 768 777 . Fax: +44 (0) 1 656 766 093
Web: www.rel.net
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Cauon Marking Explanaon
The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of un-insulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure that may
be of sucient magnitude to constute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamaon point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of important operang and maintenance (servicing) instrucons in the literature accompanying
the appliance.
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1 Read all of these instrucons.
2 Save these instrucons for future use.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instrucons.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with automove polish and micro ber cloth.
7 Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instrucons.
8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus (including
ampliers) that produce heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug. A grounding type plug has two blades and
a third grounding prong. The third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not t into
your outlet, consult and electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched parcularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11 Only use aachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
12 Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use cauon when moving the cart/apparatus combinaon to avoid
injury from p-over.
13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of me.
14 Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rail or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
Warning
To reduce the risk of re or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects lled with liquids, such as vases,
shall be placed on apparatus.
The mains plus is used as disconnect device. The mains plug of the apparatus should not be obstructed OR
should be easily accessed during intended use. To be completely disconnected from the power input, the
mains plug of the apparatus shall me disconnected from the mains.
An appliance with a protecve earth terminal should be connected to a mains outlet with a protecve
earth connecon.
Design Safety
This apparatus is supplied with a detachable mains cord. For 240V operaon a 3.15/S/2, 5A/S/3, 5A/S/5
fuse is ed in the socket, for 120V operaon a 6.3A/S/2, 9A/S/3, 9A/S/5 fuse is ed. Should the fuse
need to be replaced use a similar rated fuse approved to ASTA or BSI 362 standards. Do not use without
the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers are available from your distributor.
Important Safety Instrucons
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Aenon Explicaon Marquage
L’éclair avec le symbole de pointe de èche dans un triangle équilatéral est desné à alerter
l’ ulisateur de la présence de non isolée tension dangereuse à l’intérieur de l’enceinte du
produit qui peut être d’une ampleur susante pour constuer un risque d’électrocuon pour
les personnes.
Le point d’exclamaon dans un triangle équilatéral est desné à alerter l’ulisateur de la
présence d’instrucons dans la documentaon accompagnant l’appareil exploitaon et de
maintenance (entreen).
1 Lisez aenvement ces instrucons.
2 Conservez ces instrucons.
3 Respectez tous les averssements.
4 Suivez toutes les instrucons.
5 Ne pas uliser cet appareil près de l’eau.
6 Neoyez seulement avec du vernis automobile et ssu microbre.
7 Installer conformément aux instrucons du fabricant.
8 Ne pas installer près de sources de chaleur telles que des radiateurs, registres de chaleur, poêles ou
autres appareils (y compris les amplicateurs) qui produisent de la chaleur.
9 Ne pas contourner le disposif de sécurité de la prise de terre. Une che de terre a deux lames et une
troisième broche de mise à la terre. La troisième broche est fournie pour votre sécurité. Si la che fournie
ne rentre pas dans votre prise, consultez un électricien pour le remplacement de la prise obsolète.
10 Protégez le cordon d’alimentaon ne soit piéné ou pincé, en parculier au niveau des ches, des prises
de courant, et le point de sore de l’appareil.
11 Ulisez uniquement des xaons/accessoires spéciés par le fabricant.
12 Ulisez seulement avec un chariot, stand, trépied, support ou table spécié par le fabricant, ou vendu
avec l’appareil. Lorsque vous ulisez un chariot, soyez prudent lorsque vous déplacez l’ensemble
chariot/appareil pour éviter les blessures en cas de chute.
13 Débranchez cet appareil pendant un orage ou lorsqu’il est inulisé storsm pour de longues périodes
de temps.
14 Conez toute réparaon à un personnel qualié. Une réparaon est nécessaire lorsque l’appareil a été
endommagé de quelque façon que ce cordon d’alimentaon ou la che est endommagé, du liquide a
été renversé ou des objets sont tombés dans l’appareil, l’appareil a été exposé à rail ou à l’humidité, ne
fonconne pas normalement, ou a été échappé.
Informaons Importantes Relaves a la Securite
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Averssement
Cet arcle est lourd. Pour éviter tout risque de blessure, prendre soin lors de la manipulaon.
L’ appareil ne doit pas être exposé à des éclaboussures et aucun objet rempli de liquide, comme des vases,
ne doit être placé sur l’appareil.
Les conduites Plus est ulisé comme disposif de déconnexion. La che de l’appareil ne doit pas être
obstruée OU doit être facilement accessible pendant l’ulisaon. Pour être complètement déconnecté de
l’alimentaon électrique, le cordon d’alimentaon de l’appareil doit me débranché.
Un appareil avec une borne de terre doit être branché sur une prise de courant en étant relié à la terre.
Sécurité Design
Cet appareil est livré avec un cordon amovible cordon. Pour le fonconnement d’un fusible de 220V
3.15/S/2, 5A/S/3, 5A/S/5 est montée dans la douille, pour le fonconnement de 120V un fusible de
6.3A/S/2, 9A/S/3, 9A/S/5 est monté. Si le fusible doit être remplacé ulisaon un fusible similaire
approuvé pour ASTA ou BSI normes 362. Ne pas uliser sans le couvercle de fusible en place. Les
couvercles de rechange sont disponibles auprès de votre distributeur
FCC STATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operaon is subject to the following two condions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operaon.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital Device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protecon against harmful interference in a residenal installaon.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instrucons, may cause harmful interference to radio communicaons. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will
not occur in a parcular installaon. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television recepon, which can
be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separaon between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Congratulaons on your purchase of the 212/SE, a truly formidable instrument for the reproducon of
exceponal low bass in very large-scale music and theater systems. 212/SE is the next signicant step in
REL’s relentless progression towards becoming the best sounding, best-built specialty subwoofer
manufacturer extant.
REL have always prided ourselves on providing seamless mang of our subwoofer designs with any brand
and model of quality loudspeaker the customer chooses. This tradion connues on in 212/SE, ulizing all
the design experse REL are acknowledged for in our renowned lter technologies, as well as the truly
brilliant Limitless™ electronic limiters we employ that permit extraordinary output levels to be delivered
with lile fear of overloading the drivers.
Where 212/SE builds a new step in REL’s path is in the sheer volume and output a REL is capable of. Whilst
retaining all the subtlety and delicacy of classic REL designs, 212/SE will play shaeringly loud.
This capability confers signicant merit when paired with larger state of the art speakers in stereo pairs
of 212/SE’s (recommended as a wonderful improvement over the excellent single 212/SE set-up) and
especially so in large home theaters. Here, the 212/SE delivers copious quanes of explosively fast, hard
bass. Special eects delivered via LFE such as explosions by the latest movie soundtracks are delivered with
visceral slam. Meanwhile, the classic REL approach of using both High Level + .1/LFE permits richly natural
bass to wash through less ambious tracks allowing for greater enjoyment of the movie experience, no
maer the scale of the movie.
212/SE rearms REL’s relentless pursuit of delivering the best and most varied oerings among subwoofer
manufacturers.
Welcome to the REL Family
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Beyond 2-Channel Lies Theatre Reference:
212/SE is equipped to allow you to take full advantage of Dolby Digital AC3, DTS, MPEG 2 and any other
digital sound format that includes a dedicated Low Frequency Eects (LFE) channel.
The dedicated LFE input meets the tough specicaon laid down for digital 3/2.1 channels, usually known
as 5.1. The output is nominally at from 35 Hz – 90 Hz. It has a dedicated input level control which enables
users to set the LFE level independently of the processor. This is important because not all processors oer
control over this signicant parameter. The LFE channel is frequently output at 10 dB higher levels than the
other channels.
The 212/SE models also have High Level (speaker level) inputs with dedicated input level control. Uniquely,
both the High Level and LFE input can be used simultaneously. This means you may achieve the best possible
2-channel performance with your CDs or other music signals and instantly transform to a powerhouse with
LFE when watching movies. This feature requires no switching, but instead is a seamless benet to doing
things the REL way.
This feature provides real benet if you wish to play music in stereo mode in the purist audiophile way and
also in REL Theatre Reference mode with no switching necessary. By connecng BOTH High Level and .1
concurrently and seng your processor to “Large” or “Full Range”, the best possible performance will be
obtained. Consult the owner’s manual of your loudspeakers or consult with your dealer before seng to
Large as a few speakers cannot handle the bass that is then directed through to the main speakers.
Wireless Freedom with Zero Compression: Longbow™
Once our team achieved the high standards for performance our customers expect of all REL subwoofers,
we turned our aenon to connecvity methods. In addion to our comprehensive array of hard-wired
inputs, 212/SE benets from the nest sounding, most natural wireless system available at this me.
In order to achieve high quality wireless, the REL team found a new chipset remarkable for its speed and
lack of delay. Building on this foundaon our engineering team took to the task of creang Longbow™,
REL’s latest delivery method. Longbow™’s wireless system uses a proprietary security codec that ensures
exceponal protecon of the signal, while using zero digital compression—the bane of convenonal
wireless systems. This results in a dynamic, ultra wide-bandwidth sound with almost zero delay. Praccally
speaking, 212/SE equipped with Longbow™ can be connected to very high end hard-wired systems with
none of the delay issues that plague garden variety wireless systems. Addionally, the REL team was able
to maintain both HIGH LEVEL and .1/LFE simultaneous connecvity of REL Reference Theatre .Theatre
Reference produces a FAR richer, fuller and beer integrated theater sound than convenonal .1-only
based systems. And now, customers can have all this wirelessly if they so choose. Yet another breakthrough
for REL!
All 212/SE models include REL Longbow™ receiver technology built into the amplier. Wireless transmission
requires the purchase of a separate Longbow™ transmier. For details on how to acvate this wireless
connecvity, please see the REL Longbow™ transmier manual.
212/SE, A More Complete Approach:
Many or most loudspeakers emphasize the mid-bass. This is the range from 50 to 90 Hz. We at REL believe
this is an incomplete approach and that loudspeakers need to be augmented in the lowest frequencies in
order to reestablish the natural balance of sound we experience eortlessly in real life.
All of our designs are true Sub-Bass Systems, meaning they are designed to reproduce very low frequencies
(useful output in the 20 Hz – 50 Hz region) that are felt as well as heard. This is because we believe that
music is full-range, as are sound eects on movies, and we intend for our products to reproduce all of these
sounds, not just a narrow band.
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1 Volume Control for HI/LOW Level input: Use to adjust output when using either HI Level or LOW Level
input. Do not use both simultaneously.
2 Volume Control for .1/LFE Input: Use to adjust output level when using .1/LFE input from a 5.1 amplier
or processor.
3 Crossover: Used to select crossover frequency. Variable between 30 Hz and 120 Hz.
4 Low-Level Le channel Phono Input: Used to connect low-level to the output of a preamplier,
integrated amplier or receiver. (For home cinema, use .1/LFE input).
5 Low-Level Right channel Phono Input: Used to connect low-level to the output of a preamplier,
integrated amplier or receiver. (For home cinema, use .1/LFE input).
6 .1/LFE Phono Input: Used to connect to the .1/LFE output from a 5.1 amplier of processor.
7 Phase: Used to set phase 0-180 degrees.
8 High-Level Neutrik® Speakon® Socket: Use to connect high-level to the main front amplier
speaker terminals.
9 Wireless enable switch: Used to turn on wireless receiver when connected to REL Longbow™
wireless transmier.
10 Standby/ Always On Switch: Used to enable standby mode.
11 Power Pilot Light: Power On/O indicator.
12 Power ON/OFF Switch: Use to turn unit on or o.
13 IEC Mains Socket: Fused mains (AC) input socket that accepts a detachable power cord.
14 Antenna connector: Used with REL Longbow™ wireless transmier.
15 Pair Pilot Light: Indicates if unit has been paired with REL Longbow™ transmier.
16 Pair Switch: Used to iniate Pair sequence with REL Longbow™ Transmier.
REL 212/SE Rear Panel Connecon Legend
8 9
10 11
12
13
1 2 3
4 5 6
7
14
15
16
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Always switch o your system before disconnecng any wires.
To increase the versality of connecng up, the 212/SE models have four separate inputs. A Neutrik®
Speakon® socket and three phono sockets. This is to facilitate use with both two-channel stereo systems
and AV surround sound systems.
The high-level, unbalanced, dual-channel (stereo) input is via a Neutrik® Speakon® connector which is
connected to the power amplier’s le and right channel speaker terminals. This has the advantage of
ensuring that the REL receives exactly the same signal as the main speakers. This means that the character
of the bass from the main system is carried forward into the sub-bass. This is a very important point and
together with the REL’s Acve Bass Controller (ABC) ensures far superior system integraon of the sub-bass
with the main system.
The low-level input is via three separate phono jacks that connect to either the .1/LFE output of a home
cinema amplier/processor or to the le and right output of a stereo preamplier.
HI LEVEL and .1/LFE inputs can be used simultaneously. The benets are two-fold when used with a home
cinema system. The low level input reproduces the .1/LFE channel and the high level connecon underpins
the main front speakers. The main front speakers should be set to the ‘large’ opon on the processor. See
“Home Cinema Applicaons” for more informaon.
Connecng to the Power Amplier Using the Speakon® High Level Input
To engage the Neutrik® Speakon® plug, insert fully into socket and rotate clockwise unl locked.
To remove the Neutrik® Speakon® plug, grip body of plug, place thumb on chrome lever, move lever
backwards, rotate plug anclockwise quarter turn and withdraw.
The high-level input is designed to accept the stereo (two-channel) signals from the speaker terminals of
your receiver, integrated amplier or basic amplier. This has the advantage of ensuring that your subwoofer
receives exactly the same signal as the main speakers, which means that the character of the bass from the
main system is carried forward into the Sub-Bass System.
This is a very important point and together with REL’s Natural RollO™ circuitry, ensures far superior
system integraon of the Sub-Bass System with the main system.
High-Level Input: Connecons should be made to the same binding post on main amplier as the main
speakers. Connect as shown above. Red to amplier main right speaker red terminal, yellow to amplier
main le speaker red terminal and black to amplier main speaker black terminal, right or le but not both.
Plug the Neutrik® Speakon® plug into the HI LEVEL Speakon® socket.
.1 Input: This requires a phono-to-phono cable and is a dedicated true .1 channel. This circuit therefore
eliminates the normal Natural RollO™ Crossover and passes the .1 low-level signal through with only the
required 120Hz fourth-order lter.
Low-Level Input: These le and right phono inputs allow for convenonal connecon from a preamplier
and should be used in the rare event that a high-level connecon proves incompable. Connect as shown
below. Plug one end of the phono-phono cables into the LOW LEVEL INPUT le and right jacks of the REL
and the other end into the le or right channel output of your preamplier.
PHASE SWITCH – Used to set phase
Posion 0 / High-Level, Low-Level or LFE: 0 degrees phase
Posion 180 / High-Level, Low-Level or LFE: 180 degrees phase
PHASE SELECTION AFFECTS BOTH HIGH- AND LOW-LEVEL INPUTS
Crossover is always engaged for Hi level input. The .1/LFE signal does not pass through the crossover circuit.
Connecng Up
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• The standard high-level hook up procedure is: aach the red wire to the amplier’s right posive speaker
output terminal; aach the yellow wire to the amplier’s le posive speaker output terminal; aach the
black wire to whichever of the amplier’s ground output terminals is convenient; plug the Speakon®
connector into the Sub-Bass System’s high-level input.
• For dierenal (i.e. fully balanced) ampliers using one REL, simply use the standard connecng scheme
with the excepon of NOT connecng the black wire to a negave speaker terminal. Instead, it should
rst be allowed to “oat” or hang down without connecon to ANY terminal. Should hum occur using this
method, please try connecng to an unused RCA connector on the rear of a preamp or amplier. Please
contact your dealer should there be any quesons concerning this or any other hookup procedure.
NOTE: The 212/SE models are equipped with internal circuitry to allow seamless connecon to Class-D (digital)
ampliers. If connecng to a Class-D amplier, follow the above connecon procedure for dierenal ampliers.
15 16
REL products are not tradional subwoofers, but true Sub-Bass Systems. A REL is designed to augment the
performance of “full range” speaker systems in order to provide, in certain cases, linear response below
15 Hz. Therefore, for the moment, please set aside everything you’ve been taught about subwoofers and
how they are integrated into a stereo or home cinema system. REL Sub-Bass Systems set-up and posioning
diers from convenonal subwoofers. A REL will take advantage of physics and room acouscs to provide
deep pressurizaon as no tradional subwoofer can. It is important that you bring to the set-up process a
willingness to do things a lile dierently in order to obtain these superior results. The end result of your
labours will be an uerly seamless integraon of true deep bass to a sound system, regardless of the main
speakers’ low bass capability.
Basic set-up should take no more than ten to een minutes to accomplish once connected.
Two Things Before You Begin
1 It is helpful to know that you will almost always connect the REL to the input on the rear panel labeled
“HIGH LEVEL INPUT.” This connecon is made using the supplied 32’ 10” (10 meters) cable, the bare
leads of which connect to the speaker output terminals of the power amplier. The easy and foolproof
connecon at the REL is done with a Neutrik® Speakon® connector. The purpose of connecng to the
speaker output terminals is one of the unique secrets of REL’s success. By connecng to the High Level
input on the REL from the amplier, you build forward the sonic signature of your main system, including
the tonal balance and ming cues of the enre electronics chain. In this way, the REL is fed the exact
signal that is fed to the main speakers.
2 When possible, the REL should be placed in one of the corners behind the speakers. Remember, we are dealing
with true LOW bass pressurizaon with RELs. Low bass pressurizaon below 40 Hz is best derived from
corner placement, where the most linear and ecient low bass can be produced because the subwoofer is
able to take advantage of the tangenal (corner-to-corner) axis which is typically the longest axis in a room.
Connecng and Seng Up
High-level connecon, using the enclosed cable with the Neutrik® Speakon® connector, is always the rst
choice. This connecon can be made without aecng the performance of the amplier because the REL’s
amplier input impedance is 150,000 ohms, in eect producing NO addional load on the rest of your system.
REL Set-Up Made Simple
Standard High-level
Dierenal (i.e. Fully Balanced)
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17 18
• If connecng RELs to Mono Bloc amplifers we strongly advocate using (2) RELs, one for each amplier.
Connect the black wire of each REL to the negave speaker terminal of the corresponding amplier
channel; twist together the red and yellow wires of each REL separately and connect each pair to the
posive speaker terminal of the corresponding amplier channel. In some instances, this will result in
exceponally high gain (output) from the RELs. If it seems simply too high in gain, please remove either
the red or yellow wire from the twisted pair. This will reduce output by half and restore a natural dynamic.
If the amplier is of balanced dierenal design, please follow the instrucons in the secon above
labeled Dierenal Connecon.
• If connecng a single REL as a dedicated center channel sub, please consider connecng to the rear of the
speaker, rather than roung the REL High Level cable all the way back to the amplier. Connect the black
wire of the REL to the negave center channel speaker terminal; twist together the red and yellow wires
and connect this pair to the posive center channel speaker terminal.
• If connecng a REL as a dedicated rear channel sub, connect the black wire of the REL to either the le
rear or right rear negave speaker terminal; connect the yellow wire to the le rear posive speaker
terminal; connect the red wire to the right rear posive speaker terminal. If the amplier is of balanced
dierenal design, please follow the instrucons in the secon above labeled Dierenal Connecon.
Low-level connecon (via phono connectors) is always an opon if high-level connecon is not possible.
When connecng to the low-level inputs in a system in which high-level connecon is not possible, such as
if using internally-amplied speakers, connect le and right phono cables between the LOW LEVEL INPUT
jacks of the REL and the le and right channel outputs of your preamplier.
Mono Bloc
Mono Bloc Dierenal
Dedicated Center Channel
Dedicated Rear Channel
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