Period Correct Perfection: REL's Classic 98, a Future Classic

[@1964wingman]

I'm a first time REL subwoofer owner and a very happy REL subwoofer owner. I was a bit sceptical that a subwoofer could be integrated into a Hi Fi system. I had subwoofers in my home theatre set up and believed that subwoofers were for home theatre. Being in Australia we don't have many local KZbin reviewer's on subwoofers. I came across a KZbin video by the founder of PS Audio Paul McGowan. In the video he talked about adding a subwoofer to your Hi Fi system and mentioned and had high praises of REL subwoofers. I did a lot of research and purchased a REL Classic 98 subwoofer. My main speakers are Krix Neuphonix MK1 which are a highly reputable brand for music and home theatre speakers made here in Australia. When I hooked up the subwoofer and integrated into my Hi Fi, boy did a have the WOW moment and now I'm a believer. I have fallen in love with my vinyl again and can't believe what a difference the REL Classic 98 has made. And thanks to Paul McGowan's video I have discovered REL.

[@ELcinegatto87]

This is amazing. I use stereo S/812s for mixed music and theater on high level with 70th Anniversary Klipschorns, this Classic 98 is virtually a perfect aesthetic match for the Australian walnut veneer they have. I'd love to see a piece with this classic veneer and finish with S/812 like performance. Please consider doing a whole line of these! I'd swap my S/812s for classic series piece like this with a 12" driver. These are a dream for Klipsch, JBL, Altec, Tannoy and others into classic audio with beautiful wood finishes. This sub is as if JBL or Klipsch made a sub for their heritage lines. Keep up the great work, REL.

[@akagreta67]

Gorgeous cabinet, nice price. I have three Strata III's, all in wood veneer and all flawless. Also have a Storm III in cherry veneer for movies. Nice to know there is a replacement that sounds even better.

[@JoBiatch]

Wow what a great piece at a fantastic price! I still own the Strata III from the early 2000’s, which cost almost the same back then, and still love it today. I like my Strata III in rosenut finish more than this walnut thought. The finish still looks like the day I unboxed it 20 years ago! I’ve since upgraded to a pair of S3 SHOs, but will keep the Strata III forever.

[@67Pepper]

I have 2 Rel Storm III subs, beautiful cherry finish, bought them about 20 years ago, use them in my 2 channel system. I like the x-over system. They blend really well. The cabinet on the Classic 98 looks smaller than the Storm III.

[@Novilicious]

Would this pair well with a modern day Klipsch Lascala? The walnut finish has me so interested!

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. A pair of Classic 98s could possibly pair well with Klipsch La Scalas in a small room, though for a more typical-sized room it would be best to use a larger and more powerful subwoofer that can more adequately match with these high-sensitivity speakers. For a subwoofer pairing recommendation specific to your system, feel free to write in to [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist.

[@superdougie10]

I have Celestion 1987 SL6si and adore them. This is what I will be getting at some point down the line. This Sub is on my list.

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for watching! The Classic 98 is an excellent choice for pairing with the Celestion SL6si speakers, and we hope that you love it's performance in your system!

[@springertube]

KEFs outstanding. Even my comparatively lowly old EPIs still do it.

[@jerryjohnson4625]

Sounds heavenly. I never see any pictures of the driver though, not even from the reviewers.

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. There are pictures available for the Classic 99 and Classic 98's drivers available on the product pages on our REL.net website: rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofers/classic/classic-99/

[@jerryjohnson4625]

I've been looking for driver photo on the REL site. Outside photos , no inside . Still loving the 98.

[@claudinosilva4162]

Well done 🥂 There will be a BLACK PIANO option? There will be an 12” version 😉 in BLACK PIANO?

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

i been looking at vintage rel subwoofer , stentor ii , strata III , my THX cinema is fully JBL professional cinema 40kw THX i been watching rel since they came about with reviews in magazines

[@contemporaryartist6542]

Compatible with a Cornwall set-up wiring from power amp? Thanks

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. While the Classic 98 is an exceptional subwoofer, in our experience it is typically necessary to use a larger and more powerful subwoofer to pair well and match output levels with high-sensitivity speakers such as the Klipsch Cornwalls. For a subwoofer pairing recommendation specific to your system, please write in to [e-mail] and our team will be happy to assist.

[@od40k77]

Great looking sub. I would consider getting this

[@jonathanwood776]

Would this pair well with my Harbeth SHL5 Plus speakers? Or would I want a faster sub?

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. While the Classic 98 is an excellent subwoofer, in our experience the Harbeth Super HL5 Plus speakers justify the increased speed and responsiveness of our Serie S models. In most average-sized rooms the S/812 will be the best match, though if this system is used in a small room then the S/510 can also be a good choice.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

LOVE the paper cone driver

[@ericshutter5305]

paper ... /duh

[@jarmohyvarinen5291]

I have own Strata 2 and now I have Q50 wich is better in my opinion. I think that downfiring subs sounds a little bit boomy or sloppy to me.

[@zemansk7888]

Hope you can also consider a reimagined T1✨

[@LS-ti6jo]

Still no markings on the dials to indicate their settings.

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. When tuning a REL subwoofer, we recommend setting the Crossover by-ear to blend with your speakers rather than relying on numeric frequency values. Tuning by ear will result in a far more seamless integration based on how your speakers are truly performing in your particular room and system.

[@LS-ti6jo]

@@RELAcoustics Without dial marks, one I have them tuned the on;y way to remember their settings is the "count the clicks" method Rel recommends which is a pain in tha a... I can't understand Rel's obsession with not providing markings on its dials. Bizarre for such an otherwise great company.

[@LS-ti6jo]

@@RELAcoustics I don't get why you don't put setting indicators on the dials. Indicators wouldn't prevent anyone from tuning by ear, they would just let us see where our sub's setting. Plus, your HT series have those indicators. Doesn't make any sense.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Stereo match for my B3?

[@RELAcoustics]

Thank you for reaching out. When setting up a pair of subwoofers, it is best to use two of the same matching subwoofer model which ensures that the sub-bass output of your system is matching and even from left to right. While the Classic 98 uses a similarly sized driver (10") and amplifier (300 watts RMS) to the Britannia B2, these two subwoofers are fairly different in terms of their sonic output. In your case, when expanding to a stereo pair it will be best to use a second Britannia B3.