REL Planar PL-1 Hardwood Grille & Planar Cart
REL Planar PL-1 is an ultra-thin powered subwoofer engineered to deliver deep, articulate bass in smaller to medium-sized rooms without dominating the space. Designed for near-wall or on-wall installation, it uses boundary effect coupling, dual 6.5-inch long-throw active drivers, and a 10-inch rear passive radiator to produce fast, controlled low-frequency performance with the natural musicality REL is known for. The built-in AirShip Direct wireless system keeps installation clean and flexible, while the slim gloss black cabinet with included cloth grille blends elegantly into modern living spaces.
What It's Good At:
- Delivering deep, room-filling bass from an ultra-thin cabinet that suits smaller and medium-sized spaces
- Blending naturally into living rooms with a sleek gloss black finish and included cloth grille
- Supporting near-wall and on-wall placement for flexible installation without bulky floor intrusion
- Producing fast, articulate low-end response with dual 6.5-inch long-throw active drivers and a 10-inch passive radiator
- Simplifying setup with built-in AirShip Direct wireless connectivity and a pre-installed receiver
- Enhancing both music and home theater systems with REL’s signature speed, timing, and control
REL Planar PL-1 Full Specifications:
- Product Name: REL Planar PL-1
- Product Type: Powered subwoofer / thin-panel boundary effect sub-bass system
- Placement Options: Near-wall, on-wall, or optional Planar Cart placement
- Type: (2) front-firing active woofers, (1) rear-firing passive radiator
- Active Drivers: (2) 6.5 in. (165 mm) FibreAlloy cone, long-throw, steel chassis
- Passive Radiator: 10 in. (250 mm) FibreAlloy cone, steel chassis
- Low Frequency Extension: -6 dB at 31 Hz, in room
- Power Output: 300 watts RMS
- Amplifier Type: Pure Class D
- Input Connectors: HIGH-LEVEL Neutrik SpeakOn, LOW-LEVEL RCA, LFE RCA
- Output Connectors: None
- Gain Control Range: 80 dB
- Phase Switch: Yes, 0 or 180 degrees
- Crossover Range: Variable between 30 Hz and 120 Hz
- Protection System: Fully Electronic SET-SAFE
- D.C. Fault Protection: Yes
- Output Short Protection: Yes
- Wireless Capability: Built-in AirShip Direct wireless with receiver pre-installed
- Wireless Effective Distance: 30 ft. (10 meters) with clear line of sight
- Wireless Output Power: Less than -3 dBm
- Mains Input Voltage (subwoofer): 100-240V selectable
- Fuse: 2.5A for 230V operation; 5A for 120V operation
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 20.6 x 19.4 x 5.7 in. (522 x 492 x 144 mm)
- Additional Depth for On-Wall Bracket: 1.5 in. (39 mm)
- Net Weight: 41.6 lbs. (18.9 kg)
- Finish: Gloss Piano Black or Gloss White Lacquer
- Mains Lead: Yes, 90-degree to permit on-wall mounting
- Neutrik SpeakOn Interconnect: Yes, 1.5 m cable intended for use with AirShip Direct transmitter
- Included Interconnect / Wireless Accessories: Power adapter, HIGH-LEVEL cable, X2 RCA cable
- Included in the Box: Planar PL-1 subwoofer, cloth grille, AirShip Direct wireless system with receiver pre-installed on subwoofer, right-angle power cord, control panel cover, wall mounting template, wall mounting brackets, VIMAR material for wall mounting, mounting hardware, user manual, warranty information
- User Manual: Yes
- Optional Accessory: Planar Cart
- Anti-Tip / Anti-Fall Restraint System: Included for freestanding applications
REL Planar PL-1 Q&A:
- What makes the REL Planar PL-1 different from a traditional subwoofer?
- The Planar PL-1 is designed to work in close relationship with the wall behind it, using boundary effect coupling to create deep, controlled bass from an ultra-thin cabinet that fits more naturally into the room.
- Does the Planar PL-1 need to be mounted on a wall?
- No. It can be mounted on a wall or positioned close to the wall using the optional Planar Cart, giving you more flexibility for room layout and installation preferences.
- Is the cloth grille included with this version?
- Yes. This version includes the cloth grille.
- What kind of bass performance can buyers expect?
- The PL-1 is built to add greater depth, scale, and realism while preserving speed, timing, and musicality, making music and movies feel fuller and more immersive without overwhelming the room.
- Does the Planar PL-1 support wireless setup?
- Yes. It includes REL’s AirShip Direct wireless system, with the receiver pre-installed on the subwoofer for cleaner placement and easier setup.
- What is REL’s VIMAR system?
- VIMAR stands for Vibration Isolation Material and Resonance Control. It is integrated into the mounting brackets to help reduce unwanted energy transfer into the wall and preserve bass speed, balance, and control.
- Can the PL-1 be used with both music and home theater systems?
- Yes. It is designed to perform well in stereo music systems, compact theaters, unconventional placements, and even specialized applications such as center-channel bass reinforcement.
- What comes in the box with the REL Planar PL-1?
- In the box are the Planar PL-1 subwoofer, cloth grille, AirShip Direct wireless system with pre-installed receiver, right-angle power cord, control panel cover, wall mounting template, wall mounting brackets and hardware, user manual, and warranty information.
Planar Cart
Designed specifically for Planar PL-1, the Planar Cart introduces a more flexible way to integrate bass into real living spaces. It allows Planar to adapt more easily to different rooms, layouts, and listening environments, making placement refinement and performance optimization more intuitive over time. The Cart extends the core Planar philosophy: high-performance bass designed to work naturally with the way people live.
REL designed Planar to work in close relationship with the wall, but not every room or installation lends itself naturally to wall mounting. The Planar Cart was created as an elegant alternative for spaces where greater placement flexibility is preferred while preserving the scale, musicality, and immersive performance that define REL.
The Cart allows Planar to integrate naturally into open-plan environments, media rooms, multi-purpose spaces, and interiors where permanent installation may not be ideal.
Inspired by the idea that the ideal placement is rarely obvious at first, the Cart encourages thoughtful positioning and careful refinement within the room itself. Subtle changes in placement can dramatically shape the openness, dimensionality, and emotional character of bass, allowing Planar to integrate more naturally into both the system and the space around it.
- Allows flexible placement and easier room optimization
- Ideal for flexible and open-plan living spaces
- Available in Piano Black or Gloss White finishes
- Integrates naturally with the Planar design
- Maintains full REL performance and musicality.
What's in the box
- Planar Cart base
- Handle
- Mounting hardware (3 bolts)
- Allen/hex wrench for installation
- Detachable foot (packed separately; requires assembly)
Planar Cart Q&A:
- What is the Planar Cart designed for?
- The Planar Cart is designed specifically for Planar PL-1 and PL-2, introducing a more flexible way to integrate bass into modern living spaces. It allows Planar to move naturally within a room, making it easier to refine placement, adapt to changing environments, and explore performance over time.
- Why would I use the Cart instead of wall mounting?
- The Cart offers greater placement flexibility while preserving the core Planar design philosophy. For many rooms, the best bass performance isn’t always obvious immediately. The Cart allows Planar to adapt more naturally to evolving spaces, furniture layouts, and listening environments without requiring permanent installation.
- Does the Planar Cart affect performance?
- No. The Cart is engineered to maintain full REL performance and musicality while adding greater flexibility and freedom of placement. Whether wall-mounted or positioned on the Cart, Planar is designed to deliver the same emotional connection, scale, and immersive low-frequency performance.
- Is the Planar Cart included with PL-1 or PL-2?
- No. The Planar Cart is available separately as an optional accessory for both PL-1 and PL-2.
- Can the Cart be used in home theater systems?
- Yes. The Cart works naturally across both music and home theater environments where flexible placement or distributed bass positioning may improve system integration and room performance.
- Why is placement flexibility important for bass?
- Bass performance changes dramatically depending on room layout, surfaces, and positioning. The Planar Cart makes it easier to refine placement and optimize how low frequencies interact within the room helping create a more balanced, immersive, and emotionally connected listening experience.
- Does Planar include an anti-fall restraint system?
- Yes. Planar includes an anti-fall restraint system designed to provide additional stability when the product is not mounted directly to the wall. When using Planar on the optional Cart or in free-standing applications, REL recommends installing the restraint system according to the owner’s manual to help reduce the risk of accidental tipping.
