Short answer: the REL Acoustics 212 Black Label. It ranks #75 of 143 subwoofers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $5,999. The MartinLogan Depth 212 ranks #106, rated 4.1/5, at $5,499.99, $499.01 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the REL Acoustics 212 Black Label does well: REL’s largest Serie S subwoofer: two 12” CarbonAlloy active drivers and two 12” passive radiators, over 450 square inches of cone area, driven by a 1000W amplifier and reaching 18Hz (-6dB). Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (118.1dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands): two active 12” drivers and two passive radiators should add several dB over it.
The case for the MartinLogan Depth 212: MartinLogan’s luxury subwoofer, with two opposed 12” Carbon Aerocore woofers in cast aluminum baskets that cancel cabinet vibration, a 2200W peak amplifier, and a finished rear panel so it looks good from any side. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from MartinLogan’s measured subs, the best of which, the single-15” MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X, reached 120.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands.
Buy the REL Acoustics 212 Black Label. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $499.01 with the MartinLogan Depth 212 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: REL Acoustics 212 Black Label 3.8 to 4.4; MartinLogan Depth 212 3.7 to 4.4). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Subwoofers rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| REL Acoustics 212 Black Label | MartinLogan Depth 212 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,999.00 | $5,499.99 |
| Ranked | #75 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) Estimated | #106 of 143 in Large Home Subwoofers (Over 75 lbs) Estimated |
| Dimensions | 33.1”H x 14.3”W x 20.6”D (840 x 362 x 523 mm) | 21”H x 19.8”W x 20.4”D (533 x 503 x 518 mm) |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| Warranty | 3 | 3 |
| Enclosure | passive radiator | sealed |
| Drivers | 2 x 12” CarbonAlloy drivers, 2 x 12” passive radiators | 2 x 12” Carbon Aerocore woofers (opposed) |
| Amplifier Power | 1000W RMS | 2200W peak |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz -6dB (manufacturer specified) | 18-120Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 134 lbs (60.8 kg) | 127 lbs (57.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| AES Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How REL Acoustics 212 Black Label compares with other leading options:
- PSB SubSeries BP12 vs REL Acoustics 212 Black Label
- REL Acoustics 212 Black Label vs Perlisten Audio D15s
- MartinLogan Depth 212 vs Perlisten Audio D15s
- MartinLogan Depth 212 vs Perlisten Audio D12s
- MartinLogan Depth 215 vs MartinLogan Depth 212
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
REL Acoustics 212 Black Label: $5,999.00 Estimated Audio Advice eBay
Same family: the REL Acoustics S/550 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.5/5), the REL Acoustics S/850 (smaller subwoofer, estimated 3.7/5) and the REL Acoustics Carbon Special Black Label (smaller subwoofer, ranked lower, estimated 3.9/5). See every REL S and Reference Series generation.
Pros: REL’s largest Serie S subwoofer: two 12” CarbonAlloy active drivers and two 12” passive radiators, over 450 square inches of cone area, driven by a 1000W amplifier and reaching 18Hz (-6dB).
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from the measured REL Acoustics HT/1510 Predator II (118.1dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands): two active 12” drivers and two passive radiators should add several dB over it. It weighs 61kg.
Full REL Acoustics 212 Black Label review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 1000W RMS |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Dimensions | 33.1”H x 14.3”W x 20.6”D (840 x 362 x 523 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 x 12” CarbonAlloy drivers, 2 x 12” passive radiators |
| Enclosure | passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz -6dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 134 lbs (60.8 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
MartinLogan Depth 212: $5,499.99 Estimated MartinLogan eBay
Same family: the MartinLogan Depth 215 (larger subwoofer, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5).
Pros: MartinLogan’s luxury subwoofer, with two opposed 12” Carbon Aerocore woofers in cast aluminum baskets that cancel cabinet vibration, a 2200W peak amplifier, and a finished rear panel so it looks good from any side. Rated 18 to 120Hz (±3dB).
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its output can’t be compared directly with ranked subwoofers; the rating is estimated from MartinLogan’s measured subs, the best of which, the single-15” MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X, reached 120.5dB in the 40 to 80Hz CEA-2010 bands. Two opposed 12” drivers in a sealed box should land close to it. It weighs 57.6kg.
Full MartinLogan Depth 212 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 2200W peak |
| Country | United States |
| Dimensions | 21”H x 19.8”W x 20.4”D (533 x 503 x 518 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 x 12” Carbon Aerocore woofers (opposed) |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Frequency Response | 18-120Hz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Warranty | 3 |
| Weight | 127 lbs (57.6 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons