If you are new to high-end audio, welcome. You are about to learn about a piece of gear that can transform the way your music and movies sound, and we are going to explain all of it in plain language. No jargon left unexplained. By the end, you will understand what the REL Acoustics Planar PL-2 does, how each of its controls works, and whether it belongs in your setup.
What is the REL Acoustics Planar PL-2?
The REL Acoustics Planar PL-2 is an active powered subwoofer, which means it is a specialized speaker built to reproduce the lowest, deepest sounds in music and movies. "Active" and "powered" both point to the same thing: it has its own built-in amplifier, so it does not borrow power from your main stereo amplifier. You plug it in, connect it, and it does its own heavy lifting.
A subwoofer handles the bass frequencies your regular speakers often struggle to produce cleanly. Think of the low rumble of a film explosion, the weight of a kick drum, or the body of a cello. The PL-2 is part of REL's Planar PL series, a line focused on delivering that low-end foundation with speed and accuracy rather than just volume.
Where does the PL-2 fit in my system?
The PL-2 sits alongside your existing speakers and connects to your amplifier or receiver, adding the deep bass they cannot fully deliver on their own. Picture your main speakers doing the singing, the guitars, and the vocals, while the subwoofer fills in the low foundation underneath everything. Together they create a fuller, more complete sound.
You do not replace anything to add a subwoofer. It works with what you already own. Whether you have a two-speaker music setup or a multi-speaker home theater, the PL-2 slots in to deepen and enrich the whole picture.
How You Connect It: The Inputs Explained
What are the input options and what do they do?
The PL-2 gives you three ways to connect it: a high-level Speakon input, a low-level RCA input, and a .1/LFE input. Each one suits a different kind of setup, and having all three means the PL-2 fits almost any system you might own.
The high-level Speakon connection is REL's signature approach. It takes a feed from the same output on your amplifier that drives your main speakers. This matters because the subwoofer then receives the exact same signal your speakers do, which helps the bass blend seamlessly and sound like a natural extension of your speakers rather than a separate box thumping away. Speakon simply refers to the locking, secure type of connector used for this.
The low-level RCA connection is the more familiar cable type many people recognize, often used when your amplifier or receiver has a dedicated subwoofer output. It is a straightforward, common way to send signal to the sub.
What is the .1/LFE input for?
The .1/LFE input is designed specifically for home theater. LFE stands for Low Frequency Effects, which is the dedicated bass channel in movie soundtracks (the ".1" in a "5.1" or "7.1" surround system). When you connect through this input, the PL-2 receives the movie's bass information directly, delivering the impact of explosions, rumbles, and cinematic low end exactly as the film intended.
The nice part is you can use these inputs to suit how you listen. Music lovers often favor the high-level connection, home theater fans use the LFE input, and many people set up the sub to serve both.
Can the PL-2 work wirelessly?
Yes, the PL-2 is compatible with REL wireless systems, which are available as an optional addition. This means you can send the audio signal to the subwoofer without running a long cable across the room. If placing the subwoofer where the wiring is inconvenient is a concern, the wireless option gives you real freedom in positioning without sacrificing much. The wireless capability is optional, so you add it if and when you need it.
The Controls: Tuning It to Your Room
What does the crossover control do?
The crossover control sets the point where the subwoofer takes over from your main speakers, and it is continuously variable, meaning you can dial it in smoothly rather than choosing from a few fixed settings. In plain terms, the crossover decides which sounds are "low enough" for the subwoofer to handle and which are left to your speakers.
Getting this right is what makes a subwoofer disappear into your system. Set it well, and you never hear the sub as a separate thing. You just hear fuller, deeper, more satisfying sound. Being continuously variable means you can find the exact sweet spot for your particular speakers and room.
What does the gain control do?
The gain control adjusts how loud the subwoofer plays relative to your main speakers, and it too is continuously variable for precise, smooth adjustment. Think of it as the volume knob for the bass alone. Too much and the bass overwhelms everything. Too little and you barely notice it. The goal is balance, where the low end supports the music without drawing attention to itself.
Because it is continuously variable, you can nudge it in small increments until it feels just right, which is a much more refined experience than being stuck with only a few preset levels.
What does the phase control do?
The phase control makes sure the subwoofer's bass arrives in sync with the sound from your main speakers, and it is adjustable so you can align the two. When a subwoofer and your speakers are out of phase, their sound waves can partly cancel each other out, leaving the bass sounding thin or weak even when the sub is working hard.
Adjusting the phase brings everything into agreement so the bass reinforces the music instead of fighting it. You simply set it to whatever position gives you the fullest, most solid low end in your listening spot.
The Design and Build
Why does the driver being forward-firing matter?
The PL-2 uses a forward-firing driver, which means the speaker cone that produces the bass faces out toward the front of the cabinet and into your room. The "driver" is the moving part that actually creates the sound. A forward-firing orientation aims the bass energy directly into your listening space, which many listeners find gives a fast, direct, and well-defined sense of low end.
What finish does the PL-2 come in?
The PL-2 comes in a high-gloss finish, with current color options available to choose from. High-gloss means a smooth, polished, mirror-like surface that looks refined and premium in a living room. This is a piece of equipment designed to be seen as well as heard, and the careful finish reflects REL's attention to how their products fit into a real home.
Why does REL Acoustics build quality and design matter?
REL Acoustics has spent decades focused specifically on bass reproduction, and that specialization shows in how thoughtfully their subwoofers are made. Rather than treating a subwoofer as an afterthought, REL designs each one to integrate naturally with music and home theater systems, which is exactly why the PL-2 offers multiple input types and continuously variable controls.
Good build quality in a subwoofer is not just about looks. A well-made cabinet and driver produce cleaner, tighter, more musical bass because the energy goes into sound rather than rattles and distortion. REL's reputation is built on subwoofers that add depth and realism without ever sounding boomy or artificial, and the Planar PL series continues that philosophy.
Who Is the PL-2 For?
Should I choose the PL-2?
The PL-2 suits anyone who wants deeper, richer, more lifelike sound from both music and movies without needing to be a technical expert. Its three input options and continuously variable crossover, gain, and phase controls mean it adapts to nearly any system and room, whether you are building your first serious setup or refining an established one.
If you love music and want to feel the full weight of a recording, or you want your movies to have genuine cinematic impact, the PL-2 delivers. And because it welcomes the optional REL wireless system, it stays flexible as your space and needs change. For someone new to high-end audio who wants a trustworthy, well-designed foundation for great sound, the REL Acoustics Planar PL-2 is a genuinely welcoming place to start.