REL Acoustics has built its reputation on fast, musical subwoofers, but its HT (Home Theater) series takes a different approach—delivering deep, cinematic bass tailored for home theater without the high-end audiophile price tag. The HT/1205 MKII, a sealed 12-inch, 500-watt subwoofer, is one of REL’s latest updates, promising high output, clean low-end extension, and seamless integration for home theater enthusiasts. Buy it here!
I integrated two HT/1205 MKIIs into my 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos home theater, alongside a REL T/5x dedicated center-channel sub. Over several weeks, I put it to the test with blockbuster films, sports broadcasts, and lossless streaming music.
Is this sealed 12-inch subwoofer enough to energize a dedicated home theater? Let’s take a closer look.
REL is known for its sleek and modern designs, and the HT/1205 MKII is no exception. At 15.7 x 14.5 x 16.5 inches, it’s compact yet substantial, with a sealed cabinet design that prioritizes tight, controlled bass over sheer output. The high-gloss top plate gives it a refined look, while the textured black body ensures it blends seamlessly into most home theaters.
On the rear panel, you’ll find LFE and RCA inputs, a high-quality Class D amplifier, and controls for gain, phase, and crossover settings. While it lacks balanced XLR inputs, it does support REL’s HT-Air wireless module, allowing low-latency, cable-free placement.
The HT/1205 MKII is designed for home theater first, and it doesn’t disappoint.
Firing up Top Gun: Maverick, the sub delivered chest-rumbling LFE, making jet engines feel massive yet controlled. Explosions in John Wick 4 packed the low-end weight you’d expect from a much larger subwoofer, while quieter scenes retained clarity and texture without overpowering the rest of the mix.
What stood out most was the speed and accuracy of the bass. Unlike many ported subwoofers that can sound bloated or sluggish, the sealed design keeps transients tight and punchy, making it perfect for action-heavy soundtracks.
For sports, the HT/1205 MKII added just enough depth to create a stadium-like presence without overwhelming the dialogue. The crowd noise in Sunday Night Football felt immersive, and hard-hitting tackles carried an extra sense of impact.
While designed primarily for movies, the HT/1205 MKII holds its own with music playback. The CarbonGlas™ driver is rigid and lightweight, allowing for quick bass transients that don’t muddy the midrange.
Switching to Hans Zimmer’s “Time”, the subwoofer delivered deep, textured bass notes without bloat. Tracks like ODESZA’s “Bloom” showed off its ability to keep up with fast-paced electronic bass lines, though serious audiophiles might still prefer REL’s Serie T/x line for music-first applications.
REL makes setup simple, and the HT/1205 MKII is no exception. Out of the box, I used a wired LFE connection, although you can option a REL HT-Air wireless module.
Using Anthem Room Correction (ARC), I was able to dial in both subwoofers to seamlessly integrate with my Revel in-wall speakers. Even without room correction, careful placement and adjustments to gain and crossover settings produced noticeable improvements in clarity and impact.
The HT/1205 MKII is an easy subwoofer to tune—even without high-end calibration tools, dialing it in to match my front stage was straightforward.
At $949, the HT/1205 MKII faces tough competition from brands like SVS, Monoprice, and Rythmik. Here’s how it compares:
| Subwoofer | Amplifier Power | Driver Size | Design | Price |
| REL HT/1205 MKII | 500W Class D | 12-inch | Sealed | $949 |
| SVS PB-2000 Pro | 550W RMS | 12-inch | Ported | $1,099 |
| Rythmik F12 | 400W Class A/B | 12-inch | Sealed | $1,399 |
| Monoprice Monolith 12 | 500W Class D | 12-inch | Ported | $999 |
While ported subs like the SVS PB-2000 Pro will provide more room-filling bass, the HT/1205 MKII is a better choice for those who want precision and clarity over sheer output. Buy it here!
The Rythmik F12 offers exceptional musicality, but at $1,399, it’s significantly more expensive. For home theater-first applications, the HT/1205 MKII is an excellent balance of power, precision, and affordability.
The REL Acoustics HT/1205 MKII is an exceptional home theater subwoofer that delivers tight, impactful bass without sacrificing clarity. Its sealed design ensures precision, while the 500-watt amplifier provides enough power to bring blockbuster films to life.
At $949, it holds its own against more expensive competitors, making it an easy recommendation for home theater enthusiasts looking for a high-performance subwoofer in a compact form factor. Buy it here!
