Timeless Warmth. Natural Depth. Pure Musical Ease.Classic 98 brings expressive acoustic-suspension bass to a more compact footprint, balanced, inviting, and beautifully integrated into any room or system.

• Smooth dynamics from a 300-watt Class D amplifier
• Warm, expressive bass from a 10" pulp-on-paper driver
• Tight, natural response via an acoustic-suspension cabinet
• Classic walnut veneer for an elegant, enduring finish

• Single Subwoofer
• Stereo Pair

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Nothing Says Lifestyle like Mid-Century Modern RELs

Classic 98

Classic 98 holds a distinctive place within the REL pantheon. While not a part of any regular line of REL products, instead, it is its very own solution for anyone who owns and loves vintage audio gear, or its modern equivalents that we refer to as retro. With different aspirations, Classic 98 offers a slightly softer touch, delivering a broad carpet of room-filling bass. While it might trade off a touch of the speed, clarity, and deepest bass that our standard models, like the T/9x, are known for, it compensates with its inviting warmth. Classic 98 beckons you to put on a record, pour a cherished drink, recline in a comfortable chair, and relax into the music. Its classic natural walnut veneer and mid-century modern styling complements a wide range of decors. It’s also easy to place and use. One reviewer aptly dubbed it as “the audiophile‘s ultimate guilty pleasure.”

Classic 98 holds a distinctive place within the REL pantheon. While not a part of any regular line of REL products, instead, it is its very own solution for anyone who owns and loves vintage audio gear, or its modern equivalents that we refer to as retro. With different aspirations, Classic 98 offers a slightly softer touch, delivering a broad carpet of room-filling bass. While it might trade off a touch of the speed, clarity, and deepest bass that our standard models, like the T/9x, are known for, it compensates with its inviting warmth. Classic 98 beckons you to put on a record, pour a cherished drink, recline in a comfortable chair, and relax into the music. Its classic natural walnut veneer and mid-century modern styling complements a wide range of decors. It’s also easy to place and use. One reviewer aptly dubbed it as “the audiophile‘s ultimate guilty pleasure.”

Designed to Warm the Heart

Classic 98 channels the essence of our renowned 10” down-firing designs from the late 90s. The rich, natural walnut veneer exudes warmth and authenticity, reminiscent of the mid-century stereo gear. The radiused curve, accentuated by a subtle reveal line, showcases modern craftsmanship while honoring past design. The rear amp panel, with its white gold silk screening and contrasting knobs, evokes memories of the era, while the glossy black logo set against a matte background adds a contemporary touch.

Positioned for Distinctive Excellence

Within the REL product line, Classic 98 carves out its unique niche, priced just beneath the T9/x. While both models stand as paragons of top-tier performance, they cater to distinct experiences. The Classic 98 is designed for aficionados who yearn for the vintage REL sound and styling, offering a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of stereo, yet infused with the advancements and reliability of modern technology.

The T9/x, on the other hand, is the embodiment of power and depth, wrapped in a sleek, modern design. Tailored for those seeking cutting-edge performance, it's a versatile powerhouse adept at delivering both in music and home theatre settings, ensuring a comprehensive sonic experience.

For those with a penchant for pure home theatre applications, our Serie HT is the go-to choice. Crafted for peak .1/LFE performance, it's the epitome of cinematic immersion, ensuring every scene is felt as much as it's seen.

Drive To Survive

The Heart of Classic 98:

The 10” down-firing driver, crafted using our traditional paper cone technique, revives the vintage REL sound. This driver, built to handle the abundance of power offered in Classic 98, ensures a sound that's not just powerful, but pure and deeply resonant. While Classic 98 maintains the aesthetics of our historical models, it plays louder and deeper, offering an audio experience that marries the reliability and technology of modern RELs with a retro look and sound.

Paper Cone Mastery:

Hot-pressed, lightweight paper forms the outer 2/3 of the cone. The inner cap is a premium air-dried paper that stiffens the driver, allowing Classic 98 to outperform many of our products from the past. A natural butyl surround produces a gentle, period-correct dynamic that endures.

Unlimited Power Used Wisely

Amplifier Excellence:

Back in the 90s, offering a 300W amp at an affordable price was a significant challenge. Today, we've harnessed one of our latest amp designs – a high-current, lightning-fast Class D amp. This modern powerhouse is not only dynamic but also stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier performance without compromising on affordability.

High-Level Connectivity & Filters

We've paired this powerhouse with the High-Level connectivity and modern input filter technology. These filters, with their swift 8ms response, are intuitive and efficient. And if you were wondering about the old, confusing ABC filters, well, some things are best left in the past! To further enhance the experience, we've incorporated unique versions of the LimitLess™ Limiters and Perfect Filters™, ensuring that Classic 98's amplifier is a harmonious blend of the modern and the vintage.

Leading the Charge with Wireless

At the heart of our brand is a commitment to pushing boundaries. Our wireless technology stands as a testament to this, leading the industry in both innovation and performance. We don't just prioritize dynamic range; we ensure it's delivered with zero compression. This dedication results in top-tier sound quality paired with user-friendly operation.

For Classic 98, we're proud to offer two cutting-edge wireless options tailored to diverse needs:

AirShip II—Crafted for our Reference models, AirShip II is a beacon of advanced wireless technology. Operating at 5.8 GHz, it supports both High-Level Connection and .1/LFE, even simultaneously. This ensures peak theatre performance, making it the choice for those who demand the very best.

HT-Air MKII Wireless—A nod to our HT models, the HT-Air MKII offers an elegant and cost-effective wireless solution. Transmitting at 5.8 GHz, it flawlessly conveys either stereo low-level or .1/LFE signals without compression. However, it's worth noting that High-Level Connectivity isn't supported with the HT-Air MKII.

The REL Classic 99 delivers rich, full-bodied bass with exceptional musicality, making it ideal for traditional 2-channel systems. While it’s designed to produce powerful, deep, and tactile bass for home theater, being a REL, it must also excel with music. To achieve this, we use a down-firing 10" driver and a 300-watt Class D amplifier, all housed in a beautifully finished walnut cabinet. The result is a seamless blend of modern performance and timeless design—perfect for those who value both sonic and aesthetic harmony.

The Classic 98 is purpose-built for music-first systems, delivering natural warmth, speed, and tonal balance that enhance any high-fidelity stereo setup. While it can add depth in smaller-scale home theater environments, its true strength lies in musical refinement rather than cinematic slam.

Yes, the Classic 98 can be integrated with other REL models. For best results, it’s ideally paired with subwoofers that share a similar musical voicing—such as select models from the Serie T/x. With proper calibration, it can also perform effectively in larger multi-subwoofer systems.

Yes, the Classic 98 supports REL’s AirShip II wireless system, enabling high-quality, low-latency transmission without the need for cables. This allows for more flexible placement to achieve optimal sound while maintaining a clean, cable-free setup.

The Classic 98 is well-suited for medium to large rooms, typically between 150 and 400 square feet (14–37 m²). Its 10" driver and generously sized cabinet allow it to effortlessly pressurize the space, delivering expansive, natural bass that pairs beautifully with both vintage and modern hi-fi systems.

Classic 98 is not designed for vertical line array stacking. Classic 99 is optimized for floor placement in traditional 2-channel systems. For enhanced performance, Classic 99s can be used in stereo pairs to improve imaging and bass balance across the room. If you're looking for line array capability and theater-grade output, consider REL’s Serie S or Reference Series models, which are purpose-built for that application.