Classic 99 adopts the form language introduced in its model 98 stablemate. As comfortable as a pair of well-worn loafers, it features solid cabinet walls as thick as 32 mm, clad in rich, warm walnut veneer, hand fitted with care. The simplest of natural aluminium badges and softly radiused feet milled from solid billet, blacked out to allow it to seemingly float, ensure that nothing, not even a grille disturbs the vibe.

Yet, as with all RELs, the styling conveys far more than simple comfort. The down-firing 12” driver, while unseen, will surely be felt. Continuing to the rear panel, one finds the period-correct detailing extends to the amplifier panel, where all controls are finished in lovely white gold.

Everything that one encounters has the heft of quality switch gear, even the click made by the phase switch is near perfection. Quality abounds everywhere one looks or touches. 

As anyone familiar with REL will tell you, we always begin with the driver. In this case, a bespoke 12” long stroke driver that uses lightweight, stiff, hot-pressed paper to form the main body of the cone.

Laid atop that is a stiff centre cap made of hand-thrown paper; to randomise the fibres, ensuring that the driver has excellent self-damping. This is one of REL’s secrets. Understanding that it is the quietness, that attention to bring the driver to complete silence, that produces the most startling dynamics.

Whilst Classic 99 will play shatteringly loud, it’s from the very black background that the loudest dynamics emerge to produce the sense of shock sought by great composers and directors.

Classic 99 is big, bold, and full of character, similar to the Stentor II of our youth, but at one-third the price. Of course, the 99 has a great amp. In order to generate deeper bass and significantly higher output, we turned to a tried-and-true Class D amplifier that we’ve already used in thousands of previous units. 

This 450 watt amplifier is fed by an all analogue PerfectFilter™ front end that extends useful output well into the low 20 Hz range – superb for a design of this size and price. It produces a sound that’s both rich and richly detailed at the same time.

Classic 99 borrows the best from current technology to deliver a sound slightly warmer and more like what we all imagine vintage sound to be, with superior reliability and performance than was ever available back in the day.

How does the Classic 99 stack up against the hot little Classic 98?

While they look similar, the newer Classic 99 is some 50 percent larger (by volume) delivering 450 watts of power (300w for CL98) into a 12″ driver (10″ for CL98). Those are significant upgrades in the basic spec of the Classic 99.

Yes, the Classic 99 is more powerful, plays louder and goes deeper. It should. We walk you through the untold, less obvious story that makes the Classic 99 truly special even while appreciating the magic that is the original Classic 98.