REL AirShip II Wireless Transmitter

Put the Subwoofer Where It Sounds Best, Not Where the Cable Reaches

Bass response depends enormously on where a subwoofer sits in the room, and the best-sounding position is often the least convenient one — a far corner, along a glass wall, across an expanse of hardwood you'd rather not run cable over. The AirShip II removes that constraint. Transmitter at the amplifier, receiver at the sub, no cable between them.

On compatible REL models the receiver bolts directly onto the subwoofer's amplifier panel — no separate box on the floor, no additional power cord, nothing to hide.

Zero-Compression Transmission at 5.8 GHz

Most wireless subwoofer links compress the signal to fit the available bandwidth, which is exactly the wrong compromise for low-frequency material where dynamic range is the whole point. The AirShip II transmits uncompressed over a 5.8 GHz link.

The II revision is built around a new Texas Instruments DAC/ADC design that drops system noise 12 dB below the original AirShip. That's a specific, measurable improvement rather than a vague one — and at subwoofer frequencies, a lower noise floor is what lets low-level information and decay survive the trip.

High Level and .1/LFE at the Same Time

This is the AirShip II's real distinction. It carries the high-level stereo signal and the .1/LFE channel simultaneously, on independent channels — so a system that does double duty for music and movies needs no reconfiguring between the two.

The high-level input accepts stereo signals from the speaker terminals of your receiver, integrated amp, or power amps. That's REL's preferred connection method for a reason: your subwoofer receives the same signal your main speakers do, including whatever character your amplifier imparts, which is what makes a REL blend rather than announce itself. REL's PerfectFilter input circuits handle that integration. The .1/LFE channel runs on its own dedicated wireless path for movie effects.

Inputs and Outputs

The transmitter provides high-level (Speakon), low-level (stereo RCA), and .1/LFE inputs on both RCA and balanced XLR. The receiver outputs high/low level on RCA plus a dedicated .1/LFE RCA output.

Setup is brief: connect the transmitter using the high-level cable that came with your REL, mount or place the receiver, and power both. A manual and power cord are included.

Before You Order — Check Compatibility

Designed for specific REL models. The AirShip II is engineered for the No.32, No.31, 212/SX, Carbon Special, S/812, and S/510, and is compatible with the HT/1510. Not every model in that list supports the bolt-on receiver mounting — on some the receiver sits as a separate unit.

It can be used with subwoofers from other manufacturers for high-level, low-level, or .1/LFE connection, though the bolt-on integration and the model-specific engineering apply only to the REL models above.

If you're not certain about your specific model or your intended placement distance, call us before ordering and we'll confirm it.

Specifications

• Transmission: 5.8 GHz, zero-compression
• Simultaneous channels: High level and .1/LFE, independent and uncompressed
• Transmitter inputs: High level (Speakon), low level (stereo RCA), .1/LFE (RCA), .1/LFE (balanced XLR)
• Receiver outputs: High/low level (RCA), .1/LFE (RCA)
• Conversion: Texas Instruments DAC/ADC, 12 dB lower noise than original AirShip
• Input circuits: REL PerfectFilter
• Designed for: REL No.32, No.31, 212/SX, Carbon Special, S/812, S/510
• Also compatible with: REL HT/1510; other manufacturers' subwoofers via high level, low level, or .1/LFE
• Receiver mounting: Bolts to amplifier panel on compatible models
• Included: Manual, power cord (uses the high-level cable supplied with your REL)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose sound quality going wireless?
The signal isn't compressed, which is the usual culprit in wireless subwoofer links, and the noise floor is 12 dB lower than the previous generation. REL positions this as equivalent to a wired connection. In practice, whether you could distinguish it from a cable in your own room is a question worth answering with your ears — and the 60-day return window is there for exactly that.

How far will it transmit?
Published figures vary, and real-world range depends on walls, floors, and competing 5.8 GHz traffic in your home. If your intended placement is a long run or involves transmitting through masonry or multiple walls, call us and talk it through before ordering rather than guessing.

Do I still need to run a cable to the subwoofer?
Only power. The AirShip II eliminates the signal cable between your amplifier and the sub, but the subwoofer still needs an outlet — so choose a placement with power available, or plan for a single power run instead of a signal run.

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