REL AirShip II Wireless Transmitter
AirShip II elevates REL's reputation for edge-of-the-art wireless connection in the audio industry to new heights. Taking advantage of the latest Texas Instruments DAC/ADC chip set, REL have reduced the noise on the wireless system by 12 dB. Yet, it is the effect of this that is transformative. Sound traveling through 12, 15, or even 18 metres arrives clear, crisp, dynamic, and with even richer, more saturated tonal colours.
The AirShip II offers high-level Input, low-level Input, .1/LFE-RCA input, and .1/LFE XLR balanced input. The LFE and High-Level may run concurrently for the REL Theatre Reference performance.
For those who want all the performance that models from REL's Serie S and Reference deliver, but either cannot use conventional cable or prefer room orientations that make conventional cable difficult, help has arrived. AirShip II is a quiet revolution that must be heard to be believed. It is utterly brilliant.
AirShip II Wireless Connectivity: REL have prided themselves on their ability to deliver extremely high levels of sound quality and rock solid wireless connection protocols since their first wireless design over a decade ago. AirShip II surpasses any earlier design using a 5.8 gigahertz signal, a frequency previously reserved for military use by the US military and NATO. It results in the fastest, most transparent wireless the design team has ever experienced and verges on hardwired transparency levels.
Ultra-high quality wireless confers a number of benefits to the REL owner, notably, freedom of placement. This permits extreme performance without the cumbersome tether of a cable, for ideal placement without being limited by the length of a wire, which can lead to a better sounding, less cluttered experience. So now you can place subs in distant corners, along glass walls, or on hardwood floors to ensure a superior experience, sonically and aesthetically.
The Best of Both Worlds: AirShip II allows High Level and Theatre .1 connections simultaneously through the new 5.8 gig connection. In this way, both 2-channel music and multi-channel theatre are supported simultaneously, meaning you can use your REL for any form of music or theatre without adjusting anything further.
The High-Level input is designed to accept the stereo (two-channel) signals from the speaker terminals of your receiver, integrated amplifier or power amplifier(s). This has the advantage of ensuring that your subwoofer receives exactly the same signal as the main speakers, which means that the character of the bass from the main system is carried forward into the Sub-Bass System. Along with the extremely fast, natural sounding Filter Circuits, AirShip II ensures you receive the benefits of REL's superior system integration since RELs are known the world over for their perfect, rich integration without the ability to sonically locate the subwoofer's location.
For top theatre performance, the .1/LFE circuit is granted its own dedicated wireless channel which allows for the largest, most dynamic special effects in theatre to be properly replicated in all their glory. AirShip II delivers 2 channels in parallel, one for music and theatre in High Level (or Low Level, increasingly needed for active wireless speakers for example) and a second channel for .1/LFE in theatre use.
When both are used correctly, normal theatre transforms because the cold, edgy sound most theatres deliver becomes rich and full-bodied. Dialogue and atmospheric effects take on new drama and realism because the full range of sounds are provided every moment of the movie by the High Level, whilst the .1 channel delivers extra emphasis during the 15-20 minutes of a movie that this channel is active. Truly the best of both worlds.
Pairing Made Simple - No laptops or Apps Required: REL designed and engineered AirShip II to deliver a simple, elegant pairing that operates as smoothly as it looks. Just plug both in within a few seconds of each other, push a button and the AirShip II seeks out its mating receiver and pairs with it. Standard time to pair is less than 5 seconds.
The Case for AirShip II - Freedom & Performance: For many, the ability to listen to the highest quality audio in glorious full range sound while placing their RELs perfectly for sound quality and best appearance has been a dream beyond their reach. AirShip II finally allows the final barriers between performance, placement and attractive room design to be replaced by a newfound freedom. Once experienced, you will never return to yesterday's compromises.
About REL
REL was founded in 1990 in Bridge End, Wales, UK by Richard E Lord and for the last 30 plus years REL has been developing better and better subwoofers designed to bring the ultimate bass response to your stereo or home theatre system, regardless of budget.
But lots of companies make subwoofers, so what makes REL special? Well for starters, they ONLY make subwoofers, whereas almost every other company make a range of products, including subwoofers. You can guess which company pays subwoofer development the most attention. Also most REL subwoofers are designed for music systems and have two very unique features. The first is the High Level Input which brings the signal in from the amplifier's speaker outputs so the signal your subwoofer is seeing is the same as the one your speakers are seeing. This means the subwoofer has a much better chance of sounding like an extension of your speakers.
The second unique feature is the lightning fast filters which REL have developed which allow REL subwoofers to be as quick as your speakers. To illustrate, a typical loudspeaker has a response time of 4ms (milliseconds), whereas most subwoofers have a response time between 37ms & 80ms. No wonder most subwoofers sound as slow as a wet week. By contrast the response times of a REL Subwoofer vary between 9ms for the Serie T, 7ms for the Serie S and a loudspeaker-equalling 4ms for the Reference series. On top of that, REL have some of the lightest most rigid cones found on any sub and some of the most powerful amplifiers, all housed in uniquely braced cabinets that ensure no cabinet resonances of any kind and no turbulence or noise inside the cabinet. Last, but certainly not least, REL subwoofers are some of the most harmoniously designed and downright good looking subwoofers on the planet, ensuring it's not just the bass response that brings a smile to your face.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Ultra High Quality Wireless Transmitter for select REL Subwoofers
- Input Connectors: High-Level Neutrik Speakon, L/R Low-Level RCA, LFE single phono RCA, LFE balanced XLR
- Input Impedance XLR .1/LFE: 10k Ohms
- Wireless Output Power: Less than -3dBm
- Wireless Effective Distance: 10 metres with clear line of sight
- Mains Input Voltage: 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive centre
- Power Consumption: 600 mWatts
- Finish: Black
- Supplied Accessories: Two Power Adapters, 3 Metre High Level Cable, 2 Metre Dual RCA Cable
- Dimensions
- Transmitter: 152.4 x 152.4 x 66.7mm
- Receiver: 139.7 x 109.5 x 30mm
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE