If you are new to high-end audio, welcome. This guide is written for you. We are going to walk through the REL Acoustics AirShip II in plain language, without assuming you already know the lingo. By the end, you will understand what this product does, why people care about it, and whether it makes sense for your setup.
What exactly is the AirShip II?
The AirShip II is a wireless system that connects a compatible REL subwoofer to your audio system without running a physical cable across the room. It is made up of two parts, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sits near your amplifier or receiver and grabs the audio signal. The receiver sits at your subwoofer and hands that signal off to the sub. Together they send the sound through the air instead of through a wire.
Quick definition: a subwoofer, often shortened to "sub," is a specialized speaker that reproduces the deepest bass sounds. Think of the rumble of thunder in a movie or the low foundation under a bass guitar. Your regular speakers do not go that low, so a sub fills in the bottom.
What does the AirShip II actually do in a system?
The AirShip II removes the need for a long speaker cable between your gear and your subwoofer. Normally, a subwoofer needs a cable running from your amplifier or receiver all the way to wherever the sub is placed. If your sub lives across the room, or in a corner far from your equipment, that cable can be awkward to hide and inconvenient to route. The AirShip II lets you skip that cable run entirely by sending the signal wirelessly.
Where does it fit in my setup?
The AirShip II sits between your main audio equipment and your REL subwoofer. On one end, the transmitter connects to your system where the sub cable would normally plug in. On the other end, the receiver connects to your REL subwoofer. Once both pieces are powered and paired, your system behaves as if the sub were wired in directly, only now there is no cable stretched across the floor.
Understanding the Features and How They Work
How does the wireless connection work?
The AirShip II works by having the transmitter convert your audio signal into a wireless transmission and send it to the receiver, which converts it back so your subwoofer can play it. This is the whole purpose of a two-piece transmitter and receiver system. One piece talks, the other listens, and the signal travels through the air between them. You do not have to understand the technical details to use it. You place the transmitter near your gear, place the receiver near your sub, and the system handles the handoff.
Why are there two pieces instead of one?
There are two pieces because the signal has to leave one location (your equipment) and arrive at another (your subwoofer). The transmitter is the sending unit and the receiver is the collecting unit. Since your amplifier and your subwoofer are in different spots, you need a device at each end. This is normal for any wireless audio link and is exactly why REL supplies both halves together as one system.
What does it connect to?
The AirShip II connects to a compatible REL subwoofer. REL designs its wireless systems to work with its own subwoofers, so the two are made to fit together properly. If you already own or are planning to own a REL sub that supports this system, the AirShip II is designed to pair with it cleanly. This is one of the benefits of staying within one brand's ecosystem, since the parts are engineered with each other in mind.
What finish does it come in?
The AirShip II comes in black. This keeps it visually low key so it blends in near your equipment and near your subwoofer. Since the whole point is to reduce visible clutter by removing a cable, a discreet black finish fits that goal nicely.
Where the AirShip II Sits in the REL Lineup
Is this REL's best wireless option?
Yes, the AirShip II is REL's highest performance wireless option. It sits above two other REL wireless products, the Arrow and the HT-Air MKII. In practical terms, that means REL positions the AirShip II as the top choice for listeners who want the most capable wireless connection the brand offers. If you are the kind of person who wants the best version of a given feature, this is where the AirShip II lands in the family.
How is it different from the Arrow and the HT-Air MKII?
The AirShip II is positioned above the Arrow and the HT-Air MKII, meaning REL places it as its most advanced wireless solution. The Arrow and HT-Air MKII are also wireless options within the REL range, and they serve people who want to go cable-free as well. The AirShip II is simply the flagship of that group, aimed at listeners who want REL's most refined wireless performance. All three exist to solve the same basic problem of connecting a sub without a wire, with the AirShip II sitting at the top.
Why REL Build Quality and Design Matter
Why should I care who makes my wireless subwoofer link?
You should care because a wireless link is part of the signal path, and the quality of that path affects what you hear. REL Acoustics has built its reputation entirely around subwoofers and getting bass right in real rooms. Because REL focuses so heavily on this one area, its accessories, including its wireless systems, are designed specifically to preserve the character of the bass rather than treat it as an afterthought. When a company designs both the subwoofer and the wireless system that feeds it, the two are built to work as a matched pair.
Does a wireless connection hurt sound quality?
A well-designed wireless system is intended to deliver the signal faithfully so your subwoofer performs the way it should. The AirShip II is REL's highest performance wireless option, which means it is the product REL puts forward for listeners who do not want to compromise on the connection. The goal of a serious wireless link like this is to let you enjoy the convenience of no cable while keeping the sound you would expect from a wired setup.
Who Is the AirShip II For?
Is the AirShip II right for me?
The AirShip II is right for you if you own or plan to own a compatible REL subwoofer and you want to connect it without running a cable across the room. It is especially suited to people who place their subwoofer far from their main equipment, in a corner, behind seating, or anywhere a physical cable would be difficult or unsightly to route.
It is also a strong match for listeners who want REL's top wireless performance rather than an entry-level option. Since the AirShip II sits above the Arrow and the HT-Air MKII, it appeals to people who care about getting the most capable version REL offers.
What should I keep in mind before buying?
The main thing to remember is that the AirShip II is a wireless accessory for a compatible REL subwoofer, not a standalone product. It does not replace a subwoofer and it does not add bass on its own. It exists to connect an existing or planned REL sub without a wire. If you already have a compatible REL subwoofer, or you are building a system around one, the AirShip II is REL's premier way to make that connection cleanly and without clutter.
For someone new to high-end audio, that is really the whole story. It is a tidy, well-engineered way to place your subwoofer where it sounds best without worrying about where the cable goes.