Why REL Makes Wireless Systems
One of the quiet challenges of adding a subwoofer is the cable run. A subwoofer belongs where the room supports the best bass, and that spot is not always near your amplifier or source. REL's wireless systems solve this by sending the low frequency signal across the room without a physical cable, so you can place a compatible REL sub where it sounds best rather than where the wiring is convenient.
Specifications compared
| Specification | HT-Air MKII | Arrow | AirShip II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Wireless subwoofer transmitter and receiver system | Wireless subwoofer transmitter and receiver system | Wireless subwoofer transmitter and receiver system |
| Finishes | Black | — | Black |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 2.75 x 2.06 x 3.25 in. (70 x 53 x 82.3 mm) | 5.125 x 3.5 x 3.25 in. (130 x 89 x 82.5 mm) | — |
| Application | — | — | Connects a compatible REL subwoofer without a physical cable run |
| Brand | — | — | REL Acoustics |
| Category | — | — | Wireless subwoofer accessory |
| Compatibility | — | Compatible with Serie T/x and Serie T/i | Serie S Sub-Bass System and many additional REL models |
| Connection | — | Wireless signal link replacing physical cable run | — |
| Function | — | Transmits low frequency signal from source to subwoofer | — |
| Generation | MKII (second generation) | — | — |
| Input Connectors | Stereo RCA, LFE input uses Right channel input only | HIGH-LEVEL Neutrik Speakon, LFE single phono | High-Level Neutrik Speakon, L/R Low-Level RCA, LFE single phono RCA, LFE balanced XLR |
| Input Impedance | 10k ohms | HIGH-LEVEL: 150k, .1/LFE: 10k ohms | — |
| Input Impedance - HIGH-LEVEL | — | — | 150k ohms |
| Input Impedance - LOW-LEVEL | — | — | 10k ohms |
| Input Impedance - RCA .1/LFE | — | — | 10k ohms |
| Input Impedance - XLR .1/LFE | — | — | 10k ohms |
| Input Options | Low level RCA and .1/LFE | — | — |
| Installation | — | Plug and play, transmitter at source, receiver at subwoofer | — |
| Intended Use | Wireless connection of a compatible REL subwoofer | Music focused mid range subwoofer integration | — |
| Latency | around 17 ms | — | — |
| Mains Input Voltage | 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive center | 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive center | 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive center |
| Not Compatible With | — | Not compatible with Tzero MKIII | — |
| Position In Line | — | — | REL's highest performance wireless option, above Arrow and HT-Air MKII |
| Power | DC powered via supplied adapters | — | — |
| Power Consumption | 600 mWatts | 600 mWatts | 600 mWatts |
| Receiver Dimensions | — | — | 5 1/2 x 4 5/16 x 1 3/16 in. (139.7 x 109.5 x 30 mm) |
| Simultaneous Connection | — | Supports HIGH-LEVEL connection AND the .1/LFE at the same time | — |
| Supplied Accessories | X2 Power adapters; X2 RCA Cable: 2 meter in length | — | — |
| System | Transmitter and receiver pair | — | — |
| Transmitter Dimensions | — | — | 6 x 6 x 2 5/8 in. (152.4 x 152.4 x 66.7 mm) |
| Wireless Band | 3rd generation 5.8 GHz chip | — | — |
| Wireless Effective Distance | 40 ft (12 meters) with clear line of site | 50 ft (15.2 meters) with a clear line of sight | 50 ft (10 meters) with clear line of site |
| Wireless Output Power | 0 dBm | 10dBm | Less than -3dBm |
It is important to understand what these products are and are not. A REL wireless system is a transmitter and receiver pair. It makes no sound on its own. It serves a specific, compatible REL subwoofer, so the single most important step before buying is confirming that the system matches your sub. Each of the three systems AEA carries occupies a clear place in the lineup, and choosing well comes down to which subwoofer you own and what you listen to most.
The Shared Design Across the Range
All three REL wireless systems follow the same core idea. A transmitter sits at your source or amplifier, a receiver sits at the subwoofer, and the two communicate over a wireless link that stands in for a wired connection. REL engineers these systems for low latency so that bass timing stays accurate and stays locked to the rest of your system, which is essential whether you are chasing tuneful musical integration or the impact of a film soundtrack.
What separates the models is the intended subwoofer partner and the level of performance. Think of the lineup as a ladder. As you move up, you are matching more capable subwoofers and asking more of the wireless link.
The Models by Tier
Entry and Broad Compatibility: REL Arrow
The REL Arrow is the wireless system built around the T/x series subwoofers. It is a plug and play transmitter and receiver pair, with the transmitter at your source and the receiver at the sub, replacing the physical cable run entirely. It is music focused and aimed squarely at mid range subwoofer integration, so if you have paired a T/x sub with a pair of bookshelf or floorstanding speakers, Arrow is the natural companion.
Arrow suits the listener who wants clean, tidy placement of a musical subwoofer without a cable snaking across the floor. Confirm your T/x model is a match, and it becomes a simple, elegant upgrade to your setup.
Versatile and Home Theater Friendly: REL HT-Air MKII
The REL HT-Air MKII is the second generation of REL's flexible wireless system. It offers both low level RCA and .1/LFE inputs, which makes it especially well suited to home theater and multi use systems where the signal is coming from a processor or receiver's subwoofer output. Its low latency design keeps bass tight and in step with the picture, which matters when you want the slam of an action scene to land exactly on cue.
HT-Air MKII is the choice for the person whose priority leans toward movies and mixed use, or who wants the flexibility of both line level and LFE connection in one package. It is DC powered by the supplied adapters and installs cleanly at both ends.
Highest Performance: REL AirShip II
The REL AirShip II sits at the top of REL's wireless range, positioned above both Arrow and HT-Air MKII. It is REL's highest performance wireless option, intended to partner the more capable subwoofers in the range where you want the wireless link to keep pace with a serious sub without compromising integration.
AirShip II is for the listener building around a higher tier REL sub who refuses to lose performance to the convenience of going wireless. As always, verify compatibility with your specific subwoofer before you commit, since this system is designed to serve particular models.
How to Choose
The decision flows from three questions: which REL subwoofer do you have or plan to buy, how large is your room, and do you listen mostly to music or watch mostly films.
By Subwoofer
Start here, because compatibility is not optional. If you own a T/x series sub, look first at Arrow. If your sub sits higher in the range, HT-Air MKII or AirShip II will be the appropriate partners. When in doubt, let us confirm the match for you.
By Room Size
Larger rooms and more demanding placements ask more of the wireless link and often of the subwoofer itself. If you are driving a bigger space with a more capable sub, the higher performance of AirShip II is worth considering so the wireless connection is never the limiting factor.
By Music or Home Theater
For a music first system built on a T/x sub, Arrow is the focused answer. For home theater or mixed use where LFE and line level flexibility matter, HT-Air MKII is designed for exactly that role. For the highest performance regardless of use, AirShip II leads the range.
Which Should You Buy, by Scenario
- You have a T/x sub and listen to music: the REL Arrow is the purpose built partner.
- You want a movie ready or mixed use system with LFE and line level inputs: the REL HT-Air MKII gives you both connection options and low latency timing.
- You are building around a higher tier REL sub and want the best wireless performance: the REL AirShip II is the flagship choice.
- You are still deciding on the sub itself: choose the subwoofer first, then let the compatible wireless system follow.
Let AEA Help You Match It
AEA is an authorized REL Acoustics dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so reach out before you visit. We are glad to help confirm the right wireless system for your subwoofer, your speakers, and your room, and to arrange a listen when the right pieces are on the floor.