REL Acoustics AirShip Wireless Transmitter User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- REL Acoustics
Table of Contents
Operating Instructions for the
AirShip™ Wireless
FCC STATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference, and
- This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that the
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
AirShip™ Wireless
Airship™ is our newest state-of-the-art zero compression wireless connection
for use with the latest Serie S and many more RELs to come. Our goal with this
design is to deliver a true hardwired quality of connecting wirelessly. We
have prided ourselves on our ability to deliver extremely high levels of sound
quality and rock-solid wireless connection protocols since our first wireless
design over a decade ago. Airship™ 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, permitting ideal placement without being limited
by the length of a wire, and can lead to a better sounding, less cluttered
experience. This gives you the ability to place subs in distant corners, along
glass walls, or on hardwood floors allows for a superior experience,
sonically and aesthetically.
REL AirShip™ Panel Connection Legend
REL AirShip™ Transmitter
- Power Switch: Used to turn on and off REL AirShip™ transmitter.
- .1/LFE RCA INPUT: Used to connect to the .1/LFE output from a home theater processor. Should be used in conjunction with REL HIGH-LEVEL connection for the ultimate theater experience.
- LOW-LEVEL RCA INPUTS: Used to connect to a stereo output from a stereo pre-amp or home theater processor.
- BALANCED .1/LFE INPUT: Used to connect to the balanced .1/LFE output from a home theater processor with XLR cables.
- HIGH-LEVEL INPUT (Neutrik® Speakon® Socket): Use to connect HIGH-LEVEL to the main front amplifier speaker terminals.
- Power Adapter Socket: DC input socket that accepts a detachable power adapter.
- PAIR LED: Indicates whether the REL AirShip™ transmitter is paired with the receiver or not.
- Pair Button: Used to pair REL AirShip™ transmitter with REL cabinet.
REL AirShip™ Receiver
- LED: Indicates whether the REL AirShip™ receiver is paired with the transmitter or not.
- Pair Button: Used to pair REL AirShip™ receiver with REL cabinet.
- Power Adapter Socket: DC input socket that accepts a detachable power adapter.
- HI/LO OUTPUT: RCA output to be connected to LOW-LEVEL input of Serie S.
- .1/LFE OUTPUT: RCA output to be connected to .1/LFE input of Serie S.
Mounting Up
The receiver and bracket shall be mounted to the back panel of the Serie S
using the same fasteners that hold the amplifier panel in place. Make sure the
electrical interface is fully engaged to ensure proper performance and the
mounting screws need to be tight. See the photo below.
Loosen and remove the two lowest fasteners along the lower-left edge of the
amplifier panel. You will need a 3mm hex (Allan) wrench. Then align the holes
in the mounting bracket with the holes in the panel. Replace the fasteners and
tighten them.
Do not remove the transmitter from the bracket
Using the supplied RCA to RCA cable, connect the Hi/low Output of the receiver
to the Hi/Low RCA input on the REL and the LFE Output on the receiver to the
LFE RCA input on the REL.
Connecting Up
The REL AirShip™ wireless is intended to be used with the Serie S Sub-Bass
System. The transmitter and receiver will require power from an AC wall plug
using the power adapter cables supplied.
It is not possible to use the AirShip™ wireless connection and a direct
connection simultaneously. Using both wired and wireless connections
simultaneously could result in damage and voids all warranties.
Always switch your system off before disconnecting any wires.
The transmitter can be placed near an amplifier, pre-amp, or processor source.
Make sure the electrical interface is fully engaged to ensure proper
performance.
There must be at least 12 inches between AirShip™ and other wireless
sources.
Airship™ permits simultaneous use of our new 5.8 gigahertz connection for both
HIGH-LEVEL connection AND the .1/LFE needed for high-quality theater. In this
way, both 2-channel music and multi-channel theater are supported
simultaneously meaning the REL owner can use their REL without adjusting
anything further to any form of music or theater.
Our 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 our Sub-Bass System.
Along with our extremely fast, natural-sounding Filter Circuits, Airship™
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 origin.
For top theater performance, the .1/LFE circuit is granted its own dedicated
wireless channel which allows for the largest, most dynamic special effects in
the theater to be properly replicated in all their glory. Airship™ 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-theater use.
When both are used correctly, normal theater transforms because the cold, edgy sound most theaters deliver becomes rich and full-bodied. Dialogue and atmospheric effects take on new drama and realism because the full range of sounds is provided every moment of the movie by our HIGH-LEVEL, whilst the .1/LFE channel delivers extra emphasis during the 15-20 minutes of a movie that this channel is active. Truly the best of both worlds.
HIGH-LEVEL connection, using the enclosed cable with the Neutrik Speakon connector, is always the first choice. This connection can be made without affecting the performance of the amplifier because the REL’s amplifier input impedance is 150,000 ohms, in effect not producing any additional demand whatsoever on the rest of your system.
Connecting to the Power Amplifier Using the Speakon HIGH-LEVEL INPUT
To engage the Neutrik Speakon plug, insert fully into the socket and rotate
clockwise until locked.
To remove the Neutrik Speakon plug, grip body of plug, place thumb on chrome
lever, move lever backward, rotate plug anticlockwise quarter turn and
withdraw.
The following are ways to connect to common amplifier types. There is more
detailed connection information at User Guides on REL.net.
Please note: Since REL AirShip™ uses an external AC to DC converter, it does not have a connection to earth ground, so a connection with the BLACK wire of the high-level cable OR the collar of an RCA connection must be made to the stereo, or home theater system.
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The standard HIGH-LEVEL hookup procedure is: attach the red wire to the amplifier’s right positive speaker output terminal; attach the yellow wire to the amplifier’s left positive speaker output terminal; attach the black wire to whichever of the amplifier’s ground output terminals is convenient; plug the Speakon connector into the AirShip™ wireless transmitter’s HIGH-LEVEL input.
Standard HIGH-LEVEL
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For differential (i.e. fully balanced) amplifiers using one REL, simply use the standard connecting scheme with the exception of connecting the black wire to chassis ground (i.e. a metal bolt or screw, preferably not painted or anodized, on the chassis of the power amp or receiver), not to a negative speaker terminal, and then connecting into the HIGH-LEVEL input on the AirShip™ wireless transmitter. Please contact your dealer should there be any questions concerning this or any other hookup procedure.
Differential (i.e. Fully Balanced)
NOTE: The REL AirShip™ transmitter is
equipped with internal circuitry to allow seamless connection to Class-D
(digital) main amplifiers. If connecting to a Class-D amplifier, follow the
above connection procedure for differential amplifiers. If connecting RELs to
Mono Bloc amplifiers, we strongly advocate using two (2) RELs, one for each
amplifier. Connect the black wire of each REL to the negative speaker terminal
of the corresponding amplifier channel; twist together the red and yellow
wires of each REL separately and connect each pair to the positive speaker
terminal of the corresponding amplifier channel. In some instances, this will
result in exceptionally high gain (output) from the RELs. If it seems simply
too high in gain, please remove either the red or yellow wire from the twisted
pair. This will reduce output by half and restore a natural dynamic. If the
amplifier is of a balanced differential design, please follow the instructions
in the section above labeled Differential Connection.
MonoBloc
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If connecting a single REL as a dedicated center channel sub, connect the black wire of the REL to the negative center channel speaker terminal; twist together the red and yellow wires and connect this pair to the positive center channel speaker terminal.
Dedicated Centre Channel
-
If connecting a REL as a dedicated rear channel sub, connect the black wire of the REL to either the left rear or right rear negative speaker terminal; connect the yellow wire to the left rear positive speaker terminal; connect the red wire to the right rear positive speaker terminal. If the amplifier is of a balanced differential design, please follow the instruction in the section above labeled Differential Connection.
Dedicated Rear Channel
When connecting to a home cinema system
where a .1/LFE channel output is present, connect a single phono or XLR cable
between the sub output of the processor/receiver and the .1/LFE input jack on
the AirShip™ wireless transmitter.
REL Theater Reference™ Home Cinema Applications
For home theater systems, once the standard set-up for the two-channel
outlined above is complete, the LFE output from the processor or receiver
should be connected to the .1/LFE input and appropriate volume adjustments
made using the .1/LFE LEVEL control. For this configuration, you must set the
processor to the “large” or “full range” setting for the left and right
speakers in order for the REL to receive the bass signal via the HIGH-LEVEL
cable. In this configuration, the REL provides support for both the left and
right speakers for two-channel listening, and support for the LFE when films
are playing. Most processors will allow you to defeat the subwoofer output
when listening in the two-channel mode. The effect of this set-up is one of
greatly increased dynamics in the mid-bass range, no bass bloat, and a greater
degree of space and timing from the special audio effects.
The .1/LFE input is via an XLR or RCA jack that connects to the .1/LFE output
of a home cinema amplifier/processor.
Pairing
The AirShip™ wireless transmitter and receiver should be paired with each other from the factory. When the power is applied to both units, you should find that the LED on each unit is on. If this is not the case, then it will be necessary to pair them together. Follow the instructions below to pair the transmitter to the receiver.
- Make sure that the transmitter AC to DC wall plug supply is connected to an AC outlet, and that the barrel the connector is connected to the transmitter.
- Make sure that the receiver AC to DC wall plug supply is connected to an AC outlet, and that the barrel the connector is connected to the receiver.
- Turn the transmitter power switch on and a blue LED on the input face of the transmitter will indicate the unit is on by blinking in the standby pattern which is one flash per second.
- Turn the receiver power switch on.
- At this point, the transmitter and receiver should find each other and pair together. This will be indicated by the “Pair” LEDs on both the transmitter and control panel staying lit (no flashing).
- In the event that the transmitter and receiver do not automatically pair, simply exercise the momentary “Pair” buttons on the transmitter and the receiver.
| Status | LED Indicator |
|---|---|
| Paired | Continuously on |
| Standby | Blinks once per second |
Care and Polishing
The enclosures are best maintained by using a light automotive spray-on wax
and a microfiber cloth. Take care not to spray the aluminum badge. Do not
place objects, such as drinks on top of your REL AirShip™ transmitter. Never
use a dry cloth on this finish.
Technical
The AirShip™ transmitter provides true REL Theater Reference™ connectivity,
permitting both HIGH-LEVEL and LFE channels to be wirelessly fed to Serie S.
This occurs with virtually zero delays and a complete absence of compression.
AirShip™ Transmitter Specifications| High-Level Neutrik Speakon, L/R Low-
Level RCA, LFE single phono RCA, LFE balanced XLR
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Input Impedance
HIGH-LEVEL:| 150k ohms
LOW-LEVEL:| 10k ohms
RCA .1/LFE:| 10k ohms
XLR .1/LFE:| 10k ohms
Wireless output power:| Less than -3dBm
Wireless effective distance:| 30 ft (10 meters) with a clear line of sight
Mains Input Voltage:| 5V DC, 5.5mm circular connector, positive center
Power consumption:| 600 mWatts
Dimensions (WHD):| Transmitter 6 x 6 x 2 5/8 in., (152.4 x 152.4 x 66.7 mm)
Receiver 5 1/2 x 4 5/16 x 1 3/16 in., (139.7 x 109.5 x 30 mm)
Finish:| Black
Supplied Accessories
Power Adapter:| X2
High-Level cable:| 3 meters in length
Dual RCA Cable:| 2 meters in length
In the interest of product improvement, REL Acoustics Limited reserves the right to alter these specifications without notice.
REL Acoustics Limited
North Road, Bridgend Industrial Estate. Bridgend, CF31 3TP . United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1 656 768 777 . Fax: +44 (0) 1 656 766 093
Web: www.rel.net