Starting as early as the end of the year, tiny electronic spiders and other insect like robots maybe hitting the battlefield. Developed by Bristish defense BAE systems, the devices could saves thousands of lives by setting off bobby traps or performing dangerous recon missions. Futurre robots could also be outfitted with not only cameras, but sensors to detect chemical and biological weapons. BAE Systems just signed a $40 million contract with the US Army.
Audioengine was kind enough to send me their newest product: the AW1. My experience to date has been fantastic. Read on for more details, but be sure to watch my first ever video review. I know, I know, it’s not the most polished of video reviews, but it’s my first one so take it easy on me.
What are the AW1s ?
The AW1s are what Audioengine calls a ‘premium wireless audio adapter’. I prefer to call them a wireless stereo solution. In essence, they allow you to stream audio to your speakers or stereo system wirelessly from any audio source that has a headphone ‘out’.
How do they work?
Well, technically they work over the 802.11 frequency. Yes, the same one that your WiFi operates over. Don’t worry, though, I tested them and they won’t interfere with your WiFi. Range is spec’d at 100 feet. I was able to wirelessly transmit music without any problems at 40 feet and through walls.
Ok, I meant how do they function?
To see a quick setup check out the video review. There’s a sender ‘dongle’ that plugs into an audio source and sends a signal to the ‘receiver dongle’. The ‘receiver dongle’, which is powered by the included AC adapter, outputs through an included headphone jack, which subsequently connects to your stereo or speakers. The ’sender dongle’ can work two ways:
1) you can plug it into your computer’s USB port, and as long as you set your ‘audio out’ to the ‘AW1′ it will stream wirelessly to the ‘receiver dongle’
2) you can power it from your computer’s USB port (or use the iPhone’s AC adapter) and plug your device (iPod, Mp3 player, etc) into the headphone jack out using the included headphone cord. Note that the headphone jack on the ’sender dongle’ will override your computer’s USB audio out.
Ok, I get it, but how do they sound?
They sound freakin’ awesome. In my testing the receiver source sounded a little bit more tinny then than the original source, but nothing to bat an eye lash at.
Are they easy to use?
Super easy to use. Your grandma could set these things up. I was literally wirelessly streaming music within 2 minutes of opening the box. The only complicated part is deciding how you wanna set them up (i.e. what you want to plug them into).
So they sound awesome, but there has to be some draw backs?
Too true. A few things to note. First off they are on the expensive side, $150, but they do exactly what they’re supposed to and sound great. The other notable draw back, is that you’ll need powered speakers or a stereo system to make these things work. So don’t think you can setup any pair of speakers and have wireless music. Furthermore, the included AC adapter for the ‘receiver dongle’ is just a plug, so you’ll need to insure that you have a lengthy headphone cord or extension cord in case your speakers aren’t close to an outlet. If you already own a pair of Audioengine’s A5 speakers then you’ll be able to power the ‘receiver dongle’ from its USB port. Lastly, you can’t buy the ‘receiver dongles’ separately (just yet) and the ’sender dongle’ isn’t compatible with the iPod’s or iPhone’s proprietary serial port (fingers crossed).
Do I need any special hardware, or a computer for that matter?
Nope. You can use the AW1 computer free, but an optimal setup (in my opinion) is a laptop or desktop with USB ports to stream audio. Works great with iTunes!
Where can I buy them?
You can buy them directly from Audioengine’s website or you can find them at other major e-tailers such at Amazon.com.
This has to be one of the oddest stereo systems I’ve ever seen: The Bandai Little Jammer Meets Kenwood Pro. I’ll be honest, I’m not even sure you can play CDs on this thing, but for $570 you’d better be. What is it? It’s 6 ‘Little Jammers’ each perched on their own speaker. They play along to the provided music in a mechanical like manner. Also included is a remote controller for wireless ‘Little Jammer’ operation, and you can set an alarm if you like to be awoken by obnoxious big band music. Me, I’d end up smashing a ‘jammer’ if I woke up to this crap.
Bang and Olufsen unveiled its newest Soundstage car stereo setup for the Audi Avant A4 today. Through True Image Digital Signal Processing they’ve managed to turn 2 channels into a virtual 7.1 surround sound experience. Utilizing a microphone placed between the driver and shotgun seats, the system adjusts volume and equalization according to road and engine noise. Sound can be optimized for each passenger in the car through fine tuning of the systems 14 loudspeakers, 10 amplifier channels which are powered by 505 total watts.
It’s Friday, and contrary to the excitement of the weekend arriving I’m feeling a little bitter. So I figured why not tool on a product. The point of having an MP3 player, or portable audio player, is for the speed and ease of loading a massive amount of songs, right? RCA Rip and Go, which has been around for sometime, just introduced a new model that sports an iPod dock built-in. What’s suppose to be cool is that you can rip CDs directly to your iPod without a computer. The problem: these days most iPods are 30GBs or larger. Even with the 5 disc changer it’d take you all day to load. Did I mention it only Rips to 128kbps. Also, notice the old iPod Nano featured in the pic. Is RCA gonna even bother to release this thing? Sorry RCA, but you’re Energy Efficient rating goes right out the window when you have to rip CDs for 24 hours. Why the hell do companies keep releasing this crap?!?
View the steaming *&#$ here. No price or relase date yet.
So back in Feb 2006 we featured AudioEngines A5s. These things are were kick ass and super notable due to the top loading headphone and USB jack, and rear AC plug for Airport Express or whatever you wanna plug in. To get themselves onto computer desktops and into dorm rooms, they’ve crafted a new set of speakers called the A2s. They’ve removed a few features while maintaining the same sound quality (review to come) and dropped the price point to a more palatable $199. You won’t get the AC plug or USB input, but you’ll score a mini-jack and RCA input. For $150 less I’d gladly sacrifice the power adapter and hold on to the bullet proof woofers.
Retro junkies rejoice. Speck Products has a top-loading iPod stereo speaker system called the SpeckTone Retro. Sure, there are hundreds of iPod speaker systems on the market. What makes this system unique is the design.
The designers of the SpeckTone Retro have succeeded in making a product that looks modern and retro at the same time. The way they’ve paired clean modern styled lines with the nostalgic elegance of the 1950’s is very impressive. The end result is an iPod speaker system that doesn’t replicate or compete with the modern, sleek look of the iPod itself. These speakers almost feel like they could be in Lucy & Ricky’s living room.
The SpeckTone Retro sells for under $150 and has the following features:
28 watt output
4 inch subwoofer
two 3 inch drivers
1/8″ mini plug auxiliary input
Sleek & Stylish Retro design
Analog Circuitry for rich, deep tone
High-gloss lacquered wood cabinet
Includes 2 free iPod skins (video & nano)
Backlit ‘green glow’ volume knob
compatible with the following iPods: 4G, 5G, nano and mini
The SpeckTone Retro comes in 3 high-gloss lacquered color finishes, black, white and green, and is available from Amazon.com. Thanks to the guys at iPastudio for turning us on to this.
We just can’t resist these made for iPod products. Reason we like this ditty is the convenience and practicality it brings to the beach, pool, or perhaps family BBQ. Sure, there are a million and one iPod boom box wannabees, but iSplash is a rugged and splash proof stereo with a retractable ZipConnect cable to directly hook in your iPod. You can then store away the iPod in the flip out storage container, charge your iPod and operate the tunes from the exterior controls, thus mitigating the risk of a sand filled or water logged iPod.
Starting as early as the end of the year, tiny electronic spiders and other insect like robots maybe hitting the battlefield. Developed by Bristish defense BAE systems, the devices could saves thousands of lives by setting off bobby traps or performing dangerous recon missions. Futurre robots could also be outfitted with not only cameras, but sensors to detect chemical and biological weapons. BAE Systems just signed a $40 million contract with the US Army.
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