GadgetReview is giving away one pair of Audioengine’s brand new, just released A5+ powered speakers ($399 value)!

The A5′s are premium powered speakers.  And by premium we mean a built-in AMP, Kevlar woofers, silk dome tweeters and hand-built cabinets.  On the back are a variety of inputs, including a USB port allowing you to charge your smartphone or connect a USB DAC for top notch sound quality.  You can check out more info at Audioengine if you wanna dig through the specs, but rest assured these speakers will sound amazing.

We’re giving away one of these to one person for FREE. To enter just LIKE our Facebook Fan Page and then leave a comment on the associated Facebook post telling us which product, of the many Steve Jobs (RIP) created, that you most love.  Again, you’ll need to head to our Facebook page and leave your comment on the post announcing this contest.

Will pick one winner at random from the comments, but in order to WIN you’ll have to Like Us and comment on Facebook. If you’d like a double entry, follow us on Twitter and retweet this contest.

This contest ends 10/12/2011 at 11:59 PST

It’s open to US residents in the continental US of A only.

There are more than a myriad of options when it comes to wirelessly streaming music to a set of speakers in  your home.  For instance, there is Audioengine.  They provide a simple solution that consists of a USB dongle that plugs into your computer and sends tunes to an accompanying receiver unit.  They’ve also got a iPhone/iPod compatible transmitter dongle, though it will put a significant drain on your device’s battery.  Alternatively, there is Airport Express, which is compatible with Apple’s Airplay tech and integrates nicely with Apple products.  Lastly, there is the more expensive, yet scalable Sonos system.  Sonos is available at a variety of levels depending on the home owner’s needs, ranging from stand alone speaker systems, to a fully integrated speaker and receiver system that can be mounted into ceilings and walls.

Entering the fray is a company called playGO.  At the end of the day their offering is effectively the same.  A transmitters plugs into the computer’s USB port, while a receiver unit can attach to a set of speakers or compatible stereo equipment thanks to your choice of optical or RCA connectivity.

The units themselves are made of a material Corian, which is used in the manufacturing of countertops – in other words these things should be able to take a licking.  A set of LED lights indicate activity and the receiver unit features play and volume controls, though were not sure on their level of compatiblity barring a software driver for your computer.  The max wireless range is up to 75-feet and the transmitter is compatible with up to 4 receiver units simultaneously.  Much like Audioengine’s offering, the receiver unit will require power, as in an AC adapter.

So we give them high marks for a trendy look and durability.  However, the catch is the price, which is $449.99.  Audioengine’s W1 USB system, which is extremely comparable in feature set (minus the controls) is just $99, as is Apple’s Airport Express.

We’ve got a winner for the Audioengine N22 Amp and P4 Speaker giveaway!  It’s…drumroll…LeAndrew W. Taylor!  Congrats to LeAndrew and thank you to everyone else who is following us on our Facebook fan page and entered to win.

Make sure you checkout our other contest from GraceDigital, which is ending tomorrow.  You could win a $250 stereo system with built-in WiFi.. We’re also giving away 5 copies of Dead Space for the iPhone. And if you didn’t know, you can subscribe to our Contest Feed and get all the latests contests, and contests only, directly in your reader.

Lastly, if you’re intereseted in buying some Audioengine gear, they’re offering GadgetReview readers an exclusive 10% off on all purchases using coupon code: GRTEN%.

Again, thanks for entering and look out for our next contest!

GadgetReview and Audioengine are giving away an N22 Amp and a pair of P4 speakers to one luck winner ($450+ value). Checkout our Audioengine N22 Amp and P4 Speaker Review.

The N22 is a compact integrated stereo power amplifier and high-quality headphone amp. Connect your iPod, computer, and speakers or headphones for a great-sounding personal stereo system. The Audioengine P4 (AP4) is a high-performance bookshelf speaker pair with the same great looks and sound as Audioengine’s powered speakers.

We’re giving away one of each of these to one person. To enter just LIKE our Facebook Fan Page and then leave a comment below with a registered email address so we can contact you. Comments are moderated so please be patient and enter only one. Will pick one winner at random from the comments, but in order to WIN you’ll have to Like Us on Facebook. If you’d like a double entry, follow us on Twitter and tweet “@gadgetreview @audioengineUSA #contest #free.

This contest ends 1/25/2011 at 11:59 PST

It’s open to US residents in the continental US of A only.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Crisp, vibrant audio throughout range
• Easy install with components included in box
• Sturdy, well-designed

Cons:

• No digital input

UPDATE – SEE BELOW.  There was once a time when an entire household’s entertainment options were primarily clustered in a statically central location. Perhaps there could have been an auxiliary setup for those searching a bit of solitude, but, undoubtedly, the bread won was invested in a singular unit. These days the landscape is a bit different as the nuclear family exists more like orbiting electrons, in homes where every room might house a powerful satellite to an even more massive, albeit underused, headquartered setup. For these purists, securing high-definition video is no longer the end-all quest. A complete package insists on supplementing the underwhelming aural fidelity of native monitor speakers.

Perfect for the office, den, bedroom, dorm, or apartment, Audioengine’s N22 Premium Desktop Audio Amplifier is built and preforms just as it’s described. Coupled with the Hong Kong-based manufacturer’s P4 passive bookshelf speakers, the N22 proves an effective device in need of little real estate.

Carefully shipped in boxes packed with bracing foam padding, unsheathing both the N22 and P4s from their drawstring cloth bags reveals quality hand-built equipment. Though the N22 amplifier only comes in a single medium-density fiberboard design with an integrated stand and clean, matte black aesthetic ($199), buyers have stylized options if they’re looking to integrate a pair of the P4s into existing setups: matte black or hi-gloss white ($249); or eco-friendly, caramel-colored, carbonized bamboo ($325). No matter your decision, the specifications and pack-ins remain the same and come ready to mount with threaded inserts on the back and bottom of the speakers.

If purchased together, only the most introductory knowledge of hardware installation is required to set up the stereo amplifier, as it doesn’t require any kind of driver or software to work. Meant for desktop use, the N22 amp is without the slew of connection options home theater receivers accommodate. Instead, Audioengine simplifies setup to RCA (3.28-foot cable included) and 1/8-inch mini-jack (6.5-foot cable included) inputs and outputs. To send audio singles to each of the speaker channels two 5.75-feet lengths of 16 AWG speaker wire are easily connected to the P4s via 5-way gold-plated binding posts. Finally, a USB power port rounds out the N22′s connection options.

With an 80W peak (22W RMS/40W peak per channel) the N22 provides enough punch for any close-range setup. The bookshelf speakers may take up more room on your desk than your computer, each measuring 9 inches high by 5.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches deep, but the trade-off couldn’t be more in your favor. Perfectly balanced, the sound emitted from the P4s is clean without being sterile, allowing bright and audible dialogue cues to come through rumbles of artillery fire in “Band of Brothers.” That doesn’t mean the P4s aren’t capable of carrying bass tones, however. Where some sets of speakers rely on optional subwoofers (the N22 allows for subwoofer integration) to carry percussive beats, the P4′s 4-inch, magnetically shielded and Kevlar-coned woofers supply satisfying, meaty rhythms for your favorite house, hip-hop, or heavy metal group.

Without a doubt, the N22 amp is a smart choice for anyone looking to augment their current audio situation—though, some sort of digital option would only make it better. Not only does it work for speaker amplification, but headsets as well. Any set of non-powered buds or phones receive a boost in output. The amp even functions independently of your computer or TV. It’s a bit of a bulky solution if you’re looking for kitchen audio, but the amp charges your device via that USB port while streaming through the mini-jack connection.

A capable and easy-to-operate desktop amplifier, Audioengine’s N22 takes up no more space than an external hard drive and delivers vibrant audio throughout its volume settings. It doesn’t replace a full-on receiver for home theater situations, but it’s more than powerful enough for secondary viewing areas or smaller apartments—and, of course, desktops. Audioengine unsurprisingly suggests pairing the amp with their P4 passive speakers, but given their ability to produce rich, supportive bass tones that don’t overpower clean mids and highs, the endorsement isn’t grossly self-serving.

Update: Audioengine and GadgetReview are giving away both of these to one lucky winner.  Checkout our Audioengine N22 Amp and P4 Speaker contest.

You can buy both the Audioengine N22 amp for $199 and the P4 speakers for $249 from Amazon.

In the past year I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing Audioengine’s Wireless Audio Solutions.  Unfortunately, there claims of ‘wireless’ were slightly inhibited by a necessary AC adapter.  Enter the i2i Stream from Aerielle.

Included in the package are two wireless audio devices that can both send and receive audio, 2 headphone to headphones cords in 2 lengths, 2 headphone to 2.5mm jack cords in two lengths and a standard 4-pin to 6-pin USB cord for charging.  I should mention that i2i failed to provide an audio RCA to headphone cord, which might prove bothersome to those looking to hook up the system to their home’s stereo system.  Also worth noting is the lack of compatibility of the included headphone cords with the Gen 1 iPhone (they’re just a bit too fat, but with some force fit).

So what makes i2i’s offering different from Audioengines? First off, inputs and output are predicated on the trustee headphone cord, which means you can use the Stream with any device sporting a headphone jack.  Output is via a 3.5mm  jack, where as input is courtesy of a 2.5mm jack.  Audioengine’s offering on the other hands uses either a USB out (W1s) or iPod dock connector (W2s).  Much like Audioengine’s wireless offering, audio is transmitted over a tweaked 802.11 spectrum.  Additionally, the i2i Stream can be charged and are in fact designed to operate via a built-in battery!

Setting up the i2i Stream just requires plugging them in to a USB port and charging the built-in battery. Unfortunately, they only included one USB cord, so unless you have a spare one kicking around, charging will be increased a two fold, which equates to about 4 hours.  Once charged it’s just as simple as plugging your iPod (or any MP3 player with a headphone out) into one of the i2i Streams and plugging the other into a pair of powered speakers or stereo system.  After that, you’ll just need to power on, assign the devices as a sender or receiver (the buttons are a bit cryptic for this) and select a matching color (channel).  I should mention that the i2i Stream features a total of 7 channels meaning you can have a whole army of these things distributed around your house and switch audio in a room according to color (purple, green, yellow, orange, etc).  To increase each send/receiver’s volume you’ll just need to flick the power button up or down.

Now the biggy: performance  Although I didn’t think the i2i’s sounded quiet as good as Audioengine’s W2 or W1, the true wireless offering (i.e. no AC plug necessary) makes the i2i the real deal wireless audio solution for any device.  i2i specs the i2i Stream at about 7 hours per charge, and based on my testing I received something in that neighborhood.  Connection wise the i2i Stream exhibited no tendencies towards static or drop out, even from one room to the next.  The ‘channel select’ button is large and easy to push, which is great, but may lead to inadvertent channel changing if you are to carry the Stream around in your pocket, something that might slightly hinder the overall wireless experience.

Although the built-in batteries do liberate you from the corded experience, those who want to permanently affix these in a room may find Audioengine’s solution a bit more accommodating.  With that said, i2i’s Stream might be the perfect resolve for those traveling or on vacation, where as Audioengine’s is better suited for the at home experience.  There’s simply no reason why you can’t own both.

Pros:

• Battery powered, so true cord free wireless audio
• Small size
• Easy to use
• Multi channel
• Each Stream can be either a sender or receiver
• Works with any device that has a headphone jack

Cons

• No AC plug for fixed home experience
• Send/receive buttons cryptic
• 2.5mm input jack isn’t a widely used format for audio
• One USB cord provide in packaging
• Headphone cords aren’t Gen 1 iPhone compatible

Buy – $90

Audioengine is offering one lucky GadgetReview reader the chance to win an Audioengine W2. We just reviewed the W2 and for the most part loved what we saw heard.

Check out our Audioengine W2 review

To enter the contest: Just tell us your ‘sex’ and ‘age’ (e.g. male, 24) and make sure to register your comment with a valid email address so we can contact you if you win. If you’re wondering why were asking for this info, I completely understand. Don’t worry, we’re just collecting site demographic information.

Good luck!

Contest ends: 1/21

If you can’t wait you can buy the W2 here for $169

Earlier this year Audio Engine introduced their first wireless audio solution, the W1. Although the W1 worked flawlessly, it left the iPod crowd salivating for a wireless solution for their coveted MP3 player. Heeding the calls of numerous iPod owners, Audioengine finally released an iPod dockable product: the W2.

Included in the box is a transmitter that plugs into the iPod’s dock, the receiver, 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord, power pack and RCA to headphone cord. As with the W1, the W2 transmits audio over the same slightly tweaked WiFi spectrum.

Setting up the W2 is simple as ‘plug and play’. Insert the transmitter into the iPod’s dock, plug in the receiver into the speakers or stereo, hit play, and presto, wireless audio. The sound quality of the W2 is superb and based on my refined ear I couldn’t perceive any derivation in quality from the source to the receiver.

Since the W2′s transmitter is powered by the iPod’s battery there is inevitably a reduction in playback time. I tested the W2 with my iPhone – which is not certified for use since the iPhone’s GSM signal could interfere with the transmission of audio (but didn’t) – and I didn’t notice a massive drop in battery power; something along the lines of 10-15% drop over normal playback time.

The wireless range of the W2 appears to be more limited than the W1. When I traveled about 10 feet and 1 wall away from the receiver, the transmission was lost. This is probably largely due to the weak power source that the receiver draws from, the iPod. Once I traveled back in range, though, audio immediately re-initiated.

Another small and annoying hindrance is the receiver’s loose dock connection. A slight jostle and the W2 receiver tended to knock loss from my iPhone (same with my buddy’s iPod) interrupting music playback or worse, creating unwanted static in the connection. An easy problem to resolve – just reinsert the W2 – but could prove a significant hurdle for those that plan on storing their iPod in their pocket during wireless playback.

Speaking of carrying the iPod. Both the W2′s receiver and transmitter are very light weight and add little to no significant weight to the MP3 player. Since the transmitter plugs into the dock, it does extend the overall size of the playback device by about 10%.

Of note, if you owned the W1, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s compatible with the W2. You’ll simply need to pair the two by holding down the W2′s sender button for 3 seconds (until the LED flashes rapidly) and do the same to the W1′s receiver until the music is paired.

Overall Audioengine’s W2 iPod wireless adapter is like the killer app every iPod owner should have. I’m still frustrated by the cordless power pack that is also found on the W1, but it’s a small price to pay for wireless audio from an iPod. This only applies to iPod Touch or iPhone users, but it’s worth pointing out that applications, such as AOL Music or Pandora won’t work with the W2 since Apple’s SDK agreement prevents the apps from working with anything ‘dock’. But since the W2 is better suited for iPod classics and Nanos it’s a rather moot point. In other words, the W1 is a better solution for iPod Touch and iPhone users with the advent of the ‘remote’ app.

At $169 it ain’t cheap, but in retrospect a small price to pay for turning your iPod into a ‘walk almost any where, music on demand’ DJ.

Pros:

• Super easy setup and operation
• Lightweight
• Superior audio reproduction for wireless transmission

Cons:

• Loose dock connection creates occasional static and interruption in playback
• Expensive
• Cordless AC plug

The Audioengine W2 is available here for $169

Hold on to your hat, because Audioengine is about to knock it off with the AW2.  The just released, handy little device plugs directly into your iPod (should work with the iPhone but you might experience some GSM annoyance), is powered by the dock connection and wirelessly transmits CD quality audio to the included receiver, which by the way appears to be an AW1 in hiding (I loved).  Setup is super simple and Audioengine has even included headphone and RCA cords to get you going.  The only downside is that the receiver requires power, which means an outlet needs to be in reasonable close reach given the cordless power plug.

The AW2 is available here for $169

Hopefully we can score a pair for review, so keep an eye out.

AW2 Features

• Use your iPod for total wireless music control
• Quick setup, Receiver included
• Super-compact size, no batteries needed
• No separate remote or base station needed
• Uncompressed CD-quality digital transmission
• No dropouts, static or interference
• Wi-Fi technology beats Bluetooth and FM
• No DRM restrictions, plays all your music
• HOP feature works with up to 8 receivers