Showing posts with label network audio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label network audio. Show all posts

2/29/2012

Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge Review

Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge
Average Reviews:

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First off, a little background... I consider myself fairly skilled at using computers.. I have been using them for 25+ years and have installed operating systems, configured routers, set up wireless networks, recovered systems from virus crashes, etc. Reading the below reviews I thought that while installing the music bridge might be a bit tricky, I could handle it.
WOW. I don't know where to begin. This product has the worst documentation I've ever seen, both in the box and online. I spent 10+ hours getting this to work on my system, plus another hour un-doing damage to my system registry after the Music Bridge driver conflicted with another driver in my system and caused a crash.
Having said that, I finally have it up and running and it is operating as promised, though using 100% of my CPU power and thus causing the computer to run very slowly.
Reading the support forum on the linksys site, the people that have the fewest problems installing this equipment are those that don't have routers. Ironically, though Linksys (and Cisco) are router companies, the instructions do not include the special steps that must be taken to re-configure your router so it will connect with the bridge.
Be warned - this is not plug and play and you may very well spend a lot of frustrating time trying to get it to work. Once it is working there are many idiosyncracies (eg having to close and open your music player to get it to play through the bridge) that you would not expect from a well-designed piece of hard/software.
This is a bargain for a reason - I'd suggest you spend a little more and find something better. Good luck!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cisco-Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge

You're having a party, but you don't have the time it will take to burn a disc of your favorite digital tunes. This is where the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge comes in. By letting you wirelessly stream audio files from your PC to your stereo or other speaker system, no matter which music service you use, the Wireless-G Music Bridge gives you all the convenience of digital music with the sound of high-performance stereo.With the Wireless-G Music Bridge, you can send whatever music your PC is playing--whether it's from media players, games, Internet radio, orMP3 files--through your home network and to your stereo system. If you're running a wireless (802.11b and 802.11g) network, the Music Bridge will send your music to your stereo with no need for any additional cables. Simply connect the Wireless-G Music Bridge to your entertainment system via the included RCA cable, and you'll be ready to start cranking the tunes. Alternately, you can also use standard 10/100 Ethernet cabling to connect to your network.If you have a 5.1-channel surround sound system, the Wireless-G Music Bridge includes software that creates a virtual 5.1-channel sound in your PC, so that you can take full advantage of your stereo system. The Wireless-G Music Bridge also lets you choose what audio from your PC you want to play over your audio system. For example, you can choose to send music but not email alerts or other PC tones. Or you may want to keep the alert tones streaming. It's entirely up to you.An easy-to-use setup wizard will guide you through the configuration so that you can be up and running in no time. The Wireless-G Music Bridge supports 128-bit WEP encryption to ensure a secure connection and is compatible with wireless 802.11b and 802.11g standards.What's in the Box Wireless-G Music Bridge, Ethernet network cable, stereo RCA cable, power adapter, setup wizard CD-ROM, user guide on CD-ROM, and quick installation guide.

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10/18/2011

Royal Machines 29297W WES 600 Wireless Stereo Speaker System Review

Royal Machines 29297W WES 600 Wireless Stereo Speaker System
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My hearing is getting bad and to avoid turning the volume up substantially on my TV set, I wanted to place speakers closer to our sitting stations. Plus, the speakers on the TV leave a lot to be desired anyway.
Initially I was very pleased for ease of hook up, sound etc. However, for the speakers to work as desired, the control volume needed to be turned up to max. volume. In this range the speakers had a distinct background sound (unsure how to describe). I guess this is typical of low wattage speakers when running at max. volume.
They in fact improved the sound volume but the background sound/feedback was more than what we expected. Its not like there not tolerable, to others, this may-not be an issue.
The price is reasonable for the speakers, their size leaves a small footprint and are nice looking for the price. All the necessary accessories/hardware is include to connect (except batteries), each speaker has its own power cord included. I used a separate remote control to power off the speakers rather than to turn off each speaker on/off switch, which are small and difficult to see (on the speaker side).
I didn't want to go the surround-sound route, however I may do so. Debating at this time, if I should return the merchandise.

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Royal Machines WES 600 Wireless Stereo Speaker System 29297W

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9/12/2011

Jensen Matrix Wireless Internet Audio Transmitter Review

Jensen Matrix Wireless Internet Audio Transmitter
Average Reviews:

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This product is a good starting point for those wanting to hear MP3 sound on there stereos without rearranging their house. I used this device from 15 ft to about 75 feet away and the sound remained the same even through a wall. I also was able to play sound from my study to my neighbors stereo approx. 150 ft away through concrete. The sound was not degraded. However, when I say the sound was not degraded that does not mean it was "normal". Due to the wireless technology the product sounds like you are listening to the radio. If you happen to get the perfect setting going though this is hardly noticable and you will enjoy it for a long time. It is the only one of it's kind (from what I have found) and beats buying a bulky stereo component for around $... or more. This product is a perfect buy and gets 4 stars only because of its lack of a power switch and fragile-thin RCA cables. Email me for more info.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jensen Matrix Wireless Internet Audio Transmitter

Listen to streaming audio and Internet downloads through your homestereo system with Jensen's Matrix wireless Internet audio transmitter. Use thistransmitter to listen to digital audio files (including MP3, WAV, and VQFformats) with superior sound quality and control. The Matrix's 900 MHz signaltravels through walls and floors to deliver quality stereo sound virtuallyanywhere in your home with a range of up to 150 feet.
This kit contains thewireless transmitter and receiver, two AC adapters, and a stereo Y adapter. Toinstall, just hook the transmitter and receiver up to their respective ACadapters and plug them into wall outlets. Use the stereo Y adapter to link yourcomputer sound card's speaker output and the transmitter. Use the tuners tofine-tune the transmitter and receiver for optimum sound, then sit back andlisten.
The manufacturer notes that both the transmitter and receiver do nothave on/off switches, so you may want to unplug them if not in use for a longperiod of time. This product comes with a one-year limited warranty.

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7/04/2011

Creative Labs Xmod Wireless Music System with X-Fi Technology Review

Creative Labs Xmod Wireless Music System with X-Fi Technology
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The Xmod Wireless comes in 2 parts, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter connects very simply to your PC via USB and it functions as a USB soundcard, applying X-Fi sound enhancement to any sound or music that is passed through it. Compressed audio like AAC, WMA and MP3 files are upscaled to 24 bit quality and surround sound effects can be added.
You have to experience this to appreciate it. It really does make your music sound better. Sometimes the improvement is more subtle than at other times, but the quality X-Fi provides really shines when you connect the receiver end of the Xmod Wireless to a good set of speakers that you might have in your theater or family room.
So, on to part 2 of the package. The wireless receiver. This enables you to control and listen to your music anywhere you place the receiver in your house. Your PC music collection is streamed around the house with top notch quality and fidelity. I have my receiver connected to my theater setup and the sound is fantastic. You can purchase additional receivers if you'd like to play your music in multiple rooms.
Cool things about the package overall. The range is great and there is no lag. Plus, it just works. You don't need to have your own network or anything running already. Just turn on the receiver and transmitter and away you go, nothing to fuss with. If you do have a network running, this won't interfere with it at all. I think both units are stylish as well. They fit right in with high end equipment and they are pretty small.
You also get a remote for each side and there are inputs so that you can connect an MP3 player. With the remotes, you can skip tracks, pause tracks, turn on and off the X-Fi features, etc.
I don't really have any negatives other than the price, but I still think it's worth it. Sonos has products with similar features that cost up to $1000. Xmod Wireless gives you what you need with better audio technology for a lot less. It would also be nice to have a small display on the receiver unit so you can see what you are browsing.
Overall, Xmod Wireless is highly recommended. The unique combination of a driverless and simple to use USB soundcard with a high quality streaming device is an excellent way to introduce your PC to your home theater setup or to any room of your house.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs Xmod Wireless Music System with X-Fi Technology

Play music from your PC wirelessly in any room, Make your MP3s sound better than CDs, Connect in seconds - no configuration needed.

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6/14/2011

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter Review

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter
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Works great, but documentation somewhat lacking. Didn't know that you have to remember to insert USB device BEFORE starting itunes. AND that you can't operate both the wireless connection and the connected computer speakers at the same time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter

The Creative Labs Sound Blaster for iTunes upgrades your PC or Mac to a premium wireless sound system. Simply plug into any USB port, connect an optional Creative Wireless Receiver to your powered speakers or home stereo system, and play your iTunes or other digital music wirelessly no cables or networking required. You can add Sound Blaster Wireless Audio ready speakers with built-in wireless receiver and in the future wireless headphones to play music wirelessly in multiple rooms. Plus, Sound Blaster for iTunes features Creatives award-winning X-Fi audio enhancement technology that improves the quality of iTunes media, MP3s and movies. Package Contents: Sound Blaster for iTunes USB Audio Transmitter, Audio cable (1/8" to stereo RCA), Installation CD, Quick Start Leaflet.

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6/07/2011

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver Bundle Review

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver Bundle
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)

Having used a myriad of devices from the squeezboox boom and the squeezebox duet system -- as well as a few other devices that are not worth mentioning, I'll say that this is by far the easiest to use, install and operate.
Let me walk you through my set-up ... which took about 10 minutes ...
1. Unpacked the box and did away with all the plastic detritus.
2. Installed and registered the software on my laptop.
3. Plugged in the transmitter to a USB port in the back.
4. Rebooted my laptop, turned on iTunes and played a U2 album.
5. Plugged in the receiver (using a nicer set of cables) to my Sony Stereo Receiver on Aux 3. Was tempted to go optical.
6. Hit the find button on the underside of the little device and walked away.
7. 15 seconds later -- music played.
8. Stuck the batteries in the remote and turned it up.
That simple and absolutely no stumbling blocks to speak of.
Sound Quality? -- Better than I expected for this, but I wasn't looking for Mark Levinson to come out of my office and sit down on the couch with a glass of wine. The sound quality is more than adequate for casual home listening and the better your system is, the better the device will sound to you.
Responsiveness? -- I'm constantly unplugging the transmitter from my laptop and taking off somewhere, only to come back replug it back in, and find it working almost instantly and flawlessly. Windows and iTunes are not always asking questions or looking for drivers. It seems that whatever iTunes needed to do to make this thing be compatible with itself, was worked out ahead of time by Creative Labs and Apple. That's a first.
The Software -- is quite good and quite simple. You can customize it to play in zones, if that's your thing or adjust the quality of the sound and other minor changes. The software, from what I saw, doesn't appear to be a resource hog, nor has it been the culprit of crashes or bluescreens. If you don't use iTunes , you don't like to, or don't want to, this may be the only *real* problem one could face. The good thing is that it doesn't require you to depend on it as a player like other companies, or other devices do.
I can find no fault with this and I'm happy with the success of this device. I use it everyday now and I'm thoroughly pleased.
Well done ... a great idea to give as a gift for young or old as the ease of use with this is simple and the learning curve low. How about that for innovation?
...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Wireless Audio Transmitter and Receiver Bundle

This bundle includes the Creative Labs Sound Blaster wireless audio transmitter and receiver giving you everything you need to set up a premium wireless sound system.The Creative Labs Sound Blaster for iTunes upgrades your PC or Mac to a premium wireless sound system. Simply plug into any USB port, connect an optional Creative Wireless Receiver to your powered speakers or home stereo system, and play your iTunes or other digital music wirelessly no cables or networking required. You can add Sound Blaster Wireless Audio ready speakers with built-in wireless receiver and in the future wireless headphones to play music wirelessly in multiple rooms. Plus, Sound Blaster for iTunes features Creatives award-winning X-Fi audio enhancement technology that improves the quality of iTunes media, MP3s and movies. Package Contents: Sound Blaster for iTunes USB Audio Transmitter, Audio cable (1/8" to stereo RCA), Installation CD, Quick Start Leaflet.The Creative Wireless Receiver plays the songs from your Creative wireless audio products across the room or around the house. The wireless system is designed for music, so there are no delays, no dropouts and no home network needed. Setup is a breeze, just plug the Creative Wireless Receiver into any powered speakers or your home theater receiver, the wireless connection is automatic. The wireless remote control lets you navigate through the music on your Notebook, PC or iPod;playing, pausing and skiping from wherever you are. And it's expandable so you can add as many Creative Wireless Receivers as you like within the 100' range.

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