Tech writer David Pogue has been checking out innovations in the wireless world. In this week's Circuits column in the New York Times, he considers wireless speakers from RCA and Sony. As I previously wrote, Bose also has a new speaker system for the iPod, the SoundDock, coming to the market. Though it is not wireless per se, the use of a remote control makes it virtually so. The products Pogue is considering all function in the 900-meghertz range, as do many cordless phones. Not one to ignore the onions, while praising the orchids, Pogue considers both in regard to the systems.
These speakers transmit FM signals on the 900-megahertz band. The manufacturers say that you can position the speakers up to 150 or 300 feet away from the base station (depending on the model you buy), even through walls, ceilings and floors.
Unfortunately, all FM-based wireless sound systems, whether headphones, speakers or iPod-to-car-stereo adapters, are notoriously susceptible to interference. The range and reception you'll get from these systems depend on the wiring of your house, the configuration of your neighborhood and whether or not you sacrificed poultry during the last full moon. (This quirk explains the bipolar online ratings given to wireless speakers by people who've bought them: they're all either one-star or five-star reviews.)
Still, if you are a neat freak or just tired of wires dangling from just about every appliance, wireless speakers are worth considering. (Face it, interior design magazines erase cables and cords from their photographs because wires are ugly.)
Pogue reviews four speaker systems: the Sony RF90RK, RCA WSP150, Acoustic Research AW871, and Advent ADVW801. The Sony scores high for flavor, but fails in functionality. Its attractive design is undercut by limited range and poor sound quality. The RCA WSP150 irritated Pogue. It requires complicated 'tuning' of each speaker and the base unit. Apparently, despite developing an overly intimate relationship with the device, one may not be rewarded with a frequency that works. But, at $40 online, these speakers are thrifty. Their big brother, the RCA WSP250, functions without the fuss of tuning, according to Pogue. He also credits this model with having the best sound. Want to listen to music outside, even in the drizzly Pacific Northwest? The Advent ADVW801 is waterproof. It is also so unattractive, Pogue nicknamed it Mr. Mushroom. If you consider the Jolly Green Giant a handsome fellow, you will love Mr. Mushroom, though.
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
I was looking at a system like this when I picked out my new reciever. I figred there would be problems since it was so new and passed (that and I couldn't find anyone who had a system I could listen to). The price isn't that bad considering new technology though.
2 - Mac Diva
I will get wireless speakers as soon as the kinks are out.
My ideal home office would be all wireless -- from the music to the printer. When I think about the incredibly cabled, corded, wired small networks of a few years ago (which people would ask me to set up because I was good at it) I crack up laughing. So much software and hardware. And more dangling stuff than you can shake a stick at. Clean, simple and wireless may be slower. But, I prefer it. Less is more.
3 - george
i have a pair of rca's that im bumping pretty load right now....the model #, i dont know....i believe "rca 900mhz wireless speaker system" is what they are but theyre great...im a product design student...can anyone direct me to a site that explains the mechanics of wireless speakers?
4 - cathy
I find using rca wireless great for music radio from the computer to another room but it will not send a podcast from the computer at all. Another speaker plugged directly into the computer will play the podcast. Why?