iHome iW2 AirPlay Speaker System, Whole Home Audio Solution Using Wi-Fi Instead Of Wires Review

iHome will begin shipping its iW2 Wireless Speaker System with AirPlay starting April 1, a follow up to the iW1 speaker, which was the company’s first to support Apple’s proprietary AirPlay wireless streaming technology and this allows you to easily stream your iTunes music library to the speaker from anywhere in your home. With a simple connection to the network, the speaker can connect to and control your entire iTunes library, to provide music anywhere in the house, it comes equipped with a USB port for charging and the system allows you to use your iPad, iPod Touch, iPod, or iPhone to play music with any USB sync cable and dock.




Making it a snap to have music in every room of the house without tearing through walls to run wire, iHome announced that on April 1, 2012 their AirPlay speaker line will expand with the release of the iW2 Wireless Speaker System with AirPlay. When placed within a Wi-Fi network, iHome's latest Wi-Fi enabled speaker system seamlessly connects to offer an affordable option for achieving premium whole home audio with simple turn-key set up. "Many whole home audio systems require a significant investment from consumers and, until recently, a certain level of technical skill as well," said Evan Stein, Director of Marketing, iHome. "Easy to set up, the iW2 offers a cost-effective entry into the world of wireless home entertainment without sacrificing quality or functionality." The iW2 is an app-enhanced AirPlay wireless speaker system that uses your Wi-Fi network to connect and control your iTunes library, and provide wireless audio anywhere in the home. The iW2 has a USB port for charging and music playback from your iPad, iPod and iPhone with any iPod USB sync cable and dock. SRS Trubass sound processing custom tuned to two full-range speaker drivers delivers exceptional audio. Music fans can embrace a wireless music system today as the iW2 will be available for purchase April 1 at Best Buy, Crutchfield and select Target stores, and at iHomeAudio.com for $199.99. For detailed product information, please visit http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iW2BC/.

AirGo Outdoor Sound Station With Apple AirPort Express Dock Review

Russound may not be a company on the tip of your tongue, but they're actually quite the player in the multi-room audio market and the weather resistant speaker is perfectly happy to sit outside in the rain and blast your tunes, but since it's still tethered to an AC outlet for power, you'll probably want to bring it inside before the floodwaters begin to rise. AirGo Outdoor Sound Station will come with a built-in AirPort Express Dock and given it would have to also power the AirPort Express, battery life probably wouldn't be amazing. Setup is as easy as ensuring the AirPort is configured. If connected to your home's wireless network the AirGo Outdoor Sound Station will also serve as a Wi-Fi repeater, expanding your network outside your home and the speaker is available now for $400, but to be actually useful as an AirPlay accessory you're going to have to factor in the cost of a $100 AirPort Express as well.

Russound, a leader in the multiroom audio market introduced the AirGo Outdoor Sound Station. AirGo is the first portable, weather-resistant, amplified speaker dock for use with Apple AirPort Express. AirGo can be placed outside on a deck, on a lawn, in the driveway or anywhere a listener wants to hear great sounding music. With the AirPort Express and AirPlay, the music from an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or PC fills the air with full range sound quality. In addition, users can stream music from iTunes, Pandora or any other music service. Russound's AirGo Outdoor is weather resistant. Comments Russound CEO Charlie Porritt: "If you're dancing in the yard and the rain begins to fall, break out the Slip-'N-Slide and continue to rock on." Installation and setup is simple. Users only need to configure the AirPort express and install it into the AirGo Outdoor's protective pocket before plugging it into an outlet and enjoying great sounding music. The internal stereo speaker and specially designed power amplifier deliver a wide, detailed soundstage that will impress in any setting - from patios and decks to dorm rooms and offices. In addition to providing high performance audio outdoors, AirGo offers the added advantage of serving as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, thanks to the Apple AirPort Express and its ability to serve as a Wi-Fi repeater. "The concept of portable, streaming audio takes a quantum leap forward with AirGo," adds Porritt. The AirGo Outdoor Sound Station measures 12.6" (H) x 12.9" (W) x 10.2" (D), and weighs 16.25 lbs. Power is supplied by the AC cord, conveniently stored for easy access onboard the AirGo. The AirGo Outdoor Sound Station is UL Certified for use in outdoor environments. The AirGo Outdoor Sound Station is now shipping with a suggested retail price of $399. It is available through Amazon, Best Buy.com, and Crutchfield, as well as Russound's traditional custom installation specialists. To learn more about AirGo Outdoor Sound Station, please visit AirGo.russound.com.

Features:

• Stream music from any AirPlay compatible
• device via an Apple AirPort Express
• Works with other audio sources
• Hotspot flexibility
• Incredible sound in the great outdoors

How it work: