EOS' Wireless iPod Speaker System does multi-room audio for less

Multi-room audio systems tend to come with big price tags, so EOS Wireless is definitely onto something by pricing its Wireless iPod Speaker System -- which includes a base station, a remote control, and one set of wireless speakers -- at $299, with additional speaker sets being a reasonable $129. You better be alright with getting up from your seat every now and again to change songs, though, because that budget price means you won't get a remote out of the deal. Still, the supposedly "WiFi-friendly" speakers can be placed up to 150 feet away from the base station, and you can look forward to CD-quality sound as well. Up to four speakers can be used at one time, although sadly each speaker will only play one song: probably due in no small part to its relatively low price, this is a multiple room, but not multiple audio stream solution. Expect to see the system launch in March 2007, and if you're interested, keep your eye out for EOS's homepage relaunch on January 6 of next year.

[John M @ Dec 10th 2006 10:46PM]

canon copyright infringement anyone?

[Z @ Dec 10th 2006 10:49PM]

Now if this EOS would only come with something like this: http://www.keyspan.com/products/tvi200c/

I've been waiting forEVER for someone to come out with a two way remote for the iPod. Now finally, Keyspan has, with their TuneView remote and dock system.

I could never figure out why companies would develop these docking/speaker systems and then either include no remote, or include one with no LCD display. I always thought, "How the heck are you supposed to navigate and see a little 2.5" screen from across the room? Stupid."

I know that some will hook up to TV's and you can navigate using the TV screen, but that's not always what consumers want to do and there's not always a TV available to do that.

Although I like how this EOS system looks, instead of going that route, I think it would be a better setup to buy the TuneView system and then some separate speakers.

I like speaker docks for the iPods like this EOS, but I'm waiting for someone to come out with one that offers a two way remote. Until that happens, my sights will remain on the TuneView solution.

I don't work for Keyspan, but I just thought I'd share with those looking for a solution like the TuneView; not to mention, I'm growing tired of seeing companies like EOS come out with solutions that aren't completely thought through, and I want to start sharing my opinions with them more. What better way to do that, than here?

I hope to see more two-way color LCD remotes with dock/speaker-dock systems.

[Brennan @ Dec 11th 2006 12:37AM]

one word: gimmick

[john @ Dec 11th 2006 2:06AM]

Looks like a complete waste to me.

[Juicebeetle @ Dec 11th 2006 5:20AM]

"...separate tracks on each speaker..."? From ONE iPod? Are you insane? (I had to check...)

[Tech^Cellfish @ Dec 11th 2006 8:46AM]

bah make it prettier

[andy @ Dec 11th 2006 8:55AM]

�CD-quality sound� hhhmmm�they use magical ipods with cd quality sound huh? ipods arent capable of cd quality sound�

[Dae @ Dec 11th 2006 9:30AM]

i agree playing more than one track at a time sounds lucrative. But I believe that you can get CD quality sound from a ipod. Is that not what Apple Lossless format is? At first i thought that the speakers connected via radio frequency but further reading i see that it was Wifi. There shouldn't be a loss of quality. If im wrong please let me know.

Further more:
Yes it really needs a remote with a display to navigate the ipod menu.

[Joe Davenport @ Dec 11th 2006 4:30PM]

iPods cannot have CD quality sound (16-bit PCM, 44.1 kHz) due to their 8-bit output electronics.

[Ben Holmes @ Dec 12th 2006 8:18AM]

Got to agree with Juicebeetle - There is no way this system could play a different tune on each speaker - unless you were uploading the tracks to the base station - and I think that's pretty unlikely for that price.

As for wifi 150 feet? Have you ever used wifi? I barely get 20 feet when there are walls involved, so I would think unless you live in a field or a transparent paper house (which I think Apple has patented recently) this is going to be about as much use as a chocolate teapot. And slight shame on Engadget for not calling them on it.

[Jeremy Brooks @ Feb 14th 2007 10:29PM]

We aren't using wifi guys. The system works with more then your ipod too. You can us your stereo, CD player, home theater, computer, whatever with EOS. The remote and base are made for the Ipod but it's cerainly not limited by it.

[Gavin Polluck @ Apr 13th 2007 5:29PM]

This thing rocks. You have to go to Sharper image and check this system out. They have it on display. Bring your iPod.

I just got mine and the sound quality is excellent. You won't believe how far the wirless speaker operates. It works in my backyard and upstairs in the bedroom.

The only negative: The blue LED's are like Times Square at night. I have turn the wireless speaker off at night. The lights are so bright, it keeps my wife and I awake. I find this annoying.