Audioengine puts wires out of work with AW2 wireless iPod adapter

Earlier this year, Audioengine rolled out the practically universal AW1 wireless audio adapter, and we certainly enjoyed our time with it. Now, the outfit is making the anticipated leap to iPod-dom with the sequentially named AW2. Put simply, the kit contains two main pieces: a transmitter that plugs easily into your dock-connecting 'Pod and a USB-based receiver with a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack. The system operates on the WiFi frequency band and promises no dropouts, static or interference from CB radios whizzing by your domicile. We should mention, however, that you'll pay quite dearly for the privilege of beaming your tunes sans cables, though it's available now for those who don't mind at $169.

[Via GadgetReview]

[who? @ Dec 8th 2008 8:44AM]

This is such a neat idea! The adapter is a bit large, but it isn't like you'll leave it on everywhere you go, right?

If only the price was a touch lower, I'd add this to my list...

[zioncat @ Dec 8th 2008 9:38AM]

Yet another gadget for the ipod.

[Madness!! @ Dec 8th 2008 8:47AM]

coolio in the bendulio!

[Vianon @ Dec 8th 2008 8:49AM]

169$ is really steep... And having to connect something to the ipod kind of defeat the purpose! Come on Apple, why the hell won't you allow wireless sync?

[who? @ Dec 8th 2008 9:11AM]

This hardly seems like something Apple could just "allow" in their iPods, or where you referring to the iPhone/iPod touch?

[Vianon @ Dec 8th 2008 9:42AM]

That's what I mean indeed, thanks for the clarification!

[bmudar @ Dec 28th 2008 10:56AM]

The free alternative to a $169 attachment is hooking your computer up to your sound system and controlling it via the Remote app on your iPod Touch / iPhone. If you don't have an iPod Touch or an iPhone, I apologize for wasting your time. : (

[Brian @ Dec 8th 2008 8:54AM]

Why can't I post?!

[who? @ Dec 8th 2008 9:19AM]

Maybe you got banned. Looks like you're back now though, huh?

[Samboini @ Dec 8th 2008 11:01AM]

Why is it always Jack frigging Johnson?!

[tylerdurden @ Dec 8th 2008 8:54AM]

Or you could just get an airport express for $70 less and not have to deal with the wonky thing hanging off your iPod.

[Dopefish @ Dec 8th 2008 9:21AM]

dickhead, you cant sync wirelessly on the touch or iPhone!!

[Brian @ Dec 8th 2008 8:57AM]

Because I'm an idiot.

I wanted to say that the free alternative to this $169 attachment is hooking your computer up to your sound system and using the Remote app to command your full iTunes library. This is dependent on your having an iPod Touch or iPhone, wifi, and the will to lug your desktop to your home entertainment center if you don't have a laptop.

[Vianon @ Dec 8th 2008 9:45AM]

I have to high rank that kind of self punishment. Bravo my friend, bravo!

[ack154 @ Dec 8th 2008 8:57AM]

Maybe I'm not understanding what this really does... but wouldn't it be easier in most situations just to get an Airport Express? And in the case of the iPod Touch, Remote App + Airport Express = Awesome.

I could see that this would be useful for maybe traveling or something, but I'd rather just go the other route.

[Jacob @ Dec 8th 2008 8:59AM]

Better idea. Sell your ipod and buy a 1st gen zune which already has this function. Then pocket the extra money.

[Tes @ Dec 8th 2008 9:05AM]

This isn't for syncing. It just sends the sound from one place to another without wires...as said above, this can already be achieved for MUCH less with other solutions.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Dec 8th 2008 9:07AM]

As someone who wants to use my ipod in the shop and in different vehicles, I can see the value in such a setup.
But why in the hell can't someone make something like this in a sled type setup? You are just begging to break that huge thing off your ipod if you actually try to use it.

[Tes @ Dec 8th 2008 9:13AM]

Why would this make using the iPod in different vehicles easier? You still have to plug the receiver into a 3.5mm audio jack...why not just plug the iPod in if there's one available?

[Charles R Hamilton @ Dec 8th 2008 10:42AM]

Well Tes,
If I have a receiver in each place I plan to use my ipod, I could transmit to it without the hassle of wires. I honestly don't know why this isn't a prominent feature on car stereos today. A lot of people never use their ipods with headphones.

[lanejasper69 @ Dec 8th 2008 11:59AM]

Bingo, I use my BB Bold, and it's A2DP function to stream wirelessly through my Sony MEX-2500(?) card deck and It works AWESOME!!!! sounds great too, which I was leery of, but NO signal interruptions etc like the FM receiver type of adapters.

And I agree, every vehicle now days should have an AUX input and A2DP support (like mine does), hell even a usb port for flash drives (dome do, mine doesn't) my deck was only 169.00 1.5 years ago, so it's not like it would cost a tone for this functionality.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Dec 8th 2008 9:09AM]

And another thing, is bluetooth audio physically impossible on the iPhone? Surely someone could have figured that out by now.

OK, I'll shut up now.

[who? @ Dec 8th 2008 9:15AM]

You are just full of all sorts of good ideas today! I particularly liked the last one.

[Dubb @ Dec 8th 2008 9:19AM]

Bluetooth A2DP is not possible at all on the iPhone/iPod Touch, it lacks the proper hardware. It only supports mono Bluetooth for single ear bluetooth headsets.

[iEye @ Dec 8th 2008 9:15AM]

So this is the iPod touch I have heard so much about...

neat!

[Ricardo @ Dec 8th 2008 9:37AM]

Can someone please call Apple and say there is a nice thing invented like 10 years ago called A2DP?

The funny thing is that people pay half the price of the phone for something they should already have.

[Ericd @ Dec 8th 2008 9:47AM]

Could someone tell me if there is a device like this one that streams audio from a pc to a home stereo receiver?

[Tes @ Dec 8th 2008 9:56AM]

Creative X-Fi Wireless system. They have a range of products that all talk to each other...usb wireless transmitters, receivers, wireless transmitting notebook soundcards and an iPod Dock (X-Dock).

[malte @ Dec 8th 2008 10:03AM]

get airport express. the best system i know. hope the transmitting functionalitiy will be added to the iphone/ipod touch soon.

[ben @ Dec 8th 2008 10:55AM]

AirPort Express... Pair it with a pc/mac running iTunes and your iphone or touch running Remote... truly amazing solution for whole home audio...

I can control music in three different places all from my iPhone... You can actually control more too, but i haven't expanded that far yet....

My setup is PC directly wired to surround sound system... AirPort Expresses in 2 other rooms hooked up to powered speakers (pc speakers). You can mute each zone individually as well.

If you don't have a pc to dedicate to running itunes you can also just buy a apple tv...

[austin @ Dec 8th 2008 3:36PM]

I recently picked up a Squeezebox Duet and really dig it. There are plenty of less-expensive options to stream music to your stereo but this also gives you control over it without having to run to your machine to change tracks. It's wired or wireless so there's no need to have the computer near your stereo. As far as quality goes, it has digital out so you can use the DAC in your stereo equipment.

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 8th 2008 9:59AM]

I'm probably missing something here, but isn't this basically the same thing as a dock-connector Bluetooth A2DP adapter... only proprietary, wired, and three times as expensive?

[Charles R Hamilton @ Dec 8th 2008 10:45AM]

This one uses WiFi, stronger signal, apparently less susceptible to interference.

[zsyco @ Dec 8th 2008 11:24AM]

I've got a bluetooth headphone set (sender and headphones) that I got for $30. Add in the $20 Kyocera BT Dongle that I got from Woot and I've spent $50 to make anything with a stereo miniplug wireless using A2DP.

Cool concept but this is too much $$ for a solution.

[lanejasper69 @ Dec 8th 2008 11:59AM]

Another Reason I wished Apple would have added A2DP!!!! Another fricking thing to attach to the iPhone adding to the length of it, just like the battery cases out there that add length as well....Apple, for the love of fruit, will you please add A2DP and a user-replceable battery to the next gen iPhone? (whenever that will be) And you know what they other 2 additions you need are, I won't even repeat that.

[V Langs @ Dec 8th 2008 11:51AM]

in case you have never heard of the brand audioengine: i have a simple reason to the cost. the brand.

this isn't the sony or bose case, this brand is legit. if you ever listen to a pair of their speakers you can attest to their sound quality, IT'S AMAZING.

now most of you talk about much cheaper solutions and I would agree the price is high but, those cheap solutions often have crap quality, i've bought tons of bt and wireless adapters from woot and such and though they work it is never something i'd want to listen to.

i'd swear by my audioengine speakers (A5) and personally i think a much better set up is either the way I have it (laptop to speakers and then remote to control) or the airport express to the A5 (there is a power plug in the back for this very reason) and use the laptop or even remote to control the music.

I listened to the original AW2 (just the one with the 3.5mm not the ipod dock) and they sound great, so if you wonder why it's so much money...there's your answer.

and in the music world, this stuff is cheap, "audiophiles" pay through the nose for sound equipment. I'd just keep my turntable, receiver and A5, works the best for me :-)

[sonixbp @ Dec 8th 2008 2:53PM]

With the upcoming spread of digital wireless audio now prevalent in home theatre systems and EVERYWHERE else in the gadget world today, I can't believe this wasn't invented a long time ago.

[BOGRASH @ Dec 16th 2008 9:41AM]

no a2dp? no wifi sync & stream? no sdhc? what is this mediaeval england?