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Wireless ButtKicker kit ready to rumble your posterior
Earlier this year, we were fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on perspective) enough to get our rumps on one of the famed ButtKickers. For those unaware, these devices are meant for installation underneath a seat or sofa in order to provide chair-rumbling effects to help you "feel" the film. Now, the Guitammer Company is making them even easier to install by cutting the wires, bringing low frequency audio transducers just inches from your derriere without any cords necessary. The above pictured kit will go on sale next Friday (yes, that's Black Friday for you Americans) for under $300 on Amazon -- are you really ready to rumble?
Acoustic Research ARW51 takes any 5.1 system and makes it wireless
While even audio amateurs have been struggling for years to figure out an efficient way to ditch / conceal the wires in their 5.1-channel audio systems, solutions from manufacturers have been limited. Sure, there's the Rocketfish amplifier, which essentially makes the rear speakers in a 5.1 rig cordless, but there's still tons of room for growth in the sector. Enter Acoustic Research, which is introducing its 5.1 modular wireless speaker conversion system. The ARW51's claim to fame is this: its point-to-multipoint technology can take "any 5.1 speaker system and make it wireless." Better still, AR promises six full bandwidth, 16-bit audio channels, and the "code-hopping circuitry" enables it to deliver CD-quality sound while "avoiding any potential interference from cordless phones, 802.11 computer networks and microwave ovens." No word on release just yet, but the MSRP has been set at $699.99. Full release is after the break.%Gallery-36394%
JBL On Air WEM-1 module makes any speaker wireless, for a price
It's not exactly the first to turn any old speakers into wireless ones, but any attempt to cut down on wire clutter is alright in our book, and JBL is now doing its part with its new On Air WEM-1 wireless expansion module. As you can see above, this one consists of a transmitter module that connects to the audio source of your choice, and a receiver / amplifier that connects to a pair of speakers (it's apparently "tailored for use with select JBL loudspeakers," though it seems you can connect anything you like). That combo will give you a range of 70 feet and, supposedly, no loss in sound quality, although you will have to make do with the 50 watts per channel the amplifier pumps out. There's also the small matter of the $360 price tag, but we're sure there's at least a few folks out there willing to accept those trade-offs for a bit of added convenience, and for the principle of the thing.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best wireless rear speaker option?
No sooner do we ask about just how many readers actually give a hoot about multi-channel audio, in comes this. Considering the plethora of folks in the exact same situation, we knew right away it'd made a beautiful Ask Engadget HD question. Without further adieu: "I recently splurged on a hot new plasma, but now I am looking for a surround sound system to complete the joy. My issue is that I currently live in a rental property, and don't have the luxury of poking holes in walls to set up my system. I know there are a few options out there for people in my position (sound bars, wireless rear speakers, PowerLine?) but I have no idea which gives the best surround sound result. I was looking to spend no more than $2,000." We'll be honest -- almost anything is possible at $2,000, unless that includes the price of a few (very) nice drivers. We've seen solutions from Rocketfish and a slew of other companies that essentially enable users to add two rear surrounds sans wires when running cabling towards the back proves problematic, but often these are underpowered and flaky at best in actual use. Let us know what you've found to be superior in comments below.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Business-centric iPhone, wireless speakers rumored
No sooner than JP Morgan squashes the iPhone nano rumor and gives legs to the 3G hunch, here we have more "Taiwanese sources" shooting off about future Apple and iPhone-related products. Granted, the vast majority of these propositions are bordering on laughable, but the suggestion of an "iPhone for business" isn't too far fetched -- especially considering that Apple has already hinted at appeasing the suits in due time. Additionally, these anonymous voices insinuated that Apple was working on a wireless audio system "that would allow music to be played directly from an iPod, iPhone, or range of Apple computers." We're not saying we believe any of it (yet), but feel free to affix your skepticism filter and hit the read link for the full report.[Thanks, Steven]
The Belkin Bluetooth Dock Adapter for iPod
Almost missed this one: Belkin announced a Bluetooth dock adapter for the iPod yesterday. The product's name? Why, it's the, uh, Belkin Bluetooth Dock Adapter for iPod, which more or less consists of an attachment for your iPod that can wirelessly stream audio to a pair of included speakers from up to 30 feet away (they describe it as turning your iPod into a "wireless remote"). Better still, it's compatible with all stereo Bluetooth devices, like A2DP headphones. Retails for $129.99.
LG LFD-790 DVD player + wireless speakers
LG must really dig the looks of that Chocolate phone, because they just announced a new DVD player + wireless speaker system which takes a bite out of its style (what with the piano black finish and the touch sensitive controls and all that). The new LFD-790 probably won't be finding its way into your home theater rig, but if you're the kind of person who needs their stereo system to match their cellphone, well, you know what to do.
How-To: Build Wireless Speakers from RF Headphones
Today's How-To shows that with a little ingenious wiring, a pair of headphones can become a pair of low-power rechargeable wireless speakers. For this mod you will need: One or more wireless headphone sets with rechargeable bases (we used inexpensive Sony RF headphones) A soldering iron Two channel socket and plug connectors for power A miniature slider switch Some thin cabling Plexiglas and hot glue or other material to build speaker housings A dremel or similar to make openings in the speaker housings If your artsy friends have been begging you to build them wireless speakers on the cheap for their Burning Man installation, read on. If not, it's still a helluva lot of fun, so read on anyway!
