A case for wireless audio systems

The trend o' the week (or the day, whatever) seems to be multi-room music. First, we saw the "Eos wireless iPod speaker system," which Gadgetell describes as the world's first "whole home audio" speaker system for the ubiquitous music player. Then we came across the "ZON Multi-Room Audio Range," which Automated Home says can also pipe your iPod into every room.

(Credit: ZON Audio)

Both systems can be expanded with additonal speakers, depending on the size of your grounds, and both claim to be affordable products meant for the home. But there's one major difference: The Eos is wireless, which makes expansion as simple as buying another speaker and plugging it into the wall, similar to many of today's cordless phone systems.

This is huge, of course, as we found when we got our first expandable phone setup--no additional jacks, cables, wires or unsightly duct tape throughout the house that would never come close to passing a fire inspection. Which makes us wonder: Unless the quality is vastly superior even to the untrained ear, will hard-wired systems soon become obsolete for the entry-level home market? For semi-Luddites like us, the answer is definitely yes.

[eoswireless]

Eos wireless reviewed

I received my demo Eos unit a few weeks ago and was immediately impressed with the wireless transmission. I put the base upstairs in my office and one speaker two walls away in the kitchen. There was no detectable interference and it took a few seconds for the speaker to link to the base. VERY cool! They actually sound like wired speakers. The sound quality was acceptable or quite good depending on what I listened to. Classical and Jazz sound fantastic. Rock and Electronic could use more bass. Over all though, I like Eos and feel that it's more then satisfactory for an ambient audio system, especially since it starts at $300. What I'd like to see is the ability to use the wireless modules and select my own speakers! Perhaps they get this done.

-J

Costco and sharper image are selling Eos online as is Intellitouch.
http://www.eoswireless.com
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__IN050
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11224616&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US