JBL cuts the cord too

(Credit: JBL)

First our prayers were answered--now our cup runneth over. Awhile back we began a campaign in favor of wireless home audio systems, thinking that it was kind of ridiculous that the industry was still tethered to cords at this stage of technology history. And even after manufacturers began meeting the demand, some purists remained skeptical about quality from relatively no-name brands.

Now, however, one of the most recognized brands in speaker-dom has joined the wireless fray. JBL has released the "On Air Control 2.4G," which it describes as "a pair of wall-mountable loudspeakers that incorporates a wireless transceiver and amplifier, a transmitter/receiver module and a remote control." The 2.4GHz-frequency system, which can connect to MP3 players and other devices, works with speakers up to 70 feet away and will go for an estimated $350. For once, we're speechless.

[Area_52]

JBL has it right: A Wireless Speaker replacement

for once a company has got it right on the money.

the JBL product is sensible enought for me to consider actually shelling out some money to purchase this gizmo, but i am really interested in the effect that attenuation due to distance and obstacles will have on this device.

This is becasue i have a 2.4 GHz wireless phone at home, and it is very noise once you are a certain distance from the headset.

Also, my parents house is rather big and thus i find that the number of obstacles increases the further into the house i retreat, resulting in hissing on the line.

will the JBL result in this kind of hissing due to interference or does the circuitry have the type of error correction circuitry? also is it all digital or just a wireles analog linkup ie not a WiFi attached to a bunch of speakers?

Otherwise, this is really a good product as i have always wanted to cut all those wires

[dcis_steve]

Sounds great but 2.4 GHz?

I'm pretty fired about about wireless speakers that can product high quality sound, but won't 2.4 GHz speakers interfere with wireless routers? I had to upgrade my 2.4 GHz phones to 5.8 GHz because of the interference caused with wireless routers that use the same frequency band...

[BdeRWest]

Why a transmitter?

But you're still tethered to a transmitter. Why can't they release a speaker set
that talks with the computer through the wireless router, as if it were a tiny little
computer or something.

Yeah it would only work when you're listening to music on your computer, but
still..