| Reviews : Acoustic Research AW-871 Wireless Stereo Speakers |
Technical Details
- Pair of wireless stereo speakers with transmitter offers cable-free range of up to 300 feet
- 900 MHz signal broadcasts through walls, ceilings, and more
- Use as rear channel speakers in 5.1 surround sound systems
- Integrated power/volume/tuning control; left/mono/right switch
- 20 watts total RMS power (10 watts x 2); powered by AC adapter or 8 C batteries per speaker
Product Description
Audiovox became a pioneer in the wireless industry, selling its first vehicle-installed wireless telephones in 1984 as a natural expansion of its automotive aftermarket business. Its extensive distribution network and its long-standing industry relationships have allowed Audiovox to benefit from growing market opportunities in the wireless industry and to exploit niches in the consumer electronics business.Amazon.com Product Description
Anyone who has installed a speaker system knows the worst part is figuring out how to hide the unsightly speaker cables, especially if your speakers are located across the room from the receiver. Enter this pair of Acoustic Research stereo speakers, which resolves the dilemma by eliminating speaker wires altogether. The system's powerful transmitter broadcasts its 900 MHz signal through walls, floors, ceilings, and other obstacles, giving listeners a wide array of installation options. Looking for a pair of high-quality speakers for the upstairs bedroom? No problem. Want to enjoy your favorite tunes in the basement without running speaker wire through the floor? Easy. Thanks to the system's 300-foot range, almost any home speaker scenario is possible, including positioning the speakers outdoors so you can provide the soundtrack for your neighborhood block party. And fortunately for listeners, the wireless setup doesn't compromise the quality of the audio, as the rich signal is drift- and static-free.Each 10-watt speaker employs a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch dome tweeter, with a left/mono/right switch for added versatility. The speakers also include integrated power, volume, and tuning controls along the front faces. In lieu of an AV receiver, listeners can connect the speakers directly to most audio sources, including TVs, DVD players, VCRs, computers, and portable audio devices such as MP3 players. Alternately, they can connect the speakers to the rear channels of 5.1 surround sound receivers and take full advantage of the wireless design. Each of the speakers comes with its own AC adapter, though listeners can also install eight C-cell batteries per speaker for complete cordless use. The speakers even recharge ni-cad and NiMH batteries when plugged into an AC adapter. Other accessories include a 1/4-inch headphone adapter and a "Y" cable that connects the transmitter to the audio source.
What's in the Box
Two speakers, transmitter, AC power adapter for transmitter, two AC power adapters for speakers, Y adapter cable, 1/4-inch headphone adapter, user's manual.
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Customer Reviews
By P. Jacobson (Watertown, MA)
I love the concept of wireless speakers - who wouldn't? But these just don't work. Forget the stated range. We ended up using an ipod or playing music streamed to computer speakers.
By Jeffrey D. Poel
These work fine as remote speakers when listening to music. The problem comes when using them as surround rear speakers with home theater. There is a timer on the transmitter that cuts off the power automatically after a minute or so of low or no signal - a frequent occurence in movies. Pop - off they go and they won't come back up unless you crank the volume and even then not for awhile. Theres nothing you can do to make them work. However, I returned them and replaced them with Amphony wireless model 1550 which uses existing unpowered speakers. the 1550 comes with two 50 amp wireless amps that need plugging in and hook up to your speakers using regular speaker wire. At first, I encountered the same problem but with some tweaking found that the transmitter wouldn't cut off if you turn the signal all the way up on it and use the controls on the H. Theater system to turn up the gain on the surround outputs to +10db - that's the trick. You then turn the volume down on the remote amps until you get the desired surround volume. Viola! Quality, noise free wireless sound with plenty of power @ 50 amps. www.amphony.com
By Rickey W. Jolley (Western New York)
I bought the AW-871 speakers over a year ago & loved them. One speaker quit working recently, probably because I had it blaring at full volume for 10 hrs a day. I tried to purchase another pair & ordered them at Amazon but through an outside vender. Unfortunatly they sent me the less powerful AW-877. After a bit of hassle I was finally able to return the speakers for a refund. What I found out was that (Supposedly) the 871's are dicontinued & they substitute the 877's hoping no one will complain. I asked about this & was told that they still advertise the 871's because they "sold a ton of them" & claim that the 877's are the manufacturers replacement, except that the 877's are listed separately with their own specs, NOT as a replacement. The 871's were a more powerful speaker both in wattage & in range from the transmitter. So.. as it stands I still have not been able to locate a set of 871's altho there is one other company on Amazon who claims to sell it but I have to contact them to find out if they also are pulling the same scam. But as far as the revue for the AW-871's... I loved them!
By DJ MichaelAngelo (Grand Rapids, MI)
I took a chance on these after reading the dozens and dozens of poor reviews here on Amazon, and I'm sorry I did. These are unfortunately a poorly-crafted example of shoddy, hastily-assembled garbage that has become the norm in consumer electronics these days. Probably made in China. The range is quite poor, and the sound quality is abysmal. My one speaker is 15 feet from the transmitter, and STILL cuts out with regularity, despite me following the instructions and trying a bunch of different things to get them to work properly. The bass is MUCH too strong, even when I have the bass/treble levels on my stereo set at flat or below, the beats rattle the speakers with distortion and muffled static. My advice? Only go with this or ANY brand of wireless speaker if you absolutely have to. I've come to discover the dirty little secret of the electronics industry: that this kind of unreliable clap-trap is the norm with ANY wireless technology, and you will never EVER have these problems and inconsistencies with a regular traditional wired speaker, which is what I should've gotten in the first place. Always ALWAYS run regular speaker wire to your speakers if you can, only use the AW-871, the AR-871, etc. as a last resort. There's a reason Bob Barker refused to use anything but a traditional long wired microphone up until the day he retired, he realized the truth that many people either don't talk about or refuse to admit: wireless just doesn't cut it and will ALWAYS be inferior to hard-wired speakers and such. Always.
By shovelhed76 (Wayne, WV USA)
I have to say that this isn't a bad set up for the price. It was really easy to get up and running and the sound quality is quite good, except for some "popping" that occurs occasionally in the right speaker. Also, I use them for surround speakers and are using them through the headphone jack on my receiver. So if you want to use them on an older receiver such as my you will have to do the same or purchase a converter. As for me the pros outweigh the cons. Oh and this review is for AW-877, the company sent me the wrong product.
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