Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speaker (Single, Brown)

by Acoustic Research

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 16.7 x 13 inches ; 6.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000SEXBUE
• Item model number: AW822
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,447 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Wireless indoor outdoor speaker with up to 250 foot range through walls or windows and celings

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK but some issues, August 9, 2008

By 

EB "EB" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speaker (Single, Brown) (Electronics)

The speaker sounds nice when it works, but just some scattered thoughts:

I ordered this speaker to have music on my deck. The original plan was to run music (ipod) from my living room receiver to the deck - which is 50 feet and one wall away. I wanted the same music in the living room as on the deck. The signal wasn't near powerful enough, even trying several different outputs - (and even after adjusting the ipod volume, etc, no luck) - to the point where music just wouldn't play. I do have an older home with plaster walls, so perhaps this was the problem. I wasn't expecting the advertised 250 feet, I understand that it would take a perfect scenario, but realistacally, if walls are involved, expect 20-30 feet. In order to use the speaker, I have to place the transmitter and ipod in my kitchen, which is just inside from the deck. The speaker does sound good, and the outdoor volume is adaquate. I wasn't expecting the wireless sound to be so good. There is ocasional static when someone crosses the line of the signal, or when the sliding door opens/closes. More gripes - once an album is done on the ipod, or any other source, the speaker goes to loud static - and scares everyone. It would be nice if there was an auto mute - the cure of course is to just use a very long play list. Also, there is no sound leveling. Many song files are different, so volumes can change per song. I know this is more of my problem (poor source) and it's not fair to complain of these things since they aren't advertised features, but just be aware of them. The best use for this would be if you had a huge deck, and you actually had the transmitter outside, and two of these speakers on the back corners or spread out on the deck. For $70 it's not bad. I wanted a stationary solution, but now I have to grab my ipod+ charger and move it to the kitchen to have sound outside. Just keep in mind the issues above and that the transmitter needs to be close for clear, static free sound.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acoustic Research know the how to, December 16, 2007

By 

ase aewrgf - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speaker (Single, Brown) (Electronics)

This rugged outdoor speaker is perfect for listening to ball games while I'm working in my garage or for background music when I'm on the deck enjoying the pool/hot tub. The neighbors surely appreciate that I don't have to open my window and crank my stereo to get the sound to carry outside anymore. I love the fact that the wireless speaker stops the sound from coming out the main speakers, as the other reviewer points out. I find it to be an advantage, not everyone in the house wants to hear play-by-play sports commentary. Also, if you spend a couple bucks at the local Radio Shack, you could most likely get an adapter to jack into the stereo's speaker output. That is, if you're trying to add speakers to you system, rather than transmitting the signal to this wireless speaker, (which is how the product is designed to work). The setup is a cinch, I was out the box and rolling in 5 minutes flat. The auto tuner and frequency lock are great features; they really take care of the static, (900Mhz is a heavily used frequency). If these feature don't get rid of the static, completely, moving the transmitter around will. The sound quality is fair, but not astonishing. I optimized the sound quality by playing a bit with the levels on the stereo, transmitter, and the speaker itself and I'm quite satisfied with the results. Powering the speakers by batteries makes this speaker really versatile, but if your parties frequently last till three in the morning you can always plug the speaker directly into the wall, (take the batteries out first though, unless they're rechargeable). I'm thinking of adding another speaker to my arsenal, this spring, so I can party to omni directional sound in stereo.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great speakers for a great price, August 4, 2008

By 

D. Postl (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acoustic Research AW822 900 Mhz Outdoor Wireless Speaker (Single, Brown) (Electronics)

After some research I finally ordered these speakers through Buy.com. Note that each AW822 comes as one speaker with one transmitter, so in order to get stereo you need 2 speakers. And yes, they are stereo speakers - each speaker can be set to left, right or mono operation. Each speaker has individual volume control and on/off switch.

Positive points:
good sound, and with 7.5W per speaker a good volume.
Signal transmission is good (I am using it outdoors in the patio, with transmitter in a room at the other end of the house).
Speakers appear to be weatherproof (left them outside in torrential rain and still working..)
No interference through other devices.

Negative points:
Very occasionally the signal can get lost. If this happens or the transmitter blanks out then there is an annoying static sound from the speakers.
If operating on batteries: each speakers needs 8 C batteries... so I got 16 C batteries for the two speakers. Batteries hold the charge very long, at least several hours (I got rechargeable batteries - recharge automatically whenever the speakers are plugged into the AC adapter).

Conclusion: great outdoor speakers for a reasonable price, would definitely recommend them !!