Customer Reviews

MP3 Airlink Ipod Wireless Transmitter/receiver

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The printed S:N specs on this little transmitter-receiver set are unimpressive but you wouldn't know it from the pleasing sound it makes, and the setup is a snap. Don't be scared off by the MP3 reference. It transmits analog audio, regardless of original format.

I had previously tried a low-power FM transmitter. It worked but was very static-prone. And, of course, it requires the user to provide a tuner. This comes with a receiver and is static free.

When I first got the unit, I plugged the transmitter into the headphone jack of my receiver, plugged my headphones into the receiver unit, went downstairs and plugged in the AC power supply in different rooms. Clean, static-free music. Ditto when I plugged the transmitter into my Creative Zen Nano Plus.

The sound is good enough to consider getting several more receivers and putting them in different rooms to have the same thing playing throught the house. But I can't find anywhere to purchase receivers by themselves. The receiver is so small and light, carrying it to the room you plan to be in isn't a problem.

Battery power would be nice, but isn't an option. It runs off a 9V AC adapter. I'm sure someone will be able to rig up a battery pack. Then using it with a headphone would really shine.

PROS:
-- easy to set up
-- plays anything
-- clean sound

CONS:
-- can't find any place that sells more receivers
-- no battery power option
-- disrupted if near a working microwave oven

I give this thing 2 stars only because it does work, however, sound quality is terrible, specially if you live in a building, high rise, or condo, where there can be multiple wireless routers transmitting. This thing actually uses the same channels as the routers and it makes the sound quality go to the floor, that or knocks out your wireless internet signal. So you are left with listening to broken sound, or "clacks" every other minute when the music is off.
[...]
I found Apple's Aiport Express with AirTunes a lot better in sound quality, although it takes some time to set up.

the thing gets tons of static electical charges and makes really annoying pops. I contacted startech customer support and got no response. the thing is barely usable with this current issue. If the pops weren't there, I'd be pretty happy with it. alas.

The unit is very easy to set up and small, but the quality isn't great. When it works, the sound is all right, but I'm transmitting almost-line-of-sight between 2 adjacent rooms, and sometimes I get annoying pops and silences. (Other times it works great; I haven't been able to figure out why it's sometimes okay.) I also can't get the speaker on the receiver end to pick up both R/L channels, but that might be a problem with my 1/8"-1/4" adapter rather than the wireless. In any case, the AirLink is certainly not worth $60.

After having to return two other products for not working under Vista, I found happyness with these simple little units. Nothing much to look at (and unlike the current square Amazon picture mine were round units about the size/shape of an enlarged 'monthly' pill container) in cheap silver plastic with no LEDs or displays or anything cool. Just a power input and a 3.5 socket. Came with all the wires to hook into a receiver, but so I could have my current computer speakers AND the other room receiver I had to buy a 3.5 audio splitter. Plug in and it works!

The audio quality is really good. Sounds like FM radio. Not super great as it's not an optical connection or a lossless digital stream, but rather the analogue line out that is sent out on 2410, 2419-2473 MHz with a listed range of 92db, S/N ratio of 87db and THD 0.1%. But it works! One button on the receiver to cycle through 8 channels if one has interference from a micowave or wifi. I've had no problems. More than I can say for the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge and Sirocco Wireless Home Audio Bridge that I tried before finding this little gem. No software, no Vista problems -- just simple plug and play. And since it is not digital within the software it streams EVERYTHING, including itunes and Rhadsody and every internet radion station and whatever other protected format is invented. Very nice to be able to listen to BBC Radio 1 that is streamed on my computer in the main room over my main receiver.

There are more musically pure wireless solutions, but they are much much more expensive and they don't stream everything. This is a great product that solves the listen-to-the-computer-music-in-another-room problem with no fuss.

I am very pleased with the Airlink's size and simple design. It performs very well when signal path is unobstructed but has eight channel options, if needed, for enhanced performance. Unobtrusive and steady.