JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black)

by JBL

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 6 x 3.8 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001GXQOUU
• Item model number: WEM-1
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,230 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #36 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Multiroom Digital Music Systems

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The JBL WEM-1 is a Wireless Expansion Module that allows the user to make any loudspeaker wireless. The kit contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal up to 70 feet. The WEM-1 includes a receiver/amplifier that receives the wireless signal and drives any pair of loudspeakers with its internal 50 watt amplifier. The transmitter connects to the source using either line or speaker level inputs. The receiver/amplfiier also offers equalization settings for several speakers. A local input allows the user to hook up a portable device or gaming system to the amplifiier.

Product Description

The JBL WEM-1 is a Wireless Expansion Module that allows the user to make any loudspeaker wireless. The kit contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal up to 70 feet. The WEM-1 includes a receiver/amplifier that receives the wireless signal and drives any pair of loudspeakers with its internal 50 watt amplifier. The transmitter connects to the source using either line or speaker level inputs. The receiver/amplfiier also offers equalization settings for several speakers. A local input allows the user to hook up a portable device or gaming system to the amplifiier.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best wireless solution for audio, October 10, 2009

By 

Brian Harkness (ALLENTOWN, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black) (Electronics)

This unit feels professional and solid (it is metal!). It is GREAT. I am using this with some moderately cheap KLH satellite speakers with a subwoofer that I bought maybe 15 years ago.

Granted that there are no speakers with this. If you you think you are getting a deal because there are speakers attached to or are included with other products in the same price range, you may find them to be of inferior quality and sound tinny and/or muffled. I have tried several wireless transmitters and wireless speakers to get sound into my sun room from the main house and I have been disappointed with all of them. Mostly the other items have just picked up too much interference (general static and also noise from my wireless router).

What makes this unit different

- It delivers sufficient power (to your own speakers).

- There are no audible clicks and pops as I have experienced with other products (winter static from carpets are notably an issue with the others).

- It sounds sufficiently clear (and it creates really good sound if the aux input is used with an iPod or other portable device).

- There is no interference with from WiFi (wireless router). This can be a REAL problem with some devices but not this one.

I was surprised to find power connectors for other nations in the box... at first I did not know what they were for:-) I guess I can take this with me if I move to the UK:-) It is also flexible on the transmitter end; it has line level inputs and speaker level inputs.

This item is worth what you pay for it. There are of course freakishly expensive devices out there also, but this should do for someone who wants quality sound for a reasonable amount of money.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Effective Unit - Works Well!, December 10, 2008

By 

Big Dee (Flushing, NY - USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black) (Electronics)

I bought this once it first came out and I've been pleased. It works effectively to expand your listening area wirelessly between zones or even between 5.1 and 7.1 setups.

I use this across my house - a house that is also set up with a wireless network for my computers as well as both cordless and cellular phones. The interference from these units is minimal, if present at all. Surprisingly, I find the most interference from either myself or others walking past it. Wierd. Though, there are 4 channels available to sync the transmitter and receiver seamlessly (or close to it).

The sound is great. It has a built in 50W amplifier and provides crisp sounds. The subwoofer output allows you to make this mini system a sharp 2.1 surround sound system. Note - use a non LFE sub (or just bypass the LFE option on your sub) since the receiver has its own volume input.

Obviously, the best results are for when you connect an outside music source to the receiver via the mini-jack input. If this is your sole reason to use this product, you don't even need to hook up the transmitter at all. Though, to fully enjoy this product, you should.

I have it hooked up to a 7.1 receiver with 2 zone capability. It works fine and I'm very happy with it. The built in amp definitely helps the performance.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product but........, May 4, 2009

By 

R. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black) (Electronics)

The JBL WEM-1 work as advertised. Very straight forward and easy installation, I used this unit to connect my rear surround speakers and the sound is crystal clear as if they were wired. Power / volume output is ok for normal listening with no noticeable distortion. The signal starts fading around 30 to 40 feet away.

The system was also connected as a stand alone speaker extension for another room, and the results obtained were not as satisfactory as before. Maybe because the unit was underpowered for the speakers I used (Bose acoustimass bass and sattelite system). However, the sound was still crystal clear but volume was not enough...My guess is it should work fine with shelf speakers. (output advertised is 50W per channel)

The system was also connected using the line in input and speaker in input. Using the speaker in input, the volume is controlled from your main stereo receiver/amplifier unit. The JBL WEM-1 comes with a remote control for volume adjustment and input adjustment (more on this feature below). Since the receiver unit was stashed away hidden from view to conceal the placement of my surround speakers, once it is setup it is inconvenient to use the remote provided, however this has nothing to do with the performance of the system but you should consider this depending on your intended installation. The system also has a nice feature that it powers on on-demand and goes to stand-by after 10 minutes if no music is played.

I could not get it to work using the line in connection. It could be that my receiver out signal is too low or the JBL WEM-1 input sensitivity is too high. Either way I could not get it to work this way, but since this type of use was not for my setup I didn't mind. The receiver has an aux in input at the front of the unit which can be used to connect anything with a headphone output (MP3, Ipod, etc) This feature is controlled by the remote control input selection.

Now for the but....in the tittle...Wireless comes at a price. My receiver has a wireless feature which can be used to pair any laptop/pc computer. I also have a bluetooth wireless connection to stream music from my ipod to my stereo. When the JBL WEM-1 is connected and working, it knocks out all other wireless connections from my laptop and bluetooth ipod. Again, this has nothing to do with the performance of the JBL system and thats why I still gave it a high rating, but these are facts that you should keep in mind depending of your intentions.