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Wireless Bluetooth 2.1 Speakers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-clever dept.

Sandy Cheeks writes "The Saitek A-250 Wireless 2.1 Speaker System made a stong impression when showcased at this year's CES with its sleek styling and rather impressive performance... The compact boomerang shaped device can provide 2.1 stereo sound up to 30 meters away from a source PC, and can alternatively be used hard wired to any other audio source with an 1/8" stereo jack output."

114 comments

  1. Marketing Hype by Jason+Hood · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I always get a kick out of marketing hype surrounding wireless capabilities.

    30 meters? I bet its more like 3 with marginal quality.

    --
    Are you intolerant of intolerant people?
    1. Re:Marketing Hype by otisg · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not necessarily. I have mine set about 10 meters away from the transmitter, and they work fine. And they are RCA speakers!

      --
      Simpy
    2. Re:Marketing Hype by jo42 · · Score: 3, Insightful
      24 hours on 4 AA batteries?

      Flaming bull excrement.

    3. Re:Marketing Hype by Alex+P+Keaton+in+da · · Score: 1

      and can alternatively be used hard wired to any other audio source with an 1/8" stereo jack output."
      I think sometimes we get so into high tech that we forget low tech. With the use of adapters, it doesn't matter if it has a 1/8" stereo jack- as long as you have an adapter for whatever item you have that will convert to 1/8"....

      --
      And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
    4. Re:Marketing Hype by vux984 · · Score: 1

      With the use of adapters, it doesn't matter if it has a 1/8" stereo jack- as long as you have an adapter for whatever item you have that will convert to 1/8"

      That's true, but if they just left is as "with wires you can connect it to any other audio source" it leaves it ambiguous as to the 'sort' of connection. A 1/8" stero jack tells us its a regular old two-channel analog connection, and conjures up images of exactly the sort of devices this was intended for.

      And while you are right the exact format of that connector doesn't matter as its easy to adapt from 1/4", or stereo RCA, to 1/8" but the "2-channel analog" is important.

      It tells me my ipod won't dock with it (although i can run a connection from the headphone jack). It tells me I can't plug a usb or fireware mass storage device loaded with mp3s into it, or the optical outputs from my dvd player, or digital coax, etc, etc.

    5. Re:Marketing Hype by adamUndefined · · Score: 2, Informative

      I worked at a big-box electronics store over Christmas and we carried this model. I was able to get just about to the other side of the store before encountering any drop in sound quality. The first thing you tend to lose if the control of your media player, go a bit furthur and the sound starts to get pretty choppy. This was operating in a completely open space so I'm not sure how it would do when you start going through walls and floors. But I was still impressed. We had quite a number of other wireless items running in the store (several phones, networks, printers, etc.) and it seemed to do fine with other interference. I'm not sure they were quite worth the $150 CAD we were charging for them but a fun product nonetheless.

    6. Re:Marketing Hype by jrockway · · Score: 2, Informative

      Maybe not. 1 good AA battery is 2.5AH @ 1.5V = 3.7Wh. 4 of these makes 14.8Wh. Over 24 hours, these batteries would last with a 617mA load. The amplifier draws probably no more than 70mA, so it's possible that the speakers would produce something resembling sound for 24 hours on one set of NiMH batteries. I'm not sure how audio power correlates with electrical power... but I do know that most desktop listening is under 1W (of audio power)... so, like I said, the quoted figure is possible.

      --
      My other car is first.
    7. Re:Marketing Hype by owlstead · · Score: 1

      RTFA!!!

    8. Re:Marketing Hype by lucas+teh+geek · · Score: 1

      as you own a pair perhaps you can answer this; what's the latency like? for instance can you watch a movie with them or does the audio lag behind the video?

      --
      TIAEAE!
    9. Re:Marketing Hype by ChrisGilliard · · Score: 1

      Yeah, this just doesn't seem like a blue tooth application to me. They should have used Wi-fi instead, that would get them more range.

      --
      No Sigs!
  2. Introducing the new Slashdot! by bcat24 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now with 100% more ads!

    1. Re:Introducing the new Slashdot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean Slashdot's started posting twice as many stories?

    2. Re:Introducing the new Slashdot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd love to see you read Consumer Report. "Oooh! This magazine has sooo many ads! Oooh! It makes me so mad!"

  3. it looks terrible by schnikies79 · · Score: 1

    it would make no sense to be on my desk. i don't use my computer as my primary music device anwyay, for that I have a stereo.

    my $15 creative speakers are just fine.

    --
    Gone!
    1. Re:it looks terrible by PFI_Optix · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I don't see a lot of use for this now that I think about it.

      On the desk, you can get a comparable 2.1 speaker set and a keyboard with media controls for a lot less than $100. For remote listening, I have a better idea: 802.11b.

      I'd like to see a device like this that would either access a shared folder or use proprietary sharing software (so a complete novice could set it up without creating a security risk). The software would make more sense, because then you could stream sound from a CD or some other audio source if you wanted to. Then the PC would just have a service running in the background and wouldn't have to launch a media player to operate. Surely you could pull that off for not much more than $100.

      --
      120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    2. Re:it looks terrible by mpathetiq · · Score: 1

      I think you're sort of describing the Squeezebox.

      --
      Post-rock/Ambient/Drone and other noise.
    3. Re:it looks terrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I use a stereo for my PC sound. Can't go wrong w/ kenwood 5.1 fed from the optical output of my PC.

    4. Re:it looks terrible by PFI_Optix · · Score: 1

      Sort of, yes. What the Squeezebox doesn't do is let you stream audio off a PC, which could be a very cool feature. Rather than being format- or application-specific (like the squeezebox) you could configure it to play anything your PC played, or to play audio from a specific media player, file, whatever. A good example of an application for what I'm thinking of would be guys who like to do live mixes from their PCs...no more wiring into the sound system, you can do it via 802.11g and it should be able to run lossless with that bandwidth.

      IANA developer, so don't look at me to make it. I just like to toss out grand ideas and hope someone gets a marketable idea out of it from time to time :D

      --
      120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    5. Re:it looks terrible by mrops · · Score: 1

      shaped like the toy my girlfriend uses all the time

    6. Re:it looks terrible by mpathetiq · · Score: 1

      I think there are live audio plugins for the squeezebox to do just what you described. Don't quote me.

      --
      Post-rock/Ambient/Drone and other noise.
    7. Re:it looks terrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sounds like the Airport Express.

    8. Re:it looks terrible by yurnotsoeviltwin · · Score: 1

      True, they wouldn't be all that useful with a desktop computer, but with a laptop they could have some merit and even moreso with something portable like my Palm T|X. I would assume that it would work with any device that has Bluetooth and plays music, right? Speaking of which, I'm still longing for the day when Apple releases a BT-capable ipod. Anyone think it'll happen?

    9. Re:it looks terrible by David+Horn · · Score: 1

      You mean one of these?

      http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=779 /

      --
      PocketGamer.org - For the gamer on the go!
    10. Re:it looks terrible by nateziarek · · Score: 1

      I don't think I am quite understanding, but would something like Apple's Airport Express (with the exception being that you can only use iTunes to play to it withouth 3rd party software) be what you are looking for? http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/ From what I've read, the Airport Express can decode Apple Lossless; iTunes takes any audio it can play (so mp4, mp3 and I would imagine Ogg/FLAC again someday) converts and encrypts it on the fly and streams it over the network (wireless or wired) to the express. The express has a dual jack that accepts a standard headphone jack (1/8"?) or, with the help of a special apple audio cable, digital optical.

      I've got two, and I love being able to just pop open my laptop and click play in iTunes to listen to some over my stereo. It sounds great and I've never had a drop out...

    11. Re:it looks terrible by AeroIllini · · Score: 1

      I don't see a lot of use for this now that I think about it.

      I think the most natural application of wireless speakers is in surround setups, where you don't want to poke holes in your walls (or can't, by lease agreement) or run wires under the carpet. The rear left and rear right channels would be wireless, and the left, right, center and woofer channels would be wired. Just set up your media player to reroute the audio through a program that splits the channels up, and sends the rear channels as a standard stereo signal over wireless to the rear speakers, and the front four channels to the front four speakers.

      Does anyone know of a system to do this, or will I be forced to build it?

      --
      For security, the MD5 hash of this message and sig is 09f911029d74e35bd84156c5635688c0.
    12. Re:it looks terrible by owlstead · · Score: 1

      Interesting that this can be modded interesing. Come on, these devices and accompanying services have been around for quite some time.

    13. Re:it looks terrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      good for you. thanks for quanitfying this for us.

      jackass.

    14. Re:it looks terrible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The systems exist, I forget who makes them or anything like that but I know I saw one just the other day at ultimate electronics that was designed for just this purpose. It supported two speakers and had a very decent range (through walls and such). Din't pay too much attention because I have already strung the wires and don't have the extra money for something unneeded right now.

  4. Wireless Electricity by otisg · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've got wireless speakers at home, have had them for about a year, and I love them. Now I'm waiting for wireless electricity and I'll be set! I'm not joking. Batteries are ok, they last a few months, but they get weak with time, so you have to keep turning up the volume.

    --
    Simpy
    1. Re:Wireless Electricity by Bill_Royle · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Now I'm waiting for wireless electricity and I'll be set!"

      I recommend that you rent "Back to the Future" for pointers on how to get yourself going there. Doc had a pretty good flux capacitor modded up, not sure if you can get it still, though. Maybe try Newegg?

    2. Re:Wireless Electricity by chrismcdirty · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Perhaps you can continue whatever work Nikola Tesla had started before being shut down by the government.

      --
      It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    3. Re:Wireless Electricity by rob_squared · · Score: 2, Informative

      The problem comes with energy density though. In order to use standard electronics, especially speakers, you'd probably need a microwave beam, not something you want to stand in the way of, even from a comfort standpoint. What you'd need is some sort of super low energy device like RFID, which can be powered by lower intensity EM waves.

      So you either end up with being boiled slowly or low output speakers, and if you're spending that much for speakers, you probably want high quality.

      What I'd much rather like to see is a standardized 2.5/3.5mm bluetooth jack so that any device can output audio to bluetooth headsets.

      --
      I don't get it.
    4. Re:Wireless Electricity by ChrisGilliard · · Score: 1

      Now I'm waiting for wireless electricity and I'll be set!

      Well, you could supply the power through microwaves. The only problem is that you might get fried in the process.

      --
      No Sigs!
    5. Re:Wireless Electricity by Flamesplash · · Score: 1

      Mind doing a quick review of them? I'm very interested in a wireless speaker system for my apt though info seems to be much lacking?

      --
      "Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door." - Emily Dickinson
    6. Re:Wireless Electricity by owlstead · · Score: 1

      Allthough there are RFID ICC's that operate at about 30 MHz, I would not hold your breath. For (even) this to work they have to be at about 3 CM from the source. And that is only if everything is tuned to perfection.

      I am waiting for a nice set of HQ digital headphones using bluetooth as well. They would be great with BT PDA's, phones and indeed, bluetooth jacks. This seems to get close (including mini-jack):

      http://www.atruereview.com/iphono/bluetooth2.php

      Bit expensive though.

    7. Re:Wireless Electricity by noidentity · · Score: 1

      "I've got wireless speakers at home, have had them for about a year, and I love them."

      Me too! I used headphones all my life until around a year ago when I finally got enough to buy these things called "loudspeakers". No more wires, not me! I can sit back on my couch and hear the music from about ten feet away. I can even get up and walk around the room and still hear the music, no wires! I love modern technology.

    8. Re:Wireless Electricity by ironman_one · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How about solar cells charged batteries? I charged the batteries in my salingboat with solar cells. It was enough for lanterns, radio and internal light. You obviusly have to have your speakers in a light environment and not run for full effect all the time.

  5. Obvious feature missing... by PFI_Optix · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Headphone Output. Seriously, I don't understand why anyone manufactures PC speakers without a headphone jack when you can buy a pair for $5 that has it.

    --
    120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    1. Re:Obvious feature missing... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 3, Funny

      As much as I'd love to walk around the house with dangling a set of wireless speakers from my wired headphones, I think bluetooth headphones are probably the way to go for that sort of thing.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    2. Re:Obvious feature missing... by fm6 · · Score: 0, Redundant

      The point of making some bluetooth is to eliminate wires. If you want bluetooth and headphones, get bluetooth headphones.

    3. Re:Obvious feature missing... by Omicron32 · · Score: 1

      Tis a question I have asked myself many times... My 4.1 Creative speakers (old, yeah, meh) don't have a headphone out, meaning I have to reach around to the back of my PC, unplug my 4.1s and plug in the headphones.

      Pain in the arse.

    4. Re:Obvious feature missing... by jimand · · Score: 1

      I suppose you could make a case for being wired up to wireless speakers but it seems to me that wireless headphones would be a better solution.

    5. Re:Obvious feature missing... by iMac+Were · · Score: 0

      I find reacharounds are often a pain in the arse too, sweetie.

      --
      You thought my name meant what? How very dare you!
    6. Re:Obvious feature missing... by GigG · · Score: 1

      ...meaning I have to reach around to the back of my PC, unplug my 4.1s and plug in the headphones.

      I had the same problem after Christmas when my wife bought me a nice set of headphones mainly because she got tired of BF2 pumping out of my Klipssch 2.1 speakers. This bothered me greatly until I was standing in line at Rat Shack a in mid January and the person in front of me was purchasing a peice of technology that when used with the volume control on the speakers allowed both to be attached at one time. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?produc tId=2103710&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=5&allCou nt=252&fbn=Price%2F%244.00+-+%245.99&fbc=1&fr=Stor ePrice%2FRSK%2F00000400%2F00000599&parentPage=fami ly

      --
      Is buying a Harley Davidson as your first motorcycle since you were 16 at age 49 a midlife crisis issue?
    7. Re:Obvious feature missing... by Omicron32 · · Score: 1

      I live in the UK! I have one of those on my desk here actually, just don't bother with my headphones enough anymore to warrant the effort of putting it in.

    8. Re:Obvious feature missing... by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

      A long long time ago the human race invented SWITCHES.

      Surely even *you* could make a cable selector.

      --
      There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  6. Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by deathbyzen · · Score: 4, Informative

    For now, the headphone market seems something like this: wireless, portable, stylish. Pick two.

    1. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by jabber · · Score: 1

      I just got the BT headphones from HP, and they seem to be all three. Of course "stylish" is the big problem, as there is no accounting for taste.

      --

      -- What you do today will cost you a day of your life.
    2. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by MidKnight · · Score: 1

      I don't have a pair, but it looks like they already have.

    3. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Headphones that aren't portable? Are they chained down, have a wallwart, or what?

    4. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by DrXym · · Score: 2, Funny
      For now, the headphone market seems something like this: wireless, portable, stylish. Pick two.

      Problem is that "wireless" headphones require yet another dock / charger cluttering your desk in order to work. So they're not really wireless at all. And those rechargeable batteries make the head set bulk. Look forward to strange looks as people wonder if you're attending a Dr Who convention dressed as a cyberman.

    5. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ok, so assume you're straight. You pick wireless and portable. See, it's only a problem if you're a big gay homosexual!

    6. Re:Awesome. Now do the same for headphoens. by Chris+Pimlott · · Score: 1

      Congratulations, you just pointed out what's wrong with the mainstream consumer headphone market. What about "sounds good?"

  7. Obligatory MirrorDot link by bcat24 · · Score: 2, Informative

    It looks like we just killed the server. MirrorDot has a copy.

  8. Improvement by Saiyine · · Score: 2, Interesting


    Does it come with an audio output - bluetooth adapter? It would be really cool if it has.

    Think of the posibilities! Think of the children!

    --
    Hosting 20G hd, 1Tb bw! ssh $7.95
  9. Compulsory RIAA message by Cygnusx12 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can't do that with your music either. Sincerely, --RIAA

    1. Re:Compulsory RIAA message by whodunnit · · Score: 5, Funny

      Correction:

      You can't do that with OUR music either. Sincerely, --RIAA

    2. Re:Compulsory RIAA message by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I own the CD so I own the music! Sincerely, --Idiotic anti-RIAA protesters

    3. Re:Compulsory RIAA message by whodunnit · · Score: 1

      Oooo, somebody works for the RIAA...

  10. I might have figured it out... by LodCrappo · · Score: 4, Insightful
    All those times I have read:

    1) Do something
    2) ????????????
    3) Profit!

    I think I finally figured out step 2. It's advertise with a "story" on Slashdot.

    --
    -Lod
  11. Techno lingo by Fr05t · · Score: 5, Funny

    "made a stong impression"

    I just can't keep up with all this new technobable lingo. I have no idea what a stong is!

    1. Re:Techno lingo by PFI_Optix · · Score: 1

      Well, then, Google it!

      --
      120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
    2. Re:Techno lingo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      heh... Strong Bad might be able to help you out on that one :)

    3. Re:Techno lingo by donutz · · Score: 1

      heh... Strong Bad might be able to help you out on that one :)

      Do you mean Stong Bad?

    4. Re:Techno lingo by dpiven · · Score: 1

      It's rather onomatopoeic, really. It's a term for a 24" wrecking bar whistling through the air, then impacting on the back of someone's skull.

      sssssssssSTONGggggggggggggggg

  12. Bluetooth is pretty awesome by TubeSteak · · Score: 2, Informative

    In case of Slashdotting, break mirror
    http://www.networkmirror.com/2SqNKxarnLb0hJVl/www% 2Ebigbruin%2Ecom/reviews05/review%2Ephp%3Fitem%3Ds aiteka250%26file%3D1%2Ehtml
    (Mirrordot only mirrors the first page)

    [Plug]
    A free and OSS proggie for computer/cellphone Bluetooth stuff is Float's Mobile Agent
    I run my computer from my phone with it :O)
    [/plug]

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:Bluetooth is pretty awesome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It doesn't appear to really be bluetooth. It has its own adapter, and no indication that it can talk to anything else.

  13. 1/8th inch stereo jack? by Richard+Lamont · · Score: 0

    An 1/8th inch stereo jack? Er ... that's 3.175 mm. There's no such thing. Did the poster mean a 3.5mm stereo jack?

    1. Re:1/8th inch stereo jack? by jupiterssj4 · · Score: 1

      1/8th inch is the standard headphone audio jack this product has been on Woot.com all day today for the woot off, its been going fast for like 29.99

    2. Re:1/8th inch stereo jack? by Jason+Hood · · Score: 1

      Yes there is.

      http://ostg.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/ma sterid=8112110/

      --
      Are you intolerant of intolerant people?
    3. Re:1/8th inch stereo jack? by aqfire · · Score: 1

      http://www.radioshack.com/sm-1-8-stereo-jack-to-1- 4-stereo-plug-headphone--pi-2062468.html You don't know what you're talking about... unless you're from one of those 'metric countries' in which case I apologize.

    4. Re:1/8th inch stereo jack? by lonasindi · · Score: 1

      sometimes in america we call them 1/8th inch because obviously we can't use the metric system. Also it relates the plug to the 1/4" 'studio-style' plugs. stereo miniplug is another common name.

    5. Re:1/8th inch stereo jack? by BenFaremo · · Score: 0

      If by "all day" you mean "for a few minutes during the woot-off" and by "29.99" you mean "more than $100" then you are correct.

  14. Bluetooth IS Wireless, last time I checked by ziani · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does "wired" Bluetooth exist? Maybe I missed a press release.

    Just wondering.

    1. Re:Bluetooth IS Wireless, last time I checked by _LMark · · Score: 1

      I'd mod the parent as Redundant, but then I couldn't make this post!

      --
      'the Internet is right.'
  15. I'm surprised it didn't have a woot link by tgd · · Score: 1

    They were up on Woot for half the afternoon.

    Apparently not a hot seller.

  16. Airport Express by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I got an Airport Express for this sort of thing and it also doubles as a wireless router. You will need a Hi-Fi or some set of powered speakers, but it works well enough. Depending on your set up you may experience a bit of lag.

    --
    Jumpstart the tartan drive.
    1. Re:Airport Express by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Airport Express is using a proprietary protocol. No thanks.

  17. Apple Airport alternative by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want a reasonably priced device that allows me to connect my PC audio to my stereo wirelessly. I don't want 20ft RCA cables running across the floor t to connecting my stereo to my PC.

    Why can't a company simply come up with a cheaper alternative to Apple's Airport Express? I belive the AE only works with iTunes, which is a sham for a device that retails for over $100.

  18. I don't get the hoopla surrounding far ranging BT by Illbay · · Score: 2, Interesting
    If I want something that has an extensible range, I'd go with 802.11x. To me, Bluetooth is more useful when its range is only a hundred feet (okay, 30 meters) or so--if even that.

    I mean, aren't the problems with so-called "bluespamming" and "bluesnarfing" bad enough without allowing the punk kid in his bedroom across the street access to all your stuff?

    --
    Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
  19. Bluetooth ?? by Qwavel · · Score: 1

    The title of this topic includes the word bluetooth, but the article isn't clear on this point. Is it bluetooth? If I have a notebook with built-in BT will that work (isntead of the USB transmitter that is included)?

  20. NO, Not bluetooth!!!! by Em+Ellel · · Score: 1

    It is NOT in fact bluetooth, just 2.4GHz wireless

    It is my understanding that Bluetooth lacks distance and more significantly bandwidth to send decent quality audio - headset for a phone is ok, but it is not anywhere near decent enough for music. I could be wrong on this, but if this could be done in bluetooth, I bet we'd see a LOT of overpriced bluetooth mp3 players/headphones

    -Em

    --
    RelevantElephants: A Somatic WebComic...
    1. Re:NO, Not bluetooth!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are completely an utterly wrong on this point. Google for "a2dp."

    2. Re:NO, Not bluetooth!!!! by Em+Ellel · · Score: 1

      You are completely an utterly wrong on this point. Google for "a2dp."

      I assume you meant I am wrong about my understanding of bluetooth tech, not about THIS product, which IS NOT Bluetooth.

      However regarding the bluetooth bandwidth, I stand corrected. Actually looking up bandwidth spec I find it is about 1mbps on BT 1.2 (2.1 mbps on BT 2.0), which, assuming it is possible to get anything near that bandwidth in real life, should be sufficient for basic audio operations. Which leaves me still wondering about lack of bluetooth audio gear.

      -Em

      --
      RelevantElephants: A Somatic WebComic...
  21. Featured today on WooT by jafoca · · Score: 1

    This product was sold today on Woot.com, just after they ran out of their infamous "Random Bag of Crap".

    Must really be hot...

  22. And it doubles as... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    And it doubles as a dildo...

  23. Can I Hear It Now? by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 1

    OK, so who's got the hack to activate the necessary stereo music Bluetooth profile on my otherwise nifty SE K750?

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  24. they're not that good, they have a terrible flaw by neverland0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The advertised wireless range is not accurate, I get sound with lot of hiccups even 5 feet aways, and then 10 feets away I get good quality, so the sound quality varies a lot and the speakers are kind of picky. Also the 24 battery life must not be true. I use rechargable batteries, that may be 6 months old, but they die pretty soon while being inside the speakers (9-11 hours). The one thing that really annoys me is that I HATE the fact that the remote controls doesnt work unless the application is opened and is the current window. If for some reason something takes over (like screen saver) they wont work. That sucks, every multimedia keyboards that I know can pause and play music even if the music player is minimized and youre doing something else.

  25. "True digital-delivery" ? by MasterC · · Score: 2, Insightful

    From the specs:

    True digital-delivery 2.1 stereo through 2 main drivers and an active sub-woofer

    I'm fairly up to speed on signal processing and such, but what exactly is "true digital-delivery"? How does it differ from "false digital-delivery" (if there is such a thing)? I can't say that I have *ever* heard this phrase before.

    My guess as to what it means is that it's a digital transmission instead of analog transmission (e.g., FM radio). But big freakin whoop!

    37 results on google and at least half are for this product. What's it say about you when your marketers confuse people that are in-the-know by making up buzzwords? I know, I know: then they wouldn't be marketers.

    --
    :wq
    1. Re:"True digital-delivery" ? by monktus · · Score: 1

      How does it differ from "false digital-delivery" (if there is such a thing)?

      I think my friend's headphones have that. We were chuckling about the big label on them that read "DIGITAL"

      --
      Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals... except the weasel."
    2. Re:"True digital-delivery" ? by titzandkunt · · Score: 2, Funny


      "...I'm fairly up to speed on signal processing and such, but what exactly is "true digital-delivery"? How does it differ from "false digital-delivery" (if there is such a thing)? I can't say that I have *ever* heard this phrase before...."

      Waall, it's quite simple, really.

      Your true digital delivery is the preferred, high-quality system used by well respected manufacturers like Sony, Marantz, Technics, Panasonic etc. In this system, a true value is represented by a "1", while a false is represented by a "0".

      This is not the case with disreputable and lesser manufacturers such as "Tecknichs", "Somy", "Panisonic" - you know, the real dregs who prey on folk with poor reading skills (ie. US high school graduates). Well, they are too damn cheap to license true digital delivery technology and so they're forced to use the inferior false digital delivery. In the false system, a false is represented by a "1", while a true value is represented by a "0". This is obviously backwards and wrong, hence the reduction in sound quality when compared to the far-superior true-delivery system.

      T&K.

      --
      Political language ... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable...
  26. Not really Bluetooth by Yoik · · Score: 1

    Not really bluetooth. no indication that it can talk to anything other than its own adapter.

  27. meters measuring what? by TheRealDamion · · Score: 0, Troll

    30 of what kind of meters? Surely it would depend on the size of the meters, lets assume they are large pressure meters about 0.1metres in diameter, that would be 3metres in distance which is quite poor for bluetooth.

  28. Solve this by 0xABADC0DA · · Score: 1

    What I want is a smallish dongle that goes into the headphone port of any media device and wirelessly sends the audio to another device with an audio out / headphone jack. Anybody know where to get something like this?

    Or the real problem is that there are M people with laptops, N of which don't run unix, and 1 set of real speakers. There should be something like vnc for audio... a simple driver or program you can run on any system type and send the sound someplace else. Then I could just attach an old laptop to the speakers.

    1. Re:Solve this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean like this?

      http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/16/review_log itech_wms_ipod/

  29. Re:I don't get the hoopla surrounding far ranging by MBHkewl · · Score: 1

    Which is why Bluetooth is convenient. Its range is much smaller than Wi-Fi, meaning it will be almost limited to your house's circumference.

    As far as I know, Bluetooth attacks are active against mobile phones not computers, but I may be wrong. Anyone got info on this matter? I feel lazy to Googlize.

    --
    Mod points are a dangerous tool. Abuse them wisely.
  30. Re:I don't get the hoopla surrounding far ranging by Illbay · · Score: 1
    I did google earlier, before posting my reply, and mostly it DOES talk about cell phone use. But that's the most common current application for BT.

    I see no reason why, if you have a bluetooth dongle on your 'puter (as I do, because that's how I sync my Treo 650), you mightn't be susceptible to the same kinds of security hassles.

    --
    Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
  31. This product dioes NOT support Bluetooth by kindbud · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nowhere in the article, nor on Saitek's website, is there any indication that this speaker set uses the Bluetooth wireless protocol. In the article there is the parenthetical quip "think bluetooth" that is used when describing how it connects to the PC, but the device is not a Bluetooth audio client, and Saitek makes no such claim anywhere on the product website.

    --
    Edith Keeler Must Die
  32. they are not bluetooth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    they are not bluetooth

  33. This is *not* bluetooth. by beemishboy · · Score: 1

    Contrary to the title of the post, this set of speakers does not operate using Bluetooth. I checked out both the review and the product website and they both simply said that the speakers used the 2.4GHz range to transmit, but never mention Bluetooth. It's kind of disappointing because my PowerBook has built-in Bluetooth and there is still a surprising lack of wireless Bluetooth devices out there...
    For instance, the Logitech wireless laser mouse is *not* bluetooth *sigh*.

  34. Proprietary, not bluetooth - so no Linux? by devnulljapan · · Score: 1

    I just bought one of these, and it works well on windows. But it's not a certified Bluetooth device. It uses the chipset, but in a proprietary way, so they can only talk to their own transmitter.
    However, I contacted their (quite good) tech support and received this reply: ...the device will detect as a A2DP-compatible bluetooth
    device and will pair with devices that support this standard. If you
    don't have such a device then the wireless USB transmitter that comes
    with it is required. No driver is needed for Windows because it
    configures using generic USB audio drivers that are built into Windows. Now
    we've done no testing under, Linux but if Linux also has generic USB
    audio drivers then it should work.

    I fiddled with it for a while, and did get an a2dp device recognised, but still haven't managed to get it to work.
    Anyone else get these to work on Linux, post a howto would you?

  35. wireless bluetooth? by lonasindi · · Score: 1

    isn't saying wireless bluetooth(a wireless standard) a bit like saying heated oven?

  36. Re:What a crock. by mythosaz · · Score: 2, Informative
    WTF is "neodymium speaker technology?"

    It means the speakers are made out of rare earth (neodymium) magnets, and, as such, can pack a stronger magnet into a smaller place. If you haven't played with a strong rare earth magnet, you dont know what you're missing...makes hard drive magnets look like toys.
  37. And That is Why I Love Woot... by cyberbob2010 · · Score: 1

    Picked mine up in a woot-off on www.woot.com today for under 50 bucks :-)

    --
    We seldom regret saying too little but often regret saying too much.
  38. Expensive by Rac3r5 · · Score: 1

    I know this question might seems asinine, but why are blueTooth gadgets so much more expensive than wiFi?
    E.g. a wireless blueTooth headset is so expensive...

  39. are they actually bluetooth? by lucas+teh+geek · · Score: 1
    One of the biggest selling points of the A-250 system is the 2.4 GHz RF wireless connection. Windows 2000 or XP is required for the wireless (think Bluetooth) to function, and both of these operating systems have native drivers and no other software is required.
    so is it bluetooth or isnt it? if it is, why "think bluetooth"?
    --
    TIAEAE!
  40. What I want is... by zorkmid · · Score: 1

    Bluetooth stereo transmitters and receivers. No built in speakers. Not built into headphones. I want to plug my own equipment into both sides.

    So far all I've found are jensens WBT310 but they work for about 1 hour and then die. You have to unplug them to get them to work again.

  41. Wireless connection to PC only (requires Windows 2 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wireless connection to PC only (requires Windows 2000/XP)?

    What is the freaking point to having bt, then? Good god, this would rock for the palm tungsten, or bt enabled phones. But to require a Windows box? Just. Plain. Silly.

  42. Wireless plugs, not devices by babbling · · Score: 1

    I don't want wireless devices, I want wireless plugs!

    I want a USB plug that will transmit wirelessly to another USB plug. I want audio plugs that connect without wires to other audio plugs. In this way, all of my devices that were previously "wired" devices can become wireless devices.

    I realise that timing of data might be an issue for USB. There are still lots of types of plugs that this could be done for, though. (TV analog plugs also come to mind)

  43. Wireless Bluetooth... by El_Servas · · Score: 1

    Isn't Bluetooth wireless per se?

    Saying "Wireless Bluetooth" is like saying Wireless WiFi or Serial USB?

  44. interview with Rob Malda by larry+bagina · · Score: 1

    Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda is a 29-year old white male with a stocky build and a goatee. He responded to my ad to be interviewed for this article wearing only leather pants, leather boots and a leather vest. I could see that both of his nipples were pierced with large-gauge silver rings.

    Questioner: I hope you won't be offended if I ask you to prove to me that you're a nullo. Just so that my readers will know that this isn't a fake.

    CmdrTaco: Sure, no problem. (stands and unbuckles pants and drops them to his ankles, revealing a smooth, shaven crotch with only a thin scar to show where his genitals once were).

    Q: Thank you. That's a remarkable sight.

    (laughs and pulls pants back up). Most people think so.

    Q: What made you decide to become a nullo?

    (pauses). Well, it really wasn't entirely my decision.

    Q: Excuse me?

    The idea wasn't mine. It was my lover's idea.

    Q: Please explain what you mean.

    Okay, it's a long story. You have to understand my relationship with Hemos before you'll know what happened.

    Q: We have plenty of time. Please go on.

    Both of us were into the leather lifestyle when we met through a personal ad. Hemos's ad was very specific: he was looking for someone to completely dominate and modify to his pleasure. In other word, a slave.

    The ad intrigued me. I had been in a number of B&D scenes and also some S&M, but I found them unsatisfying because they were all temporary. After the fun was over, everybody went on with life as usual.

    I was looking for a complete life change. I wanted to meet someone who would be part of my life forever. Someone who would control me and change me at his whim.

    Q: In other words, you're a true masochist.

    Oh yes, no doubt about that. I've always been totally passive in my sexual relationships.

    Anyway, we met and there was instant chemistry. Hemos is about my age and is a complete loser. Our personalities meshed totally. He's very dominant.

    I went back to his place after drinks and had the best sex of my life. That's when I knew I was going to be with Hemos for a long, long time.

    Q: What sort of things did you two do?

    It was very heavy right away. He restrained me and whipped me for quite awhile. He put clamps on my nipples and a ball gag in my mouth. And he hung a ball bag on my sack with some very heavy weights. That bag really bounced around when Hemos fucked me from behind.

    Q: Ouch.

    (laughs) Yeah, no kidding. At first I didn't think I could take the pain, but Hemos worked me through it and after awhile I was flying. I was sorry when it was over.

    Hemos enjoyed it as much as I did. Afterwards he talked about what kind of a commitment I'd have to make if I wanted to stay with him.

    Q: What did he say exactly?

    Well, besides agreeing to be his slave in every way, I'd have to be ready to be modified. To have my body modified.

    Q: Did he explain what he meant by that?

    Not specifically, but I got the general idea. I guessed that something like castration might be part of it.

    Q: How did that make you feel?

    (laughs) I think it would make any guy a little hesitant.

    Q: But it didn't stop you from agreeing to Hemos's terms?

    No it didn't. I was totally hooked on this man. I knew that I was willing to pay any price to be with him.

    Anyway, a few days later I moved in with Hemos. He gave me the rules right away: I'd have to be naked at all times while we were indoors, except for a leather dog collar that I could never take off. I had to keep my balls shaved. And I had to wear a butt plug except when I needed to take a shit or when we were having sex.

    I had to sleep on the floor next to his bed. I ate all my food on the floor, too.

    The next day he took me to a piercing parlor where he had my nipples done, and a Prince Albert put into the head of my cock.

    Q: Heavy stuff.

    Yeah, and it got heavier. He used me as a toilet, pissing in my mouth. I had to

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.