Klipsch LightSpeaker System 5.2.2 Wireless Sound and Efficient LED Lighting Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The first thing that struck me about this product is the quality of it's manufacture. These speakers were solid and well made. Below I will address the various information that is important to know.

PACKAGING AND INSTRUCTIONS:
As with any product what we first see is the packaging it comes in. This speaker system was no exception.
An expensive product, should be well packed and these speakers were in separate boxes within the main box, well cushioned. The various components were also well packed and obvious to find. The overall box when you open it, the first thing you see is the setup information. This card was the full length of the box and succinctly told you the steps you needed to complete installation. I thought this was all well done. Under that was the user's manual that if you had issues you could refer to.

INSTALLATION:
First of all you need to be sure you have the right spot to install these. They go into 5 or 6" recessed lighting tubes. The manufacturers provided two size flanges that could go on the end of the speaker/lights that would work with either of these sizes. One thing we found while installing these, is you could actually not get them properly seated in the light socket(not deep enough) and they would not work. It was the user's manual that alerted me to this and we resolved the issue. Another thing I found was, we could not use the metal arms spread out to stabilize the speaker in the recessed outlet, as the spread was too far. We had to keep them pulled in.

I liked the fact that the instructions warned me upfront that most recessed lighting fixtures had adjustable depths. I didn't know that. In telling me that I knew enough to adjust them and that is what took to get the speakers installed deep enough. You have to finesse this a bit and get the proper mix of deep enough while holding the flange flush to the ceiling and properly engaged to work. It took us about an hour to get both speakers properly installed. It was somewhat fatiguing as these speaker/lights have some heft to them. But, not a major problem.

Once installed properly the main unit quickly detected the speakers and they worked well. You can control the volume of the speakers and the brightness of the lights. You also have the abililty to choose two inputs. There is also a remote provided and this mimicked the controls on the base unit. Handy if you are not easily able to reach the base unit.

USAGE:
Once we had them up and synched to the base unit, everything worked fine. We are now planning on having these hook both to the radio as well as an ipod and you can do this as there are two inputs as well as the appropriate cables. I was pleased with the sound quality, but I'm no audiophile. Since the speakers were small and not only behind the lights but the light lens a more discerning listener might have concerns. I did not.

RANGE:
I have noticed that these speakers do not have much in the way of bass, so your music can sound a bit tinny. Not surprising due to their size.
OTHER POINTS:
Since we used these units in our kitchen on recessed lights over the countertop, which has 4 lights, in order to work you need to have that circuit on. This means the two lights that don't have the speakers in them need to be on all the time, that we use the speakers. The lights in the speakers can be turned off independently. At this time, I don't think that is a problem, as I kept the ones over the primary work area as non-speakered lights.

The speakers have convex covers on the LED light inside. This makes the light they shine down a bit different than the lights in the recesses. I find this light is more diffuse. Another reason why I did not put these lights over the primary work area. I would have to make it very bright to be the the most useful. The LED lights can get bright enough, but it seemed almost too bright in order to get the proper coverage. Too bad there was not a concave lens option for these speaker/lights to address this.

SUMMARY:
All in all we are pleased with this system. I will write more as we use it more.


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Wireless speaker system installs in minutes like a ceiling light bulb and allows enjoyment of music anywhere while saving energy & money

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KEF Universal Wireless System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The technical specs on these are already available all over the place, so I won't repeat them here. Instead, I'll give a pro and con review:
Pro:
1) Size - There are three units and each is small enough not to be a big problem to hide.
2) Set up - There is really not much to do. I was up and running in under 10 minutes. The main part attaches to your receiver speaker terminals and an AC plug. The other ends attach to each speaker and to an AC adapter (each needs its own AC plug - three in all).
3) Audio quality - Both a plus and a minus. When it works, the audio is very clear and does not really sound any different than a wired system would. HOWEVER, see my comment under the con section.
Con:
1) Interference - My baby monitor interfears with this system. I know it says it does some fancy type of frequency jumping, but the Garco monitor creates interference if it is too close to the speaker ends of the system.
2) Audio quality - This is a high end (and very expensive) system. It figures that those purchasing it will have equally high end systems. Remember how much you paid for those high end amps? None of that power is used to power the remote speakers. Instead you have an overtaxed 50 watt (I think) amp on the speaker end. For 90% of surround applications this is probably fine, but real audio nerds will not be happy with the result. Of course, would an audio nerd really ever use a wireless system? The lack of amplifier power is even more apparent if you try to use this to power a second set of main speakers. Using a McIntosh amp and mid-range Boston Acoustics speakers (VS240) the clipping was evident.
3) Wires - It should be obvious that a trully wireless system is really impossible. Each unit has a speaker wire hook-up and a dedicated AC adapter (although they aren't the massive brick type.)
4) Auto power? - Just a note that these are always on. It would be nice if they could sense a signal and turn themselves on and off (standby). I have no idea how much power these draw when off, but I imagine it isn't much.
5) Price - At the price point these are placed, I'm just not sure they really are worth it. For the same amount of money (or less) you could probably have an electrician fish some speaker wires for you.

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KEF is delighted to announce the introduction of an outstanding wireless system delivering a high-quality solution to speaker cable wiring problems. The KEF Universal Wireless System is an ideal add-on for any existing rear surround sound speaker set-up (regardless of the brand) and can also be used for stereo speakers in a hi-fi system where hiding cables is an inconvenience, especially when the amplifier is some distance from the speakers. Users can locate the speakers virtually anywhere they want to in the room whilst still receiving remarkable CD quality sound with exceptional clarity and remarkable lack of extraneous interference.

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Samsung SWA-4000 Wireless Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this product for use with the Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1-Channel Home Theater Surround Sound System.
Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1-Channel Home Theater Surround Sound System (Set of Seven, Black)
Even though the directions were sparse, using this was as simple as plugging in the rear speakers to the unit, plugging in the unit and inserting the transmitter card into the back of the Samsung Home Theater control unit.
At first I thought I didn't setup the unit properly because I didn't hear any sound from the rear speakers, but then I realized I just needed to set the Samsung Home Theater system to the right audio mode in order to get it to work. For example, the Dolby 5.1 mode only works if you are using a media such as the DVD or XBox360 that supports Dolby 5.1 to hear the rear speakers. If your source is something like a component audio device or coaxial cable you need to change the audio mode to "Cinema" or one of the other effects modes to use the rear speakers through the wireless link.
Most of the sources I have for my TV are Dolby 5.1 anyways, so when moving to a coaxial DirectTV player that doesn't do 5.1 I don't change the mode, I just go without the rear speakers -- it doesn't really bother me. The cool thing about this wireless unit is that when you shutdown the Home Theater system, the wireless unit senses the shutdown and puts itself into "standby" mode, thereby drawing very little power.
I've had the Samsung Home Theater and this wireless transmitter for two months now and I've had no problems. Very satisfied with the sound quality -- I've got an optical audio out from the TV to the Home Theater system and the rear speakers sound fantastic when driven by this wireless unit.

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Samsung wireless rear stereo amplifier receives 2.4GHz signals from DVD changer/receiver. It is designed to work with compatible Samsung home theater systems. It has 2-channel rear amplifier with transmission range up to 33 feet. It includes TX card to insert in DVD changer/receiver.

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Samsung SWA-5000 Wireless Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Let me get to the point:
This product is not compatible with anything that would work with a SWA-4000 or SWA-4100.
The "TX CARD", which is a card shaped transmitter, is a completely different shape and size.
I contacted Samsung and was told the opposite before making this purchase. This item does not even appear on Samsung's website.
Their 4000 series of wireless adaptors has been completely discontinued, even though the theater systems that require it are commonly sold (including here, I just bought one from Amazon).
I understand that Samsung is constantly improving their products and therefore will often outdo their recent efforts. There's always going to be a new version coming out. That's basically why I like the brand. Their TV and Surround sound systems I just hooked up are simply perfect. I love them. However, the incompatibility does not seem to stem from technological reasons. The TX card housings and different... the electronics (as far as I can see) are similar. The pinouts appear to be the same. The card itself is a relatively simple device, too.
But mostly, they should be prepared for this question. The problem should be discussed on their website. They are selling a large amount of 'wireless ready' gear that they no longer support, so they should have been proactive on info.
And they should consider being more consistent with their TX Cards, because it's not a very complicated card and Sony seems to have no problems with this. I would have bought a Bravia TV and Receiver had I known Samsung's 'Wireless ready' claims were notional at best. And of course, in several months or a couple years, this unit will not work with Samsung's next lineup, the 6000 series or whatever it is named. Forcing you to replace more equipment, for no good reason.
I had to buy a 'rocketfish' universal wireless sound adaptor, which does not function nearly as seamlessly as this would have. I do somewhat fault Samsung for not being backwards compatible with a very similar device. Or at least selling an adaptor. But most of my frustration is that, when asked, their staff were giving me the wrong information.
As for quality, the device is attractive, well built, and has a strong wattage for the speakers. I heard a nearly identical Samsung unit at a family member's house and it sounds great. I am very sure it would be a great addition to your theater system if your system specifically calls for the SWA-5000. No matter what you hear from Samsung or a sales representative at a store, this unit will not work with the SWA-4000 compatibles.
This really spoiled an awesome event of hooking up a beautiful TV and hearing a fantastic HT 1250 5.1 system. Shucks.

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Samsung wireless rear stereo amplifier.

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Acoustic Research AW877 900 Mhz Indoor Wireless Speakers (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't consider myself an audiophile but I know the difference between good sound and bad sound. I live in a city and I guess there is just too much RF bouncing around for these speakers to work well. I setup the speakers per the manufactures specs and tried the troubleshooting. Even with the speakers 10 ft away I still hear audible pops and hiss. Just for giggles I moved one of the speakers to the bedroom 40 ft away. Maybe the old Victorian I live in has too many layers of lead paint but I could barely hear the music playing and a constant level of hiss almost as loud as the music. The speakers may work better in an environment with less RF inference but they did not work for me. I did like the styling and the front large volume controls and the battery option for the speakers.

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

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Sony HTSF470 Blu-ray Disc Matching Surround Sound Home Theater System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Great sound.
Great 5.1 functionality.
Great value.
I have mine teamed with a 46" Samsung C6300 LED LCD and a Sony Playstation 3. I love the fact that I'm down to one HDMI input feeding my new TV for all input sources. . .they all go through the Sony HT-SF470.
Complaints: When I bought the product, I assumed that the rear speakers would work wirelessly without an additional purpose. Note, that to use the S-AIR functionality with this product, one needs to buy a transmitter to plug into the HT-SF470 receiver and a receiver for your powered speakers that get served. I also agree with the previous reviewer about how the system lacks a graphical menu. Finally, and perhaps most needlessly frustrating, I hate that Sony doesn't leave you enough wire for their rear speakers. There's nothing worse that to give up on an optimal setup because you don't have enough wire. Also, Sony uses speaker wire with proprietary connectors(more costly and hard to find upgrades).
Still a good value for the price. . .beware that they attempt to suck you in to future purchases by giving you a nearly complete system.


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Complete your entertainment experience with 5.1 channels of high-quality surround sound and support for wireless rear speakers4 with the Sony HT-SF470 3D Matching Blu-ray Disc Surround Sound System.2 Features 3D compatibility so you can enjoy incredible 3D sports, games and movies like never before.2 Connect multiple HD or 3D devices using a single HDMI cable per device (sold separately) and turn this sound bar system into your entertainment "hub".1 Elegant floor standing speakers and beautifully sleek monolithic design make it a great compliment to the Sony BRAVIA 3D HDTVs

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Sony HT-SS370 Surround Sound Home Theater System, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Just wanted to share a few points about this product that weren't clear to me before I purchased it.
1.) The receiver does not decode Dolby True HD or Master DTS HD. HOWEVER, the receiver accepts LPCM signals. So, if your Blu-Ray player can send an LPCM signal and it has onboard decoders for those codes (and I believe they all do), then you can still experience everything Dolby True HD and Master DTS HD has to offer. If you're lost at this point, I'll put it this way. If you have a PS3 and this sound system, you're getting the full "HD" sound offered by Blu-Ray discs. Just make sure your PS3 is set to send Blu-Ray audio via LPCM, not Bitsreaming. Also, you need to connect your PS3 with HDMI to make this happen.
2.) The sound from this system is excellent. 1000 watts is plenty of power for your typical home theater. In fact, it's more watts than most home theater systems on the market currently offer. In my experience, a good rule of thumb is "more watts the better". This is true even you don't plan on cranking up the volume.
3.) The rear speakers on this system are not automatically wireless. That is, this system is CAPABLE of wirelessly transmitting to the rear speakers, but in order to do this, you need to purchase a transmitter to plug into the back of the receiver and an amplifier for the rear speakers. Sony calls this system AIR. So, in case it isn't clear, this system is only "wireless ready". I haven't purchased the transmitter and the amp needed, but installation looks like it would be very simple. It's nice to have that option in the future.
The only downside to this system, as I see it, is that the remote is overly complicated. Lots of buttons and I only seem to use about 8 of them. If my home theater had more Sony BRAVIA compenents, then maybe all of the extra buttons would be of more use. Overall, however, the bad remote is definitely not a dealbraker. The positives of this system greatly outweigh this one minor negative.

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Complete your entertainment experience with 5.1 channels of high-quality surround sound and 1000 watts of power with the HT-SS370 surround sound system. Connect multiple HD devices using a single HDMI cable per device and turn this great system into your entertainment hub, plus operate all your compatible BRAVIA Sync devices using one remote control. Add optional S-AIR accessories and enjoy the convenience of wireless rear speakers or multi-room streaming.

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