Aperion Home Audio Link: Streaming for Dummies
By Chris Weiss
Not everyone has the patience for new software, wireless networking or hard wiring. For those that don’t, attempting to get audio from point A to point B, specifically from a computer to a stereo, can be challenging to the point of surrender.
Aperion clearly had those good folks in mind when it developed the Home Audio Link. This simple system enables users to stream audio with two simple, wireless connections.
A transmitter unit, marked “Send” as to prevent any confusion, connects directly to a computer via USB. The receiver then gets connected to a stereo, and that’s it–instant streaming. The system sends uncompressed audio via 2.5 GHz radio frequency and gets the music from computer to audio system with no hassles (up to 100 feet). It also works for other audio sources like MP3 players.
To sweeten the pot that much more, the system doubles as a wireless speaker upgrade for powered speakers and subwoofers. Connect the transmitter to the stereo receiver; connect the receiver to the speaker/subwoofer, and you have wireless speakers. The fact that most home stereo speakers are non-powered and subwoofers’ can be placed pretty much anywhere may make this function moot, but it’s there for the taking.
The Home Audio Link retails for $149 (receiver and transmitter). Additional receivers can be purchased for $70 and placed around the home. Ship date is January 28. [Aperion via Dvice]
Monday, February 15, 2010 5:32AM
Also check out the Audioengine W1 (and the W2 for iPod/iPhone). The Audioengine W1 transmits at a higher bitrate than the Aperion and is only $99 a set, which is great for daisy-chaining to all your gear around the house – think "poor-man's Sonos".
I use the AW1 from my computer out to my living room stereo system and then another set from the living room into the dining room plugged into my Audioengine 5 powered speakers. Easy setup and sounds just as good as wires.