Soundcast OutCast Wireless Battery-Powered Outdoor Speaker
Soundcast OutCast Outdoor Speaker
Summary
- Product Name: OutCast Outdoor Speaker
- Manufacturer: Soundcast
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: May 23, 2008 06:27
- MSRP: $ 699
- Specifications
-
Features: - All-weather, outdoor speaker system
- Includes iCast transmitter for use with the Apple iPod
- Allows connection of other audio devices – MP3 players and computers – using the auxiliary input/output jack
- Transmits signals up to 350 feet outdoors
- Features buttons for pause/play and track forward/track back for remote iPod operation
- Easy set-up
Technical Features:
- One 8” downward firing woofer
- Four 3” high frequency drivers in an omni-directional array
- 100 watt digital amplifier
- Made of water resistant plastic
- Operates for up to 10 hours on the built-in, rechargeable battery pack
- Internal AC power supply can recharge the NiMH battery pack and operate the system at the same time
- Transmitters search for open channels in the 2.4GHz band, and instantaneously jump to them – ultimately avoiding interference and allowing for unprecedented sound quality
Pros
- Solid wireless connection
- Great range
- Overall very good sound quality
- Easy as pie setup
- Extremely long battery life
Cons
- Aesthetics
- Wall placement can degrade sound quality
- Expensive
Introduction
What do you do if you want sound in many different rooms of your house or outside but don't have the time or money to spend on wiring up all those speakers, extra amps, and source components? Get yourself a wireless speaker with a great range and sound quality. But where? Soundcast Systems hopes to answer that question for you with their OutCast Wireless System. We found it to have great range (matching or exceeding their claims of 150') and better than expected sound quality. It may be pricy but for that you get convenience, portability, and a solution that will take minutes rather than days to complete.
Recent Forum Posts:
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thmarine posts on November 22, 2008 02:10
Charita;486432
If it is not interfering with cell phones what frequency does it use. I tend to think they use 900Mhz, in that case there should be some interference. Also I have heard a lot about them interfering with medical implants, is there any proof of that?
Charita, it is definitely NOT 900 Mhz.
Just go to soundcastsystems.com ... put the www in front of that of course (sorry could not get link to work).
Anyway, go there and click on the "technology" tab. It will give you the down and dirty.
Here is a synopsis of some of that:
Soundcast uses Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology in which the transmitter constantly and automatically searches for open channels in the 2.4 GHz band and jumps to them to avoid interference with other products, such as cordless telephones, radio controlled toys, cell phones, microwave ovens, remots, and wireless routers.
If you want to get really technical, look at the bottom of the front page of the "technology tab", go to the far right icon with your mouse and it will say "Technical Specs". Click that and it will give you all the real engineer type data. Some of which I copy here:
Data rate: 1.536 Mbps
Modulation: Frequency Hopping; FSK digital radio
Co-existence: Impervious to 802.11, microwave oven, both DSSS and FHSS cordless phones, and bluetooth devices.
Operating Frequency: 2400 - 2483 MHz
Channel width: 2.0 MHz
Anyway, I have no idea if it affects medical devices. We don't have any of those. But I highly doubt it, or their FCC registration and paperwork they send with product would have to state such a danger existed. But, like I think I mentioned in my review, just call the folks at SoundCast. I called them with a couple of questions about the waterproofing, etc. and they were very kind. Or e-mail the question. Here is the contact info from their website:
phone: toll free 1-800-722-1293
You can e-mail them thru their website. Just click on the "contact" page on their homepage, then type in your message and submit it. I did that and got an answer within 24 hours on my question.
Good luck with your decision.
Jeff
ambrosia posts on November 21, 2008 10:54
Hi,
I want u to help about my project
I'm writing an essay about outdoor wireless speakers and my teacher wanted me to learn about expectations of the people in outdoor wireless speakers.Can you help me about it please?Thank u
I want u to help about my project
I'm writing an essay about outdoor wireless speakers and my teacher wanted me to learn about expectations of the people in outdoor wireless speakers.Can you help me about it please?Thank u
Charita posts on November 21, 2008 10:18
If it is not interfering with cell phones what frequency does it use. I tend to think they use 900Mhz, in that case there should be some interference. Also I have heard a lot about them interfering with medical implants, is there any proof of that?
thmarine posts on September 03, 2008 16:04
Adam;450873
Jeff,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the review!
Do you have a wireless computer network at your house? If so, did you have any issues while running your speakers? The biggest complaint that I've seen of the Soundcast system that I was considering is that it causes problems with home wireless networks. Just wondering if you had any experience with that.
Thanks.
Adam
Adam,
I do have a wireless network in my home. We have not experienced any interference at all with the computer network or any of the other wireless stuff going on. Just FYI, I also have five cordless phones, multiple wireless home alarm modules (glass breaks, motion detectors, etc.), and wireless modules connecting Xbox to computer network and the speakers do not cause any interference with any of the multitude of wireless things we have going on. I was worried about this, but pleasantly surprised to find no problems. I do not know what their wireless technology is, but from what I gather, it is much more like a wireless router technology than your typical wireless speaker. The folks at Soundcast might could answer that if you e-mail them.
Oh, I should also clarify here. I have only used the system on the outside of my house. I set the transmitter on a small table right against the exterior wall of the house and plug my ipod or radio into it. However, there is a window right there by that table and on the other side of it is a home theatre system including the Xbox with the wireless module connecting it to the home network. So, I doubt that glass would stop interference from happening on my network. However, i have not set up my transmitter on the inside of my house, where the signal might be stronger to interfere with the inside wireless activities.
Also, absolutely no issue with cell phones either. I have used my cell phone all around the transmitter and the receiver, with no problems. As a matter of fact, my teenage son had about thirty 15-16 year olds over a few weeks ago for a Friday night pool party. Trust me, even at a pool party, those teenagers were talking and texting like mad on their phones, and the music just kept on thumping.
Cheers!
Jeff
Adam posts on September 02, 2008 15:23
Jeff,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the review!
Do you have a wireless computer network at your house? If so, did you have any issues while running your speakers? The biggest complaint that I've seen of the Soundcast system that I was considering is that it causes problems with home wireless networks. Just wondering if you had any experience with that.
Thanks.
Adam
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for the review!
Do you have a wireless computer network at your house? If so, did you have any issues while running your speakers? The biggest complaint that I've seen of the Soundcast system that I was considering is that it causes problems with home wireless networks. Just wondering if you had any experience with that.
Thanks.
Adam
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