Thanks Dane, Nice little review. Cheers,
Joe On Tue, 10 Jun 2014 21:29:23 +1000 Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote: Hi! I received this in the Pioneer XW-SMA3 in the mail, ordered it last Thursday so delivery was speedy and perhaps its just as well, the last thing anyone should indure is the sense of suspense over a prolonged period of time, as it happens we've just come out of a Long weekend - Monday was a Public Holiday which meant no mail deliveries which was unfortunate as I may have received the System even sooner but that's all by the by, I've had time to play with the Wireless System so time to fill you all in. I have the sister unit to the XW-SMA3 which is the XW-SMA1 and if you know how to use the XW-SMA1 then you'll know how the XW-SMA3 works but there are still differences between the 2 models. Firstly the XW-SMA3 has an internal rechargeable battery built-in and is designed to be used everywhere from the kitchen counter bench top to the outdoor setting at a barbecue, the large rubber dust covers on the rear covering the various sockets and terminals testify to that, the SMA1 doesn't have these covers and nor does it have the rechargeable battery, the SMA1 is designed specifically form bench tops, bookshelves and the like though both units do have carry handles so they can be easily moved. From here on I'll be referring to the XW-SMA3 though all the text will apply to both the XW-SMa1 and XW-SMA3 models. The XM-SMA3 is incredibly versatile allowing input of audio for playback from a wide variety of sources: Connect the XW-SMA3 directly via its line-in socket to a line-out socket from another device Connect your IOS device - using its charging cable - directly to the USB port on the XW-SMA3 which allows for full control of your IOS device as well as Digital Audio playback and battery charging. Stream to the XW-SMA3 using Airplay from iTunes, your Computer, from an IOS device etc, you can stream directly to the XW-SMA3 using its own Wi-Fi network or stream to the XW-SMA3 through your own Wi-Fi network, this means that - whether you're at home or away camping - you'll be able to enjoy the good quality sound the XW-SMA3 offers. Integrate the XW-SMA3 into your Home Network as a DLNA device, Windows and Windows Media will automatically see the XW-SMA3 and play audio content through it. You can also use Windows Explorer to select your audio content for playback through the XW-SMA3 and so on. The XW-SMA3 comes with a simple but yet functional remote controller, my only annoyance about the controller is its size - no not too big but a little to small -. Thankfully the unit can be controlled using buttons on the front should the remote controller unit be lost. You can control power status, volume, skip between tracks, select sources and play/pause, the controls seem well chosen and are pretty much what most people would want from a Media Player. Volume is pleasing, not incredibly loud but loud enough without distortion, a good bass response, pleasant mid range and acceptable highs. The XW-SMA3 is further enhanced by the use of the IOS/Android "Pioneer Controller App" which brings Internet Radio, Spotify, Pandora and so forth directly to the player, , the App requires some labeling of buttons but is fully accessible once that's done. Are there any better Wireless Media Systems out there? When it comes to audio then yes there are, the Soundlink Air sounds quite a bit better than the Pioneer XW-SMA3 and both units are portable though the Bose system is nearly twice the price of the Pioneer and - even then - the rechargeable battery is an extra option. Given the price tag of the Pioneer - around $250 - I would certainly look at this system first, even though the Bose Soundlink Air does sound better the Pioneer XW-SMA3 has very acceptable audio quality and will suit most people in most situations. ********** Dane Trethowan Skype: grtdane12 Phone US (213) 438-9741 Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598 Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589 Mobile: +61400494862 faceTime +61400494862 Fax +61397437954 Twitter: @grtdane -- Joe Paton <j...@vi-ability.demon.co.uk>
