I guess the really nice thing is that we can expect more AirPlay devices to come along for even better prices, just waiting for the technology to evolve into a nice quality pair of headphones, I think that's what may come out of the merger with Apple and Beats Electronics, the number one headphone manufacturer in the world today apparently.
On 10 Jun 2014, at 10:48 pm, Joe Paton <j...@vi-ability.demon.co.uk> wrote: > 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> > > ********** 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
