February 2005  Email this  Print this
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TECHNOLOGY
Music on the Move
(Page 2 of 3)
by Jeff Bertloucci
How they stack up
From our testing of these four systems, we can say that none of them is going to satisfy a diehard audiophile for music quality, nor do they have the power to turn your living room into a KISS concert. But if you want to create a home-theater effect in your TV room, move music outside to a deck or garden or, like McCormick, just fill more rooms with sound, they're ideal.
Sound quality is the bottom line, of course. Although all four brands delivered respectable audio, the Acoustic Research AW871 speakers ($130 for a pair and the transmitter; all prices are averages from online retailers) were clearly the best. Their frequency range matches that of the human ear, and they delivered a lively sound from the deepest bass to the highest treble. With 10 watts of power per speaker, the Acoustic Research system has plenty of oomph for normal indoor and outdoor use. The matte-black casing creates a stealth look that's ideal for anyone who believes speakers should be heard and not seen.
The RCA WSP250 speakers ($150 for a pair, plus transmitter) deliver good sound, but they don't match the Acoustic Research speakers for clarity and fullness. And they're a bit less powerful, with 8 watts per speaker -- but that's still enough muscle to enliven your outdoor soirŽes. The RCA transmitter is basically a gray box, best tucked away in a corner.
The other two models, the Sony SRS-RF90RK ($125) and the Advent ADVW801 ($70), are sold as single units with a transmitter. The Sony is built to project stereo sound from one speaker: It has two tweeters and a shield that reflects the sound wave to create the stereo effect. The Advent's single speaker delivers mono sound, so for stereo you'd need to spring for a second speaker.
In a beauty contest, the Sony wins hands down. Its sleek, silver cylinder stands about 11 inches tall, and its transparent reflector plate curves around the speaker's top. A soothing blue light illuminates the plate, creating a warm, hypnotic glow. Outdoors in the evening, it will be a conversation piece that's bound to illicit oohs and ahhs from your guests.
But with a meager 4 watts per speaker and nonexistent bass, the Sony's sound quality was clear but wimpy compared with the rest, despite its broad frequency range. Buy the Sony for a small room (or buy more than one speaker for a large room); otherwise, it's more of a fashion statement than a speaker.
Compared with the other systems, the 10-watt Advent's audio was thin and muffled. One reason is the design (it resembles a green mushroom or a St. Patrick's Day version of R2-D2), which is meant to help it resist the elements and blend in with your outdoor foliage. But the splash guard deadens the sound, and although it can stand up to a drizzle and dew, you'll need to move it inside for truly nasty weather.
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