Sony MEX-BT5000 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 52 Watts x 4 Review

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(More customer reviews)Been a Sony car head unit user since many years ago I decided to give it a try and as a one solution to integrate Ipod and a BT hands free in one unit so let's say it could be worse. Installation is a breeze because there isn't extra speakers or mic to set. Just hook the speakers and power cables as any standard unit, plug the Ipod adapter, set and match the cell and that's it. Be aware it is hard to read the display when the sun hit it. Also digits are very small.
Unfortunately Ipod integration is a disaster as other reviewers noted with the XA-110IP. I also tested a ipod2car 2nd gen (with it's Sony interface wiring harness) which work great on my other older Sony head units but in the MEX-BT5000 it is not recognized. Is a shame because it's way better than the XA-110IP.
Sound through the bluetooth interface is a joke. Have tried several devices and they sound terrible. Is like hearing music through your home phone.
Cell Bluetooth interface has some issues and callers report severe echo. Having the mic integrated in the head unit has it's cons, setting a mic on better places could improve a lot the echo but unfortunately that's not possible.
Another concern is that the MEX-BT5000 doesn't have the option to update it's bluetooth software to keep it more integrated with newer phones.
On another vehicle I have both a standard Sony Head Unit and a Parrot 3200 bluetooth hansdfree device and this one is the best handsfree I have seen so far, it's so user friendly, has so many features like the phone book which is spelled through the speakers, and it's software can be updated by the user with a bluetooth equiped laptop as I already did. I located the mic in a optimum place and callers hear me clearly.
It's a fact: a company only dedicated to make stand alone handsfrees or ipod interfaces will have a better product against a manufacturer that makes them all by itself.
If you can afford it go for a dedicated Handsfree like the Parrot 3200 (sound goes through the stock speakers) and choose a better (non Sony for now) Ipod interface. If budget is tight just go for a dock hooked to the Sony aux input and control the iPod directly.

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Sony TDM-NC1 Digital Media Port Wireless Network Audio Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)The hardware looks great. Config from the unit itself (getting it on the network both wired and wireless) worked like a charm.
The included software is junk. I installed it on both Vista and XP machines. After spending hours playing with it trying to get it to import my music, firewall settings etc. etc, I could never get the hardware to connect to my server. I hooked the PC to the same switch as the TD-NC1 and it still would not connect the server. The included manual / troubleshooting guide is also a joke/junk.
You should be able to install the software and it should just work. I thought I'd be playing music in a few minutes -- instead I invested an afternoon --> and it still isn't working.
I am returning this unit and will use an airport express/i-tunes to do the same thing.


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Creative GigaWorks T20W Series II Wireless Multimedia Speaker System with BasXPort Technology Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these speakers and the Sound Blaster wireless audio transmitter for my son for Christmas. I plugged in the speakers and hooked them up via the direct audio cable to gauge the sound. I thought I had to install the software and pair the speakers to get them running on wireless but as I plugged in the transmitter I thought I would just uplug the audio cable to see what happens. Sure enough the music from his laptop was streaming wirelessly to the speakers. The sound is clear and continuous. The base is good enough for a medium-sized room. There was some distortion when you crank the volume up beyond about three quarters but that was the only drawback. Remeber this is only through the usb transmitter and no additional stations were needed for same room sound.

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The Creative Labs GigaWorks T20W Series II wireless multimedia speaker system is ideal for music and gaming enthusiasts. Complementing existing Creative wireless audio products, you can now enjoy uncompressed Xtreme Fidelity music anywhere in your home. Enjoy well-balanced audio with dedicated tweeters for sharp, detailed highs and robust mid-range drivers for richer, fuller sound. BasXPort technology for enhanced bass will enhance the low frequency response without the bulkiness of a subwoofer. Listen to uncompressed Xtreme Fidelity music from Creative wireless audio products across the room or around the house conveniently with no delays or dropouts of up to 100ft. The built-in receiver accepts wireless audio from Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook, Cambridge SoundWorks MovieWorks HD for iPod, and other select Creative wireless audio products. A perfectly easy set-up, these sleek speakers come with contemporary black finishing and will fit neatly on any desktop! Specifications include: 28 watts RMS speaker power, 50Hz-20kHz Frequency Response, 80dB signal-to-noise ratio, up to 100ft wireless range.

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iLuv i399 Hi-Fi Bluetooth Speaker System for iPod (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you like a lot of bass in your music, you are going to like this product, in my opinion it sounds great. As for the connectivity, it works pretty good for me as well, however, I have not really made full use of the blue pin technology that the unit comes with. But it seems to be working OK as far as I have tested it.
This design is very high tech, and when the lights are dimmed, the blue glow looks awesome. This unit can be powered by 8 'D' size batteries, so it can be taken on picnics, or just outdoors when hanging out with friends.
iLUV is a brand that is produced by jWIN, so if you make the purchase, I recommend that as soon as get it that you test it fully, to make sure that it is working properly, and that you are satisfied with the quality.


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- JWin Hi-fi audio system for iPod with BluePin- 2.1 channel iPod docking audio system withbuilt-in woofer- Includes detachable BluePin- BluePin is a combination of Bluetooth TX and Bluetooth RX, whereby a user can connect BluePin to their Bluetooth mobile phone or Bluetooth headset- With BluePin, the unit can become a speakerphone easily or transmit audio wirelessly to a Bluetooth headset- Also has a built-in digital-synthesized FM radio tuner with ability to preset 20 radio stations- Negative LCD with white backlight for display- Supports AUX input to play and listen to other audio devices with 3.5mm output jack- Powerful 45WRMs / 90WPEAK output with built-inwoofer - Beat-sensitive mood light (blue) withon/off button- Play and listen to your music wirelessly with Bluetooth wireless technology - Plays and charges your iPod - FM stereo radio with PLL digital tuning technology - Preset up to 20 radio stations - Digital clock display - Auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack - 3.5mm stereo headphone jack - Blue LED power and speakerphone indicators - Remote control - Includes remote control (battery included) - Includes AC adapter- Includes dock adapters - Compatible with most dockable iPods (excluding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation iPod)- BlackBluePin Features:- Built-in microphone for wireless speaker phone capability- Play your stereo Bluetooth MP3, mobile phone, or laptop music wirelessly on the unit- Listen to your music on a Bluetooth audio device (stereo headsets, speakers, etc.) - Supports HSP, HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP - Compliant with Bluetooth V2.0 - Bluetooth class 1: wireless connection up to 300ft(100m) JVI399

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Sangean WFR-1 WIFI Internet Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)An internet radio opens up an almost overwhelming number of broadcast streams and for someone like me, who enjoys classical music, there is a wonderful choice of commercial free stations worldwide. I own (or have owned) a number of internet radios;a Slim Devices Squeezebox(!), a Roku Soundbridge R1000, a Revo Pico portable, a Receiva AE and a Sangean WFR-20, but the new Sangean WFR-20 is almost the best of the bunch (I will explain why it is not unequivocally the best in a minute!).
The Sangean WFR-1 is beautifully finished with a polished wooden case, an array of controls on the front panel, including on/off, volume and equalizer (tone control). They are not particularly intuitive but better than the single knob on the WFR-20. There is also a substantial and full function remote control, resembling that of the Roku, rather than the credit-card sized devices that come with Pico and the WFR-20. The amber display is larger than those found on any other set but the Roku (more about this later).
Set-up was very easy (I use an ethernet wired connection to my router but it works with my wi-fi network) and it was playing within a few minutes of unpacking. There is also an FM tuner with a separate antenna. Sound is excellent and far superior to any of the other sets I have owned except Roku, which is almost as good. For this unit, Sangean has gone to Frontier Silicon rather than to Receiva for their streams. Nevertheless, there is an abundance of stations, including Real format so I can get all the BBC channels (a big negative with Roku). There is little delay in receiving streams after switching on and Frontier has a good website where you can set up favorites and add new stations. Playing stored music from my computer via Windows Media Player has been easy and more consistent than with the WFR-20 or AE.
Now for the downside. Despite a larger display that claims to offer four lines of text, there is no control for format (as Roku provides) or for brightness (which the WFR-20 offers). Most frustrating is that Frontier do not stream program information with the station! There is plenty of room for this on the display and such information on content is invaluable because some stations do not provide this audibly; the WFR-20 does this well because it uses the Receiva streams but it would require reprogramming of software by Frontier to have this on the WFR-1. Frontier tell me it is being discussed but they have no plans for implementation! Surprisingly, Sangean, although the 800lb gorilla here, do not seem inclined to pressure Frontier. I have had several conversations with the amiable Selwyn, whom you reach quite easily when you call up technical support at Sangean, and he agrees totally with me and suggests that I contact Frontier (which I did) or write a review to make this point - which I am doing!
So in summary, this is an excellent product with great acoustic performance but marred by small, but irritating, shortcomings in the display. As a result, I gave it 3 stars rather than 5.

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JBL WEM-1 50-Watt Wireless Amplifier and Expansion Module (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this once it first came out and I've been pleased. It works effectively to expand your listening area wirelessly between zones or even between 5.1 and 7.1 setups.
I use this across my house - a house that is also set up with a wireless network for my computers as well as both cordless and cellular phones. The interference from these units is minimal, if present at all. Surprisingly, I find the most interference from either myself or others walking past it. Wierd. Though, there are 4 channels available to sync the transmitter and receiver seamlessly (or close to it).
The sound is great. It has a built in 50W amplifier and provides crisp sounds. The subwoofer output allows you to make this mini system a sharp 2.1 surround sound system. Note - use a non LFE sub (or just bypass the LFE option on your sub) since the receiver has its own volume input.
Obviously, the best results are for when you connect an outside music source to the receiver via the mini-jack input. If this is your sole reason to use this product, you don't even need to hook up the transmitter at all. Though, to fully enjoy this product, you should.
I have it hooked up to a 7.1 receiver with 2 zone capability. It works fine and I'm very happy with it. The built in amp definitely helps the performance.

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The JBL WEM-1 is a Wireless Expansion Module that allows the user to make any loudspeaker wireless. The kit contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal up to 70 feet. The WEM-1 includes a receiver/amplifier that receives the wireless signal and drives any pair of loudspeakers with its internal 50 watt amplifier. The transmitter connects to the source using either line or speaker level inputs. The receiver/amplfiier also offers equalization settings for several speakers. A local input allows the user to hook up a portable device or gaming system to the amplifiier.

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