Finally - and with Truly competent audio quality coming not a minute too soon.

The single-cabinet stereo OutCast from Soundcast (www.soundcastsystems.com) is the stand-out speaker in this roundup. And that's not just because it looks more like a conga drum than a slab coquina( that's a limestone composed primarily of seashells, in case you didn't know).

A 100-watt amplifier powers three 3-inch high-frequency drivers that circle the top of the unit, as well as the 8-inch down-firing woofer at the bottom.

A fully charged NiMH battery powers the system for up to 10 hours. The OutCast comes with a wireless iPod dock, which has an analog input if you want to use a different source.
The OutCast is hideously expensive ($875), but because it delivers such beefy lows and fat, juicy mids, the price tag is fully justified. It's a genuinely impressive speaker, outdoors or in.

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"The sound produced by the Outcast Junior has to be heard to be believed. In one word, it is incredible. The volume levels should easily be able to provide entertainment up to a 1000 feet in either direction while the bass levels produced had an awesome kick and are sure to impress audiophiles."

I remember the days when trying to get music to a place not equipped for music used to involve tons of planning. For example, a party in the backyard would involve recording a tape of songs, finding a boom-box loud enough and finally making sure a power connector was present withing a foot. Today, all I need is an iPod and the Outcast Junior from Soundcast.

The Outcast Junior is an outdoor, rechargeable speaker system that can also wirelessly communicate with the iCast transmitter- an iPod docking station with AUX input for connecting anything other than an iPod. Its cylindrical shape stands at about 50 cms with a diameter of 27 cms and weighs 13kgs. Inside this weather proof housing, the Outcast Junior is equipped with four 3” speakers in a 360 degree layout to provide sound from all angles. The four speakers are accompanied by a 6.5” downward firing woofer.

The Outcast Junior is quite small and light to be carried and placed anywhere you want it to. On the top you have buttons for powering up the unit, changing volume levels as well as pausing or skipping between songs. These buttons will only work if you have an iPod connected wirelessly through the iCast transmitter. A 3.5mm input jack above the speakers lets you connect any audio source directly to the Outcast Junior. Finally, the bottom has the power connector that can recharge the ten AA sized batteries, also accessible from the bottom of the unit.

Along with the Outcast Junior, we received the iCast transmitter which, as we mentioned is an iPod dock and a wireless transmitter. Soundcast uses three channels of 2.4GHz technology for interference free audio transmitting for upto 350 feet. The iCast transmitter needs to be plugged in to a power source and can thus be used inside your home while the Outcast Junior sits outside pumping your tunes. A 3.5mm aux input on the iCast transmitter also allows you to use any other audio source, however, you lose the functionality of pausing or skipping tracks from the Outcast Junior. We tested the Outcast in our office and while I can’t say that we were 350 feet away from the transmitter, it did work very well when placed a little over a 100 feet away from the iCast. I connected my iPhone to the iCast and was able to skip and pause songs from Outcast Junior.

Considering that there isn’t much change in weather during the summer months here in the UAE, we weren’t really able to test this unit against anything but extreme heat. However, the following video by Souncast will certainly lay rest to any doubts about the weather proof chassis of Outcast.

The sound produced by the Outcast Junior has to be heard to be believed. In one word, it is incredible. The volume levels should easily be able to provide entertainment upto a 1000 feet in either direction while the bass levels produced had an awesome kick and are sure to impress audiophiles. Even at the loudest volume levels, we did not notice much distortion.

Soundcast claims the battery of the Outcast Junior to last between five to nine hours. We couldn’t really keep the Outcast Junior pumping audio through our office building for a longer time but five hours should be plenty for a casual party. If you are looking for something more we suggest the senior version of the product that gives you more battery life and even louder volumes.

About the only thing we found lacking on the Outcast Junior is an SD card slot to play your tunes from. By including an SD card reader, the Outcast Junior could’ve become a fully self-contained music system. Other than that, its a perfect outdoor speaker system that we highly recommend.

The Outcast Junior review on T-BREAK TECH.

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Works great!

Works great, after calibration from the receiver. It detected the subwoofer is 28 feet away from the mic, but actually only 5 feet away because of the internal delay of this product.

Just make sure to set it up at “S” mode, not the “M” mode to get the units to sync up correctly if you only have one woofer.

I tested it vs. direct cable connection, I can’t notice the difference.

The auto-on/off function on my Velodyne DEQ-10R still works fine with this wireless unit.

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As advertised......

I have two Subcasts, one receiver is up a one level in my house for my zone 2 and the other allowed me to move my sub in my theater to find the sweet spot in the room. They are well made and they work just fine. A good investment!

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works GREAT

Used this on an installation for a client... works awesome... plug it in, turn it on, it works.....

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Top notch.....

The Subcast does exactly what it says it will do, and does it quite well. I have mine running a subwoofer up one floor and it works perfectly.

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SubCast

At first I wasn't sure this would work. BOY, was I wrong! What a great product! The range is excellent and there is no loss in sound quality or volume. I also had no interference with this or any of my wireless products in my home. Thanks for a great product SoundCast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Purchased and evaluated the Soundcast SubCast and have to give it 5 stars +++. Here’s why:

I was looking for a solid, accurate wireless connection for subwoofers not located within cable distance/convenience of the AVR.

Frequency response: Measured electrically flat in the sub range of around 250Hz to below 20Hz. Actually, short of a bit of ringing in the very high frequencies (+15kHz) this device works well as a full range, 2 channel wireless audio transmitter. It is just being packaged and sold for subs in this application. Anyway, frequency response was down .3 dB at 15Hz, down 1 dB at 10Hz, and down 3.4 dB at 5Hz.

Connectivity: Comes with multiple audio cables for each end of the wireless connection so it is highly unlikely you would need to buy any additional cables. Also includes wall warts (power) for each end which is provided via USB connectors (USB cables supplied) between the wall wart and the transmitter/receiver.

Latency: All wireless solutions that transmit digitally introduce latency (delay) into the audio stream between the transmitter and receiver. Soundcast claims 15ms and I measured 15ms. Other solutions on the market are much higher than this or use analog transmission that allow static and noise injection into the audio. The latency must be accounted for in the AVR and 15 ms (around 15 feet – one foot per ms) is easily handled by most AVRs.

Interference with other 2.4GHz devices: The transmitter and receiver operate on the standard 2.4GHz band used by cordless phones, wireless networks, etc. Testing revealed no interference one way or the other between devices or external sources of interference like microwave ovens, etc. The transmitter and receiver operate on a narrow band/band hopping process that claims to virtually eliminate interference. My testing confirmed no issues.

Size/Appearance: The size of the transmitter and receiver are quite diminutive hence easy to hide. If you want to look at them, they are very attractive and have two lights in their bases – a green one indicating power, and a blue one indicating signal connectivity between transmitter and receiver. Bottom line – if you are looking for a reliable, all-inclusive subwoofer wireless connectivity solution that won’t affect the sound quality or performance of your sub, give this a look.

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By far the most impressive outdoor sound system I've tried is the OutCast omnidirectional wireless speaker from Soundcast.
The battery-powered OutCast has a built-in 100-watt amp and produces serious bass...

With an 8-inch woofer (it's smaller, cheaper sibling, the Outcast Jr., has a 60-watt amp). Instead of Wi-Fi, the Outcast uses a spread-spectrum proprietery 2.4-GHz wireless connection to either an iPod dock or a Universal AudioCast Transmitter (UAT), which attaches to a computer by tapping into Windows or Mac OS's built in USB speaker interface.

By Glenn Derene

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The ideal garden furniture for this summer has just been announced by Soundcast Systems.

With the Outcast Jr wireless loudspeaker proving not only tough to the outdoor elements, but also extremely pleasing to the ear, with a 100m range...

The Outcast Jr. sound system will stream music from various transmitters which must be purchased separately. These include an iCast transmitter for streaming tracks from an iPod, and the Universal Audiocast Transmitter, which will stream music from a PC or Mac when plugged in via USB or 3.5mm jack. Use just one of the Outcast Jr speakers, or buy two and use them as left and right channels for a true stereo sound.

The Outcast Jr contains an inbuilt amplifier, down-firing 6.5-inch woofer, and four omni-directional drivers. Plug it in with the 240V power cord, or use the rechargeable 12V NiMh battery and external charging kit for wireless fun.

The Outcast Junior review on T3.

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There’s no denying that the OutCast is not your typical portable speaker.
When it comes to design, Soundcast simply got it right, creating a look that’s sure to become an icon. But the true gem behind the unit and something that just couldn’t be possible on smaller systems is the 8” down-firing subwoofer. This enables the OutCast to go deep with plenty of volume and power to match.

Ever since their introduction in the late 90’s, MP3-player are still alive and kicking. The demand for MP3-player’s and let’s not forget the iPod culture has also created a blooming “ecosystem” of accessories to go along with all those Digital Audio Players (DAP). When it comes down to actually producing the music, there are plenty of impressive earphones/headphones to choose from, like the Shure SE530PTH we recently reviewed. At the other end of the spectrum we have portable speakers, where the less than stellar performance actually seems to be the norm rather than the exception. In the middle of the portable audio scene, come the people at Soundcast with their latest offering: the OutCast! Their solution is done a bit different when compared to your typical portable speaker. They not only use a larger-than-normal unit, housing a an equally large 8” woofer, but they also use four 3” high frequency drivers placed in an uncommon (for portable speakers) omni-directional array. Add the fact that the unit is rechargeable, all-weather and includes a wireless transmitter, there’s no denying that the OutCast is not your typical portable speaker. But the question is, do these features add up to a great portable system? And does it sound equally good?

The Soundcast OutCast system actually consists of two units: the OutCast Weather Resistant Wireless Speaker and iCast transmitter. As the name implies, the speaker is weather-resistant, wireless and rechargeable. The iCast transmitter connects to your iPod using the iPod docking bay or just about any audio source with a 3.5mm audio jack (this includes other Digital Audio players or mobile phones) and is in turn able to wirelessly transmit this audio to the weather-resistant OutCast. The beauty of the system lies in the fact that you can safely keep the iCast and the connected device out of view or away from the elements, while the weather-resistant OutCast can be placed just about anywhere. In case you want the OutCast close by, you can skip the iCast altogether and connect your devices directly to the OutCast’s mini-jack using the supplied 3.5mm cable. While Soundcast doesn’t allow potential buyers to choose the UAT as an added option on their OutCast page, the two units are compatible. The UAT is sort of like a smarter version of the iCast. The Universal AudioCast Transmitter or UAT for short, can wirelessly send music from your computer to any Soundcast speaker system or receiver. In addition, UAT has the added the convenience of being able to control the music on your computer from that Soundcast speaker or receiver.

The Soundcast system was really built with multiple units in mind and it shows: the wireless feature really shines when adding additional units. Each iCast transmitter can operate up to two iCast receivers, two OutCast portable speakers systems or one of each. This means that you can for example purchase an extra OutCast unit and let the single iCast transmitter wirelessly transmit music to one OutCast outside near the pool and one indoors, keeping both guests indoors and those near the pool entertained. The system transmits in the 2.4Ghz range and avoids interference by using a system called Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). It does this by constantly searching for open channels in the 2.4Ghz range, once it does, it instantly jumps to this channel. This frequency hopping is done many times a second to ensure optimal transmission and sound quality. A similar technology is used with Bluetooth 1.2-enabled and higher devices.

Putting the iCast next to the OutCast almost makes you wonder whether they’re really part of the same system, due to the completely mismatched design and color scheme. On one hand you have the OutCast in a light grey color, while the iCast is done in glossy white, grey and neon green. Normally this would be a bad thing, but in this case, the reason behind the mismatched design is simple: they are never really intended to be next to each other. The glossy white on the iCast perfectly matches the iPod, while the OutCast’s nondescript grey design is perfect to blend in with for example other outdoor (pool) furniture, almost looking like piece of furniture itself.

The system will set you back a hefty $799 dollars. With the option of adding additional OutCast ($699), iCast Receiver ($79.99), UAT at $99, or the new OutCast Jr. ($499.99) which is a smaller version of the OutCast.

Conclusion
There’s no denying that the OutCast is not your typical portable speaker. With its larger-than-normal unit, housing a an equally large 8” woofer, four 3” high frequency drivers placed in an uncommon omni-directional array and the fact that the unit is rechargeable, all-weather and includes a wireless transmitter it stands out from the rest.

Judging by the name and design it’s evident that the iCast was made with the iPod in mind. It’s extremely simple to use and compact, but beneath its uncomplicated exteriors lays a multitude of features. It does triple duty by not only transmitting the audio signal from your source to the OutCast speaker, but it also serves as a cradle for the iPod, while charging it at the same time. The addition of a 3.5mm audio jack on both the iCast and 3.5mm jack to RCA cable, means any piece of gadgetry with either a 3.5mm or RCA audio jack can be hooked up to the iCast and its audio blasted to the OutCast. While we praise the iCast for its simplicity and performance we kind of wished it had a weather-proof RF remote. Considering the overall modern look, the large AC power adapter looks very dated and out of place. Soundcast should consider making a smaller unit to match the overall system. Other than the oversized power adapter and the lack of an RF remote, there’s not much to complain here.

The OutCast is large, heavy and not very portable. The first time you even take the OutCast out of the box, it becomes quite clear that you are not going to be lugging this puppy around for long distances, unless you decide to put it in a car or any other mode of transportation that’s able to support its weight. The OutCast is characterized by its solid build quality and impressive audio performance. The OutCast easily reaches pretty loud volume levels without ever losing composure until the very last end and should be able to fill mid to large sized rooms with plenty of headroom left. The Four 3” drivers placed in an omni-directional array are perfect to disperse sound in a room, but it’s less ideal for stereo content where the location of the various musical instruments or sources are key. This means that the unit is perfect for Rock, Pop or even New Age, but with Classical Music performed on stage or third person shooter games, where location is key, speakers placed in an omni-directional array aren’t the best choice. But the true gem behind the unit and something that just couldn’t be possible on smaller systems is the 8” down-firing subwoofer. This enables the OutCast to go deep with plenty of volume and power to match. Such solid audio performance pretty uncommon in the protable audio scene. OutCast should consider adding tweeters as the mid-range drivers sometimes struggles with the high frequencies. Making the system a dual 8” system should make a solid performing system even better. There wasn’t any difference between plugging any audio source directly to the OutCast or plugging it into the iCast and wirelessly transmitting it to the OutCast, which clearly shows the robustness of the wireless signal used by Soundcast. The system lived up to the promise of offering a solid 350 feet wireless range and an equally impressive 10 hours of battery life. When it comes to design, Soundcast simply got it right, creating a look that’s sure to become and icon, not to mention the impressive feet of making such a large unit blend-in in just about any setting.

Pros:
Weather-proof
Extremely durable design
Impressive Musical performance (and loud)
Capable Subwoofer
Solid wireless connection
Long battery life
Design is classic, iconic and blends in easily in most settings
The battery is bypassed once it is fully charged, preventing overcharging

Cons:
No RF mini remote.
Somewhat exposed Woofer
Huge Power brick for the iCast transmitter
Higher frequencies are better handled by tweeters which the system lacks

Read Original Review:The OutCast Wireless Speaker in www.Gadgetnutz.com by Devin Balentina

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"The OutCast is just simply an amazing product that you've got to see and hear to believe."
SoundCast Systems has created something that is truly exceptional in the OutCast, the sound quality is just excellent, and the build quality is superb.

Speakers are a very interesting product in that they come in all shapes and sizes, and pretty much everyone has them, but not everyone really give much thought to them.

Today I’ve got an unusual product for review it’s a speaker, but not in the traditional way, this thing can be set on fire and even run through a carwash and still work great. The product is the OutCast from SoundCast Systems and it’s a wireless portable speaker system that comes with a transmitter called the iCast with a built in iPod dock. One nice thing though is that is can accept most any audio source, at the transmitter or at the OutCast unit itself. It is a bit on the large side, in both price and weight, but overall it’s a very unique product that works perfectly, sounds excellent and is just really cool…

Since I’ve got a 4th Gen iPod nano it won’t charge in the iCast transmitter, other than that it worked perfectly, I could control the iPod with the OutCast with no problems.

I also played around and hooked up my Zune to the iCast with the supplied cable and it worked fine also. I hooked up my TV to the OutCast itself with the supplied RCA to 3.5mm cable and that was very cool as well, it really adds quite a bit to the experience especially with the added bass. Of course though for TV viewing you’ve got to have the OutCast in front of the TV, or you have to have two of them, one on each side for even sounds. A pair of these could make for a nice small home theater setup! Pairing the iCast and OutCast is very easy, you just have to make sure they’re both set to the same channel, turn them both on and they connect automatically, very easy to do, no problems at all.

I’m amazed by the sound of the OutCast, honestly I wasn’t expecting much from this product, I was thinking it was more gimmicky than anything, but it truly does sound very good. I like to listen to music while I work, so everyday instead of using my PC for music I hooked up the iPod or the Zune to the iCast and went about my business and I have to say I’m truly impressed. Of course when no one was home I had to crank it up and it gets loud, very loud, also I threw some Crystal Method on with some heavy bass, and the floors were vibrating, you could easily feel the bass, even with the volume down low. I played all sorts of music from metal to classical and everything was perfectly clear and sounded great with little or no distortion and the distortion was at very high volume levels. Battery life seems excellent as well, I’ve only charged it once, and I’ve used it for well over 10 hours so far. Since it’s been very cold here, I wasn’t outside with the OutCast, (I don’t like the cold!) but from everything I’ve read and seen the OutCast is very durable and weatherproof, so I should see no problem with having it outside in any types of weather. The OutCast seems very well made, like a rough and tough product. My 3 yr old son saw it and immediately was checking it out and of course knocked it over a few times as well, it’s no worse for wear. I did check the range by taking the iCast to my attic and leaving the OutCast on the first floor, it worked fine with no problems at all, and since you can control the iPod from the OutCast I could have just left it up there really.

Conclusion: The OutCast is just simply an amazing product that you’ve got to see and hear to believe, I can’t really convey to you in words just how great this product really is.

SoundCast Systems has created something that is truly exceptional in the OutCast, the sound quality is just excellent, and the build quality is superb as well. It’s easy to use and the fact that you can use it with most any audio devices makes it all the more useful.

Pros:
Excellent sound.
Great battery life.
Easy to use.
Long range.
Very well made.

Cons:
Expensive.
Large and heavy.
Read Original Review:The OutCast Wireless Speaker in TestFreaks.com by Kristofer Brozio

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The OutCast Outdoor Speaker sounds great, is reliable and has that feel of long-term durability.
All the client has to do is charge it up, turn it on and rock out — it can't get any simpler

Soundcast recently demoed its OutCast Outdoor Speaker, a wireless outdoor audio system, at Easy Access Distribution's 9th Annual Technology Expo in Waltham, Mass.

Malcolm Hollombe, Soundcast president, said OutCast is the perfect outdoor speaker for homeowners who want great sound in the backyard but not a full outdoor installation.

OutCast, at first glance, looks like an air purifier or maybe a vacuum (it's heavier than both). But as soon as Hollombe let loose the sound, I knew what I was looking at.

The cylinder-shaped OutCast has four 3-inch high-frequency drivers in an "omni-directional" array at the top of the unit and a single 8-inch downward firing sub on the bottom.

Hollombe said the omni-directional array isn't ideal for indoor use (although its power is evident in any environment). It's particularly impressive outside, he said, as its 100-watt digital amp radiates powerful sound throughout an open space.

Keeping it Simple

OutCast is as simple as they come. Suffice it to say the biggest challenge was sliding the packed Styrofoam out of the cardboard box.

After charging the built-in, rechargeable battery, I docked an iPod Nano onto the included iCast Transmitter, which uses a proprietary 2.4GHz frequency, in my living room and lugged the OutCast to my backyard.

It's getting cold here in New England (it's just 54 degrees at noontime as I write this). But my family and I have had fun playing music outside the last couple weeks.

My cousin hijacked the speaker, taking control of the Nano docked inside the house. He could skip songs we didn't like (most of them belonging to my girlfriend) with OutCast's remote control technology and raise the volume on those we did enjoy.

The pause, play and volume buttons remotely control a docked iPod with a slight delay. When you wander 200 feet from the house and are still able to skip and pause songs as the sound remains strong enough to drown out Moose the chocolate lab, that's when you recognize OutCast is quite powerful. (Specs say the range is up to 350 feet.)

It's a pretty tough piece of equipment, too. The company has a couple amusing videos (watch below) where OutCast takes a licking, but keeps on ticking.

"The Fire Test" involves a few Soundcast guys setting the product ablaze as it plays music. "The Car Wash Test" documents the product's first trip through a car wash.

We didn't drop the speaker from a building or drive over it with a car, but it was inadvertently whacked by a soccer ball. Yes, the music played on with no disturbance.

OutCast is heavier (40 lbs.) than I imagined. I saw this as a weakness early on, imagining some homeowners would consider it a chore to lug around. But after drilling it with a soccer ball, I realized the weight prevents it from toppling over.

Great Sound, Long-term Durability

The OutCast Speaker from Soundcast is a solid product. It sounded great, was completely reliable and has that feel of long-term durability.

The remote iPod control features on the OutCast are not as immediate as the iPod's local controls, but the delay is minimal. The OutCast controlled our docked iPod just fine.

The subtle features were cool, like purple lights and a hefty handle, but what I liked most about OutCast was its sound. For a single omni-directional unit, I was very impressed not only by the power, but also the sharpness. I expected something a little more dull-sounding.

Not every client will jump at the outdoor space as an area to integrate with technology. For those holdouts, Soundcast's OutCast Outdoor Speaker is the perfect offering.

All the client has to do is charge it up, turn it on and rock out — it can't get any simpler.



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You’ve got to try one to believe it!... I’m getting a second one, screw the neighbors!

I own one of these and you’ve got to try one to believe it! We (my wife and I) used it all summer while doing yard work. My headphones don’t get near the workout anymore, it’s just less encumbering, it feels freer to be able to walk around without them on my head. I’ve taken it to the beach and into the woods and even took it fishing with me.

Really, once you own one you won’t believe how many things you start to use it for. I know those reading this will think I work for the company but I don’t, I’m just really happy with this thing. Indoors it sounds a little bassy but that didn’t bother my nephew when he stayed over and wanted music in the bedroom. It’s kind of expensive but as soon as I can afford to I’m getting a second one, screw the neighbors!

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The Outcast was the best outdoor wireless speaker solution we’ve ever encountered.
It delivered superbly on its promise of great sounding wireless tunes with minimal amount of set up hassle. The Outcast will be money well spent.

Wireless Speaker Solution that Finally Lives Up To Its Promise

One disadvantage of having a gadget and gear addiction is that eventually you find little impresses you. So it goes without saying that I had my doubts when the decision was made to test the unit during our last Gear Patrol outdoor soiree.

Lifting the speaker out of its packaging was my first hint that the Outcast was of a different vain than previous wireless speaker solutions I’d encountered. My lower back can attest.

The unit’s build is solid, sporting a downward facing 8-inch subwoofer, and 4 3-inch high/mid range omni-directional drivers; all of which served as a fine teaser for hooking up the wireless transmitter (Icast) and blasting *cough* playing some music.

Unfortunately, I never tested the Icast’s purpoted broadcast range of 350 feet as that would have put us smack in the middle of a Midtown Manhattan theater. Though at 100 feet we didn’t experience any sound quality degradation from the wireless transmission. Power wasn’t an issue either, which we learned from a not so happy neighbor in the adjacent building the following morning. Apparently the speaker produced loud and clear music for all six hours of the party. Don’t bother asking why we couldn’t remember that fact on our own.

Despite any haziness on my (our) part though, one fact was clear. The Outcast was the best outdoor wireless speaker solution we’ve ever encountered and delivered superbly on its promise of great sounding wireless tunes with minimal amount of set up hassle. As far as I’m concerned, added features such as: built in ambient mood lighting, 10 hour battery life, convenient carrying handle, and remote control of the iPod from the speaker base unit, were just icing on the cake.

However like many quality products in this life, to procure a Soundcast Outcast, you’ll have to pay a hefty ransom… $700 bucks, which many may feel is unreasonable. Let me assure you it is not.

All we can say is if you have the need for portable outdoor sound (Fall parties are in full effect after all) and don’t mind splurging this month’s gear budget, the Outcast will be money well spent. Of course no amount of words from us will ever convince you quite like the gaggle of beautiful girls you’re guaranteed to see singing their hearts out at your next pool party. Remember, good music makes your guests feel comfortable. Just be sure to warn the neighbors.

Cost: $699

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Gearpatrol

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Minuses: NONE. I find it so refreshing to get a product that works exactly as promised.
The OutCast played in several near-100°, high-humidity South Carolina summer days, and it also sat through a couple of afternoon showers.

Besides writing for Sound & Vision, I also work at a "regular" day job as a custom installer. And after speaking to potential clients every day for the past 10 years, I can say that one thing they want is wireless audio. Whether it’s because they don’t want to pay for retrofitting wire into an existing home, or simply because they just want instantaneous results, "What do you have in wireless?" is an incredibly popular request.

While this might seem like a worthwhile path to go down, I usually try to steer my clients away from it because of all the inherent problems and limitations of wireless audio systems. Most deliver performance akin to what you get with a cordless speakerphone, with signal transmission that’s prone to interference and dropouts. And these systems aren’t truly wireless because they still require electricity to drive the speaker’s amplifier. But one potential solution first caught my eye at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show: the Soundcast OutCast system, a setup that promised to address my wireless concerns and integrate with my iPod to boot. The system consists of the OutCast all-weather speaker and the iCast transmitter/iPod dock. The speaker features four 3-inch mid/high-frequency drivers arrayed around its surface to provide 360° of sound dispersion, with a single 8-inch, downward-firing woofer handling the low-end chores. A 100-watt digital amplifier powers the five drivers. While I’m generally not a big fan of digital amps for distributed audio systems, this coupling works well because the highly energy-efficient digital amp extends battery life. The iCast transmitter is simplicity in itself, having literally no buttons or controls at all. The big news is the iPod port that sits atop its curved, white shell, a dock that works with iTouch and iPhone models as well.

SETUP
Soundcast claims that its systems are "easy to set up, and they work," so I expected nothing too complex. What I didn’t expect was just how simple the installation would be. The hardest thing about the entire process was unpacking the components. Without exaggeration, that took more time than setting up the system and getting music to play. For the record, setup requires connecting the iCast transmitter/dock to an electrical outlet and inserting the 24-volt nickel-metal hydride battery into the weather-sealed compartment on the bottom of the OutCast speaker. You then power on the speaker, dock your iPod, and press Play. That’s it. You’ve just installed the whole Soundcast system and are now listening to music. Now that’s what I call "plug and play"! While the system was definitely designed with iPod owners in mind, other types of audio sources can be hooked up to it as well. The back of the iCast features a 3.5-mm minijack connector that serves double duty. When an iPod is connected, it acts as an output for either driving a pair of headphones or sending your tunes to another audio system; when no ’Pod is connected, it becomes an input, letting you connect and broadcast any source, such as a cable box, a CD player, or a non-iPod MP3 player. Awesome! The system comes with the mini-to-RCA cable needed for this connection, as well as a mini-to-mini cable. The OutCast speaker also features a minijack input for plugging a source directly into it.

At some point, a flashing red light on top of the speaker will indicate that it’s time to recharge the battery. A completely discharged battery takes about 3 hours to return to full power. Fortunately, the system is fully functional while charging, so a depleted battery doesn’t have to bring the party to a crashing halt.

The iCast can broadcast on one of three channels, and both units have switches for selecting between Channels 1, 2, and 3. Beyond just avoiding broadcast interference, the real benefit here is that three separate Soundcast systems can operate within close proximity to each other.

PERFORMANCE
The OutCast speaker offers little in the way of information feedback; basically, it’s either on or off. When it’s powered up, a green light indicates that the speaker is indeed on, and the light turns blue once the speaker has locked onto the iCast’s signal. This process is automatic and takes about 2 seconds. A blue light on the transmitter also confirms that it has found the speaker. Besides volume up and down, there are some transport buttons on top of the speaker (play/pause, track skip forward and back) that control an iPod docked in the iCast. All click-wheel controls are functional while the iPod is docked, letting you browse and select tunes from your music library. Granted, a full-blown two-way interface would be more useful, but that would also significantly increase the price of the system.

As mentioned before, the OutCast speaker has a minijack input for connecting a local source, and the cabinet’s handle doubles as a place to set your portable player. This means that, beyond its use at home, the speaker itself can be called into duty in any outdoor setting. It’s the perfect companion for camping or beach trips, not just because things are apt to get wet and dirty but also because it’s self-sufficient when there’s no ready access to a power source for connecting the iCast transmitter. The speaker’s minijack connection lets the good times keep rolling, whether from an iPod or a Zune or, just as perfect, a portable XM or Sirius tuner.

The speaker’s only other "trick" is a button that kicks on some “mood lighting.” I’m not sure what mood it creates, but the soft blue light would be useful in keeping people from walking into it and knocking it into the pool after enjoying one too many libations.

As I said at the beginning, I’m generally skeptical when it comes to wireless systems, as they never seem to live up to their claims for distance or reception. Soundcast says that its system will transmit signals up to 150 feet through multiple rooms indoors, and up to 300 feet outdoors. Since my entire house isn’t 150 feet from end to end, I couldn’t fully check that claim, but I can say that the OutCast system did beam tunes from one side of my house to the other. It also broadcast from inside my house to every inch of my property, including down the driveway and across the street into my neighbor’s driveway! Wireless range was outstanding, and the signal never once dropped out or crackled from interference.

Soundcast says that it has developed a unique frequency-hopping technology that prevents transmitted signals from being distorted by outside interference. The company has definitely hit on something. My home has two Wi-Fi access points, a cordless phone, and a microwave oven, and none of them gave the OutCast system so much as a hiccup.

Battery life was nothing short of amazing. I expected the speaker to run for several hours, or just enough for an afternoon barbecue party. But it soon became a test of endurance to see which would last longer, the speaker’s battery or me. In the end, the battery won by a landslide. My system played for more than 16 hours (nearly 240 songs) on a single charge!

The speaker puts out plenty of volume, and it will certainly fill your backyard with sound. As it nears the upper volume limits, however, the small drivers start to strain and the audio becomes brash and distorted. But this is at levels that would make it difficult for anyone within a 15-foot radius of the speaker to have any kind of conversation. The sound quality in general resembles the classic smiley-face EQ curve from the past: big lows and big highs. Yet this actually works in the speaker’s favor, as sounds can be easily lost outdoors, and this kind of EQ gives the OutCast more punch. Placing the speaker on my wooden deck also produced a terrific tactile sensation, as the bass traveled through the wood boards and into chairs.

While I can’t really comment on endurance, I did attempt to check out the "all-weather" claim by leaving the speaker outside. During that time, it endured several near-100°, high-humidity South Carolina summer days, and it also sat through a couple of afternoon showers. So far, so good.

BOTTOM LINE
As both a reviewer and an installer, I find it so refreshing to get a product that works exactly as promised. The OutCast system did everything it was supposed to do. The wireless range and battery life are outstanding, and the system puts out enough sound to fill your backyard with tunes. If you’re looking for a simple way to add music to an outdoor living space, or to remote parts of your home where retrofitting wiring isn’t possible, the OutCast won’t leave you stranded.

Snapshot
The OutCast system totally delivers on its promise of plug-and-play wireless music, making it a great solution for adding tunes to remote listening areas.

Pluses
- Incredibly simple setup
- Great wireless range
- Mega-long-lasting battery life

Minuses
NONE

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Sound and Vision

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It’s built like a friggin’ tank.
I never once dropped signal be it I was upstairs, downstairs, outside, or in the garage. In a house with far too many things running on the 2.4 ghz band, I was expecting interference; there was none.

Everyone wants to have parties outside, music thumping under the sun. It just feels classy. Plus you get to show your neighbors how many friends you have. Thing is, most boom boxes turn to breathless junk as soon as they’re outside and, between wiring and weather proofing, rigging up a high-quality speaker solution outdoors is a bit past the average consumer. The $699 OutCast speaker is Soundcast’s answer to these problems. Wireless and weather-resistant, it’s built to party by the pool.

The Soundcast OutCast had the unfortunate luck of arriving on my door step just days before I flew to Asia for a month. There it sat in my garage, sans melody, waiting longer to be poked and prodded than any gizmo should ever have to. I would have brought it with me if I could, of course, but I don’t think Homeland Security would have appreciated me carrying a 60 lb electronics-filled metal cylinder onto a plane.

Now that I’ve returned, it’s time for the OutCast to let its voice be heard. That it does - and it does it well.

The box:
- Soundcast OutCast Wireless Speaker
- Rechargeable NiMH Battery
- iPod/Line-in wireless transmitter
- Power, Composite, and 3.5mm audio cables
- Instruction Guide
Straight out of the box, I was impressed by the build quality of the speaker unit. It’s built like a friggin’ tank.

As you can see from the picture, they’ve included a rechargeable battery to free you from wall-warts and extension cables. I couldn’t help but laugh when I pulled the battery out of the box - it’s huge! You could kill a man with this battery. That said, I was never once able to fully-drain the battery, outside of the actual battery test session, before my music needs were fulfilled. So its chunk is definitely a plus. Soundcast estimates 10 hours on a full charge, and I got around 8 at a mid/high volume.

Anyone who has bought a lot of audio gear oughtta immediately notice one thing missing: a remote. There were multiple occasions while testing the OutCast where the absence of a remote was noticeable. It’s hard to justify getting up to change a song when you’re schmoozin’ and boozin’.

The Hook up:
Hooking things up couldn’t be much simpler. Put the OutCast in one place, and the transmitter in another. Plug in your iPod, or any audio source with a 3.5 mm jack. Press play. Ta-da! My girlfriend (who generally loathes tinkering with new electronics) was girling out to John Mayer within about 5 minutes of unboxing.

The Sound and the Signal:
While I’m no audio engineer, I’ve wasted spent enough money on audio gear that I’ve come to know what sounds good and what doesn’t. The OutCast sounds really, really good.

I flipped through a hodgepodge of genres, and everything sounded incredible. I was able to crank it to a deafeningly loud level without any distortion. Within about 15 seconds at about 70% max volume, neighbors across the street peeked out their windows to see what was making all the racket. Designed for 360 degree audio without weak spots, it sounded especially good outside. Indoors, confined by big mean walls, it got a bit bass-y at higher volumes.

Soundcast promises a 350-foot range from the 2.4 ghz wireless transmitter. While I didn’t bust out a tape measure and test the limits, I never once dropped signal be it I was upstairs, downstairs, outside, or in the garage. In a house with far too many things running on the 2.4 ghz band, I was expecting interference; there was none.

The Looks:
The eye-candy department is one of the few areas where the OutCast falls short. I wouldn’t call it ugly, really - it’s just bland. Amongst the comments made by wise-cracking peers: “Why do you have an air purifier outside?”, and “Hey, sweet R5-D4 replica.” Of course, ruggedness and aesthetics don’t generally go hand in hand, so that they made it anything but horribly ugly is an accomplishment.

The base of the OutCast features an optional bit of blue lighting, which helps things spiff things up at night.

The End:
At $699, the OutCast is a bit too rich for those whose outdoor audio needs would be satisfied by taking their iHome alarm clock outside. For those willing to drop a bit of extra change for audio quality, portability, and durability, this thing hits hard. The signal range exceeded my expectations, as did the audio quality. With a basic remote and a bit of visual polish, this thing would be perfect. In the few days I’ve had it unpacked and on the review floor, it has fueled 2 social gatherings without a hitch. I’m certainly sad to have to send it back.

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Crunchgear

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The OutCast will definitely allow you to rock the neighborhood.
I put the transmitter in the front of my house and took the receiver to my backyard, about 250 feet away with two walls (one an exterior) in between, and experienced no issue. The signal was strong and without interference.

One of the best things about summer is enjoying the great outdoors. For my family, that means evenings on our back patio, grilling out and taking pleasure in what nature has to offer. Unfortunately, unless we hook up a portable device, we often have to do this without one of our other great pleasures, music.


No one should be limited from enjoying their music by the confines of their house. Fortunately the engineers at Soundcast could not agree with me more and they have created the OutCast model to help it.

Hardware Specifications
- Includes iCast transmitter dock for use with the Apple iPod
- Allows connection of other audio devices using the auxiliary input/output jack
- Transmits signals up to 350 feet outdoors
- Features pause/play, track forward/backward buttons to remotely operate iPod
- 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 NiMH battery pack
- Internal AC power supply that can recharge the NiMH battery pack and operate the system at the same time
- Transmitters constantly searches for open channels in the 2.4GHz band to avoid interference

Package Contents
- iCast Transmitter
- NiMH battery
- Instructions Manual
- Power Cord (for OutCast Receiver)
- AC/DC Adapter (for iCast Transmitter)
- 3.5 mm Mini to RCA cable
- 3.5 Mini to Mini cable

It became obvious at first sight of the box, the Soundcast OutCast is not a small device. Unloading the unit from the box, my first impression was confirmed, the OutCast receiver stands at approximately 26 inches tall.

The height was not my only surprise. The receiver is heavier than I expected too. Weighing in at just less than 30 pounds, you can definitely get a workout by lugging the unit’s receiver around.

The height and weight combination can make it difficult to move. If you have ever picked up a keg of beer, that is what I am reminded of when moving the receiver, although thankfully it is not quite as heavy. Still, I think the receiver is very portable.

In terms of looks, the iCast transmitter is predominately white in color and has a nice, futuristic look to it and a small footprint that allows it to sit nicely on table space.

The receiver is light gray in color and has a cylinder shape to it. The shape slightly tapers from a circumference of approximately 37 inches at the bottom to 32 at the top. It is not terribly eye-catching but then again, I think it is design to be as inconspicuous as possible.

The iCast transmitter has no user functions available but does have two lights, one to indicate it is receiver power, while the other light illuminates when it is transmitting to the receiver.

The OutCast receiver has seven buttons on top. The buttons from left to right are:
1-Previous track
2-Next track
3-Play/Pause
4-Power On/Off
5-Volume Down
6-Volume Up
7-Light On/Off

On the side, towards the top are the input jack and the channel switch, both protected by a connected rubber cover.

At the bottom, the connector for the power cord is located on the side. Again, a rubber cover is connected to protect the component when not in use.

The receiver is supported by four, rubber covered legs on the bottom. They elevate the device more then an inch off the floor and provide great support.

The initial set-up is very simple. The most difficult piece is installing the battery in the bottom of the receiver and I doubt that will cause you to break a sweat.

Speaking of battery the NiMH battery is supposed to provide up to 10 hours of operating time. I stopped my test satisfied with 8 hours and 21 minutes on constant use. One of the nice things is that, using the power cord, you can use the receiver while you are charging the battery.

Ok, with set-up complete I placed the iPod Nano in the iCast transmitter, which was located in my study towards the front of my house, took the receiver out back on our patio and let the music play.

I was immediately impressed by the sound quality emitted from the wireless connection from the transmitter to receiver. Ranging from low to high, the sound is extraordinary.

Speaking of high, the OutCast receiver will definitely allow you to rock the neighborhood. I know that I did not hit the max volume level but I did get it loud enough to know that this device can shake the foundations. The combination of the four omni-directional speakers, 100 watt digital amplifier and 8” downward firing woofer deliver great sound.

I never experienced any issues with the wireless connection, no hiccups or interference with other wireless devices. I found the wireless strength to be great and even though, you have the option to change between three wireless channels, I found no need.

The system uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to keep the 2.4GHz signal strong and without interference. FHSS is also used in Bluetooth devices. Besides keeping the signal strong and clear, it also allows as many as three systems to co-exist without disruption. I put the transmitter in the front of my house and took the receiver to my backyard, about 250 feet away with two walls (one an exterior) in between, and experienced no issue. I cannot imagine requiring much more space between the two devices but the product specs state a range of 350 feet.

The only issue I had with the controls on the receiver was with the previous and next track buttons. Sometimes I pushed too hard and skipped multiple tracks, other times I did not push hard enough and it failed to register. Overall the controls on the receiver work pretty well. You do have to push the buttons pretty hard but I attribute that to the weatherproofing incorporated by the manufacturers.

Speaking of controls, the light feature on the receiver is pretty neat. A blue light, emitted from the bottom of the receiver, shines towards the ground. The light has two levels and it adds nice ambience to those times on the patio after the sun has set.

The one complaint I found in testing the Soundcast via the wireless transmitter was the fact that there is no display screen accessible on the receiver. So if you are using the next and previous track buttons on the receiver, you have no way of knowing what the next track will be until the music starts to play.

The iCast transmitter’s functionality extends past just docking your iPod to charge and play music. You can connect it to your computer, amplifier or home audio system.

After I sufficiently tested the wireless connection, I plugged in the iPod Nano via the input jack and found that not much changed. Sound quality was equally great. The buttons used to control the transmitter no longer work, which makes sense, because you are not using the transmitter and the iPod is right there.

In conclusion, I found the sound quality of the Soundcast system to be great. The strong wireless connection between the transmitter and receiver, plus the ability to move the receiver gives the user a great amount of flexibility in extending listening options to the outdoors.

At $700, the price of the unit is the largest negative, but at least Soundcast is offering some deals on their website, including no sale tax, 30-day money back guarantee and free shipping. Every little bit counts.

That said I could definitely see getting a lot of use out of the Soundcast system while relaxing by the pool, grilling on the patio or tailgating at your favorite sporting event. Plus, nothing says that you are restricted to using the device outside the house. You can use it to extend your music to the 2nd floor or in your basement. Wherever we go, it is great to be able to take our music with us.

Review Summary
Pros:
- Water resistant for external use
- Portability
- Wireless connectivity with iCast Transmitter
- Input jack to directly connect devices
- Great sound quality
- Added ambiance at night from blue lighting

Cons:
- Expensive
- Look, height and weight

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Gadgeteer

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An iLounge Recommended Product
A massive outdoor audio system designed to be resistant to weather conditions and capable of pumping out loud audio from a wirelessly connected iPod. Soundcast’s new audio system will deliver a powerful audio experience pretty much anywhere you’re interested in setting it down.

Soundcast Systems OutCast All-Weather Wireless Audio System
Last year, iPod speaker innovation appeared to have all but come to an end. The few companies who weren't aping Bose's SoundDock had settled into a predictable rut, releasing either iterative improvements to their own prior models, or trying minor spins on those released by others. Then, for whatever reason, the middle of 2008 caught us by surprise: three companies recently delivered four audio systems that took different, interesting spins on earlier genres in an effort to appeal to new audiences. We're looking at all four of them in separate reviews today.

Of all of these options, the one that’s the most “outside the box” in terms of its approach and pricing is Soundcast Systems’ OutCast ($699), a massive outdoor audio system designed to be resistant to weather conditions and capable of pumping out loud audio from a wirelessly connected iPod. In the sizable box, you’ll instantly notice a 26"-tall, 9.75"-diameter tube-like beige speaker with seven buttons and a power light on its top; pressing a lightbulb button activates a two-stage purple/blue mood light that radiates from the unit’s bottom. Play/pause, track backward and forward, volume and power buttons are the only others; the unit also has a large round handle built-in for easy carrying.

It is, in a word, heavy. Loaded inside are four 3” high-range speaker drivers, radiating in a circle behind a metal grille near the top, plus one downward-firing 8” woofer that’s significantly recessed but otherwise completely uncovered on the bottom, and a 100-watt amplifier in between them. You’re given a huge battery pack to power the system, which is recharged by an included cable that’s intended to be connected to a safe indoor power outlet; the unit’s ports are rubber-sealed for use outdoors, and the battery can run for 10 or more hours depending on volume level.

This all leaves an obvious question: what about the iPod? Also inside the box is one of Soundcast Systems’ wireless indoor iPod docks, which includes and requires its own power supply for power. The idea is to dock the iPod indoors where it’s safe, and enjoy music outdoors via the huge battery pack-powered OutCast speaker and its top remote control buttons. You can also use included auxiliary audio cables to connect your iPod or another device directly to a rubber-sealed port on the speaker if you want to enjoy the music outside.

The good news about OutCast is that it mostly does what it promises to do. We placed the iPod dock in the center of a house, then lugged the speaker unit outside while music was playing to see how the wireless technology handled being separated by both distance and walls. With the iPod in a non-optimal location, separated by three or four walls from the speaker unit, OutCast let us get to the very edge of our property before the signal disappeared. SoundCast Systems claims a 350-foot maximum broadcast range, but with walls and other physical impediments, we found that the range was closer to 110 feet before the audio cut out. Users with issues can switch between three different 2.4GHz channels, toggled on both the iPod dock and the speaker system.

We were generally impressed by the sound quality, as well. The audio sounded clear in quiet surroundings and appropriately powerful when the volume was turned up, enabling the iPod’s music to be heard over the sound of lawn mowers and other outdoor ambient noise. Though the system isn’t quite audiophile-balanced in terms of its speaker array, SoundCast’s high- and low-range drivers do a very good job of providing an enjoyable rendition of music, with the 8” woofer providing low-end fullness that a less expensive wireless audio system such as Griffin’s Evolve doesn’t offer. It’s worth noting, though, that Evolve’s wireless broadcasting distance was similar to OutCast’s, capable of performing at the same 110-foot range with impediments; the only difference was that Griffin’s signal broke up more while the speaker was initially being positioned, then stabilized when placed in its final resting spot.

On another mostly positive note, OutCast is extremely easy to set up. Once the battery pack is in and charged, and the iPod dock powered up, the pairing process is effortless - a green light on the speaker’s top goes purple to indicate that the units are talking. Plug in an auxiliary audio cable and the speaker shifts automatically to the wired sound source. It’s all very straightforward, and though there’s lag between an on-speaker button press and the iPod dock’s response, the delay’s acceptably short in our book.

The major issues we have with OutCast—surprise—are its pricing and relative practicality. SoundCast’s iPod audio systems have traditionally sold for a major premium over what we’d want to pay for wireless audio functionality, and though the OutCast system does deliver more powerful audio than somewhat similar systems such as the $300 Evolve, you’ll pay more than twice as much and have to compromise a lot on convenience. Lugging around the big speaker is a chore by comparison with the handheld, similarly rechargeable Evolve speakers and its pocketable remote control, which provide the same basic functionality. There are other considerations; thanks to the presence of ambient noise, outdoor listening doesn’t typically demand superb fidelity, and since OutCast’s 8” woofer isn’t completely sealed against water intrusion, you’ll probably want to bring the system indoors when it rains—or snows.

It’s also worth noting that OutCast’s $700 asking price leaves users with plenty of same-priced or less expensive alternatives, from battery-powered boomboxes to piecemeal wireless systems. If you’re trying to stay wireless, Griffin’s $200 add-on Evolve speaker sets provide you with the ability to spread pairs of additional speakers around an area; you could have six speakers and charging stations for the same price as one OutCast. Viewed in that way, it’s really a matter of whether you want one powerful centralized audio system or a diffused system with speakers spread out in multiple listening areas.

Our overall evaluation of OutCast is therefore positive, but caveated. If you’re looking for big outdoor sound, willing to drop a big wad of cash, and capable of moving around a pretty big speaker, SoundCast’s new audio system will deliver a powerful audio experience pretty much anywhere you’re interested in setting it down. However, if your budget’s not in the $700 range and you don’t need the ability to leave the speaker outdoors most of the time, you’ll get highly similar functionality from a system such as Evolve; similarly, lower-cost boomboxes such as Harman Kardon’s Go + Play can deliver stylish portable sound without the need to worry about wireless links.

Company:Soundcast Systems
Website:www.Soundcastsystems.com
Model:OutCast
Price:$699
Compatible:iPod 4G, 5G, classic, mini, nano, touch

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in iLounge

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Performance Rating: Excellent, 9.0 out of 10
The Soundcast OutCast speaker system is excellent. Great-sounding, outdoor wireless audio without the hassles of tricky setup and weather-damaged equipment.

The good: The Soundcast OutCast speaker system is extremely innovative, featuring a weatherproof and completely wireless design that's a snap to set up; the included base station offers an iPod dock as well as multiple other audio-connection options; the transmitter works on a proprietary 2.4GHz frequency and can send a signal several hundred feet away; the speaker unit has a rechargeable, user-replaceable battery; wired and wireless audio quality is impressive.

The bad: The Soundcast OutCast is expensive and the speaker unit is large and heavy, which limits portability; the design is nondescript to the point of lacking any style.

The bottom line: The Soundcast OutCast speaker system is an excellent--though expensive--choice for those who want all the benefits of great-sounding, outdoor wireless audio without the hassles of tricky setup and weather-damaged equipment.

Overall Rating: Excellent, 8.0 out of 10
Performance Rating: Excellent, 9.0 out of 10

Read full review here: The OutCast Wireless Speaker on CNET

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Soundcast Systems has just made outdoor audio a whole lot easier…and more affordable.
I’ve got a fairly large backyard, and this unit ably produced a full, dynamic presentation from one side to the next. It’s an easy, flexible way to add the perfect soundtrack to your outdoor fun.

When it comes to summer fun, there should be no strings attached.
Who doesn’t like the idea of spending a warm summer’s evening out on the deck, with the grill fired up and your favorite tunes filling the airwaves? While the idea is nice, the execution often leaves us a bit intimidated.

Only the ambitious DIYer is excited by the thought of running speaker wire outdoors or configuring the second-zone function on his A/V receiver. A professional installer can set up a fantastic outdoor sound system, but that may come with a higher price tag than many of us can afford.

The good news is, Soundcast Systems has just made outdoor audio a whole lot easier…and more affordable.

This wireless audio system consists of two pieces: the iCast transmitter and the OutCast weatherproof speaker. The iCast is basically an iPod docking cradle with a built-in wireless transmitter. Just pop your iPod into the dock, and the audio signal is transmitted over the 2.4GHz frequency to the OutCast, a self-contained audio system that features a 100-watt amplifier, an 8-inch woofer, and four 3-inch high-frequency drivers.

When designing the OutCast, Soundcast remembered the first rule of wireless audio, oft forgotten: It’s nice if the product is actually wireless. The speaker houses a rechargeable NiMH battery pack on its underside that allows it to operate completely wire free; a detachable power cord is also included to power the unit and recharge the battery.

Outdoor speakers tend to be more industrial and utilitarian in the design department, and the OutCast follows suit. It looks like a giant humidifier, thanks to its tall, round cabinet that’s constructed of beige, water-resistant plastic. The speaker measures about 26 inches tall, has a diameter of 11 inches at its base, and weighs 28 pounds. The down-firing woofer resides in a sealed chamber near the bottom of the cabinet, while the four high-frequency drivers are located near the top, firing out to the sides in an omni-directional pattern.

The top panel features backlit, weather-resistant buttons for power, volume up/down, forward/reverse, play/pause, and mood lighting, as well as LEDs to indicate power and battery status. The Safety-Mood Lighting button turns on a blue light that emanates from the woofer chamber. Soundcast wisely includes plastic plugs to cover openings like the power port and auxiliary input, and the top panel sports a built-in handle to help you move the speaker.

I’ve auditioned a number of wireless audio products that proved challenging to set up, usually because the transmitter and receiver didn’t establish or keep the handshake they way they should. That wasn’t an issue here. In truth, the most challenging part of the setup process was figuring out how to position the OutCast’s battery pack in its compartment. The manual says it can only fit one way, but it neglects to mention which way that might be. Once I powered up the iCast and OutCast, the two products immediately established their handshake, indicated by a blue light on the top panel of each.

Soundcast uses frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology in which the transmitter searches for open channels in the 2.4GHz band and jumps to them to avoid interference with other 2.4GHz products, like microwaves and cordless phones. This proved effective; I did experience a few split-second audio dropouts during my time with the system, but not enough to be distracted by them.

As for the wireless range between transmitter and receiver, Soundcast estimates up to 150 feet indoors or 350 feet outdoors. With the iCast anchored in my living room, I moved the OutCast all over the house, both indoors and out—from the kitchen to the downstairs office to the garage to the back deck and finally to a far part of my backyard—and the unit successfully communicated with the iCast from every location. It just works, which is exactly what you want in wireless system.

If you’d like to leave your house entirely—say, take the OutCast to a park or campsite—the inclusion of an auxiliary input on the side panel allows you to connect an iPod or other audio device directly to the speaker, so you don’t need to mate the product with the iCast for it to function. Soundcast estimates 10 hours of operation on a fully charged battery; my review sample got about 18 hours on one charge, although I did conduct my longevity test at a fairly low volume.

I was impressed with the OutCast’s sound quality. Sonic compromises are inevitable in these all-in-one iPod systems, but the Outcast’s unique form factor offers some clear advantages for an outdoor environment. The larger cabinet and 8-inch woofer give the speaker very good dynamic ability and solid low-end presence, both of which are crucial if you want the speaker to have any real impact outdoors.

I’ve got a fairly large backyard, and this unit ably produced a full, dynamic presentation from one side to the next. Bass notes in Ani DiFranco’s Little Plastic Castle had nice presence and definition, but the speaker couldn’t quite reproduce the deepest rumbles in Peter Gabriel’s Sky Blue. Of course, you don’t get the airy highs and full midrange you’ll hear in a great traditional speaker, but the OutCast produces a well-balanced sound that doesn’t veer too bright or too muddy.

The circular cabinet design and omni-directional driver array help the sound emanate evenly around the open space; I placed the speaker up on my deck and walked all the way around the backyard, and the tonal quality remained fairly consistent. Of course, the tradeoff is that the system lacks stereo imaging, which is more noticeable if you listen to the speaker indoors, where vocals occasionally had an echoic quality if I placed the speaker near a wall. It’s better suited for an open area.

Soundcast also sells an indoor speaker (SpeakerCast), an iCast transmitter/receiver combo, and a basic audio transmitter/receiver combo (AudioCast). These products are all designed to work together. I had a SpeakerCast and second iCast on hand to test interoperability, and the devices worked together seamlessly. I configured a single iCast to transmit to both the OutCast and SpeakerCast at once, and I set up two systems to play different iPod streams, which is as simple as changing the channel allotment (channels 1–3) on one iCast/speaker combo, and it worked without incident.

The iCast charges your iPod while docked and includes an auxiliary input to wirelessly stream audio from other devices to the speaker. I like the fact that the OutCast always resets to a low volume when you power it down. Unfortunately, there’s one crucial omission: The system lacks a remote control. The indoor SpeakerCast comes with a tiny IR remote, so why not the OutCast? Soundcast’s answer is that infrared does not work outdoors in the daylight and that using an RF remote would require that they give up one of the two channels that allow the system to support two devices. The company may rectify this in next year’s product line, but for now I must knock a few ergonomic points off of a system that’s otherwise very user-friendly.

At $699, the OutCast isn’t exactly a budget product, but its price tag accurately reflects its performance—better and more robust than a tabletop audio system or boom box, but not meant to replace a dedicated outdoor speaker system. Add in a $399 SpeakerCast system, and you’ve got a two-zone indoor/outdoor audio system for less than $1,100.

The goal of any successful audio system is to add enjoyment without adding frustration. Many wireless products have missed that mark, but not the OutCast. It’s an easy, flexible way to add the perfect soundtrack to your outdoor fun.

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Robb Report’s Home Entertainment Online

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The OutCast, being weather-proof, also didn’t suffer from the violent downpour.
What makes the outcast especially cool is that it’s rugged and weather-resistant for outdoor use plus it’s got a built-in rechargeable battery so you’re not restricted to sticking it someplace where there’s and AC outlet.

Your summer barbecue tunes don’t need to be relegated to an old boombox. The OutCast is a portable, weather-resistant outdoor stereo speaker system for wirelessly streaming your iPod (or any other source) music outside where the party is.

Before I started using the OutCast, most of my backyard music came from a small weather-resistant Tivoli radio. That’s fine as far as small radios go, but it’s hardly satisfying for entertaining a crowd of backyard hot dog eaters, and it’s not the best for settling down in the evening to listen to some mellow summer jazz (when all the radio stations are playing The Boss).

The OutCast is a two-part system. The first part is the iCast, an iPod dock that transmits the audio signal via 2.4 GHz wireless spectrum up to 350 feet outdoors (or 150 feet indoors/through walls) to a receiver. The iCast also has 35mm input or headphone jack that can be used to connect an additional source with the supplied adaptor cable. The second part of the system is the Outcast itself, a 100 watt integrated speaker/amplifier and 2.4GHz receiver with four 3-inch mid-range drivers and one 8-inch subwoofer driver. The lower driver is positioned over a cone to help radiate the sound in 360 degrees.

What makes the outcast especially cool is that it’s rugged and weather-resistant for outdoor use plus it’s got a built-in rechargeable battery so you’re not restricted to sticking it someplace where there’s and AC outlet (which also means that if you accidentally knock it in the pool you won’t kill all the swimmers).

Using the Outcast doesn’t require any serious set up or wireless pairing (which you find with Bluetooth speakers). After installing the battery pack all you need to do is plug your iPod into the iCast and turn on the Outcast. The music will start immediately. If you find any interference on the signal (which I didn’t) you have the option to change wireless channels, just make sure the channel selected on the iCast (1,2 or 3) matches that on the Outcast. Volume gets controlled at the Outcast end, not on the iPod itself, which is good because you won’t want to keep running into the house to adjust the volume. On the unit you can move backward and forward among tracks, but you can’t do any more iPod navigation than that. To find switch albums for instance you need to go back to the iPod itself.

So how does the outcast compare to the boombox method of outdoor music? While the Outcast may look a little like a trash can, it certainly doesn’t sound like one. I found it got loud enough to carry throughout an average-sized yard, and sound quite good as well. There’s a surprising amount of detail and bass for outside speakers. As expected, detail drops off as you step away from it because there are no walls to contain the sound, but for most backyards, the sound range will be just find. I placed it on my deck and listened from a bench about 20 feet away and found the details deminished, but not terribly so, and still loud enough. If you’re got a very large area to fill you can add a second OutCast without an additional transmitter. I was happily piping The Girl from Iponema to the speaker until a neighbor poked over the fence and asked me to turn it down.

I especially liked the fact that the SoundCast includes a rechargeable battery, so If I wanted to move it closer to my bench, I didn’t have pull out an extension cord. Having the iPod safely indoors near my audio system while listening to it outside is also nice, because when a rain shower came by, I knew the iPod was safe. The OutCast, being weather-proof, also didn’t suffer from the brief violent downpour.

If you’re comparing this to a portable radio or most other iPod speakers, $699 seems extreme. But considering all the OutCast’s features and the fact that it can be part of a whole house (when combined with indoor SpeakerCast or AudioCast modules) and out-of-house audio system, the price seems a lot more reasonable.

SoundCast OutCast System
$699

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in E-gear

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The portability and sound quality definitely justify the cost.
The ease of use and portability is just amazing. For those that want music in different rooms or outside (or both), this is the solution for you.

Wireless is all the rage these days and more and more companies are throwing their proverbial hat into the ring. Soundcast's OutCast system is an "all in one" solution that seeks to give you unparalleled access to your music with a wireless single speaker system. They aren't promising a complete two channel experience but they are promising a speaker that can travel up to 150' in the home and 350' outside! That's quite some range. On top of that, it interfaces with either your iPod or any other two channel source (or even your computer). Either getting your music anywhere in your house just got easier or you're about to read a very scathing review.

BUILD QUALITY
The Soundcast OutCast was well packed in a way that I'm not normally used to. I'm use to things being double boxed and with Styrofoam endcaps. What I am not used to is a Styrofoam cocoon. Contained within were the OutCast All-Weather Speaker, the iCast wireless transmitter, a power cord and a couple of connection cables. Each item had its own cubby hole in the cocoon and was held in place either by friction or tape.

The OutCast looked, at first, like either an air purifier or a Diaper Genie (depending on your frame of reference). To say that I wasn't in love with the aesthetics would be an understatement. The stock photos make it look like a column though it is really a bit thicker at the bottom than the top. I'd suggest that the Soundcast group get that Dyson guy to consult on the next unit - if he can make a sexy vacuum cleaner, he can surely make this thing a bit easier on the eyes. The unit itself isn't terribly heavy though it does get a bit cumbersome after a few minutes lugging it down the street (see below). There is a handle on the top for easy transport. The unit sports a downfiring woofer that faces a convex plate for 360 degree sound dispersion. There are four 3" drivers hidden behind a metal grill pointing in the four cardinal directions. The unit is constructed out of high impact plastic that is a sort of cream color. It feels very solid and sturdy.

The top of the OutCast has controls for any iPod that is connected to the iCast so that you don't have to run back and forth to the iPod to skip songs. There isn't a display on it so you won't be surfing your different folders but you will be able to play, pause, and skip tracks forward and back. There is a power button, volume controls, and a light button. Oh, yeah, lights. There are two blue LED lights that will illuminate and reflect off two sides of the bottom convex plate. On the other two sides there are downfiring slot-style ports. We've been informed that there is a fine mesh grill inside of the unit to keep out debris or animals. According to Soundcast, the OutCast has been tested to IP64 standards which means that it is dust tight and can withstand "water splashing in all directions" whatever that means. The OutCast can't survive a dunking in a pool and probably shouldn't be hosed down if it gets dirty. When the unit is powered on, the top controls illuminate faintly but enough so that it makes it easy to see in a darkened room (or on a deck at night).

The iCast has a white semi-circle top, with an iPod dock/charger at the apex, and a gray bottom. The rear of the unit is green with a port for a power cord, a headphone jack, and a three setting channel selection switch. The iCast feels a little light for its size. While its stylized look goes well with iPods, it doesn't exactly match anything else in my system. The OutCast has a power cord port near the base and an Aux In and three setting channel selection switch near the top. All of the inputs and switches on the OutCast have rubber covers to keep them protected from the elements.

SETUP
The setup of the OutCast and iCast is fairly simple. First, you need to install the battery into the OutCast which is by far the hardest part of this setup. The battery compartment is very tight and you'll need to finagle it a bit to make it fit. This is, of course, by design. If the battery fit too loosely, it would vibrate during heavy bass passages. The OutCast takes a few hours to completely charge (you know it is done when the red light goes out) and uses a NiMH type battery so that charging memory isn't an issue. The manual states that it will play for up to 10 hours on a charge which I found to be true. I left it playing all day and found that it died out well over 12 hours later. The volume was low most of the time but you are pretty much guaranteed that it will keep the background music going until all but the most hardcore of your guests leave. Once you plug in the iCast, you'll notice two lights on the top. One indicates power and the other denotes a wireless connection has been established to the OutCast. On the OutCast, there is a light for a wireless connection that glows green when searching and blue when it is connected. From the time of powering up both units, it usually took less than three seconds for a stable wireless connection to be reached.

The iCast and OutCast utilize the 2.4 GHz frequency for wireless connection. This is the same frequency used by your cordless phone (probably) and the same one that will experience interference from things like microwaves and wireless routers. The iCast and OutCast get around this by utilizing Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology which is also used by the Bluetooth. This basically splits up the signal into many different channels using a pseudorandom sequence. This not only reduces (or eliminates) the effects of non-distance based interference but also allows more than one iCast/OutCast solution to be used in close proximity.

Which brings me back to the three position channel switches on both the iCast and OutCast. Basically, if you want to have two OutCast systems operating independently of each other, you can set them to different channels and each will only receive what the assigned iCast is sending. Needless to say, you can have more than one OutCast tuning in the same iCast signal. What you can't do, however, is assign left and right channels to specific OutCasts. Each OutCast receives a combined signal for the right and left channels.

The 2.4 GHz transmission is supposed to be impervious to interference from devices like microwaves while also not interfering with your 802.11b/g wireless networks. I found that the former was true though the later was more in dispute. I often take the path of least resistance when I am doing reviews. It speeds up the review process and lowers my stress levels. I don't own an iPod so I was looking for another device to connect to the iCast. Luckily, the headphone jack switches to an input jack when there is no iPod present. You can either connect this directly to a device (like a computer or MP3 player) via 3.5 mm jack (to the headphone or audio output) or to the right and left analogue outputs of any device (like DVD/CD player) through a RCA to 3.5 mm cable (both types of cables are supplied). The easiest analogue outputs I had available where on the back of the recently reviewed Squeezebox Duet. The Duet uses an 802.11g network to pull content from either the Internet or a networked computer. Basically, I was streaming content to the Duet receiver, shooting it over to the iCast via a cable, and then wirelessly to the OutCast speaker.

The problem I ran into was that the iCast seemed to interfere with the Duet's receiver reception and would block it if the two were too close. I had a similar problem with the Soundolier duo wireless speakers but to a greater extent. With the iCast I only had to move the unit a couple of feet away from the Duet receiver in order to eliminate the interference. With the Soundolier, the transmitter would cause reception problems at a much further distance. All and all, as long as you keep the iCast at least a few feet away from any 802.11b/g receivers/transmitters, you should be OK. If you are going to use the OutCast/iCast combo to stream directly from your iPod, this shouldn't be a problem as you can hook it up anywhere with a power outlet.

The last thing I needed to check out was the distance that the OutCast could be from the iCast. The manual states that in home you should be able to travel 150 feet without audio dropouts and outdoors (both units) it could range over 350 feet. I didn't take the iCast outside as (again) I didn't have an easy source to take outside with me. At the same time, I'm tempted to think that the 350+ feet estimate is based on no line of sight obstructions, which, in my wooded neighborhood, just simply isn't possible. Instead, I placed the iCast in my Home Theater near a window and took the speaker outside. I must have looked quite the sight with the OutCast over my shoulder playing select songs from the Pixies Doolittle album walking down the street. I found that the more line-of-sight I had with that window, the further I could go. Even with many intervening walls, trees, and fences I could make it one or two houses down (each lot around here is about 150' wide) with a good line of site netting me around 3 (close to that 350' mark). It seems like those distance claims are just about right on. On my property, I was able to move about freely without any audio dropouts. And in the end, that's all that really mattered.

LISTENING TESTS AND CONCLUSION
For these listening tests, I had the iCast connected via RCA to 3.5mm cable to the Squeezebox Duet. The Squeezebox is capable of streaming everything from MP3's to uncompressed WAV files flawlessly. I listened to a vast selection of Internet Radio stations and WMA Lossless files streamed from a networked computer. Overall, I experienced no audio dropouts regardless of music source distance within the confines of my property.

The Pixies - Doolittle
The OutCast is obviously designed for sound reinforcement which is evident by its driver arrangement. This is fine as long as you don't place the unit near a wall. As I was walking around with the OutCast, I noticed that the bass really benefited from being placed close to a wall but invariably one of the 3" drivers would be facing the wall creating a bit of a slap echo. It was noticeable enough that I felt that a close wall placement wasn't really feasible. The bass response was a bit thin but respectable. You're not going to hear any bone crushing sub frequencies, but kick drums and low bass are represented. The starting bass line of track 13 - Hey came through convincingly and much of the pick work on the guitar sounded realistic and detailed. Jacking up the volume, I was able to get the OutCast to distort at the highest levels but for the most part it stayed together really well. I wasn’t able to get super high volume levels out of it (you won't be fueling any outdoor raves with the OutCast) but you could certainly provide a good level of background music for an outdoor party.

I was definitely impressed with the audio quality of the OutCast overall. The high end sounded fairly well extended (which is a feat in and of itself with a 3" driver providing both tweeter and mid duties) and the midrange was well articulated. The bass was at times accentuated though for many albums this was a plus. The bass extension was good with the bass that was present well defined. While I was impressed with the audio quality overall of the OutCast, the dynamic range was a bit truncated. The OutCast defiantly sounded better the louder it played (to a point of course).

Marillion - Marbles
If anything, this album sounded a little bass heavy through the OutCast - especially when placed indoors. When taken outside, it sounded a bit more natural. The OutCast had no real problems keeping up with the quality material and only really faltered a bit when trying to reproduce the heartbeat during the The Invisible Man. For an outdoor speaker I found the sound to be very lifelike and quite natural. For a wireless speaker, I was very impressed. As is the problem with these "all-in-one" solutions, it's hard to say if any particular failing in performance is due to the driver, crossover, amp, or wireless signal. Honestly, I found very little not to like with the OutCast/iCast wireless solution.

I ended up jacking up the volume and taking the OutCast outside. I set it at one end of my backyard (next to the neighbor I don't like) and walked away from it. From 0 to about 7 feet it was pretty loud - too loud to hold a conversation. From 7 to about 15-25 feet it was a good volume - loud enough to hear but not so loud that you couldn't try your best pickup lines on the ladies. Beyond that I could hear the bass overtaking the treble and midranges and the vocals became harder and harder to make out. This was in a completely open area without the benefit of a bunch of bodies between me and the speaker. I would suggest that if you are going to try to cover a large area with the OutCast to make sure you place it somewhere where no one is going to be in the first five feet of it. Larger areas are going to require more than one (and in general, two would probably be best regardless of area size).

Suggestions for Improvement
While the OutCast shaped up to be a fine product there are some things that I wouldn't mind seeing in future iterations. The top control panel is great if you are using and controlling an iPod but doesn't do diddly for you if you are connected to anything else. I'd like to see either the play/pause button used to mute the incoming signal or perhaps an additional button for this function. Turning down the volume by hand is sometimes too tedious. While I didn't test the unit with an iPod, it is clear that in order to navigate to different playlists you'll need to return to the iPod and do this manually. The inclusion of a small LCD screen and a control wheel would mean that once I hooked it up, I wouldn't have to return to the iCast. For $699 they should be able to include this without raising the price of the unit. While you can hook up an iPod directly to the OutCast through the Aux In port and have it controlled locally, I still think this would be a welcome addition. As I mentioned above, a left/right/both switch would definitely be a welcome addition so that the OutCasts could be used in stereo. While it isn't always preferable (or even desirable) to use outdoor speakers in a stereo configuration, having the option would be nice. Lastly, I'd like to see the omission of the ports. Yes I know this would reduce the bass response but to be a truly "outdoor" speaker, you're either going to have to seal it, or somehow convince me that it would survive an extended outdoor stay in Florida weather.

Conclusion
Whenever I review outdoor or wireless speakers I generally have low expectations. This was completely unnecessary with the Soundcast OutCast Wireless speaker system. The audio fidelity was very good with only the lowest of frequencies noticeably absent. The iCast wireless transmitter was rock solid and had a very good range. In my neighborhood I could literally take it to my next door neighbor's house without having to move the transmitter! The OutCast may be a bit expensive but the portability and sound quality definitely justify the cost. Aesthetics aside, the OutCast is a beauty of a product. The ease of use and portability is just amazing. For those that want music in different rooms or outside (or both), this is the solution for you.

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Audioholics Magazine

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Verdict: 9
Dead simple; plenty of volume, good streaming range. Weatherized. A fantastic battery-powered, self-amplified outdoor speaker.

Soundcast has embedded its wireless iPod streaming technology inside a fantastic battery-powered, self-amplified outdoor speaker. It’s pricey, but building a good wired outdoor system would cost as much—even if you do the work yourself.

The system includes an iCast transmitter, which captures the analog output from your iPod and streams it to the OutCast on the 2.4GHz frequency band. If you rock with an MP3 player other than an iPod, or if you want to stream music from your PC, the 1/8-inch headphone jack on the back of the iCast automatically becomes a line-level input when there’s no iPod in the dock.

Membrane switches on the top of the speaker enable you to control a docked iPod, although you’re limited to track forward/back, play/pause, and volume (there’s no way to control any other source). There’s no display, so you’ll want to build a playlist or leave the iPod in shuffle mode. You can also get around the display issue by plugging any player directly into the OutCast and stashing it in the cradle built into the handle.

A 100-watt amp delivers plenty of volume to the four 3-inch high-frequency drivers arranged around the top of the columnar device, while an 8-inch down-firing woofer delivers lots of beefy bass. The speaker sounded great on our enclosed patio, only slightly less so when we moved it out into our yard (where it was deprived of walls and a ceiling to provide natural reverb). The system delivered impressive range, too, streaming audio outside within a 135-foot radius of the transmitter inside the house. But the amp doesn’t like to be pushed; it distorted badly long before we reached its maximum output.

The OutCast is thoroughly weatherized, as long as you don’t leave anything plugged into it. Soundcast says the NiMH battery pack will deliver 10 hours of audio on a charge, but we were able to squeeze out 15 hours playing at lower volume (and leaving the cheesy mood lighting turned off). We dig it, but the price tag denies it a Kick Ass award.

Shout Out Out Out!
Dead simple; plenty of volume, good streaming range. Weatherized.

Shouting Matches
Controls are iPod-specific (but it does accept line-in); no display; expensive.

Verdict: 9

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker in Maximum PC

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It's an interesting product, since there aren't a lot of true outdoor iPod speaker systems.
The OutCast sounded quite powerful. The bass is heavy, the midrange is clear and warm.

Soundcast OutCast: First Look
I was surprised at the size of the OutCast. It's roughly three feet tall, and it look like a giant air purifier. It has an 8-inch downward firing woofer, four 3-inch high frequentcy drivers, and a 100-watt digital amplifier. The battery lasts about 10 hours between charges.

Like the SpeakerCast, the OutCast works with Soundcast's iCast iPod dock (included). You dock your iPod, and the iCast transmits to the OutCast (you can you a pair of OutCasts at a time). There are audio controls on top of the OutCast. There's no remote control.

The OutCast sounded quite powerful, but we were indoors for the demonstration. The bass is heavy, the midrange is clear and warm, but I didn't try music that would test the OutCast's abililty to handle high notes.

This was also an engineering unit. Soundcast says the OutCast won't be available until the fall. It's an interesting product, since there aren't a lot of true outdoor iPod speaker systems. Once we get a final unit for testing, we'll see how well it does outside.

Points to consider:
> Designed for outdoor use.
> Powerful enough for very large rooms, but how will it handle outside?
> $699

Read Original Review: The OutCast Wireless Speaker on MacLife

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The SpeakerCast's sound was warm and clear.
I didn't notice any distortion at loud volumes.

The SpeakerCast's sound was warm and clear. The bass didn't drop heavy, but the bass sounded pretty decent. I didn't notice any distortion at loud volumes. I didn't get a chance to try out songs with a lot of high notes in it. That's something I'll definitely need to do in the full review. It did a good job of filling the 100 square-foot conference room we were in.

The SpeakerCast has a very small remote control that's about the size of a Compact Flash card. The remote has basic iPod track controls and volume adjustment. This may sound odd, but to use the remote, you point it to the SpeakerCast, and if it has to do any iPod controls, the SpeakerCast has to then transmit a signal to the iPod docked in the iCast. This probably caused the slight delay I experienced when I paused a track.

The unit I saw was an engineering unit. We'll do a full review of a shipping unit when they're available this summer.

Points to consider:
> Shelf-sized iPod speaker in compact form.
> Uses separate (but included) iCast transmitter as iPod dock.
> $399

Read Original Review: The SpeakerCast Wireless Speaker in MacLife

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RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
PROS:Clear sound with no interference; impressive range; supports multiple receivers.

The transmitter and receiver units of Soundcast’s [$179.99] iCast System are the largest of the units reviewed here, each roughly 6.75 inches wide, 3.5 inches deep, and 2.1 inches high at the center.The top of the transmitter unit has a power indicator light and an iPod dock cradle; six different dock adapters are included to accommodate 3G, mini, 4G, color/photo, nano, and fifth-generation iPod models. The back of the transmitter features a power input jack, a three-position channel switch, a 1/8-inch headphone jack, and a power input. The headphone jack doubles as an audio input when no iPod is docked, so the unit can actually be used, with the right cable, to transmit from any audio device with stereo output.

When an iPod is docked in the transmitter, the iPod’s controls function normally, except for the volume level; the iCast system grabs the line-level audio from the iPod’s dock-connector port. The transmitter also charges your iPod while the player is docked, but lacks any data connection, so it does not have the ability to sync your iPod with your computer.

The iCast receiver has a power indicator light along with three buttons for play/pause, forward, and back. Unfortunately, as with many other iPod-dock accessories, you can’t navigate your iPod’s menus, so navigating within large playlists can be a hassle; you’ll want to use the iPod’s own controls for that. The back of the receiver provides stereo RCA outputs, a three-channel selector to match the one on the receiver, and a power input.

Like the MP3 AirLink, the iCast System uses a 2.4 GHz signal to transmit, but the iCast transmitter and receiver employ a technique called direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), designed to avoid interference. And in fact the iCast exhibited none of the interference problems of the other systems reviewed here, while offering up top-notch sound. Despite plenty of equipment that might create interference, the system transmitted clear audio—from the far corners of the house, supporting Soundcast’s claims of a 350-foot signal range.

The lowdown
With iPod-specific features, the iHiFi and the iCast have the most to offer those looking to transmit iPod-hosted audio. The small, untethered design of the iHiFi transmitters are well suited for roaming around the house while using the iPod itself to control your listening experience. On the other hand, the iHiFi’s limited range, especially through walls, may keep you from roaming very far. If you need to transmit your music between two fixed points and each point can remain tethered to an A/C outlet, the iCast is more for you—its clear sound and resistance to interference provide a quality listening experience over a significantly longer range. (It’s noteworthy that these two products were also the most expensive.) If you need to use FM-radio technology, the Whole House Transmitter will do the job, although its performance in my testing wasn’t encouraging. Similarly, StarTech’s MP3 AirLink is much less expensive than the better-performing systems, but in this case, you apparently get what you pay for.

RATING: 4 (out of 5)

PROS:
Clear sound with no interference; impressive range; supports multiple receivers.

CONS:
Expensive; no volume control on transmitter; limited controls on receiver.

Read Original Review: The iCast Wireless Transmitter and Receiver in Macworld

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The iCast is a fabulous audio-streaming system.
iCast’s technology allows you to stream encrypted AAC tracks purchased from iTunes. 8 out of 10 stars.

Few party buzz-kills are more terminal than a cordless phone that shuts down your wireless music system every time it rings. Soundcast boasts you’ll never have that problem while using its iCast audio-streaming device for the iPod, and our tests back up the claim.

The iCast consists of a combo transmitter/iPod docking bay and a wireless receiver that you plug into powered speakers or a home-theater system. The transmitter charges the iPod’s battery while it’s docked, and a 1/8-inch stereo output enables you to plug in powered speakers. If there’s no iPod in the dock, the output connection automatically switches to an input, so you can stream audio from any other source.

You can build a two-room system by adding a second receiver ($130), and you can connect two transmitters to the same source to create a four-room system. To stream different audio to each room, assign each iPod/transmitter/receiver group to one of three channels to operate up to three iPods independently.

Because Apple refuses to open its DRM kimono to other manufacturers, some of our favorite audio-streaming products, such as the Sonos ZP-80 and the Squeezebox, can’t stream encrypted AAC tracks purchased from iTunes. The iCast overcomes this hurdle by taking the analog output from the iPod’s docking port, converting it to digital, and streaming that to its receiver. The receiver converts the signal back to analog and outputs it to either powered speakers or a home-theater system.

Despite these repeated conversions, the iCast sounded nearly as good as streaming boxes that can’t stream from iTunes. What’s more, the iCast’s use of frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology prevented our cordless phone and microwave oven from interrupting the party, er, music.

The iCast is a fabulous audio-streaming system, but the absence of a display on the receiver limits you to simple play, pause, and resume controls and blindly moving up and down your iPod’s playlist. Considering the $300 price tag, we also expected to find a USB port on the transmitter—so we could sync the iPod to iTunes using the cradle and our PC.

Verdict: 8

Read original review: The iCast Wireless Transmitter and Receiver in Maximum PC

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Soundcast’s technology avoids any interference.
Sure enough, even with the oven nuking and the phone transmitting there were no hiccups in the music.

Soundcast Systems came in to the office yesterday to show off their upcoming iCast and AudioCast products. They also brought a microwave oven, a 2.4GHz wireless phone, and a frequency analyzer to show how their technology avoids any interference. The iCast serves as a wireless link that can wirelessly connect your iPod to your stereo from as far as 150 feet away.

Sure enough, even with the oven nuking and the phone transmitting there were no hiccups in the music. This is pretty remarkable for a wireless audio system that uses the crowded, unregulated 2.4GHz band. PC Mag recently tested the StarTech Airlink, but it had problems with the microwave and phone on. According to the company, its advantage comes from using Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to dynamically change channels and it encounters interference.

The iCast and AudioCast are basically the same product, but the iCast is desigend to work with, and charge, iPods when docked. The AudioCast works with any audio source. The transmitter/receiver combination will cost $299 and you can purchase additional receivers for $129.

The bad news is that the products won't be on shelves until May or even June. The good news is that if you check out the company's Web site you can register to win a free Soundcast system when they start shipping. When review units are available we will get them in the lab and do some more rigorous interference testings.

Read original review: The iCast Wireless Transmitter and Receiver in GEARlog

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Wireless Speaker System: Abusive Lab Test!

The average home is filled with wireless signals, all bouncing around in the same limited spectrum space. This can foil a wireless sound system trying to transmit tunes around the house, but some setups handle interference better than others. We tested three systems, including two designed for multiroom use, against a grueling wireless traffic jam. Here’s how they fared.

The Tests:

We placed the transmitters and receivers in separate rooms, with a phalanx of interference-causing devices between them .

Bose
The only system to fail this test completely—interference ruined the signal.
Sonos
At first, the signal was completely blocked. But we switched channels and got clear, rich sound.
Soundcast
What interference?
Winner: Soundcast

How far can the wireless signal travel through a fixture-filled home? We walked the receivers down a concrete-filled apartment building to see.

Bose
The speaker got almost three stories from the transmitter before breaking into static.
Sonos
Once again, the sound called it quits just shy of three floors down.
Soundcast
Yep, three stories was the limit.
Winner: Three-way-tie

Bottom Line
The Bose is a practical (if pricey) one-speaker solution. But if your house is full of interference—or you want a multiroom rig—opt for the Sonos or SoundCast. The Sonos is more feature-filled, the SoundCast simpler.

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Wireless Speaker System: Abusive Lab Test!

The average home is filled with wireless signals, all bouncing around in the same limited spectrum space. This can foil a wireless sound system trying to transmit tunes around the house, but some setups handle interference better than others. We tested three systems, including two designed for multiroom use, against a grueling wireless traffic jam. Here’s how they fared.

The Tests:

We placed the transmitters and receivers in separate rooms, with a phalanx of interference-causing devices between them .

Bose
The only system to fail this test completely—interference ruined the signal.
Sonos
At first, the signal was completely blocked. But we switched channels and got clear, rich sound.
Soundcast
What interference?
Winner: Soundcast

How far can the wireless signal travel through a fixture-filled home? We walked the receivers down a concrete-filled apartment building to see.

Bose
The speaker got almost three stories from the transmitter before breaking into static.
Sonos
Once again, the sound called it quits just shy of three floors down.
Soundcast
Yep, three stories was the limit.
Winner: Three-way-tie

Bottom Line
The Bose is a practical (if pricey) one-speaker solution. But if your house is full of interference—or you want a multiroom rig—opt for the Sonos or SoundCast. The Sonos is more feature-filled, the SoundCast simpler.

Hide Full Review

Wireless Speaker System: Abusive Lab Test!

The average home is filled with wireless signals, all bouncing around in the same limited spectrum space. This can foil a wireless sound system trying to transmit tunes around the house, but some setups handle interference better than others. We tested three systems, including two designed for multiroom use, against a grueling wireless traffic jam. Here’s how they fared.

The Tests:

We placed the transmitters and receivers in separate rooms, with a phalanx of interference-causing devices between them .

Bose
The only system to fail this test completely—interference ruined the signal.
Sonos
At first, the signal was completely blocked. But we switched channels and got clear, rich sound.
Soundcast
What interference?
Winner: Soundcast

How far can the wireless signal travel through a fixture-filled home? We walked the receivers down a concrete-filled apartment building to see.

Bose
The speaker got almost three stories from the transmitter before breaking into static.
Sonos
Once again, the sound called it quits just shy of three floors down.
Soundcast
Yep, three stories was the limit.
Winner: Three-way-tie

Bottom Line
The Bose is a practical (if pricey) one-speaker solution. But if your house is full of interference—or you want a multiroom rig—opt for the Sonos or SoundCast. The Sonos is more feature-filled, the SoundCast simpler.

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