I am a bit torn about Avega’s wireless speaker solution. On the one hand, anyone that is looking for 5.1 (or more) surround sound knows that it can be difficult to run the wires around a room. So when I heard about high-fidelity wireless speakers, I was psyched. Not so quick, though. While you can connect a DVD player directly to the speakers that will have built in decoding, I see no reason why they shouldn’t offer some sort of module for adapting it to current receivers. I am not looking for more decoding capabiility, just a speaker that I can connect wirelessly. And all that additional technology in the speakers gets me is a higher price tag.
I shouldn’t be too hard on them, though, since from all accounts these speakers with built in amplifiers offer great sound. As a solution to playing music off your stereo, they are awesome. Great as a media center solution as well. And as a way to listen to your iPod at home, probably no one offers a more expensive solution.
They were supposed to launch their Oyster line this March after a great CES showing, but something held them up. They claim it was not technical issues, so we will just have to assume there was some business related reason.
In time I am sure all needs will be met. Mine may be met by finally breaking down and building a Media Center PC, but I would like options and I am sure others would as well. Avega will probably be licensing the technology and components to others, and I have heard prices could range from $300-$5,000.
