802.11 Audio w/ Speakers

Posted by: lamer

802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 19/08/2005 22:29

Does anyone have a recommendation for an 802.11 audio streaming "appliance"? (ugh, I hate using cheesy marketing lingo)... It really needs to have the speakers built in. Or, at least have a small amp built in.

I am looking for something to sit by the bathtub for the wife to listen to when she is "bubble bathing". Anyway, it can't involve multiple peices of equipment or be "ugly". I was looking at the Linksys WMLS11B. It looks like the most likely all-in-one solution. Any ideas are very welcome.
Posted by: SonicSnoop

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 20/08/2005 17:01

While checking out the Linksys one you posted I ran across a review for Philips Streamium MC-i250. Might be worth checking out.. got a better review rating then the linksys one.
Posted by: DWallach

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 20/08/2005 21:31

Another alternative may be one of these drop-in iPod gizmos. You've got a variety of vendors offering these things, at different price points and form factors.
Posted by: sein

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 21/08/2005 18:04

It has to be said, the Apple Airport Express is a neato little gadget. Really does what it says on the tin, you plug the little gadget into a socket, hook up whatever speakers you like and have any Windows/Mac PC be on the same wireless network as it. It just magically 'appears' as an output destination in iTunes, load up a playlist and away it goes.

Only thing is, how are you going to have these mains powered devices (the Airport and some little powered speakers) safe in the bathroom? Hmm... you could put them in the celing above the bathroom and have proper celing speakers and an amp up there. With some deft fibre optic work you could get a remote control working too.

That would be awesome!

(edit) Oh sorry, this doesn't pass the 'multiple devices' rule. But it may make it up in coolness factor?
Posted by: Dylan

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 22/08/2005 13:20

It's not exactly what you asked for but I have a Tivoli Pal and it's a nice device. It has a minijack input so you can use it with any portable player. It also has a good radio tuner so you could use it wirelessly with an iPod+iTrip. It doesn't satisfy your one device requirement but it also doesn't have to be plugged into the wall which is a nice tradeoff. I don't think it'll survive getting dropped in the tub but they claim "weather resistance" so it should be ok if it gets splashed.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 22/08/2005 17:16

In the States, building code requires that outlets in the bathroom be GFI outlets, and they seem to work pretty darned well. Even if his aren't GFI, they're pretty easy to swap in (and only cost maybe $5), so safety shouldn't be a big concern.
Posted by: SonicSnoop

Re: 802.11 Audio w/ Speakers - 24/08/2005 00:07

Could also just get a mp3 player and some cheap computerspeakers and hook them up and not worry bout streaming..