Short Version: The EOS wireless audio system is dead simple to set up and use, although a high price tag and so-so sound quality might keep some people away.
Overview and Features:
- Base station with iPod dock transmits audio to wireless speakers up to 150 feet away
- Features 3.5-inch auxiliary input for connecting to other music-playing devices
- Speakers are 2.1 stereo — left and right channel, plus back-firing subwoofer
- Uses proprietary 2.4GHz transmission to avoid interference
- Core kit comes with base station and one wireless speaker for $249 – additional speakers are $129.99 each
Pros:
Setting up the EOS system couldn’t have been easier — if you can plug things into wall outlets, you’re 95% there. The speakers are designed to either plug directly into an outlet and “float” or you can detach the AC adapter from the back of the speaker if you want to move it away from the wall to, say, a bookshelf or countertop. I had everything set up and playing in about five minutes. It’s super easy.
Wireless audio transmission was absolutely interference-free, which is refreshing for a wireless system. The EOS speakers sounded pretty good, although it was still somewhat obvious that they were wireless. You’d probably be able to fool regular folk, though, as each speaker features both a left and right channel and a subwoofer, which is far more ambitious than most wireless speakers setups.
Cons:
First and foremost, the EOS system is a bit pricey. The kit I tested consisted of the core system – which consists of the base station and one speaker – plus three add-on speakers. Total out of pocket cost for that setup would be $249.99 plus $129.99 per extra speaker ($389.97), for a grand total of $639.96.
Granted, you can just buy the base system and add speakers as you go, but keep in mind that the system only supports up to four total wireless speakers, so you’d be somewhat limited in your coverage if you have a big house.
And the sound quality, while free of interference, is still a bit tinny on the high end and songs with deep bass end up sounding pretty muddy. I ended up testing some bass-heavy songs with an iPod Touch, with the EOS plugged into my computer, and with the EOS plugged into a SanDisk Sansa Clip and the speakers bottomed out and distorted with each device when trying to handle songs with low, low bass.
Recommendation:
If you’re not put off by the price tag and you’ll be listening to relatively tame music at moderate levels (or podcasts and other voice-only stuff), then the ease of use as far as setup and functionality are concerned make the EOS system worth a closer look.
Product Page [EosWireless.com]
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