A quite nice looking 2.1ch setup from Rio Japan comes in the form of the new "Rio LIVE air." The "air" part of the name clearly refers to the fact that the speakers are wireless.

Rio Japan will release the "Rio LIVE air" 2.1ch active speaker system that can wirelessly connect to audio components, o­n December 24th. The price is Open Price. The price o­n Rio Japan's direct sale site, "Rio eStore," is 39,800 yen.

The system is comprised of a compact wireless transmission unit, and a 2.1ch active speaker setup that contains a receiving uni. It is a digital wireless transmission system using the 2.4GHz band, and is intended to be used for connection to portable audio devices. By o­nly connecting the transmission unit to the earphone output of a portable audio device, music can be played from afar o­n the 2.1ch speakers.

Audio input into the transmission unit is compressed using the SBC codec (384 ~ 512kbps), and is sent. The maximum range is about 10m. Also featured is Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) that avoids any sort of electromagnetic interference, meaning audio can be transmitted with stability.

The compact transmission unit has external dimensions of 98 x 29 x 15mm (W x D x H), and features an internal lithium ion battery. Its weight, including the battery, is 50g. Charging it for about 3 hours will give a continuous playback time of 8 hours. Also, it is furnished with a USB connector, and by connecting it to a PC with a USB cable, it can operate as a USB sound source. The PC audio is wirelessly transmitted, and played o­n the speakers.

Inside the receiver unit is a subwoofer. This woofer contains a digital amplifier, and is rated for maximum output of 2W; the left and right channels are full range at 1W x 2ch. The woofer unit has a 55mm diameter. It has a round shape, with external dimensions 100 x 103mm (diameter x height, not including antenna). Furthermore, the woofer is equipped with a stereo mini audio jack, allowing for playback from devices using a wired connection.

The speakers also use round enclosures with dimensions of 45 x 177~207mm (aperture x height). o­n top of the enclosure lies the full range unit, pointing towards the heavens, giving them a 360 degree directionless audio. However, a transparent reflector plate is also o­n the top part of the enclosure, and by pointing this reflector in a certain direction, the audio will bounce off, and go to that direction.

The frequency respond of the entire speaker system is 30Hz ~ 20kHz. An AC adapter, speaker cable, stereo mini audio cable, and USB cable are included.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20041216/rio.htm

Press Release:
http://www.rioaudio.jp/company/pressrelease2004/017_RioLIVEair.html

Product Information:
http://www.rioaudio.jp/product/accessories/LIVEair/index.html