Hi! I wrote to the list a few days ago with my review of the Soundlink Air Speaker system, this system will play streams from Apple "Airplay" devices such as IOS devices, computers - Both Windows PC and Mac -, amplifiers, video Media Boxes and so on, I received the external rechargeable battery for the Soundlink Air and what follows are my observations of this handy addition to the system.
Attaching the battery pack to the Soundlink Air system is incredibly easy, a piece from the back of the Soundlink Air is removed by inserting a coin or similar object into a slot on the rear of the unit and turning anti clockwise. The battery pack takes the place of the removed plate, you can feel the connector of the battery and the system make contact, once that's done you insert your coin into the slot on the battery, push in, turn clockwise and the catch snaps into place. The bolge of the battery pack an inch or so out from the system makes for an interesting feel to say the least, well batteries have to go somewhere <smile>. A full charge of the battery takes 10 hours according to the Soundlink Air's Owners manual and battery life is around 3 hours of maximum volume. Please don't be miss lead by the battery life figure, whilst battery life is probably 3 hours on battery at full volume, I can assure you that you would not want one of these Soundlink Air systems running at volume anywhere near you unless your ears don't work at all or unless you wish to demolish your house, annoy the neighbours etc, I've done some testing and I've managed 9 hours out of the Soundlink Air at a slightly louder than normal volume, you can set the volume of the unit through an "Airplay" device such as your computer or iPhone so you know the level. Getting 10 hours out of an "Airplay" device along with excellent audio quality is - in my view - quite impressive given that the speaker system not only has to process and play the audio but also has to use a fair amount of power to stay connected to your Wi-Fi network. To other matters regarding the Soundlink Air, one of the most widely distributed myths about this system is that you need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to use it? Let me start by saying then that yes, you do need a Wi-Fi connection for "Airplay" streaming but the Soundlink Air doesn't have to connect to your Home Network in order for "Airplay" to work. If you're on the road or at a barbecue with say iPhone and Soundlink Air and you want music then you can connect your iPhone to the Soundlink Air's own built-in Wi-Fi network and start streaming directly to the unit. If you're not planning to use the Bose Soundlink Air at all with "Airplay" then the Wi-Fi component of the system can be switched off, the Soundlink Air will still work through the Line-in Jack. Firmware updates can be applied to the Soundlink Air when they become available and this can be done in either of 2 ways, either by holding down a series of buttons on the Bose Soundlink Air's remote or by downloading the update through your computer and transferring to the Soundlink Air through its micro USB port, I prefer the former method. ********** Dane Trethowan Skype: grtdane12 Phone US (213) 438-9741 Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598 Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589 Mobile: +61400494862 Fax +61397437954 To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: pc-audio-unsubscr...@pc-audio.org
