Mac OS Streaming / AirPlayer and Active Speakers...?

[Beechwoods]

I'm looking for a simple, preferably portable way of wirelessly streaming audio to a device that could be moved from room to room, from the various Mac OSX laptops we have around the house, or my iPhone, for background listening, or quick 'have a listen to this' moments.

The iHome iW1 (http://ihomeaudiointl.com/discover/airplay/) ticks the simplicity boxes, but I'm pretty sure it's got some very wimpy drivers on the front of it, and you'd basically be looking at a Roberts' radio with 'Airplay' capability, for about 4 times the price of a Roberts'!

I would like something that didn't take a lot of lugging around, but an Airport Express and some Active Speakers might square the circle of functionality versus performance. Does anyone have experience of good small Active Speakers in this context?

It's my birthday next month, so I'm looking for ideas :eyebrows:

[StanleyB]

Try THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PHILIPS-Streamium-NP2500-12-Network-Music-Player-/260727225217?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cb48dbb81). I am thinking of getting one myself. It supports FLAC, has a digital output, and can handle internet radio.

[Beechwoods]

Thanks Stan. Does the Streamium have it's own internal speakers, or is it just a streaming device that squirts into an external amp and speaker?

[StanleyB]

If you need inbuilt speakers, Philips do a range of them as well. But the one that caught my eyes is THIS (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Philips-Streamium-CD-Micro-Hi-Fi-System-MCi298-05-/250751560500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a61f52b34) on.

[webby]

This is just the thread for me. I bought a Sonos just after Christmas to stream music from my mac into the lounge. It kinda works great when you set it up correctly but I'm thinking of sending it back. I was experiencing skipping and found out that it doesn't support a wireless connection; the source must be wired to your router. So I did that, then I experienced music stopping although the play bar was still moving and I was told on the Sonos forum that to be immune from such issues I should use a NAS drive. Well, I don't have one, and I'm not prepared to splash out more money to make this work. I never have skipping or stopping using my airport express unit.

So, I'm now back to square one and considering whether to go with the AE and active speakers such as the audioengine A5's or standard passive bookshelf speakers and use a small, very small, amp. What I want is a system that's almost invisible bar the speakers. My budget is £400 so I'd say that rules out a sb touch with speakers.

Ultimately, I'm quite disappointed with the Sonos cos I don't have the equipment required to make it work at it's best.

[Beechwoods]

I must admit I really like the AE + Speakers option because I've found the AE I have 100% reliable with things like Airfoil and Airplay. Some Active speakers also have a 240v out on the back, into which the AE can be plugged.

I'm cautious about some small actives though as many are designed for PC gamers, and I'm not sure about how they'd sound.

Something like this looks interesting though:
http://www.studiospares.com/studio-monitors/tannoy-reveal-501a-x1-active-monitor/invt/412500/?htxt=OOr2TnTFCMv8ER1PoPLG%2B48hog%2B%2Ba3hWaBINrK mBxanULdH7Ml%2FfwvIz6GNv9YOJBLU5qddh5qWo%0Als%2B4H Ry9iQ%3D%3D

[Alex_UK]

I'm slightly biased as my mate works for the company that owns them, but the M-Audio range (http://www.maudio.co.uk/index.php?do=products.family&ID=studiomonitors) sound very good - the Studiophile BX5a Deluxe (http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/StudiophileBX5aDeluxe.html) (snappy little title, courtesy of the Americans!) is a cracking pair of speakers, as my mate uses them with an AE at his house. They're around £200.

The DSM1 (http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/StudiophileDSM1.html) also looks interesting - digital inputs, and only £269... (plus they're prettier, IMHO...)

I've bought some of the lower models in the past for use with multimedia presentations in some of the offices I look after and they have all been really good, reliable and look quite smart, even the little AV30s will fill a small office to a reasonable level.

Full range stocked here (http://www.dv247.com/search/2940/1760/ProductPrice/Ascending/-/1/) (no connection with them, just plucked them from the dealer list of the M-Audio site but they seem to give a 4 year guarantee (http://www.dv247.com/page/Terms#four-year-warranty).)

I'm probably ordering some to go with my Roku Soundbridge to give me a compact streaming solution for the dining room - not sure which, yet...

[webby]

Be aware that a lot of the monitor type speakers are priced for one speaker only.

[webby]

I must admit I really like the AE + Speakers option because I've found the AE I have 100% reliable with things like Airfoil and Airplay. Some Active speakers also have a 240v out on the back, into which the AE can be plugged.

I'm cautious about some small actives though as many are designed for PC gamers, and I'm not sure about how they'd sound.

Something like this looks interesting though:
http://www.studiospares.com/studio-monitors/tannoy-reveal-501a-x1-active-monitor/invt/412500/?htxt=OOr2TnTFCMv8ER1PoPLG%2B48hog%2B%2Ba3hWaBINrK mBxanULdH7Ml%2FfwvIz6GNv9YOJBLU5qddh5qWo%0Als%2B4H Ry9iQ%3D%3D

Yes, sorry to jump on your thread Nick, but looks like I'm in the same boat as you so I'll be following with interest as well as posting any info I find.

[webby]

p.s. I also found that the sonos requires iTunes album art to be under 256kb in order to display it on the ipad/iphone/ipod touch controller app. This meant over half of my artwork didn't display, and when it did, it took too long to download it, whereas the apple remote app displays art very quickly.

[webby]

....and use a small, very small, amp. What I want is a system that's almost invisible bar the speakers.

I'm thinking a desktop amp would suit here but don't know where to start. Can a headphone amp be used?

[Alex_UK]

I'm thinking a desktop amp would suit here but don't know where to start. Can a headphone amp be used?

There's been lots of discussions recently about Mini-T and Bantams and such like - (Class T amps) which are pretty small and get raved about in certain quarters - have a mooch about the forum as I'm no expert and haven't read the posts in detail but Gazjam and Geryy (jandl100) both seem to be having fun with Class T from memory.

EDIT - try this: http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?45670-quot-Mini-T-quot-T-Amp-TA2020-20wpc-and-%A360-UK-delivered.-eBay-bargain

[webby]

Thanks Alex.

Any word on Q Acoustics speakers?