Forget piles and piles of CDs and bulky cases taking up space in your home – streaming audio is the way to go these days. Internet radio and on-demand music stations like Pandora and Spotify are allowing consumers to listen to music in a whole new way. There are a variety of whole home options for listening to your favorite tunes well known to audio visual professionals and music junkies, but for consumers looking for amazing sound and a big name, there’s a new whole-home streaming “kid” in town: Bose.
Bose, one of the most well-known brands for many consumers, recently launched its first internet radio and streaming audio product in the SoundTouch Wi-Fi line. The line, featuring three different systems, is a one-piece receiver and speaker that will allow users to stream music from the web or their own purchased or stored collection. Units include Apple Airplay to give consumers easy access to music on their iOS devices. Given Bose’s market penetration, hefty advertising budget, and extensive dealer network, the line is sure to impress consumers – and give competitors, like Sonos and NuVo, a run for their money.
Bose boasts a simple, one-touch setup for the SoundTouch Wi-Fi, and a guided app for the initial setup. The systems include six presets that are easily changed both on the system and through the free SoundTouch app, so you can change your music with the touch of a button. The SoundTouch app can also be used to browse your own music library or any of the connected streaming music services offered.
The Bose SoundTouch Wi-Fi brand will offer systems in various sizes and at several price points to fit any kind of room and budget. The SoundTouch 30 Wi-Fi is the largest and most powerful of the three, measuring 10x17x7 inches, and is recommended as the main unit. The SoundTouch 20 Wi-Fi is a slightly smaller unit built for bedrooms, kitchens, or smaller rooms and apartments. The SoundTouch Portable Wi-Fi system is built to move around your room, and even works in outdoor areas; the system also includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The systems are priced at $699.95, $399.95 and $399.95 respectively.
Bose is likely to build on this system by adding other features (such as additional streaming music partners) and systems (the SoundTouch Stereo JC Wi-Fi that connects to Bose Jewel Cube Speakers, weather-resistant outdoor speakers, and TVs that will be enabled for SoundTouch integration set to launch in 2014).
The SoundTouch Wi-Fi system is available for purchase now, and will likely be a big player in whole-home audio in the months to come.
*photo credit Bose