Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System
This multi functional media dock from Directed Electronics features the most versatile amplified dock with a patented NXT stereo sound panel. The Soloist delivers 20 watts of clear dynamic sound from plainly plugging in your sirius radio
Bring your Sirius satellite radio receiver or iPod to life with the Soloist universal sound system. Boasting a series of docking cradles and adapters for keeping the Sirius Sportster 3 and 4, Starmate 3 and 4, Stiletto SL100 and SL10, and Stratus receivers, along with a discerned cradle that holds all dockable iPods, the sound system serves as an idealisti audio centerpiece for your bedroom, office, or basement rec room. Simply drop your preferent audio device into one of the docking cradles and you’re set. Listeners will love the Soloist’s rich, elaborated sound, which employs patented NXT honeycomb flat-panel speaker engineering science to create a dynamic, powerful audio performance. The flat-panel surfaces vibrate seamlessly to provide a full audio range, while the four built-in exciters are coupled at lower frequencies to flesh out the bass response. The resulting sonic footprint resonates in all directions, making this a far more immersive scheme than most integrated speaker models.
The Soloist receives high-quality satellite reception thanks to it is indoor/outdoor antenna, which includes a 21-foot connection cable. For best results, listeners will have to place the antenna on the roof (the antenna is to a complete degree waterproof), where it’s more likely to find a clear path to the satellite signals. However, the antenna may still work well if located on the side of the house or near a window, provided it receives an unobstructed view of the sky.
The Soloist is also equipped with an LCD display that coordinates the built-in clock, source, timers, and other functions. The full-featured alarm and sleep timer, meanwhile, come in handy must you locate the Soloist in a bedroom. The alarm lets you wake to one of Sirius’s more than 130 digital streams–including music, news, talk, sports, or entertainment–as well as recorded Sirius content or an iPod playlist. The sleep timer works in the opposite direction, playing your Sirius or iPod tunes for 10 to 90 minutes (in 10-minute increments) until you fall asleep.
Other details include a 20-watt Tripath amplifier; five built-in equalization settings (flat, classic, rock, pop, and jazz); a dynamic bass boost function that improves the low frequency response; a USB connection for hooking up to your PC; line and auxiliary inputs and a line output for connecting external audio roots to the system; a headphone jack for private listening; and a wireless remote with buttons for almost all of the system’s functions, including a 0-9 direct keypad for selecting Sirius channels. The Soloist, which measures 12.62 by 7.88 by 4.62 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one- year warranty.
What’s in the Box
Soloist sound system, AC/DC power adapter with 6-foot cord, wireless remote with battery, antenna with 21-foot cord, Sportster docking cradle, Starmate/Stratus cradle adapter, Stiletto docking cradle, iPod docking cradle, clock battery, user’s manual.
Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System Picture
Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System Image
Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System Image
Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System Picture
Worth the extra expense
The way I look at this product, is that it serves all the necessary functions of the Stiletto Home Kit, while packing in sufficient extra features to be worth the extra fifty bucks or so. The biggest feature is plainly the speaker, so you won’t have to undertake to patch your Stiletto through an FM radio in order to be capable to listen to it. The other is that it has a link-in for your iPod as well. This isn’t just an auxiliary jack to plug your iPod into; it acutally has an iPod docking station, you may recharge and even, it appears, sync up using the attached USB port. That said, there are a few issues that prevent this product from being flawless. It won’t funtion as a dock for older Sirius radios; I believe the Starmate 3 is the oldest compatible model. In addition, it can’t dock an iPod and a radio at the same time; there are a few awkward and easy to loose adapters that you have to keep on stand by in order unplug and switch amidst the two; I estimate that switching from a Stiletto to an iPod could take up to five minutes. Lastly, my greatest issue with the device is the remote. Since not all of the functions are buttons on the actual body of the device, if you loose the remote, you will no longer be competent to do sure things. Granted, you may still be competent to imput them directly from the sirius radio, but the manual for the product proposes that you don’t do this. The remotes that come with the radios do still work even when the device is docked. My final issue with the remote is that it is not as easy to interface with the Stiletto as it is when undocked. In fact, there appear to be a few fuctions that are not available from the remote.
Sweet Sounds!
Before I get too into this review, I would like to say that this review is with regards to the Soloist Universal Sound System, not the Sirius Service nor in regards to my reception (this rocks for me, but your mileage may vary).. Thanks, now on to my modest review.
I received the soloist to go along with my Stiletto 100, and was without delay put off by the skinny speakers. I’m employed to having huge sounds from more prominent speakers, so when I saw these little things, I in truth expected a tinny, treble sound. I was faulty when it comes to this. Maybe it doesn’t have the power to shake your house, but it’s got a full, rich sound that works well for everything from metal to talk radio, with more than sufficient volume to fill my room, and, if I do not forget right (I’m not looking at it right now) but I believe it’s got a line out to power your monster system. The Stiletto fits in with a little plastic bit that covers the bottom of the unit as well as keeping it in place.
I don’t particularly care for the little plastic bits, and I’m sure if I *HAD* to, I could find them again, but they’re so easy to misplace..
If I had an iPod, I could connect it to the Soloist, but I don’t, so I haven’t, but it’s nice to know that I may (if you want to send me an iPod to “test” I’ll happily do so, but can’t guarantee that you’ll get it back, call it a donation, I’ll agree with you)
Anyway, it’s also got a line in, and that works nicely for another mp3 player, or, like me, to test an XM radio before I gave it to my dad.
It’s also got an alarm, that I’ve used on a few occasions, and it seems to work well (I haven’t been late for work due to the alarm, just my laziness, and obsession with writing reviews for Amazon rather of getting ready for work).
Overall, I’m very happy with the unit, and more than a little suprised by the quality of the sound of the device, and would commend it (and have) to anybody who’s got a radio or iPod that fits it.
One system for multiple devices
After getting a Sirius radio for Christmas I wanted to find something to listen to it indoors as well. I searched around for a while and in the end came throughout this product. I love the sleek style of the device and the capacity to use this for both the Sirius radio AND my Ipod as well. The capacity to use this for both appliances would give it 5 stars but I have not experienced any difficulties with the reception indoors like the other reviewer. I have this on my computer desk where I have difficultnesses with cell phone reception but am competent to get reception without a problem – I was in truth shocked that I didn’t have to move the antenna around a lot before I could get it working.
|