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DreamGear i.Sound Wireless Waves FM Transmitter review

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CNET Editors' Rating

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The good: The i.Sound Wireless Waves is an inexpensive small FM audio transmitter that works with any audio source with a headphone jack.

The bad: The Wireless Waves has poor sound quality and an extremely limited station selection.

The bottom line: Unless it's selling in the dollar bin, steer clear of the i.Sound Wireless Waves FM transmitter.

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Small, portable FM transmitters can be a convenient way to wirelessly broadcast your MP3 player to a nearby radio. Some popular transmitters, such as the Griffin iTrip, work only with Apple's iPod line of MP3 players, while universal transmitters such as the i.Sound Wireless Waves ($35) can be used with any portable music player with a 3.5mm headphone jack. While universal products certainly are handy in today's ever-changing sea of gadgets, the i.Sound Wireless Waves simply has too many drawbacks for us to recommend it.

The Wireless Waves FM transmitter measures 3 inches by 1.5 inches by 0.75 inch, and is connected to a 7-inch-long white cable that ends in a 3.5mm headphone plug. Unlike the majority of portable FM transmitters, such as the Belkin TuneCast II or the DLO Transdock, the Wireless Waves omits the useful digital tuner display. Instead, the front of the Wireless Waves has just one button that is used to turn the device on and off, as well as switch between four predefined stations. A battery compartment is located on the back of the Wireless Waves, concealing a space for the two AAA batteries that power it.

If there's one great reason to avoid the i.Sound Wireless Waves, it's the fact that there's no way to fine-tune the FM transmitter. If you're searching for an empty channel to broadcast your music on, the Wireless Waves only offers four stations: 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7. If none of those stations are satisfactory, then you're out of luck. By spending just $10 more, you could get one of the aforementioned competitors and have luxurious control of the full FM frequency band.

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Donald Bell has spent more than 5 years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series. Full Bio

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