Of course, the niftiest aspect of the OutCast's design is its ability to be completely wireless and weatherproof. Once you charge up the battery (rated for 10 hours) and close the port flaps, the speaker can withstand a healthy dose of wet while receiving wireless audio from the iCast, which can be up to 350 feet away, inside and out of the elements. The OutCast features an array of buttons on the top, including play/pause and track shuttle keys that can be used to control an iPod docked in the iCast. There are also power and volume buttons, as well as a key that controls a blue ambient light at the bottom of the speaker. The OutCast can be used as a standalone speaker as well, though that takes away from its water-resistance, since the audio-in port must be uncovered in order to connect a source.
Setting up the OutCast couldn't be simpler. The first thing you'll need to do is install the OutCast's battery, which is a bit of a chore and requires a screwdriver, but it's not a difficult process. Then, just plop your iPod into the iCast, connect the power cable, make sure the iCast and OutCast are on the same channel, and hit play. Music pumps out immediately. The playback controls on the speaker work just fine, though the response delay increases the further the speaker is from the base. The wireless performance in general is great: no hiccups from more than 100 feet away through several office walls.
The star of the show, though, is sound quality. The OutCast features four 3-inch tweeters, which are arranged around the center of the speaker in order to output sound in all directions. There's also a 100-watt digital amplifier and an 8-inch downward firing subwoofer. This means that music not only gets exceptionally loud, it also offers truly powerful bass--you can feel it thumping in your chest (the true test of any good speaker, in our book). Audio is expansive, encompassing, and clear--all things we expect from a unit in this price range. If you're looking for an easy way to port impressive wireless audio from your living room to your patio, the OutCast is an excellent choice.
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Where to buy
Soundcast OutCast:
$695.00 - $799.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$799.00 | No |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$695.00 | Yes |
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$799.99 | Yes |
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