Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
something that might not have been a prototype for the new Wireless whatever-it-is One of my favorite Dilbert quotes. "I don't know what that is but that looks like a great one of those." .
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 353
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 353 |
I'm really looking forward to the Axiom Airplay... In the interim there was a local deal spilling the Pioneer A3 DLNA speakers cheap, and FYI here is my first impressions a posted on the JRiver Media Center site: Just arrived and setup. First impressions: - Easy to setup with a wired connection first, then configured the wireless from Its web page - Updated Firware just fine - Works on Wireless just fine - Supports LCPM @ 2ch at 44.1 or 48hz (setup a profile in MC and associted it with the speaker)
Audio quality is "OK". Certainly not a high fidelity box, more of a small room or workshop quality as it gets quite boomy at high volumes (and you need that to get reasonable sound pressure levels... and even then it will never fill a large space).... but this is what I would expect from a $125 setup.
I've not had a chance to test how it goes with Sync in a multi room setup (I've had all sorts of probs with mutltiple devices getting out of sync).
There is also a Android (and iOS) app but why bother, as remotes like Gizmo/EOS controls it all.
Verdict? For A$125 (US$110) it is a great buy as you get - DLNA Connectivity to MC & Control from Remote Apps (Gizmo, EOS etc) - Battery Operated - Wired / Wireless Support - Acceptable sound quality for casual listening.
The original price was $400... and at that price point it would be overpriced.
HT:M80,VP150,QS8,EP500 Outside:4xM3 Office:AudioBytes, Rumpus: M60,VP150,M22 Portable:2 x Airs
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 313
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 313 |
PeachTree 65se, PeachTree D5 and SVS SB1000 - Stereo M80s, M22s, SVS PB3000
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021 Likes: 1 |
Here's your chance to help us design the perfect speaker! We think there is a need on the market today for a pair of audiophile-quality Airplay-enabled speakers, for people who like both great sound and easy-to-use products. We're intrigued by the possibility of creating an Airplay Speaker that allows for easy interfacing with an iTunes account running anywhere on your home network. We’ve been tossing ideas around internally, but we would really love to hear what you are looking for in a networked speaker. Do you think it's enough to be Airplay-enabled only, or do you think Android is where it's at and that we need to look at a speaker solution that supports both MAC and Android operating systems? What about Bluetooth? How important is portability to you? Is it enough to have a pair of speakers you could just plug into a wall outlet anywhere in the range of your Wifi network that would stream music from your iTunes, or do you want something with a battery pack so that you can take it outside with you? Stereo, or single speaker solution? We’d love to hear your thoughts – help us design the perfect speaker! I'm not familiar with Airplay but I am interested in a portable unit with Axiom branding, are there any tidbits you can share while we wait? You must be (hopefully) very busy with sales, I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. Blair
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
I was ready to buy a portable solution this summer for my deck. My wife wasn't ready for Algonquins as there are none to few inconspicuous places to put them. It's also a harsh environment with a north or nor east wind bringing a ton of salt spray that eats away at, well, everything.
I was hopefully holding out for an Axiom solution I could support but the summer is waning. Hopefully by next spring there will be something to try out as I'll probably break down and get something else. This summer was crazy so there was a reprieve.
It will be a tough market though as there are a lot of options now so hopefully they are planning something worth the wait.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8
President connoisseur
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President connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,387 Likes: 8 |
Hi Murph,
I think you will find it was worth the wait. We will be posting some further information on the Axiom Play wireless platform later today or tomorrow for everyone's input.
Ian Colquhoun President & Chief Engineer
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Contractually required to wait until after the Apple event, eh?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015 |
I'd prefer one with a fish tank front with some guppies swimming around in it.
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Brian, your cats have signed onto your Axiom account again.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Designing The Axiom Airplay Speaker
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 334 Likes: 5
Axiom Engineer devotee
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Axiom Engineer devotee
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 334 Likes: 5 |
AxiomPlay Wireless Platform
We are finally far enough along with our hardware and firmware prototyping to begin outlining and discussing our new AxiomPlay wireless platform. The term platform is important as our plan is to employ this new technology within a number of different systems from an all-in-one single speaker system with battery power that can be used both indoors and outdoors to active desktop speakers, stereo pre-amps, and a module that can be installed during production in any of our existing speaker models. We will be starting with the bookshelf models and adding the others as we make the necessary circuitry to employ higher powered amplifiers. The current amplifier is 75 watts RMS per channel.
Much of our time over the past year (or two) was dedicated to evaluating and assessing the various systems already in the marketplace and the streaming technologies available. As many of you know, we originally intended to design a dedicated Airplay speaker, which would use a specific hardware platform. Our research suggested that this would be far too limiting for most people, many of whom do not own iDevices and prefer Android and other platforms. Thus began a search for how best to offer the widest range of device compatibility. At the end of all this work, and looking forward to the potential for new technologies, we decided that a fixed hardware system would be too limiting and decided to use an SoC (system on chip) based microcomputer to perform the various streaming and interface functions. Strapped to this embedded system is a high-quality, stereo DAC (digital to analog converter) capable of native playback up to 24bit/192kHz.
Now, without further ado, here is the current feature list:
WiFi and Ethernet network connectivity. Wireless WiFi hotspot for use outdoors and anywhere that a WiFi network is not available. Direct streaming from smartphone/tablet/computer via UPnP. Direct streaming via Airplay. Playback from attached USB sticks or USB hard drives. Playback from NAS. Playback of internet radio stations. Web-based GUI for setup, playback control, and volume (USB/NAS/Internet Radio).
We are also working on allowing multiple AxiomPlay devices to be named and controlled from any network connected device with a web browser, allowing a simple to configure and use whole-home audio system.
As always, your input and suggestions are extremely valuable as we move forward with this exciting project!
Last edited by Andrew; 09/10/14 03:26 PM.
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