Dynaudio Unleashes Xeo Remote-Controlled, Wireless Speakers

Wireless audio is quickly becoming a popular trend, with manufacturers of all types hopping on the bandwagon.

The latest is well-respected Danish brand Dynaudio, which has introduced its Xeo wireless solution at CES 2012.

Dynaudio's series has a bookshelf and a floorstanding active loudspeaker model, the Xeo 3 and Xeo 5, respectively. They get paired with an Xeo Transmitter device and remote control for a solution in which the company says, "No loudspeaker cables, no D/A converters, no amplifiers, no set-up software, no plug-in or no IP address are needed."

The transmitter sends digital music signals to the loudspeakers, which process in the digital realm until amplification, the company says.

For content, the Xeo Transmitter can feed music from a connected source and send it uncompressed to the active speakers. Dynaudio says the device supports full CD resolution as well as higher-res 24-bit/48kHz files, which it can send up to 50 meters (or up to 100 in a boundary-less space).

The transmitter contains an optical (Toslink) digital input and a mini USB digital input, as well as a stereo mini jack and RCA stereo inputs. The speakers do need to be connected to power, and the transmitter has to link to the connected sound source.

Dynaudio adds that a single Xeo Transmitter can route wireless audio to a second pair of Xeo speakers in another room and third pair in a third room, facilitating a multizone installation. Because each speaker set has its own remote control, the company notes, each pair of Xeos can wirelessly play separate sources with independent volume control.

Dynaudio is targeting a March shipment, with retail pricing of $2,300 for an Xeo 3 set (one pair of speakers, one transmitter, one remote) and $4,500 for the Xeo 5 set. Individual speaker sets will be $1,950/pair and $4,150/pair, respectively, and $350 for an individual transmitter.