My concern with these devices is that they seldom have any meaningful audio specs, so basically you don’t know what you’re getting.
For instance, the Dayton specs frequency response as 20-20 kHz. Where’s the deviation figure? It could be down 15 dB at either end (or both!) and still meet the stated specification. Has anyone taken frequency response measurements of their subs before and after a wireless device like the Dayton was inserted into the signal chain?
Then there is a spec called THD + N of "-60 dB @ 1kHz." What does that mean? Typically THD is given as a percentage.
And the S/N spec: “+ 85 dB @ 1 kHz.” Totally bogus. A good S/N spec should be broadband 20 Hz – 20 kHz (a.k.a. unweighted). A less stringent S/N standard commonly used in hi-fi A/V components is A-weighted, which discounts the high and low end. But a S/N spec at 1 kHz? And a poor one at that? It could be miles above “+85 dB” anywhere else in the frequency spectrum and meet the published specs.
Another potential issue is that the 2.4 GHz operating range is crowed with all sorts of residential devises like wireless routers and cordless phones (at least the latter is getting more scarce).
Basically, cheap wireless audio can a roll of the dice. As far as I know, about the only way to get wireless audio with something resembling hi-fi audio specifications is with professional gear. And even then you have to look pretty hard, and be willing to pay a high price. A cursory look of offerings from the three major players in pro-audio wireless – Audio Technica, Shure and Sennheiser – found that only the Shure ULX-D1 system offers reliable audiophile-grade specifications – FR 20 Hz – 20 khz +/- 1dB; THD <0.1%; dynamic range 120 dB A-weighted (not exactly an unweighted S/R spec, but still a reasonably reliable indicator of system noise). A ULX-D1 transmitter and receiver is going to set you back between $6-700.
Granted, less-than-stellar THD and noise aren’t big issues for a subwoofer application, but frequency response sure is. Even with that lone benchmark, it’s hard to find even a pro audio system that spec’s down to 20 Hz. And if your sub is capable of plunging to subterranean depths, use at your own risk.
Regards,
Wayne
