Dayton Audio Sub-Link 2.4 Wireless Audio Transmitter

[Asere]

Has anyone had any experience with this transmitter? I want to place one of my subs next to the couch near field without having to use a cable since I have tile with only a large throw rug and don't want the cable exposed.
SVS sells this product on their site.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

We sold a ton of them when I was working with SVS and rarely had any issues with them. They need to be somewhat line of sight, but they do work well.

 

[Asere]

We sold a ton of them when I was working with SVS and rarely had any issues with them. They need to be somewhat line of sight, but they do work well.

Thank you Sonnie! I took a leap of faith yesterday and ordered from SVS. I am sure I won't be disappointed

 

[Asere]

We sold a ton of them when I was working with SVS and rarely had any issues with them. They need to be somewhat line of sight, but they do work well.

Sonnie I received the Dayton links today and installed them. After I turned off the system the sub turned off but then I noticed it was ON after a few minutes then Off and then ON back and forth after a few minutes. Do you know why this happens?
Is there a fix for this other then having to unplug the power?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I do not recall this ever being an issue, but I know the SVS offers customer support for them. I would give them a call. Jack or Ed probably knows exactly what is going on. Could be interference from something else causing it to trigger... just don't know.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sonnie, can you mix a transmitter like that into a system that also has a wired sub? (one wired, one on transmitter)?

Wondering if it would effect performance...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Sure... this was common when I worked with SVS. One sub would be up close to the equipment in the front and hard-wired, and another over beside a sofa/couch/recliner and wireless. However there were instances of interference, but I don't remember it ever cutting units on and off like this... and I don't even remember what the resolution was for interference.

 

[Asere]

SVS told me it could be the sub amp or the avr causing the interference. Either way SVS told me if it goes in and out of standby mode it won't harm the sub so I might as well set and forget

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

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

 

[Asere]

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 issue 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

I was not aware of this. Are you saying the wireless link can hinder my subs or any subs frequency response and db output? I thought the only risk was signal loss.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Are you saying the wireless link can hinder my subs or any subs frequency response and db output? I thought the only risk was signal loss.

Seems to me that the potential for a frequency response penalty is there, simply based on published specs. I’m loathe to believe otherwise until someone puts them to a “before and after” measurement test, using REW or similar platform. As mentioned, noise and THD are also potential issues, although less-so with a sub application than a full-range one.

I’ll defer judgement on signal loss to those who have actually used one of these devices.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Asere]

Seems to me that the potential for a frequency response penalty is there, simply based on published specs. I’m loathe to believe otherwise until someone puts them to a “before and after” measurement test, using REW or similar platform.

I’ll defer judgement for signal loss to those who have actually used one of these devices.

Regards,
Wayne

I think that's a problem since I haven't seen much reviews.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Since you already have one, maybe you can do some "with and without" measurements and report back to us.

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Asere]

Since you already have one, maybe you can do some "with and without" measurements and report back to us.

Regards,
Wayne

Right! I hope to do so but when is the question. It's bad enough when I re arrange gear it takes me weeks to run Audyssey again. Too busy with work and family life. It's rare I'm alone to do such things. I usually have no choice but to work around them and make the best of it. It's all good though

 

[Asere]

Since you already have one, maybe you can do some "with and without" measurements and report back to us.

Regards,
Wayne

Wayne,
Ed Mullen measured the Dayton wireless links already. Here is what he found.

• S/N ratio is about 100 dB.

• FR – 3 dB points are about 4.5 Hz and 13 kHz. I would not use it for full-range applications – but it’s certainly fine for subwoofers.

• Latency 13.92 ms – which is fine and easily accommodated by AVRs.

• Broadband THD is 0.077% which is also fine.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Good to know – thanks for the info!

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Asere]

Good to know – thanks for the info!

Regards,
Wayne

Sure anytime! I'm ignorant when it comes to these numbers. I take it his results where good with the frequency response?

 

[tesseract]

Sure anytime! I'm ignorant when it comes to these numbers. I take it his results where good with the frequency response?

All of those specs are pretty good and will do a fine job for sub duty.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I thought I remembered something about those units being good to go, but I had forgotten Ed measured it.

It makes sense though that SVS would not sell them if they were not up to par.

 

[Asere]

All of those specs are pretty good and will do a fine job for sub duty.

Thank you!

 

[Winestock]

I run a pair of the Dayton wireless for my pair Funk Audio 18.0. They work very well. The transmitters are behind a wall located with my Arcam AVR550 receiver. The subwoofers are on the other side of the wall. No issue with the wireles transmitter not being line of sight with the wireless receivers. So far have not had any issues with interference either as the wireless transmitters sit right next to my wireless WiFi router. I really like how small the units are and are easy to hide. These wireless units afford more flexibility for subwoofer placement.