With both input and output RCA audio jacks, the Connector works as a two-way device, so as well as allowing you to link the Base to a conventional stereo or home cinema system for playback, you can also use it to tie a CD player, record deck or TV to the Raumfeld system. The Connector also has a S/PDif/Toslink optical audio output.
The speakers look great - covers on or off
How does it all sound? In a word, excellent. The active speakers are very fine. The smaller, Model S units are more than adequate for most domestic use and produce a bigger sound than you might expect from the 2 x 15W RMS rating.
The larger, 2 x 30W Model M enclosures on the other hand are in a different league and will do good service in even the largest spaces. They chuck out some serious volume.
That said, Raumfeld obviously reckons it knows better than you how music should sound because there is a complete lack of bass, treble or sound profile controls. So you take your music the way Raumfeld likes, or you lump it.
COMMENTS
If I were a rich man...
I would certainly value ease-of-use over saving money and dicking about with setting up my own system which ends up with me having to use my laptop to control it.
In my eyes the ideal setup is speakers in each room and something like an iPad on the wall next to (or replacing) your light switches, with a central server hidden some place (or each pad clones data).
Does this already exist - using standard standalone speakers with a bluetooth/wifi connection and an iPhone app?
Cost?
Top end audio kit has always cost a lot be it conventional hi-fi separates of techie stuff like Sonos. If you want it, you pay, if not you go for one of the myriad of cheaper options. I have German friends who own a Raumfeld (the system has been on sale in Germany since late last year). They bought it as a house warming present for themselves and are very happy with it. It's got their music library off the family laptop and replaced their old stereo & TV 2.1 system, lets them run music in three rooms - or in the garden, all you need is an extension cable - and control the whole thing from the remote. The convenience of being able to relocate the wireless speakers in seconds should not be overlooked. I was impressed with the sound too, especially from the larger speakers. Expensive? Yes. Do I want one? Yes.
A joke?
Please, tell me the price was a joke!
£1,200 for that? It's not as if they spent a lot on styling or the speakers.
Squeezebox all the way
I bought a squeezebox boom for bedroom and kitchen and a squeezbox receiver for hifi in front room. Works great, good sound, android app to control it all and about £500 total for 3 room set up. Raumfeld speakers do look good, bit pricy tho.
Title
Yor 'aving a larf, mate!
I have a PC with my media on it, I use a dlink media louge streamer that is hooked up to my TV, my surround sound system AND my hi-fi.
I can use wireless or wired
Video / Movies / images (HD as well!) to my tv and surround sound.
Music to both lounge and dining room via my hi - fi system (or I can switch a single room off)
Total cost? about £100.
Yeah, sign me up for one of these babies!
