Sirius Soloist Universal Sound System
From Sirius Satellite Radio
This multi functional media dock from Directed Electronics features the most versatile amplified dock with a patented NXT stereo sound panel. The Soloist delivers 20 watts of clear dynamic sound from simply plugging in your sirius radio
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1110 in Car Audio or Theater
- Brand: Sirius Satellite Radio
- Model: SOLOIST
- Dimensions: 12.00" h x 7.00" w x 7.00" l, 1.00 pounds
Bring your Sirius satellite radio receiver or iPod to life with the Soloist universal sound system. Boasting a series of docking cradles and adapters for holding the Sirius Sportster 3 and 4, Starmate 3 and 4, Stiletto SL100 and SL10, and Stratus receivers, along with a separate cradle that holds all dockable iPods, the sound system serves as an ideal audio centerpiece for your bedroom, office, or basement rec room. Simply drop your preferred audio device into one of the docking cradles and you're set. Listeners will love the Soloist's rich, detailed sound, which employs patented NXT honeycomb flat-panel speaker technology to create a dynamic, powerful audio performance. The flat-panel surfaces vibrate seamlessly to provide a full audio range, while the four built-in exciters are coupled at lower frequencies to flesh out the bass response. The resulting sonic footprint resonates in all directions, making this a far more immersive system than most integrated speaker models.
The Soloist receives high-quality satellite reception thanks to its indoor/outdoor antenna, which includes a 21-foot connection cable. For best results, listeners should place the antenna on the roof (the antenna is fully waterproof), where it's more likely to find a clear path to the satellite signals. However, the antenna may still work well if located on the side of the house or near a window, provided it receives an unobstructed view of the sky.
The Soloist is also equipped with an LCD display that coordinates the built-in clock, source, timers, and other functions. The full-featured alarm and sleep timer, meanwhile, come in handy should you locate the Soloist in a bedroom. The alarm lets you wake to one of Sirius's more than 130 digital streams--including music, news, talk, sports, or entertainment--as well as recorded Sirius content or an iPod playlist. The sleep timer works in the opposite direction, playing your Sirius or iPod tunes for 10 to 90 minutes (in 10-minute increments) until you fall asleep.
Other details include a 20-watt Tripath amplifier; five built-in equalization settings (flat, classic, rock, pop, and jazz); a dynamic bass boost function that improves the low frequency response; a USB connection for hooking up to your PC; line and auxiliary inputs and a line output for connecting external audio sources to the system; a headphone jack for private listening; and a wireless remote with buttons for virtually all of the system's functions, including a 0-9 direct keypad for selecting Sirius channels. The Soloist, which measures 12.62 by 7.88 by 4.62 inches (W x H x D), is backed by a one- year warranty.
What's in the Box
Soloist sound system, AC/DC power adapter with 6-foot cord, wireless remote with battery, antenna with 21-foot cord, Sportster docking cradle, Starmate/Stratus cradle adapter, Stiletto docking cradle, iPod docking cradle, clock battery, user's manual.
Worth the extra expense
The way I look at this product, is that it serves all the necessary functions of the Stiletto Home Kit, while packing in enough extra features to be worth the extra fifty bucks or so. The biggest feature is obviously the speaker, so you won't have to try to patch your Stiletto through an FM radio in order to be able to listen to it. The other is that it has a link-in for your iPod as well. This isn't just an auxiliary jack to plug your iPod into; it acutally has an iPod docking station, you can recharge and even, it appears, sync up using the attached USB port. That said, there are a few issues that prevent this product from being flawless. It won't funtion as a dock for older Sirius radios; I believe the Starmate 3 is the oldest compatible model. In addition, it can't dock an iPod and a radio at the same time; there are a few awkward and easy to loose adapters that you have to keep on stand by in order unplug and switch between the two; I estimate that switching from a Stiletto to an iPod could take up to five minutes. Lastly, my biggest issue with the device is the remote. Since not all of the functions are buttons on the actual body of the device, if you loose the remote, you will no longer be able to do certain things. Granted, you may still be able to imput them directly from the sirius radio, but the manual for the product suggests that you don't do this. The remotes that come with the radios do still work even when the device is docked. My final issue with the remote is that it is not as easy to interface with the Stiletto as it is when undocked. In fact, there appear to be a few fuctions that are not available from the remote.
Sweet Sounds!
Before I get too into this review, I would like to say that this review is about the Soloist Universal Sound System, not the Sirius Service nor about my reception (this rocks for me, but your mileage may vary).. Thanks, now on to my humble review.
I received the soloist to go along with my Stiletto 100, and was immediately put off by the skinny speakers. I'm used to having big sounds from bigger speakers, so when I saw these little things, I really expected a tinny, treble sound. I was wrong about this. Maybe it doesn't have the power to shake your house, but it's got a full, rich sound that works well for everything from metal to talk radio, with more than enough volume to fill my room, and, if I remember right (I'm not looking at it right now) but I believe it's got a line out to power your monster system. The Stiletto fits in with a small plastic bit that covers the bottom of the unit as well as holding it in place.
I don't particularly care for the small plastic bits, and I'm sure if I *HAD* to, I could find them again, but they're so easy to misplace..
If I had an iPod, I could connect it to the Soloist, but I don't, so I haven't, but it's nice to know that I can (if you want to send me an iPod to "test" I'll happily do so, but can't guarantee that you'll get it back, call it a donation, I'll agree with you)
Anyway, it's also got a line in, and that works nicely for another mp3 player, or, like me, to test an XM radio before I gave it to my dad.
It's also got an alarm, that I've used on a few occasions, and it seems to work well (I haven't been late for work due to the alarm, just my laziness, and obsession with writing reviews for Amazon instead of getting ready for work).
Overall, I'm very happy with the unit, and more than a little suprised by the quality of the sound of the device, and would recommend it (and have) to anyone who's got a radio or iPod that fits it.
Better than I expected...LOVE it
When I bought these speakers I didn't know that I can use them for my iPod as well as my Sirius radio. The sound quality is great. It comes with everything you need to use your Sirius radio at home. The remote works with both the iPod and Sirius. It can be used as an alarm clock too. I really love this speaker system and would recommend it to anyone.
