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Atlantic Technology's wireless solution works with speakers and subwoofers

Atlantic Technology's new WA-50 wireless system can send audiophile-quality sound throughout your home.

Steve Guttenberg
Ex-movie theater projectionist Steve Guttenberg has also worked as a high-end audio salesman, and as a record producer. Steve currently reviews audio products for CNET and works as a freelance writer for Stereophile.
Steve Guttenberg
2 min read
The Atlantic Technology WA-50 transmitter and receiver. Atlantic Technology

Atlantic Technology's WA-50 Wireless Audio System can transmit high-quality sound throughout your home, or out to your pool. The system accommodates up to three zones and eliminates the need to run long cables to subwoofers or amplified speaker systems.

I've heard these sorts of quality claims before, but this time it's for real. During my in-home trials, the WA-50 was noise-free and didn't suffer from any malfunctions. I first put the WA-50 into service transmitting sound from my Mac mini to my high-end stereo system. Setup took about two minutes, and the sound was really good, bass went deep, treble was clear, and imaging was first-rate. I next used the WA-50 to run sound from an Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray player to my Audioengine A2-powered speakers in my bedroom. Again, the WA-50 performed flawlessly. If you'd like to move your subwoofer to the other side of the room and don't want to run a long cable, the WA-50 would be the easiest way to accomplish that goal.

Just like every wireless system I've ever tested, the WA-50 comes with a lot of wires to cover most setup contingencies. The WA-50 wirelessly transmits signals to one or more remote locations, but you still have to get AC power to run the WA-50 transmitter and receiver; and music signals via wires to the speakers. The "wireless" part only refers to how you get the signal from Point A to Point B in your home, but there are still wires at each end. The matching WA-50 transmitter and receiver units measure a scant 1.5 inches by 3.25 inches by 0.75 inch.

The WA-50 comes with a full set of wires to cover any setup contingency. Steve Guttenberg

The Atlantic Technology WA-50 Wireless Audio System is available for a suggested retail price of $199, with additional WA-50 receivers for $89 each. The WA-50 features Atmel Corporation's wireless 2.4GHz RF technology.

The WA-50 is really good, but I have no idea how it would compare with KEF's Universal Wireless Kit. That great-sounding system is a lot more expensive than the WA-50, but it had the advantage of having built-in power amplifiers to drive the speakers. With the WA-50 you have to use self-powered speakers or hook up a power amp to drive the speakers in the remote location.