TONEAudio Magazine
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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12125" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/attachment/2-78/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12125" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/290.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="793" /></a>Is it a futuristic beer keg? *A spare droid from <em>Star Wars</em>? *A water conditioner?* While it does look futuristic, this curious device is available today from your local SoundCast dealer—and it’s one of the most interesting portable music systems we’ve seen.</strong></p>
<p>The OutCast is a single 26-inch tall cylinder with a slight taper in the midsection.* The control panel is located on the top of the device.* It lets users operate an iPod or iPhone, as well as iTunes, Pandora, and Rhapsody.* The easy-grip handle, also on the top, has plenty of room for those with large hands, while the sealed function buttons should be impervious to prying hands and intoxicated neighbors.</p>
<p>Within the casing are four sections.* The uppermost section holds the receiver unit and a 100-watt Class-D amplifier. *The middle section contains four 3-inch drivers aligned in a right-left-right-left pattern that creates a 360-degree stereo output. *The bottom section features a sealed chamber holding the 8-inch IMPP woofer, which, with its down-firing placement, allows for even bass dispersion. *The bottom section has ports for the woofer and ambient blue lights, and also serves as a sturdy base.* The OutCast’s heavy-duty design and external material limits exposure to the elements, while still letting the music be heard.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12132" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/attachment/1-80/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12132" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/197.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="308" /></a>Setting up the OutCast and installing its rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery takes about five minutes, if you take the 90 seconds required to read the manual.* Both the audio-input jack for non-iPod MP3 players and the power-cord socket are covered by a flexible but tight-sealing rubber gasket. *The OutCast offers three 2.4-gHz channels, which are manually switchable, to prevent interference with other wireless devices.</p>
<p>A Perfect Partner</p>
<p>Placement of the OutCast is key to its performance.* Getting the unit away from anything within at least five or six feet is critical for stereo performance. *Then, once you’ve charged it overnight, you’re ready to rock.</p>
<p>Combining the iCast dock/transmitter (a $100 option) with an iPod Classic, the Outcast fills most backyards with quality-sounding music.* Sell that boom box at your next yard sale, because the Outcast has serious low-end grunt.* Its midrange punchiness combined with omnidirectional ambience redefines outdoor hi-fi. *Blasting Adele’s <em>21</em>, the OutCast easily carries her vocals to the end of my backyard, yet it wasn’t so loud as to send the neighbors into fits of rage.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12127" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/attachment/3-64/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12127" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/377.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>The conveniently placed handle makes light work of carrying the 25-pound OutCast around the yard or to a neighbor’s house.* And it’s equally at home indoors as it is outdoors.</p>
<p>Better than a Rock</p>
<p>Unlike those outdoor speakers that look like rocks (but do not rock when called upon), both the OutCast and smaller OutCast Jr. (which starts at $600) deliver the goods, no matter what the volume.* This is an all-purpose portable player with serious capability.* Whether I was playing John Mellencamp or AC/DC, the sound was full and clear.* At a recent outing, a few guests complimented the sound quality and wondered where the wires were—one of the OutCast’s most-noticeable perks.</p>
<p>The device claims a 300-foot range between it and the iCast wireless dock.* It was still playing solidly at the edge of my 200-foot yard, but does drop off somewhat around corners.* For best results, you’ll want to keep it within line of sight.* Like a tuner car from <em>The Fast and the Furious, </em>the OutCast features blue mood lighting to increase its sci-fi feel.</p>
<p>Don’t be surprised if taking the OutCast or Outcast Jr. to your next party makes you the hit of the neighborhood.</p>
<p><strong>SoundCast OutCast Portable Indoor/Outdoor Speaker System</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: Starting at $900</p>
<p><a href="http://www.soundcastsystems.com/">www.soundcastsystems.com</a></p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/]
<p>The OutCast is a single 26-inch tall cylinder with a slight taper in the midsection.* The control panel is located on the top of the device.* It lets users operate an iPod or iPhone, as well as iTunes, Pandora, and Rhapsody.* The easy-grip handle, also on the top, has plenty of room for those with large hands, while the sealed function buttons should be impervious to prying hands and intoxicated neighbors.</p>
<p>Within the casing are four sections.* The uppermost section holds the receiver unit and a 100-watt Class-D amplifier. *The middle section contains four 3-inch drivers aligned in a right-left-right-left pattern that creates a 360-degree stereo output. *The bottom section features a sealed chamber holding the 8-inch IMPP woofer, which, with its down-firing placement, allows for even bass dispersion. *The bottom section has ports for the woofer and ambient blue lights, and also serves as a sturdy base.* The OutCast’s heavy-duty design and external material limits exposure to the elements, while still letting the music be heard.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12132" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/attachment/1-80/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12132" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/197.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="308" /></a>Setting up the OutCast and installing its rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery takes about five minutes, if you take the 90 seconds required to read the manual.* Both the audio-input jack for non-iPod MP3 players and the power-cord socket are covered by a flexible but tight-sealing rubber gasket. *The OutCast offers three 2.4-gHz channels, which are manually switchable, to prevent interference with other wireless devices.</p>
<p>A Perfect Partner</p>
<p>Placement of the OutCast is key to its performance.* Getting the unit away from anything within at least five or six feet is critical for stereo performance. *Then, once you’ve charged it overnight, you’re ready to rock.</p>
<p>Combining the iCast dock/transmitter (a $100 option) with an iPod Classic, the Outcast fills most backyards with quality-sounding music.* Sell that boom box at your next yard sale, because the Outcast has serious low-end grunt.* Its midrange punchiness combined with omnidirectional ambience redefines outdoor hi-fi. *Blasting Adele’s <em>21</em>, the OutCast easily carries her vocals to the end of my backyard, yet it wasn’t so loud as to send the neighbors into fits of rage.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12127" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/attachment/3-64/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12127" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/377.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>The conveniently placed handle makes light work of carrying the 25-pound OutCast around the yard or to a neighbor’s house.* And it’s equally at home indoors as it is outdoors.</p>
<p>Better than a Rock</p>
<p>Unlike those outdoor speakers that look like rocks (but do not rock when called upon), both the OutCast and smaller OutCast Jr. (which starts at $600) deliver the goods, no matter what the volume.* This is an all-purpose portable player with serious capability.* Whether I was playing John Mellencamp or AC/DC, the sound was full and clear.* At a recent outing, a few guests complimented the sound quality and wondered where the wires were—one of the OutCast’s most-noticeable perks.</p>
<p>The device claims a 300-foot range between it and the iCast wireless dock.* It was still playing solidly at the edge of my 200-foot yard, but does drop off somewhat around corners.* For best results, you’ll want to keep it within line of sight.* Like a tuner car from <em>The Fast and the Furious, </em>the OutCast features blue mood lighting to increase its sci-fi feel.</p>
<p>Don’t be surprised if taking the OutCast or Outcast Jr. to your next party makes you the hit of the neighborhood.</p>
<p><strong>SoundCast OutCast Portable Indoor/Outdoor Speaker System</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: Starting at $900</p>
<p><a href="http://www.soundcastsystems.com/">www.soundcastsystems.com</a></p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/soundcast-outcast-portable-indooroutdoor-speaker-system/]