As if
Sony's week couldn't get any better, the company responsible for
issuing a
new, slimmer PlayStation 3 is also announcing a new audio
product line that'll soon be gracing the shelves of Best Buy locations.
The ALTUS range will initially consist of just a handful of kits, all
of which are tied to the company's S-AIR wireless protocol in some form
or another.
Up first is the ALT-SA31iR multi-room iPod package, which features
three separate components: a docking station for iPod/iPhone and two
high-output wireless speakers. This multi-room package also features an
AM/FM tuner and S-AIR remote commander with an LCD display, on which
users can see metadata (title, artist, track name, etc.). The system
can be used to transmit audio without wires to all other S-AIR
compatible receivers should you own one, and if you pick this up, it's
certainly incentive to outfit the rest of your home with S-AIR-friendly
wares.

The AIR-SW10Ti docking system for iPod consists of a compact docking
station with two built-in speakers and a wireless subwoofer that can be
easily concealed. The rig packs 60 watts of RMS power and includes an
IR remote and FM tuner. The AIR-SW10Ti system can also be used to
transmit wireless audio to compatible ALTUS and S-AIR products. The
ALT-SA31iR system will retail for approximately $700 and the AIR-SA10Ti
model will retail for about $400, and both are available for pre-order
today through SonyStyle.com if you can't wait for them to show up in
Best Buy next month.
Moving right along, there's the ALT-SA32PC multi-room audio package,
which is also a three-piece set featuring an -AIR transmitter that
connects to your PC (via USB input) and two
high-output wireless speakers. The USB transmitter streams audio
wirelessly from the connected PC to the two included speakers for a
simple multi-room solution. The ALT-A33PC package has an identical USB
S-AIR transmitter, but
includes a universal receiver that can connect to a variety of audio
products with its analog audio inputs. This enables users to stream
music wirelessly from their computer to most existing music systems.
Both of these bundles ship with music management software that has the
ability to tap into existing
playlists on your computer in programs like iTunes and Windows
Media Player, with the former selling for $500 and the latter for
around $200.

Bringing up the rear, there's the ALT-SA34R Socket Speaker Package.
This ALTUS product is compatible with all S-AIR enabled transmitters
and features two small, unobtrusive S-AIR wireless speakers that plug
directly into any power outlet in the home. The speaker system also
includes an S-AIR remote commander highlighted by an LCD display for
viewing music metadata. Sadly, such a nice concept won't be cheap, with
the MSRP expected to hover around $350 when it ships in September.
Finally, the BDV-E500W 5.1 Channel Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System is
available to new home theater junkies looking for a simple, all in one
setup to bring BD functionality and surround sound into their home. The
BD-Live capable system can be found now for around $800, which includes
five surround speakers and a dedicated subwoofer.