Russound Announces New XStream X1 Professional Wireless Audio Platform

Whole-house audio market innovator Russound recently announced three new additions to its flexible XStream wireless audio solutions in the form of the X1 Professional Wireless Audio Expansion Platform.

Positioned as the primary multiroom wireless component of the combination wired/wireless XStream distributed audio system, the X1 family consist of three new products: the X1-TX8 4 Zone Multi-channel Wireless Transmitter, the X1-RX2 Wireless Line-level Audio Receiver, and the X1-RX220 Wireless Audio Receiver Amplifier.

At the heart of the new X1 Professional Wireless Audio Platform is the X1-TX8 (pictured left), a four-zone wireless audio expansion transmitter that delivers simple setup and installation, but provides all the benefits of distribution wiring without the wires themselves. In addition to its four stereo inputs (three line level, with a fourth delivering your choice of line-in or optical digital), the TX8 features sophisticated wireless broadcast capabilities, with 2.4, 5.2, and 5.8 GHz operation and both channel-hopping and fixed-channel capabilities. Despite the fact that it operates in the same spectrum as WiFi, the X1-TX8 isn't a WiFi product. It relies on a proprietary digital wireless signal that provides a more reliable, lower latency connection between the transmitter and receivers.

For the utmost in system design and installation flexibility, X1 receivers come in two forms: the X1-RX2 Wireless Line-level Receiver (pictured left) and the X1-RX220 Wireless Receiver Amplifier. The simpler of the two, the RX2, communicates directly with the TX8, from as far away as 30 meters (100 feet), and outputs its signal in line-level or optical digital form, perfect for use with an external amplifier, such as Russound's multi-channel or stereo amplifier solutions. The RX220, meanwhile, relies on its own internal 2 x 20 WRMS amplifier to deliver audio directly from the TX8's input to a pair of connected speakers, with the same 30 meter wireless range. The result is exceptional performance with no lengthy cable runs to worry about, making it the idea multi-zone audio solution for retrofit applications.

All of the new X1 products feature the same ultra-small footprint and weigh less than a pound apiece, making them easy to integrate and even easier to hide thanks to the included versatile mounting bracket. And when combined with a C-Series Multi-zone Controller Amplifier they wirelessly expand one of the most robust and intuitive app control platforms in the industry.

"The goal with X1 is to provide installers with a truly compromise-free wireless multi-zone audio solution that provides flexibility and, most importantly, audio quality of a wired system, just without the wires," said Charlie Porritt, CEO of Russound. "The X1 platform and the X5 Streaming Controller Amplifier, debuted at CEDIA EXPO 2013, are the makings of a new wireless audio standard in custom. The combination of both XStream platforms introduces the best of a wired and wireless music distribution platform like no other on the market, and this is just the beginning."