Soundcast Systems

 SoundCast Systems was born in 2004 with a simple aim: providing people with quality wireless audio systems. If you have some experience with wireless audio, you should now that it is unusual to see a wireless system combining loudness and sound quality. Moreover, you may be used to getting annoyed by uncalled-for interferences. Well this company has gone through a two-years research process to come out with wireless audio systems without any of those defects.

SoundCast Outcast 

Among Soundcast range of products, only two are portable: their award winning product SoundCast OutCast, and its little brother SoundCast OutCast Jr which is mainly a cheaper version of the former.

SoundCast Outcast is basically a premium mobile speaker running on a 10 hours built-in battery. It is wireless, it is weather resistant, it goes really loud, and the sound it produces is of the finest. Let's review each one of its features now.

Wireless

 Soundcast Outcast really is a wireless engine. The wireless technology they use searches for open channels in the 2.4GHz band, and instantaneously jumps to them – ultimately avoiding interference. The signals transmit up to 350 feet outdoors, through floors, walls, and ceilings. But it has its counterparts: it is exclusive. SoundCast products are part of a complete audio system, and does not work with other wireless systems. It is because the technology they use is significantly different from any other wireless product. Therefore to enjoy OutCast Portable Speaker wirelessly you have to possess whether iCast transmitter or the Universal AudioCast transmitter (UAT).

The UAT receive music from whether USB or the good old red and white stereo plug. You can connect your computer -software free- or your home theater to the UAT, then it will wirelessly send your music to your OutCast speaker, or any other speaker by SoundCast.

Icast transmitter has exactly the same function, optimized for Apple friendly users. It allows to dock any of your Ipods or Iphones, and it will load it while sending the music wirelessly. SoundCast Outcast is most of the time sold with Icast transmitter, but you will have to buy the UAT separately.

If you want to play a regular MP3 player wirelessly on Outcast, you will need to go through some kind of audio amplifier with stereo out plug, then through the UAT to finally hear the music coming out of Outcast. A bit complicated but I can assure you, it is worthy. Moreover it is much simpler than many other audio wireless systems.

Of course, you can always directly plug your device into Outcast, but it loses all the wireless interest.

Loud and finest sound

 With SoundCast Outcast, you will have enough sound-power to make people party to your music, literally. It really is impressive. The speaker has a built-in 100-watt digital amplifier and produces serious bass. And even at maximum volume, the sound is full, clear and deep. Inside or Outside, basses spread all over the area and the portable speaker reproduces every single details of your song with high fidelity.

10-hours built-in battery

Outcast uses a Nickel Metal Hybride battery that is rated by the number of charges it can take before expiring. The rating for this NiMH battery is a minimum of 500 charges before requiring replacement. This is a minimum standard and it can work much longer, it mostly depends on how you use it. As for all NiHM batteries, it is much better to wait for them to be completely empty before charging, until they are completely full. A red-light indicator shows you when it is reasonable to charge. Anyway, the battery is replaceable and you won't need to buy another speaker when the battery is out.

 Weatherproof

 Outcast Wireless Portable Speaker has been optimized for outdoor audio experiences. SoundCast did not forget to make it resistant. It is built to be used outside, and if left there, it will not sustain damage from the elements. Obviously it is not designed to be left outside permanently, but it can handle weather issues quite well. Sprinklers, dogs, rain, snow, sleet and hail will not keep it from its appointed duty of sounding good. Though it has ultra-violet protection it is safer to place it in the shade. Also it is best to left it in a sheltered location when not in use. Of course it is not waterproof, you can place it next to your pool and it won't suffer from spatters. But if it falls into your pool, then you can kiss him goodbye ! Same goes comes for the sand. Though OutCast supposedly does not suffer from sand, it won't like to be buried in the beach. Well take good care of it, and it will last for years.

 Design

 OutCast is a white, modern, simple and clean cylinder. It is quite big with an height of 26" (66cm), a bottom diameter of 11" (27,9cm) and a top diameter of 10"(25,4cm). It is likely to look like a modern-art fantasy in your garden. Anyway you like it or not... It's all a matter of opinion.

From all this comes that SoundCast Outcast Wireless Portable Speaker is truly an amazing premium mobile speaker. Certainly the best wireless portable speaker currently on the market. It simply works, and it works well.