Though unassuming at first glance, Sony's WA1 is nothing short of a do-everything magic music box. What doesn't it do? It's primarily an audio streamer, siphoning music from your PC wirelessly in just about any non-DRM format. But it also plays web radio, has an alarm clock, and can even store tunes on its own built-in flash memory. Despite its small stature, the integrated speakers deliver crystal clear sound and are loud enough to blow your head off at close range when cranked to full volume. That's good, because a built-in battery gives you 3 1/2 hours of playback when disconnected from AC, making the WA1 perfect for use in the noisy outdoors. Still, we found it best suited for the kitchen or bathroom. Caution: the frustrating setup may ultimately prove too painful for those accustomed to the elegant simplicity of, say, the Bose Wave Radio.
Review: Sony WGF-WA1 Digital Music Streamer
Though unassuming at first glance, Sony’s WA1 is nothing short of a do-everything magic music box. What doesn’t it do? It’s primarily an audio streamer, siphoning music from your PC wirelessly in just about any non-DRM format. But it also plays web radio, has an alarm clock, and can even store tunes on its own […]
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WIRED
Outstanding sound quality, with massive bass. Zero hiccups streaming over wireless connection in hours of testing. Appealing, décor-friendly design.
TIRED
Enormously complex setup requires a 74-page manual, which has both confusing and conflicting instructions. Awful software installer wouldn't run at all on one test machine. Paltry 128MB of internal memory. No numerical battery life indicator. No FM radio or CD player. Pricey (shop around for deals).