Advent AW820 Wireless Stereo Speaker System
By: Audiovox Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 11
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 On: 2008-02-06
Tried for a few months. Finally gave up on them and threw them in the junk closet.
A lot of noise and static. One blew out so you can barely hear the sound through the static. The other speaker frankly wasnt much better.
Every few days I would wiggle the little antenna on the transmitter or try dialing in a new frequency. Never had much luck.
Basically these things are about as good as a baby monitor. Probably not what you want to hook up to your new HDTV or a couple of K of audio equipment.
On: 2007-09-10
Ive had these speakers for two days and have yet to pick up anything even closely resembling good quality sound. Mostly static with bits of music here and there. Dont waste your money.
 On: 2007-09-09
Bought for my inlaws to set on tables close to TV viewing chairs so TV sound could be heard without blasting the TV volume. The Avent wireless pair work great, sound is now much lower and fidelity is much improved. Only problem is they have lost the TV mute feature. No big complaint as the advantages out weigh that disadvanage. Everything sounds good, from the crack of the bat while watching Angle Baseball to classical background music. Set up was very easy as the red pilot light turns green as the speaker is tuned to the matching sender frequency, like tuning in a radio station. Very good product at a fair price.
On: 2007-09-08
Bought for my inlaws to set on tables close to TV viewing chairs so TV sound could be heard without blasting the TV volume. The Avent wireless pair work great, sound is now much lower and fidelity is much improved. Only problem is they have lost the TV mute feature. No big complaint as the advantages out weigh that disadvanage. Everything sounds good, from the crack of the bat while watching Angle Baseball to classical background music. Set up was very easy as the red pilot light turns green as the speaker is tuned to the matching sender frequency, like tuning in a radio station. Very good product at a fair price.
 On: 2007-07-13
Really fine sound from a wireless set. a bit hard to get the frequency set but after that they are awesome
On: 2007-02-16
These speakers have good sound quality, excellent battery life and are easy to install.
On: 2007-02-15
These speakers have good sound quality, excellent battery life and are easy to install.
On: 2006-12-25
I know that there are very mixed reviews for this product. A couple of points -- Ive generally found that when the speakers are having a problem, its something that I hadnt considered -- like something lying on the speakers power cords, etc. Most important -- keep in mind that the transmiter has its own frequency adjustment, so if youre adjusting the speakers and cant get them to sound right, try adjusting the frequency on the transmitter, and then readjusting the speakers. Yes, the power supplies on the speakers are huge. And Ive only tried them to a distance of about 75 feet, all on the same floor. But overall, I like the sound, and it beats stringing cable. Note: Mine have never broken, but it sounds like others have had problems with service. Ive had mine for several years, and so far, so good.
On: 2006-12-24
I know that there are very mixed reviews for this product. A couple of points -- Ive generally found that when the speakers are having a problem, its something that I hadnt considered -- like something lying on the speakers power cords, etc. Most important -- keep in mind that the transmiter has its own frequency adjustment, so if youre adjusting the speakers and cant get them to sound right, try adjusting the frequency on the transmitter, and then readjusting the speakers. Yes, the power supplies on the speakers are huge. And Ive only tried them to a distance of about 75 feet, all on the same floor. But overall, I like the sound, and it beats stringing cable. Note: Mine have never broken, but it sounds like others have had problems with service. Ive had mine for several years, and so far, so good.
On: 2006-11-22
Ive owned two pairs of these for over 4 years and used them in different environments (multi-floor house, single-floor apartment) and have to concur with others that it is nearly impossible to get a clean signal. Static, popping, cordless phone conversations from other houses / apartments, etc. is the norm. Ive also tried tuning across the variable spectrum with the same failed results. They work, for my purposes, but I cant honestly recommend these to anyone.
 On: 2005-05-29
Ive had these speakers for about 3 years now and Im really not happy them. There is some hissing but that is to be expected with wireless speakers. The most annoying thing is the popping noises. I have tried moving the speakers closer to the transmitter only to find that the distance makes no difference. I thought the popping noise was some kind of local interference so I actually walked all around the yard but the noise stayed the same. I got a warranty replacement of the transmitter because when I moved the attached antenna it caused static in the speakers and I thought perhaps the antenna was somehow not properly connected inside the housing but the popping noise persisted.
I cant recommend these speakers. Best to consider others.
On: 2005-05-02
I agree with the previous reviewer - there is a lot of static and interference with these things. We actually hardly ever use them for that reason - our house is small enough that we can hear the music from the other room through walls and doorways, and at least it doesnt sound like an AM radio on a stormy day. Also, they do have huge "wall warts" - the big converters (?) on the cords. Finding an inconspicuous place to plug them in is impossible, since all the inconspicuous places are behind furniture, which cant be put close to the wall anymore for the size of the things on the plugs. I guess you get what you pay for - I would have paid more if I had known how bad these would be.
On: 2005-04-22
Ive had these speakers for three years now. Hissing, popping, not holding signal-- all that has been true from day 1. And tonight, one of the speakers just would not turn on. The power supply wasnt the problem-- its something inside the speaker box, and something that apparently cannot be fixed.
So my other one will be mono until I can come up with an alternative solution.
Oh well...
On: 2005-04-04
Amazingly bad, that is. One day they squeal, the next they hiss, the one after that they hardly make any sound at all, and then just when youre ready to throw them in the trash, they work fine. And all this without ever adjusting the tuning (which never seems to help anyway). The only explanation I can think of to explain their inexplicable behavior is that Advent has somehow created a macroscopic device which exhibits quantum mechanical behavior. They should patent it. But no one who just wants a decent and convenient set of speakers should buy them. Ive wasted long hours with these little nightmares, even changed transmitters to make sure that had nothing to do with it, and can only say I am at a loss to understand how anybody could praise them. You want mine? I sell you CHEAP! Because I finally broke down and bought a good bookshelf system and an FM transmitter to replace them.
On: 2004-11-07
I was skeptical about the clarity and sound of these speakers...we have 8 speakers run from our receiver to most rooms in our one-story home. We purchased these on the suggestion of the guy who installed our home theatre system. Heres the catch: we are XM radio listeners and listen to almost nothing else (our CDs have dust on them!); these speakers work WONDERFULLY with the XM system (or Sirius, I guess if you like that company) - excellent sound and distance. We put them outside when we are working in the yard, on the deck, and in the carport to greet guests. I highly recommend these if you have a digital radio. You cant lose.
On: 2004-11-06
I was skeptical about the clarity and sound of these speakers...we have 8 speakers run from our receiver to most rooms in our one-story home. We purchased these on the suggestion of the guy who installed our home theatre system. Heres the catch: we are XM radio listeners and listen to almost nothing else (our CDs have dust on them!); these speakers work WONDERFULLY with the XM system (or Sirius, I guess if you like that company) - excellent sound and distance. We put them outside when we are working in the yard, on the deck, and in the carport to greet guests. I highly recommend these if you have a digital radio. You cant lose.
On: 2004-09-26
For the past 9mos. these speakers have performed as expected. Their rich bass is great for listening to CD or simply a football game off radio while on the screen porch.
On: 2004-08-03
One month after purchase one speaker power supply burnt out. The support company, Recton, is bankrupt. Thomsen has taken over support but you need to return everything just to get a power supply. Cheaper to buy a power supply at Radio Shack. Id suggest taking your money elsewhere.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-24
I have owned these speakers for a about a year. I bought them at a sidewalk sale in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. I use them to broadcast the audio from various satellite channels to where I sit at my computer. The distance is no more than 30 feet so I cannot say how they would function over much longer distances.As opposed to some of the reviewers, I have had no difficulty adjusting the frequency. I have very occasional static interference but for the most part this is a non issue. In essence, I use them in an urban environment on one floor of a brownstone here in Brooklyn so I cannot say how they might operate in your neighborhhood. I have them set for mono as this this tends to minimize whatever small amount of interference there may have been. This has a slight effect on frequency response but it is not major. Please note that the fidelity is quite good but it is NOT audiophile quality so it is probably good to take that into account. All in all, I very good product.
On: 2004-05-23
I have owned these speakers for a about a year. I bought them at a sidewalk sale in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. I use them to broadcast the audio from various satellite channels to where I sit at my computer. The distance is no more than 30 feet so I cannot say how they would function over much longer distances.As opposed to some of the reviewers, I have had no difficulty adjusting the frequency. I have very occasional static interference but for the most part this is a non issue. In essence, I use them in an urban environment on one floor of a brownstone here in Brooklyn so I cannot say how they might operate in your neighborhhood. I have them set for mono as this this tends to minimize whatever small amount of interference there may have been. This has a slight effect on frequency response but it is not major. Please note that the fidelity is quite good but it is NOT audiophile quality so it is probably good to take that into account. All in all, I very good product.
On: 2004-02-28
I agree with Phillip Hamiltons review. Maybe Im more sensitive to noise so I can only rate these 1 star. I live in a suburb but Ive never overheard anything from baby monitors or cordless phones. The noise really gets bad when someone walks between the transmitter and speaker. Ive got one in another room 20ft from transmitter and one in another room 60ft away. Neither is acceptible for very long. The sound is quite good when theyre not picking up interference but listening to noise 10% of the time is not acceptable.
On: 2003-10-14
I am very pleased with these speakers. As a matter of fact I just ordered a second pair for the school. We use the cafeteria to show videos to two or three classes at a time. I use an LCD projector to enlarge the picture and I place these speakers in the back of the cafeteria so the students in the back can hear clearly.
On: 2003-10-13
I am very pleased with these speakers. As a matter of fact I just ordered a second pair for the school. We use the cafeteria to show videos to two or three classes at a time. I use an LCD projector to enlarge the picture and I place these speakers in the back of the cafeteria so the students in the back can hear clearly.
 On: 2003-10-07
To read the reviews from others on these speakers (huge speakers, btw)
youd think they were just like wired without the
tiedowns. Maybe they are, but I live in a suburb neighborhood and
my speakers pickup noise constantly. Its impossible to find
a clear channel, they pick up various transmissions, and
theyre difficult to adjust frequencies with any certainty.
First, lets take up the channel thing - Ive run the dial
(way to adjust the channel freq they use) back from one end to
the other without finding a clear, static free channel. This is
equally frustrating because you have to change the dial on the
transmitter AND the receiver. This isnt good unless theyre both
side by side. If I had wanted side by side Id have bought wired
speakers. The best I could find was a channel with a low whine
in the background.
Next, lets talk about what the speakers receive. This is
actually funny. We were listening to someones vacuum cleaner for
a while off their baby monitor, we got a long rather racy CB
discussion, and we heard two of our neighbors chatting away on their
wireless phones about their kids not getting along all
the time.
Lastly, the frequency issue. Freq. is adjusted via a little
dial on the front of the speaker. Theres one on each speaker
and one on the transmitter. Now, the only way you know you have
the right signal on reciever and transmitter is that the light
on the speaker turns green. It doesnt matter if the freq is clear
or full of static, if theyre noticing each other its green.
Now, take my situation. We have the transmitter downstairs and
the recievers (speakers) upstairs. Every time someone changes
the channel on their phone or something affects quality, Im
mr. marathon man running up and down the stairs till I get both
synced up and on a clear channel. This can take upwards of 30
mins. (turn dial downstairs, run upstairs and turn dial..check
for static, repeat.) Im sure Ive lost about 5 lbs just for
buying these with all the running. It seems like they could use
a digital tuner or an "auto scan" mode for finding a clear freq.
for this kind of money. (My auto radio is 250.00 and it has one!)
Oh well, maybe in the next model.
In short summary, theyre probably ok if you live out where
theres no interference, but for us suburbanites theyre just
barely functional in my opinion.
On: 2003-09-27
Ive had these speakers for a couple of years now. They are surprisingly well-amplified and good sounding. Each speaker accepts eight (8) C batteries, which give it enough power to be quite loud. The batteries also last quite a while. Each speaker also has a hefty power supply, which is NOT a "wall wart" (yay)! The black box is in the middle of the power cable. Advent didnt wimp out on the power.The utility of these wireless speakers is great. You can take them anywhere you are, and hear the stereo. Range is about 100ft or more, and less through walls (even less through brick). A switch on each speaker allows it to play the left channel, the right channel, or monaural (a mix of left and right). This makes it possible for you to use the speakers in stereo pairs, or as independent monaural speakers. Very versatile! The only caveat is that if you live in an apartment complex, you may get interference from cordless phones. The transmitter is tunable, so you can usually avoid the interference. If you think of these speakers as FM radios, and expect similar performance, you wont be disappointed. But if you are deeply annoyed by occasional interference, Id stick with long wires. These speakers are one of the few products I happily use every day. Great for bringing the music to places that would be hard to reach otherwise.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-12-05
This product has excellent sound. I couldnt find a better set of wireless speakers. The distance you can move the speakers is awsome! I think everyone should own this product!
On: 2002-12-04
I have to admit that I was a bit leary of wireless speakers but after actually trying these I was bowled over. My girlfriend and I enjoy listening to BBC Radio on the internet with the problem being that we would need to sit in the office to do so. With these nifty speakers all I had to do was hook up the transmitter to my computer and proceed to put speakers in every room in my house. I am running six speakers in various locations of my two story house off one transmitter with perfect sound quality everywhere. I have cranked them up a few times with music also, (think about how many MP3 files you can fit on your computer and play at parties) and the sound quality is excellent. I can hardly wait until summer, when I can listen to the Red Sox game on the internet while BBQing in the backyard. By far one of the best purchases I have ever made. Buy these!
On: 2002-12-03
I have to admit that I was a bit leary of wireless speakers but after actually trying these I was bowled over. My girlfriend and I enjoy listening to BBC Radio on the internet with the problem being that we would need to sit in the office to do so. With these nifty speakers all I had to do was hook up the transmitter to my computer and proceed to put speakers in every room in my house. I am running six speakers in various locations of my two story house off one transmitter with perfect sound quality everywhere. I have cranked them up a few times with music also, (think about how many MP3 files you can fit on your computer and play at parties) and the sound quality is excellent. I can hardly wait until summer, when I can listen to the Red Sox game on the internet while BBQing in the backyard. By far one of the best purchases I have ever made. Buy these!
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