Soundcast Subcast Wireless review..... quick take

[Porscheguy]

Got my Subcast yesterday. It consists of two nearly identical units, a transmitter (grey) and a receiver (black), two power supplies (USB style power cords) and an assortment of cheapo RCA Y cables and other interconnects.

Pretty straightforward, the transmitter plugs into power and your LFE, there are settings for sensitivity (output) and multiple room setups. The receiver has the same power need and plugs into your L/R sub inputs.

Not much else. It works as advertised. If I had a tiny "nitpick" it would be even in the higher gain setting (low) it did not have a ton of volume - but certainly more than I needed to make my sub do it's thing. To be fair, I'm using a older Denon AVP 8000 (where's my UMC-1) and while I have the LFE up quite high, I'm not sure it has the voltage output of some newer AVR's or Pre/Pros.

So it's running the new Velo Impact Mini up one floor in zone 2 and doing it quite nicely....

www.soundcastsystems.com/products/subcast

[rick240]

Are you using it in a 2.1 or a 5.1 setup?

I'm planning to use it in a 2.1 and my concern is possible delay issues. Surround AVRs will let you let the 5.0 to match the sub but I haven't found a single 2 ch. pre or integrated that has that capability.

[Porscheguy]

2.1 setup. Not sure about delay, I don't hear it if there is. I have left it set on S which is same room (even though its up a flight of stairs, but only about about 15' in a straight line), so the signal speed is less than 12ms, below the THX standard. If you switch to the M or mulit-room setup it "could" cause a delay. But tech support claims you would never hear it as the slower transfer setting as it is again below the THX "standard".

Right now I'm using a Denon AVP8000. We'll see what happens when I get my UMC-1

Soundcast tells me these are very commonly used in high end HT systems all the time by installers.

I'm satisfied in my application

[bobcel]

What do you think about replacing the "low end" RCA cables with something of higher quality? I suppose since LFE is only a mono signal anyway it may not have too much or any impact. I shot the folks at Soundcast an email asking that. My setup will be in the same room...moving my sub to the rear which is about 20 feet from the transmitter. I'll be hooking up to my MMC-1, let ya's know how that works out.

[Porscheguy]

Feb 17, 2010 11:53:16 GMT -5 bobcel said:

What do you think about replacing the "low end" RCA cables with something of higher quality? I suppose since LFE is only a mono signal anyway it may not have too much or any impact. I shot the folks at Soundcast an email asking that. My setup will be in the same room...moving my sub to the rear which is about 20 feet from the transmitter. I'll be hooking up to my MMC-1, let ya's know how that works out.

First thing I did was throw those cheapo interconnects in the trash. They must be 22 gauge or less lol. But I'm sure SC must have tested the units with those connects, but for me they are junk.

I remember buying a Denon DCD 1500mkII CD player back in the 90's. It was a very highly regarded player, well made sounded great and cost $650.00 back in the mid 90's. Once again even that player came with cheapo RCA interconnects......

I think the manufacturers include them so you can at least get up and running..........

[bobcel]

I hear ya...don't even want to unpack those cheapo things...ha. gonna pick up some decent connects for when it gets here.

[rick240]

Yeah, you don't have to go crazy but definitely better than most "ship in the box" cables.

I have everything (CA Sonata & DefTech speakers currently playing alone ; SubCast and a pair of decent cables) waiting for a sub - maybe we get some news about the Ultra10 soon

[bobcel]

OK then. Received the Soundcast and hooked it all up with some Monoprice/Emo connects I had already. (Yes much better than the thin crappy wires that accompanied the unit) As Porscheguy said, very straight forward in setting up, no issue with wireless interference with my SBox / Harmony units at all. The sub kicked in instantly when active by my MMC-1. No need to increase the gain too, everything measured out loud and clear. Don't know if it is the newer processor or that the distance is relatively close to the transmitter, but worked out great. Pretty happy with it actually. More so that I am able to give my NHT towers a bit more breathing room as they were crowded next to this Goliath entertainment center that houses my TV and equipment. The sub section of the NHT's are being driven with a NHT SA3 amp, that in itself works fantastic for 2 channel and really adds to the whole HT experience. Thumbs up from me if anyone in the same situation needs/wants to move their sub, or subs, but have wiring issues.

[rick240]

It all sounds great, but I'm still waiting to be able to order the mythical Ultra-10

[Porscheguy]

Glad you have had a good experience bobcel. It's a good unit.........