OTHER TECH

Performance

So, how does this baby drive? The answer is, "Just fine, thank you very much." Operationally, S8.6AV performed exactly as it should, meaning that it sent the correct audio and video signals to the correct zone whenever I pressed a source button on one of the controllers. Overall, the video quality was good, whether viewed on the Via! panel or on my bedroom's 32-inch TV. Elan claims that video can be sent up to 300 feet without loss, so even the largest homes shouldn't have problems. Granted, it is only composite video, which is fine for things like surveillance cameras and iPod docks, but not for high-quality sources like DVD (let alone HDTV). For that, Elan offers the V883 ($2,400), an 8-source, 8-zone component-video distribution device that can be easily mated with the S8.

I enjoyed being able to tailor the bass, treble, and volume individually for each zone, but I found that I typically ran the volume around 80% or more to satisfy my music jones. While the S8.6 AV's built-in 40-watt per-channel amplifiers can handle moderately loud listening levels in most rooms, the amp might not have quite enough gas for really large rooms or outdoor areas. As much as I appreciated the System 6's amp (which is the same amplifier as in this unit) when I reviewed it, the amps in audio-distribution systems introduced since then from manufacturers like ADA, Request, and Niles have been so outstanding that I've raised my expectations.

Fortunately, adding additional amplification easily rectifies this possible shortcoming. Elan offers another solution in the form of the S8.AVP ($1,400), a preamplifier-only version that's identical to the S8.6AV in every other way, making it perfect for systems where you prefer to use an outboard power amp.

What makes the S8.6AV really shine is the variety of controllers that can be paired with it. And even though I've auditioned a lot of two-gang-size controllers, I don't think any have looked as slick and contemporary as the Olé XL. Sitting in your wall, it's ultra-sexy, with a 262,000-color display that's incredibly bright and easy to read. While a 2-inch screen doesn't sound like much, it can accommodate a 0-9 key layout with enough room that you can accurately hit each key with your finger. Plus, your installer can add station icons for favorite TV or satellite-radio channels - another great touch.

If you use the Olé XL along with a video display, the S8.6AV's video-distribution capabilities can also give you Via!-like performance at a fraction of the price. In my bedroom, for instance, I could use the Olé XL to navigate my Escient Music Server/DVD Manager's graphical user interface on my TV. As an added bonus, the Olé XL includes a built-in IR receiver so you can operate the system with a handheld remote.

For sheer "Wow!" factor, you can't beat the Via! panels. Budget considerations aside, I'd advocate placing Via!s throughout your installation. They're so cool and easy to use, and their ability to display full-motion video comes in handy for a number of reasons. Whether I was browsing the music stored on my Escient server or checking the program guide on my DVR, being able to access this information on the panel without having to fire up my main TV was a welcome treat. The Via! is also a great platform for viewing any security video cameras connected to the system. And even though it might not seem like a great deal - especially when you can buy a 42-inch high-def plasma TV for the same $1,400 as a 7-inch Via! - that price is actually relatively low by touchpanel standards.

When it comes to the N800 wireless controller, though, I have to say that I'm conflicted. It does an admirable job as a system controller, letting you operate your audio gear while wandering around the house - as long as you stay within range of the Wi-Fi access point. And since the S8.6AV adds the ability to control any zone from any zone - say, switching the sound source on your backyard deck to iPod from the controller located in the kitchen - the N800 is a perfect portable solution. Visually, its interface looks exactly like a Via! panel, so it provides a very consistent user experience. It also includes a Web browser so you can check e-mails or the latest headlines without breaking out the laptop.

What I'm conflicted about is its price: $1,950 ($1,200 for the controller and $750 for the required SS1) is awfully high for a 4-inch controller, especially when you can buy an off-the-shelf Nokia N800 for under $300. I appreciate that Elan adds proprietary software, and even strips out some of the N800's features to improve performance, but at 6[1/2] times the price, it's still a painful pill. However, if you can get over that hurdle and actually pony up for one, I'm sure you'll enjoy using Elan's version of the N800 as much as I did.

Getting metadata feedback on the controllers requires using Elan sources. Along with the DTNR dual AM/FM tuner and Via!migo iPod dock that I tested, Elan also offers an XM satellite tuner and a hard-disc music server that display source metadata information. The DTNR is basically two completely separate AM/FM tuners in a single chassis, allowing different stations to be enjoyed simultaneously in separate zones. The big deal here is that it displays station frequency on the Elan controllers, and allows seek tuning, tuning by preset, or jumping directly to a station by entering its frequency.

But even cooler was the Via!migo iPod integration dock, which iPod users will consider an essential part of the system. The Via!migo features Apple's latest authentication chip and allows full compatibility with all iPods except the iTouch and iPhone. (It should be noted that no current docks are fully iTouch- or iPhone-compatible.) And its ability to browse videos stored on iPods makes it a potential mini house-wide video server as well.

The Via!migo also incorporates a couple of cool features for distributed-audio applications. One is the ability to create a temporary My Jukebox playlist from any of the controllers. The other is a fast-scroll option that's particularly useful for working through a giant library of music to find a specific selection. Being able to browse your iPod's contents from any controller is definitely cool, and I found myself using the Olé XL in my bedroom far more often because of this capability. While the N800 didn't display any information from the Via!migo during my review, I did get a sneak peak at a beta version of an interface that raises the N800's cool factor considerably by letting you use it to wirelessly browse your iPod's contents. (The interface should be available by the time you read this.) But videos and cover art on your iPod won't be able to stream to the N800.

Bottom Line

Elan's System 8.6AV incorporates the best parts of its System 6 multiroom controller and adds terrific improvements, including additional sources, standard-def video distribution, and the ability to stack chassis to accommodate large installations. And you get all this for only $230 more than the original System 6, which keeps it at a price that many entry- and mid-level system buyers will find attractive. Elan has also added some great new controllers to its lineup, making sure that the user interfaces remain not only highly functional but also cool. Together, this adds up to a system that delivers solid performance and does it with élan!