Audio Video News

The Wi-Fi-based Wand wireless audio system Riva Audio previewed at CEDIA 2016 last September is now available for purchase, the company has announced.

In addition to dual-band Wi-Fi, the system is compatible with the Google Home app and supports Bluetooth, AirPlay, DLNA, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect via two wireless speakers that can be mixed and matched to create a wholehouse network with to up to 30 speakers.

The compact Arena speaker ($249) and the larger Festival tabletop model ($499) support 192-kHz/24-bit hi-res audio in a number of formats, including FLAC HD, and incorporate patented Trillium technology to produce stereo sound “much larger than the actual speaker size.” Riva says the speakers can be used anywhere thanks to an Away Mode that creates an ad hoc wireless network when there is no Wi-Fi.

The 7-inch-tall Arena is splash-resistant and uses three full-range drivers and three passive radiators to produce sound levels of up to 101 dB, while the Festival packs three woofers, three tweeters, and four passive radiators in a 14 x 8 x 7-inch MDF cabinet to deliver up to 106 dB of output with bass down to 38 Hz, according to Riva. All drivers are custom-built by Audio Design Experts (ADX).

Both speakers are available in black with a titanium grille or white with a silver grille and provide USB and analog minijack inputs (the Festival adds an optical digital input); an optional 20-hour battery pack that attaches to the base of the Arena is available for $99.

For more information, visit rivaaudio.com.

Watch for our review.