Velodyne Acoustics WiConnect System 2:Wireless audio transmitter for music and home cinema systems
Velodyne Acoustics has relaunched the WiConnect System: the second generation of the wireless audio transmitter can transmit a full stereo signal. AV-Magazin tested the compact system's capabilities and how it performs in practice.
Review by Marius DonadelloDez.30th 2025, Pictures: Velodyne, AV-Magazin
Hi-fi systems can sometimes present challenges when it comes to using certain modern features. Many music lovers want sound systems for multiple rooms, but even some of the latest amplifiers don't offer this option. So how can you play music in another room? Wireless speakers are, of course, an alternative to traditional devices, but they don't always meet the demands of listeners who are particular about quality. If you don't want to sacrifice the 'mature' sound of your beloved hi-fi components and carefully selected speakers, you'll find yourself caught between sound quality and convenience.
The same applies to the additional cables required for rear speakers, for example, if you want surround sound. Some prospective buyers are also put off by app-based systems and prefer to keep things as simple as possible. For this and many other scenarios, Velodyne Acoustics offers an amazingly simple solution with the ‘WiConnect System 2’. The '2' at the end of the model name indicates that this is the second generation of this smart system. Consisting of a transmitter and a receiver, the set sends audio signals wirelessly from the transmitter to the receiver. The WiConnect System 2 thus establishes a wireless connection between different devices, as well as between traditional and user-friendly requirements.
Solution provider for stereo and home cinema
- New form factor with glossy black housing – the WiConnect System 2 has nothing to hide (Image: Velodyne Acoustics)
Compared to the previous model, the transmitter and receiver have a new and attractive form factor. They are each approximately the size of an Apple TV, and their glossy black housings are reminiscent of that popular device. Therefore, space requirements are not an issue, as WiConnect transmitters and receivers can be easily and discreetly placed. A pair of RCA sockets on the back of each device provide a combined stereo/LFE output or input. As with Velodyne subwoofers, the socket for the right stereo channel also serves as the LFE socket. There are no other inputs or outputs, nor are they needed, as this combination jack offers a wide range of possibilities – far more than you might initially realise.
In the multiroom scenario mentioned earlier, where sound from the main system in the living room needs to be transmitted to a smaller hi-fi system (for example, in the bedroom), the WiConnect System 2 can serve as a wireless connection between the amplifiers. Providing sound for a second listening area is particularly easy if active speakers are available: in this case, a second amplifier is unnecessary as the RCA cable can be connected directly from the receiver to the speakers' RCA input.
Neat and tidy living space
- Thanks to their small dimensions, the transmitter and the receiver can be placed anywhere, for example behind the TV. Rear holes for standard brackets make it even easier to integrate the units discreetly (Image: Velodyne Acoustics)
In traditional setups where music is played in one room, the WiConnect System helps reduce cable clutter, creating a tidier living space. This is particularly useful when signal or speaker cables would otherwise need to be routed over doors or windows. In such challenging situations, the WiConnect receiver enables local control of active speakers, providing an elegant solution. For a stereo system with active speakers, one RCA cable connects the source to the stereo input of the transmitter, and a second RCA cable connects the stereo output of the receiver to the stereo input of the active speaker.
If longer distances need to be covered, longer cables can, of course, be used instead of the two supplied RCA cables. Regarding active speakers, it should be noted that various scenarios can also be realised with passive speakers, provided that a sufficient number of amplifiers are available for the configuration.