The promise of wireless audio has been dangled like a carrot in front of everyone who is looking for good audio without all the cables. Sure, products have come and gone, but the Griffin Evolve is one of the best solutions we've tried in this category, as it offers a true wireless experience in a compact iPod docking system.

Great, clear sound from wireless speakers is elusive, and while the Evolve can't quite deliver true audiophile sound, it represents a leap forward from other systems. While it sounds great at normal volumes, the Evolve's audio quality suffers at higher volumes, and the speakers can't quite reproduce full-spectrum sound. And when the speakers are not fully charged or are too far from the base station, the sound they produce begins to break up and you get an underlying hiss.

Griffin suggests the maximum operating distance at 150 feet from the base station. Despite this, however, we have problems catching good signals throughout our home, and there is some distortion when the speakers are placed outside with the base unit approximately 50 feet away and behind brick walls.

Stylistically, the Evolve looks great. It has a brushed metal base with glossy black accents. Each speaker has a rubberized back and a grip for easy transport. A switch on the base station switches from stereo mode (when using the speakers together in the same room) to mono (for using each separately).

The remote control matches the base station in design with a brushed metal keypad much like a Motorola Razr phone. The RF control works through walls, making it easy to adjust the volume or skip songs from wherever the wireless speakers are located. Unfortunately, there aren't many options on the remote; to navigate playlists, for example, you have to return to the iPod and scroll through it manually. Also, if the speakers are on the base, actually getting to the docked player is awkward and requires some maneuvering.

Evolve is designed to work with iPods, specifically newer-generation iPods, but it accommodates older units and other devices via stereo line-in jacks. There are stereo outputs and S-Video outs, as well, but the latter works with a more limited range of devices, so check the specifics of the model you're considering.

The Evolve's best feature, however, remains its wireless speakers. Once they are fully charged via the base station, each will run for about 10 hours, and both include power buttons that allow them to be turned them on and off manually. When not in use, they will slip into sleep mode; just push the power button to turn them back on.


Pros: Simple design, portable, true wireless versatility
Cons: Sound quality, awkward dock placement

Warranty
1 year