In terms of the multiroom dimension, Monster is going up against Sonos, which has all its wireless technology built into the speakers - no extra accessories required. That all sounds pretty good - and the Katana may sound great - but the rub in all this is how much the speaker costs and all the optional accessories involved.
Not surprisingly, there's a new Monster App for handheld devices that lets you control the StreamCast system from from "virtually any tablet, smartphone or digital media player." Additionally, Monster says the StreamCast HD bridge module allows handheld devices to connect to the system via Bluetooth and become an additional stream on the StreamCast HD network. No Wi-Fi network or Ethernet is required. The StreamCast device connects to a computer and Katana's StreamCast port and lets you wirelessly stream uncompressed music throughout your home - you can have four streams pushed out to 12 different zones at a distance of up to 100 feet. What's also interesting about the Katana is that it can be turned into a multiroom audio system by purchasing Monster’s optional $170 StreamCastHD Transmitter and Receiver Kit. Monster's CEO Noel Lee talked up the Katana's ability to surprise listeners with "truly room-filling, great-sounding music from a very small footprint - it just doesn't seem possible that such powerful-sounding music, with such deep, rich bass could come from such an inconspicuous source!" What makes it so groundbreaking? Well, according Monster, thanks to its advanced Bluetooth wireless capability featuring AAC and apt-X, "users experience a new level wireless audio performance, with the option to stream music throughout the home from tablets, laptops, or MP3 players."
It touts the Katana as a true "breakthrough" in wireless digital music systems. Monster is, too, but it says its new $699 ClarityHD Katana speaker system, which is due to ship later this month in black and white versions, is a major cut above the rest. LAS VEGAS-It seems like every audio company is putting out some sort of compact Bluetooth speaker system these days. The $699 Katana wireless music system is set to ship this month.