Audio Video News

Vizio has expanded its Google Cast-enabled line of SmartCast audio products, which launched in early June with nine soundbars.

The SmartCast Crave 360 portable speaker ($250) is available now while the larger Crave Pro ($300) is due out “soon.”

Both models integrate Google Cast, which lets users to stream music over Wi-Fi from Google Cast-enabled audio apps already on their mobile devices. The speakers can also be controlled by Vizio’s SmartCast app for iOS and Android mobile devices.

The SmartCast app is designed to simplify the whole-home audio experience, according to Vizio, allowing users to turn their devices into remote controls with play, pause, and volume controls and cast the same or different songs to multiple cast-enabled speakers and sound bars connected to a home’s Wi-Fi network.

The speakers also support Bluetooth streaming but Vizio points out that Wi-Fi streaming enables better quality sound, avoids phone call and other interruptions that can plague Bluetooth streaming, and helps conserve battery usage on mobile devices in addition to freeing them up for other tasks.

The battery-powered Crave 360 produces sound in an omnidirectional pattern and is rated to play down to 50 Hz and produce up to 95 dB sound-pressure level (SPL). The speaker has a leather carrying strap, a wireless charging base, and will play for up to 8 hours per charge, according to Vizio. The AC-powered Crave Pro has dual woofers and is rated to play down to 40 Hz and produce up to 102 dB SPL.

Both models are finished in satin aluminum and have manual controls in the form of a top-mounted glass touch dial.

“The Crave collection allows consumers to seamlessly cast to any of the speakers or even a Vizio SmartCast sound bar, and control their audio right from their mobile device using the Vizio SmartCast app,” said Matt McRae, chief technology officer.

For more information, visit vizio.com.