- Oct 30, 2000
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Let's talk about wireless speaker kits as I am now in the market for a potential setup.
So I've been digging around and there seems to be a few different kits out there. Most of them now all boast CD audio quality and zero to little loss of signal in the over to air transmission. The prices range from $100 to $250 for various kits I've seen. Wattage claim outputs range from 30 to 80 watts as well. Which is all dandy since these kits are suppose to power rear speakers which usually aren't suppose to be all that loud. The biggest concern I see with most of the kits is the following:
1) Noise signal problems due to interference. Some kits allow you to change wifi signal channels and some don't. Some people have massive signal interference issues and many do not. Guessing I'll either have a problem I can't resolve and return what I buy, or I won't. So while this is a small concern issue, it's the smallest I see.
2) Durability. Here is a bigger concern for me and most. All the kits I find are cheap little plastic boxes with tiny amps and questionable build quality parts for a lot of money. Most seem to last about a year and go out. Which makes finding something to use a bit daunting. Wondering if it is mostly a heat issue or not.
3) Supported connections and number of supported connections. Some kits come with regular analog speaker wire connections, some with RCA, some with 3.5mm jacks and some with a combination. The connection type to me is not nearly as big a problem though as the number. I am trying to remote 2 rear speakers, with the possibility of 4 rear speakers, as well as a sub. Most kits only do a single sub or 2 rear speakers. There was one discontinued kit that did 4 rear speakers, but it was probably discontinued for a reason.
In the past I've just ran wire conduit with an adhesive backside along the base boards from one side of a room to the other in my theater setups. This works great for sound, but it is a lot of work and actually can be a bit pricey. Decent speaker wire in lengths required can run for a good amount even for a modest spool. The conduit channels are also very pricey. Last time I did that wiring setup it was about $50 for a 100 yard spool of 12awg speaker wire (which I still have some left over) and another $100+ for the conduit channels. When you buy wire conduit channel kits for about $22-$30 a kit and need 4-5 kits to complete the work because of the distances involved, it can be pricey. Then one has to factor in the extra work involved, and yes it is work to properly place and attach that conduit, and it's a royal PITA.
So I'm basically looking for a decent wireless speaker kit that has a decent amount of oomph (50w or greater per channel would be fine) that can handle 2 rear speakers along with a sub at a minimum would be great. Also the durability to last and not blow up within a year would be required.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Right now my choices are what I've looked on Google for and Amazon. The common cheapest solution seems to be the Rocketfish setup at least.
Amazons list of wireless speaker kits
Rocketfish kit from bestbuy for $99
I don't mind spending more than what the rocketfish setup costs up to around $200 for the right devices. I just don't see anything that fits the bill though of durability, quality, and connections along with price. Anyone know of a kit I missed and should get instead?
So I've been digging around and there seems to be a few different kits out there. Most of them now all boast CD audio quality and zero to little loss of signal in the over to air transmission. The prices range from $100 to $250 for various kits I've seen. Wattage claim outputs range from 30 to 80 watts as well. Which is all dandy since these kits are suppose to power rear speakers which usually aren't suppose to be all that loud. The biggest concern I see with most of the kits is the following:
1) Noise signal problems due to interference. Some kits allow you to change wifi signal channels and some don't. Some people have massive signal interference issues and many do not. Guessing I'll either have a problem I can't resolve and return what I buy, or I won't. So while this is a small concern issue, it's the smallest I see.
2) Durability. Here is a bigger concern for me and most. All the kits I find are cheap little plastic boxes with tiny amps and questionable build quality parts for a lot of money. Most seem to last about a year and go out. Which makes finding something to use a bit daunting. Wondering if it is mostly a heat issue or not.
3) Supported connections and number of supported connections. Some kits come with regular analog speaker wire connections, some with RCA, some with 3.5mm jacks and some with a combination. The connection type to me is not nearly as big a problem though as the number. I am trying to remote 2 rear speakers, with the possibility of 4 rear speakers, as well as a sub. Most kits only do a single sub or 2 rear speakers. There was one discontinued kit that did 4 rear speakers, but it was probably discontinued for a reason.
In the past I've just ran wire conduit with an adhesive backside along the base boards from one side of a room to the other in my theater setups. This works great for sound, but it is a lot of work and actually can be a bit pricey. Decent speaker wire in lengths required can run for a good amount even for a modest spool. The conduit channels are also very pricey. Last time I did that wiring setup it was about $50 for a 100 yard spool of 12awg speaker wire (which I still have some left over) and another $100+ for the conduit channels. When you buy wire conduit channel kits for about $22-$30 a kit and need 4-5 kits to complete the work because of the distances involved, it can be pricey. Then one has to factor in the extra work involved, and yes it is work to properly place and attach that conduit, and it's a royal PITA.
So I'm basically looking for a decent wireless speaker kit that has a decent amount of oomph (50w or greater per channel would be fine) that can handle 2 rear speakers along with a sub at a minimum would be great. Also the durability to last and not blow up within a year would be required.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Right now my choices are what I've looked on Google for and Amazon. The common cheapest solution seems to be the Rocketfish setup at least.
Amazons list of wireless speaker kits
Rocketfish kit from bestbuy for $99
I don't mind spending more than what the rocketfish setup costs up to around $200 for the right devices. I just don't see anything that fits the bill though of durability, quality, and connections along with price. Anyone know of a kit I missed and should get instead?
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