Wireless Surround Sound Buying Guide
Wireless surround sound has long been a dream of frustrated home theater users. Not only is the cable-less setup appealing for its simplicity in setup, its design implications cannot be ignored. The question you have to ask yourself is whether the technology has progressed to the point that it is worth implementing or not? How is the sound quality? Is it really wireless? Am I willing to pay for this new technology?
We've put together a simple guide that will hopefully address some of these questions for you. You know you want surround sound, now determine if you need wireless.
Forms Of Wireless Surround Sound
Wireless surround sound can come in a variety of different solutions. The most common form refers to a complete system that implements wireless rear speakers. The receiver sends a wireless signal to the rear speakers, allowing them to function without the speaker wire.
Variations of this type of system include specialty devices that act as a middle man between your receiver and rear speakers. A speaker transmitter connects to the receiver's rear speaker outputs and then sends the wireless signal to a wireless receiver at the rear of the room. This receiver then acts as amplifier to the rear speakers, connecting them directly to the device. Soundcast™ has a kit that does just this for a couple hundred dollars.
Another easy solution if you are looking for a wireless solution is to purchase wireless surround sound headphones. These can be a more cost effective solution for individuals looking for a wireless surround solution. These surround sound headphones are available in 5.1 and 7.1 surround technology, and are great for movies, games, and music applications.
Advantages
One of the primary nuisances of setting up your home theater system is running the cables necessary to connect everything. One way or another, you have to connect those rear speakers to your receiver. This requires running cables through the wall, around the perimeter, under the floor, across the floor, or any other conceivable method you can come up with.
The primary advantage of a wireless surround sound speaker system is that you can eliminate the cable run from the receiver to the rear speakers. In rooms that you cannot properly hide the cables, this can make a very significant difference. Many disgruntled spouses may be pleasantly surprised when you introduce your new wireless solution. Keep in mind that many wireless speaker setups must still be connected to a power source (most battery powered rear speakers are terrible at best).
Disadvantages
Even though you do not have to connect the speaker cable to the rear speakers, you must still connect them to some form of power source. This usually either comes in the form of a rear amplifier or directly to a power source. Many find that running power cables causes almost the same problem in the room as did running speaker cable.
Although power is a commonly discussed disadvantage, by far the biggest complaint comes from the sound quality contingency. When comparing two sets of speakers of equal price, one wireless and one wired, the wired will almost always win the sound quality battle. Why? Wireless technology costs additional money that normally would be allocated to improving the sound output of the speaker.
Does that mean that your wireless surround sound system is going to sound terrible? No, not at all. It just means that you may have to pay a little bit extra to get the same quality of sound that you would from a traditional wired unit. But be warned that some wireless speakers are not up to par in the sound quality department.
Of a more minor complaint of wireless surround sound systems, there is often a power-saving delay built into the system. If the rear speakers do not receive a signal for a specified period of time, they will often power down. There is often a 3-5 second delay in restoring power to the rear device when signal is restored. In cheaper models, this can correspond with popping and static as well.
