Speaker Systems
Wireless Speakers Overview
There is a lot of misconception about wireless speakers.
Many people think that these audio speakers have no wires.
Unfortunately, wireless speakers do not mean "completely wireless" but rather "less wires". The reason is simple.
Speakers require a lot of power to produce sound through their drivers.
The good quality, high power sound cannot be driven from batteries (imagine using a toaster powered by 1.5V D type batteries).
Thus, the wireless speakers need a power source and the receiver.
The current technology usually allows 1 receiver-amplifier system to drive and modulate signal on couple or more speakers.
Therefore, you do not have wires from the music source to the wireless speakers.
But you still require power to the receiver-amplifier box.
This usually means that the receiver-amplifier needs one power cable for its amplifier and wires to the speakers it drives. Despite some wires, the wireless speakers allow for flexibility like no other. You no longer need your speakers to be placed close to your stereo. The wireless speakers also provide surrounding sound options which are impossible with standard wired types.
Wireless Surround Speakers
The initial idea about wireless speakers was to provide a surround system which can be installed anywhere.
Thus, wireless speakers are often regarded as wireless surround speakers.
The job of the surround sound is to provide rear- and side-effects.
This brings an incredible depth to the song or a movie.
Therefore, wireless surround speakers are usually a part of the entire system.
Today, they are often incorporated into a home theater or a stereo which offers 5:1 surround or 7.1 multi-channel solution (the detailed discussion of the home theater is in another section).
The cheapest way to buy wireless surround speakers is in the package, such as the home theatre.
Today, good quality home theaters cost around $800.
The wireless surround speakers on their own sell for $125-$200.
The good quality types (900MHz auto tuning RF technology) will certainly exceed $300 mark (almost 40% of the 5:1 surround system).
Wireless Speakers for TV
Again, wireless speakers for TV are actually the wireless surround speakers. Generally, you buy the units as part of the home theatre system (discussed in another section). A good quality home theatre costs about $800-$900. However, the theatre offers quality sound system which includes:
- Blue-ray
- Front speakers
- Side planar-magnetic speakers (mid frequency range)
- Wireless surround speakers (mid frequency range)
- Subwoofer - bass for those great low frequency trembling noises
If you are only interested in the flexibility then you may choose to specifically purchase the wireless speakers for TV. This way, you will not have the sound quality of the home theatre but a flexible setup for a fraction of the price. Good quality wireless speakers for TV cost around $200. Units which offer a greater sound clarity are in the range of $300. You can place these audio speakers almost anywhere in your house. For most of these products, the distance of 50 meters or less from the transmitter will not affect the signal.
Wireless Speakers for Laptop
The wireless speakers for TV are compatible with other electronic devices. You can use them with:
- Stereo
- Laptop
- PC (desktop speakers)
- DVD players
- CD players
- iPods
Thus, you do not need to buy specific wireless speakers for laptop. Any from the above electronic types, which offers a standard USB port, are compatible with wireless speakers for TV.