How to Pick Out Good Wireless Speakers
Wireless speaker systems could be considered the Holy Grail of home theater. For audiophiles, the idea of enjoying quality sound without the clutter of speaker wire can be mighty appealing. The reality is that good wireless speakers are available, but none of them are truly wireless. Consumers should be aware that wires are still needed to a connect a transmitter to the home theater receiver and to connect the speakers themselves to the wireless receiver. Power cables are also needed to operate the wireless equipment and provide amplification for the speakers, since no battery can drive a speaker at a decent volume for very long.
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Instructions
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Listen to wireless speakers in different price ranges. Wires or no wires, a speaker is only as good as the sound it can produce. What sounds good is almost entirely a matter of personal preference, so there is no substitute for listening to many sets of speakers. Take a few favorite CDs or DVDs to the electronics store to test the sound systems.
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Measure the distance from the home theater receiver to the intended location for the wireless speakers. All wireless systems have an optimal range for quality sound. Once the speakers are placed beyond that range, audio quality begins to decrease as static and crackles rise. The transmission range for wireless speakers should be printed on the package or listed in the instruction manual.
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Check the power capability of the wireless transmitters to be sure the package is powerful enough to drive the existing speakers at home, or if it will be necessary to buy less-powerful speakers and risk reduced sound quality. Power capability does not equate just to volume; it helps deliver rich sound at lower audio levels as well.
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Check the specifications. Wider frequency response (measured in Hz or hertz) generally means better sound. A built-in antenna means a less cluttered look. Compatibility with other devices (MP3 and iPod, for example) means the product is more versatile and can adapt to the user's changing audio needs. Separate volume controls on each speaker help balance the sound when used in different rooms.
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Look specifically for weatherproofed wireless speakers for outdoor audio. The cabinets are heavier and better-sealed to resist the elements.
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Tips & Warnings
Electronics stores are almost constantly offering discounts on different products, so shop around. Chances are, the right set of wireless speakers can be found on sale somewhere.
Wireless technology, to be affordable, requires manufacturers to build speakers with transmitters that covert digital audio to an analog signal for radio transmission, then reconvert the signal back to digital at the speaker. This double conversion causes an unavoidable loss in sound quality compared to wired speakers with a direct digital signal between receiver and speaker.
