Looking for a wireless sound system

[admin_exported]

Hi guys,

It seems there is so much choice around regarding hi-fi, I thought I'd ask the sound geeks over here at whathifi!

Basically what I'm looking for, is a wireless sound system to use when listening to music through my laptop. I'm a student, so spend a lot of time listening to music.

I was preferably looking for something with surround speakers, preferably a subwoofer, and obviously decent sound.

I honestly don't know where to start - what's overpriced, poor quality, out of date, etc. My budget would be maximum of around £400. (Is this to low?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you're being a bit ambitious for £400.

Lets rewind & understand what you are trying to achieve.

Why do you want surround speakers if you are only listening to music?

Do you have any hi-fi at the moment?

Do you have a wireless router and broadband?

Why do you want wireless?

Your answers will give a better steer for the advice you're after.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response Heystack.

I was after the surround sound so I could distribute the speakers around the room - I saw a setup on one of those tacky shopping channels with the 4 cube speakers distributed around the room. Presumably this would give a more "rounded" sound - or am I wrong in assuming this?

As for the wireless, I feel it would be easier to play music from my laptop with wireless functionality, as the room is fairly large and my laptop isn't always positioned in the same place. The idea of no dangling aux wires does take my fancy.

At the moment I am using a Misson FS-mm1 - ancient I know. But the sound does pack quite a punch. Was really looking to upgrade.

I do indeed have a wireless router and broadband, yeh.

 

[Anonymous]

I would recommend sticking with 2 channel speakers for music and forget surround sound for now.

Although I have a CD collection in excess of 500 CDs, since buying Logitech's Squeezebox Duet I have not bought any new CD's - I listen to most of my music using Napster (£15 for 3 months) and Spotify (£10 per month).

The Duet might be a starting point for you but I'm not sure about connection to your Mission active speakers. So take a look at the Squeezebox Boom also.

Using Squeezebox and Napster you have access to millions of tracks and you stream them in through your telephone line.

I suggest you go on the Logitech website, have a think about what might suit your needs and then post another question once you have narrowed your choice.

 

[professorhat]

Well if you only want wireless when playing music from your laptop, you don't need a wireless surround system - a wireless surround system means you can have rear speakers which don't have to be connected to the main front surround unit (though they still need power so still have to have wires going to them from the nearest power point).

What software do you use on your laptop. If you use iTunes, you can look at an Airport Express (about £75 - £80) to wirelessly stream music from iTunes to your hifi / home cinema system. Even if you don't, you can purchase Airfoil which is a program costing about £18 which will let you stream any program running on your laptop to the Airport Express.

However, as heystak says, if music is your main priority, I would also go with a two channel setup - you won't get a great surround system for £300 (assuming you've paid £100 or so for the above Airport Express), and it will be pretty awful with music, but you could get a reasonable budget separate stereo integrated amplifier and speaker system for that.