Wireless or Wired?

BoardsMember · 19-04-2022 6:33pm #1

We're getting work done on our house in a while and am trying to decide if the re-wire job should include wired speakers or I should go wireless throughout.

I currently use a 2 zone Onkyo for the 2 living rooms, I play Spotify via Chromecast Audio into the Onkyo. I link these 2 zones to other rooms that have Google Homes in them using Google home Speaker Groups. So I'm no audiophile!

The ask: to have similar "multiroom" type functionality to the above so I can play Music/Radio that I can control from an App.

The layouts, 2 new "zones":

L shaped open plan: 10m x 5m & 5m x 4m, tall ceilings (3m or so), I think 5 speakers here, the 4 end corners of the L, and one at the "junction" of the rooms.
snug/x-box room - 3.5m x 5m, lower ceiling (2m or so). I have a soundbar for the x-box, so probably just 2 speakers for here.

Ideally the solution would be Android/Google home friendly and I can make the zones myself via Google home app.

I'll have good broadband and decent WiFi thoughout.

So I'm wondering whether to go wires or wireless. And what amp/speakers to buy. I'm not mad about the idea of "proprietary" tech like Sonos and similar, I like the idea of having speakers that are just speakers so wired appears to be an option.

Richersounds.ie: Kenny · 20-04-2022 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058242433/wireless-or-wired

Hi BoardsMember.

Thanks for the post.

To be honest we don't really sell any wireless system other than the likes of Sonos and Heos but these will not give the desired effect you are after.

You will always get a better quality of sound with a wired setup and less issues with lip sync or drop out.

You could use something like the Denon AVRX2700 which can run 5.1 in Zone 1 for your home cinema but also run it in multi channel stereo for listening to music. It can then also run 2 speaker in a 2nd Zone. The 2700 also has Heos built in which will allow for connecting to other Heos products for a multi room setup.

Priced at 719 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14159-denon-avrx2700-black-dolby-atmos-and-dts-x-av-receiver.aspx

Although I notice you only plan of 4 speakers for your home cinema and a 5th single elsewhere in the room. This will not work for a home cinema setup as you require 5 speakers for home cinema. front left and right, a centre speaker and rear left and right.

The single speaker would then need to be a single stereo speaker or it will only play half of a track wither left or right side.

For home cinema I would also not recommend mounting speaker in the corners of the room as this will fire the audio over your head and not give the correct sound or effect.

https://www.the-home-cinema-guide.com/surround-sound-speaker-placement.html

Of course you could move to inceiling speakers and these would work better than corner mounted speakers as the audio will be fired downwards into the room.

There are a few bundle deals on our web site for the 2700 with speaker packs:

2700 with DX2 5.1 pack priced at 1099 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14205-denon-avrx2700-wharfedale-dx2-5-1-speaker-bundle-black-av-receiver-with-5-1-sat-sub-speaker-package.aspx

Or with the Monitor Audio Mass 5.1 pack priced at 1369 Euro

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-14201-denon-avrx2700-monitor-audio-mass-ii-5-1-black-speaker-bundle-av-receiver-with-5-1-sat-sub-speaker-package.aspx

Let me know your thoughts.

BoardsMember · 20-04-2022 1:50pm

Hi @Richersounds.ie: Kenny - thanks for taking the time to reply with all that info.

One clarification - I'm not planning to change the current Onkyo set-up/home cinema room, that room will remain standalone (it is not part of the L shaped room or the snug).

What I am looking for is audio for the L shaped room, no need for video. The "multi-room" element is for the 2 rooms: l-shaped room and the snug. Does that make sense? Apologies for the confusion.

Happy to take advice on speaker placement for audio only, I was thinking maybe having speakers in the corners on brackets pointing down into the room a little.

Richersounds.ie: Kenny · 20-04-2022 4:17pm

Hey BoardsMember.

I don't really have any stereo amps that are designed to run 3 pairs of speakers. Most are only designed to run 2 pairs.

Although in saying that there is one, the Monitor Audio IA40 which can run 3 pairs of speakers. Has built in Bluetooth and an optical and 3.5mm input.

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-13809-monitor-audio-ci-amp-ia40-3-channel-pro-power-amp-3-channel-slim-power-amplifier.aspx?swapstore=1

It also depends on what you want to be able to do in each Zone. Are you looking to be able to have different music in each Zone or will it just be the same music in both areas?

What devices are you looking to connect to the amp or will it just be for streaming from a phone or tablet?

Let me know your thoughts.

BoardsMember · 20-04-2022 5:43pm

Hi @Richersounds.ie: Kenny - thanks for the reply. That Monitor Audio IA40 looks interesting. I'd be streaming from phone. Would the digital input take a chromecast audio? I prefer streaming to chromecast audio and not having to rely on bluetooth/proximity of device.

I might simplfy this and leave it to 2 pairs of speakers as the requirement - what would you recommend if I went with 2 pairs?

Re your zone question - just would like to be able to turn each pair on/off and adjust volume level independently. No need for different source/music in each.

Richersounds.ie: DavidS · 21-04-2022 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118952707#Comment_118952707

Thanks for getting back to us BoardsMember.

The Monitor Audio IA40 will actually only power 3 single speakers, not three pairs, it's designed more to power something like a powered soundbar.

I don't actually have any amps that will drive two pairs of speakers and allow you to independently control the volume on both. You could look at something like a Yamaha RN602 which will power two pairs of speakers and is app controlled for wireless streaming. You can't adjust the volume on both channels independently but you could add a second RN602 amp and this will allow you to link both amps together via the musiccast amp, you can then adjust the volume of the two amps via the Musiccast app:

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-201953-yamaha-rn602-black-black-network-stereo-receiver.aspx

Let me know what you think of this option!

Kind regards

David

BoardsMember · 21-04-2022 2:44pm

Thanks @Richersounds.ie: DavidS - I'm not too keen on 2 amps, I might keep looking for a single unit that can power 2 pairs of speakers and where volume can be controlled independently.

Seems to me my Onkyo NR609 AV could do this....it has an optional 2nd zone (when not using 7.1), volume control of zone 1 and 2 independent of each other. Maybe I could just buy a new AV amp and use the Onkyo to do what I am looking to do.

Richersounds.ie: DavidS · 21-04-2022 3:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118956675#Comment_118956675

You could go for a Denon AVRX2700 which would have 2 independent zones as well. It would also have wifi streaming for music.

https://www.richersounds.ie/p-14159-denon-avrx2700-black-dolby-atmos-and-dts-x-av-receiver.aspx?swapstore=1

Let me know what you think!

Kind regards

David

BoardsMember · 22-04-2022 1:15pm

Thanks @Richersounds.ie: DavidS - leave it with me. Something about using an AVR where I only need sound doesn't sit right, but maybe that is the simplest solution, and potentially a backup if the NR609 fails.

Richersounds.ie: Kenny · 22-04-2022 1:27pm

Hey BoardsMember.

No problem.

Give us a shout once you have thought things over.

Wireless or Wired?

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