Wireless sound for TV (not an audiophile)

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Takuan

42 posts

Geek

#96110 20-Jan-2012 13:45

Hi all,

As per the topic name I am not an audiophile, but I would like a nice sound system that supports my TV, but also things like my MySKY, XBOX and MacMini.

Currently, I have a nice super flat Samsung LED TV stuck on the wall in my lounge, and we wired HDMI and VGA cables from the back, under the house, to a cupboard against the opposite wal. That is where my equipment lives (out of sight, in the cupboard). A remote control signal transmitter is wired through as well, so I can still point the remotes at the TV. As everything is sealed up and painted, I would prefer not to run any additional cables.

I didn't work out sound though

and have been looking for a system that won't show any ugly cables running up to the speakers. So what, in the ideal situation I would have, is:

- A sound system that sits in the same cabinet (to connect it to MySKY, XBOX, MacMini etc)
- Wireless front speakers (standing or wall mounted, little wall mounted ones preferred as I have got twin toddlers), that can go next to the TV
- Wired or wirless rear speakers, wiring there doesn't matter
- Wireless subwoofer

The problem is that I have found some systems with wireless speakers, but they always seem to be the rear speakers.

As I am not so worried about it being 5.1, I have also looked at one of those soundbar systems with a wireless subwoofer. Some can plug directly into the TV, so as long as I transport sound to the TV via the current HDMI cables, I thought this could work. It doesn't seem ideal as they are expensive and still quite big...

Doesn aynone have any other recommendations or ideas?

Many thanks i advance!

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#571243 20-Jan-2012 14:12

You can run speaker cables (which on most large amps run power which is sound) under the floor from the receiver to the floor points where the speakers will be placed (length of cable, height and distance are the key variables).

Alternatively (depending on whether the cupboard is full height you could go through the ceiling and hang the speakers. The cable and speakers are quite unobtrusive. It is important to put the speakers in a relatively square/rectangular shape as their sound is relatively directional.

If you are in Wellington, Chow on Tory has a nice looking mounting system in their ceiling for speakers (not sure about quality). I had forgotten about it until before christmas when I went in there for lunch.

Also depending on the type of cupboard you could incorporate the subwoofer inside it with a port, and/or a neatly disguised open space (think - opaque cloth over a shaped hole). The sub is generally non-directional, so can be placed anywhere.

Lastly, I could have guessed you weren't an audiophile, as this would have been the first bit they would have thought about! :)

Jon

Takuan

42 posts

Geek

#571258 20-Jan-2012 14:42

Thanks Jon, I know I should have pre-empted the audio bit... Anyway,great tips but I am still looking for a wireless solution for the front speakers (if it exists)... I will keep your ideas in mind though...

Musclesnz

40 posts

Geek

#571460 20-Jan-2012 21:19

Hi, went through exactly the same thought process, the advice above is good. It is easy (pretty) to wire speakers through the wall, ceiling or floor back to the amp. To be honest, it will totally be the best sounding, and best overall option for a day of hard work. If you need any advice on how to install, I learnt as I went. I had to swap out holesaws for spade bits once I learnt that the hole saws bottom out before they get all the way through the stud..ha.

update?