To understand the technology behind wireless speakers systems, first one must realize there is truly no complete wireless speaker system. These systems still require at least some connectivity to a power source. Wireless speakers systems require amplification either through an integrated amplifier or through an external unit; and there is no way you will amplify an audio signal without power!
It is true that there exists various battery-powered wireless speakers systems. However, these would normally be more suitable for multiroom audio or for external use rather than for home theater. Battery power simply cannot provide sufficient audio power for home theater use in a viable manner.
Therefore, the key factor with any wireless speaker setup is not a total wireless solution. Rather, it is the added flexibility and convenience of not having to wire the speakers all the way across the room or home. This applies irrespective of whether it is a rear surround speaker setup, or some remote speaker system in a multiroom audio environment.
When it comes to home theater wireless speakers systems, you have two main options: Add-on Units and Integrated Wireless Systems.
Normally, these make use of RF wireless transmission over the 900Mhz or 2.4GHz bands to transmit audio signals using digital technology to the remote speakers.
There are also a few units operating in the 5.8GHz band. These units are less likely to suffer interference from mobile phones, microwave ovens, and other household appliances operating in the 900Mhz or 2.4Ghz bands. In addition, most WLANs operate in the 2.4GHz range, which means that wireless speaker systems operating in the 5.8GHz band are not prone to interference from yours or neighboring wireless networks. At the same time, one cannot ignore the fact that 5.8GHz systems often support shorted distances.
A few other systems use infra-red instead of RF, but there again these are limited to short distances within the same room since infra-red based wireless speakers systems require line of site between the transmitter and the receiver.
Add-on Wireless Speakers Systems
Add-on units consist of a small sender unit that connects either to the rear-channel speaker out on the A/V receiver, or to the line-level out on your source. These units use wireless digital technology to transmit the audio signal to a powered audio receiver unit at the back of the room.
The remote rear unit includes built-in power amplifiers to drive the rear speakers. Ideally, these should be the same rear surround speakers that came with your home theater system, though any appropriate set of matched rear speakers will do.
Connection between the rear receiver unit and the surround speakers is achieved through normal speaker wire. All that remains to have a functional wireless speaker system setup is to plug the wireless sender and receiver units into convenient mains power outlets.
These add-on units represent the ideal solution if you already own a home theater receiver complete with all the necessary speakers, and all you are looking for is a way to remove those unsightly rear speaker wires crossing the room.
Add-on units with integrated power amplifiers in a wireless speakers system setup designed for home theater surround would typically deliver anything between 25W and 50W RMS per channel. This renders these systems compatible with entry to mid-level home theater systems. In fact, a 25W per channel wireless rear speaker system can easily match a surround audio setup with typical 60W to 80W per channel on the main front speakers.
If you want more power for your rear wireless speakers, you can always hook up your add-on wireless speakers systems into a suitable external stereo amplifier placed at the far end, to driver the surround speakers.
But the role of add-on wireless speaker systems is not limited only to their use as a rear wireless speaker solution in the home theater. These units may very well serve as a convenient – possibly cheaper alternative to in-wall wiring – in a multiroom audio installation.
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