You can have all the smart hubs. Which Smart Hub for home automation is best for you? Which Smart Hub for Home Automation is Best for You? For a while, people thought the idea was nothing more than a gimmick, but recent product launches have shown that smart home automation is starting to deliver on its promises. Learn More, Stylish Kitchen Gadgets Create a Futuristic Kitchen With These 7 Smart Gadgets Create a Futuristic Kitchen With These 7 Smart Gadgets It's hard to know where to draw the line between useful and gimmicky when it comes to smart home gadgets for the kitchen, but these gadgets they are sure to impress! Read More Everything you need to know before installing a smart lock. Everything you need to know before installing a smart lock. Smart locks are increasing in popularity, but there are still many valid concerns about their security. These are the facts you should know before making a purchase! Read more you want. But you can't really claim to live in a smart home unless you have a wireless speaker system throughout your residence.
Nothing screams high-tech like pressing a button on your smartphone and instantly having five different songs playing in five different rooms. It has a “wow factor” that is sure to impress any guest.
If you're thinking of investing in a wireless speaker system, don't. Well, at least not until you've read this article. There are some important things to consider before disposing of your cash.
Wireless speakers offer an almost endless range of features, a list of which would be too extensive to cover in this article.
However, there are four common features that some speakers will offer but have not yet become industry standards. Make sure your purchase provides the ones you want:
If you're new to wireless speakers, you probably only plan to buy one or two devices to start with. But what happens further down the line?
You may want to add more components. Maybe you'd eventually like a sound bar for your TV, some bookshelf speakers for your office, a waterproof speaker for your bathroom, or an outdoor speaker to listen to on the go. The 7 best wireless outdoor speakers to party anywhere. Party-Anywhere Speakers If you like to party, you need a wireless outdoor speaker. Take your parties to the next level with these best outdoor wireless speakers. Read more ?
You don't want to go to stores for an update, only to find out that the product you want isn't available in your chosen ecosystem. The difference between the Bose and Sonos product lines (which include various sizes of speakers, soundbars, subwoofers and audio input adapters) and Bluesound's PULSE range (which only has three different speakers) is huge.
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Research all the products your manufacturer offers before you buy anything.
How to wireless is it wireless? Does your speaker still need to be connected to a power source to work? For Wi-Fi speakers, the answer is probably Yes, and that means you'll need cables.
Or you?
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One of the most exciting new entries in the wireless speaker market in 2017 is the Denon HEOS 1. For an additional $99, you can purchase the HEOS Go bundle. Add battery power, splash protection, and even Bluetooth support. If you want a speaker that you can take with you while you're gardening or cooking a barbecue, it's worth considering.
It sounds obvious, but you have to consider your budget. When it comes to wireless speakers, price varies wildly, both between manufacturers and between models in the same product range.
A Chromecast audio will only set you back $40 per dongle and Amazon's spot is only $49. For a little more money, you can pick up mid-range Bluetooth speakers Best Bluetooth Speakers under $25 and up to $300 Best Bluetooth speakers under $25 and up to $300 You can't beat the convenience of going wireless. Great audio quality may always need wired speakers, but for music on your phone, Bluetooth speakers are a must-have accessory these days. Read More
By contrast, the cheapest Wi-Fi models from Sonos and Bose are $199, with the two companies' higher-end soundbars coming in at $699.
Be sure to choose something that will not only fit your budget today, but will remain affordable as you look to add larger, more powerful components in the future.
As the world continues to move toward streaming music online The End of Ownership:Netflix, Spotify, and The Streaming Generation The End of Ownership:Netflix, Spotify, and The Streaming Generation Streaming media is convenient, but it's giving up to something important:Ownership of digital media. Instead of physical media, considering what third-party services your wireless speakers will work with is more important than ever.
For example, Sonos integrates with more than 50 third-party providers. Obviously, all the major services like Spotify, Google Play Music, and Apple Music are covered, but so are a whole host of niche apps. Do you want vintage radio shows? Install RUSC. Do you enjoy Indian music? Add Gaana. Do you need some background music? Hearts of Space is your friend. The list goes on.
Contrast that diversity with some of Sonos' competitors. sonos vs. Chromecast Audio:Which is the best for you? sonos vs. Chromecast Audio:Which is the best for you? A lot of people seem to think that Sonos and Chromecast Audio are the same thing, but we'd be wrong. While their core purpose might be the same, the differences between them are vast... Read More Chromecast Audio can play the audio output from any app. 10 Must-Have Chromecast Apps for Listening to Music. 10 Must-Have Chromecast Apps for Listening to Music. Color forecasts are more than just video content; They can also stream music. In this article, we've listed 10 must-have Chromecast apps to help you get started listening to music. Read More
What if there is no mobile app for your service? Yes, you can cast directly from your desktop, but that means your computer will need to be running and you won't be able to control the music from anywhere in your home.
Can you use your wireless speakers alongside existing devices in your home? If you're hoping to have a genuine “whole house” experience, you should consider this carefully.
To use Sonos again as an example, the company offers a sound bar that can be connected to your TV, which is great for enjoying 4k movies on your TV. On the other hand, users often complain that the product does not have a way to play audio natively directly from their computer. If you were hoping to stream game soundtracks How to Find the Perfect Music to Listen to While Gaming How to Find the Perfect Music to Listen to for Video Games Video games are now considered an art form, and their soundtracks are an important element. However, sometimes you need to listen to something else while playing, which is where Spotify comes in instead. Read More
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Meanwhile, Chromecasts can turn all your old "dumb" speakers into smart speakers, but it won't be able to stream your TV's audio throughout your house.
And what about Apple Airplay? There are plenty of Airplay-enabled speakers on the market, but if you don't already have a few, are you prepared to buy adapters for each speaker? 4 AirPlay Receivers That Are Cheaper Than Apple TV 4 AirPlay Receivers That Are Cheaper Than Apple TV Apple TV is a great device for streaming audio and video, but it's expensive. Here are four other awesome AirPlay receivers that are much cheaper. Read More
Perhaps the best "everything" system is the Bose SoundTouch. It offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming, giving you the best of both worlds.
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You need to think about how well your system will work with a) your own proprietary app and b) apps from streaming music services.
Sonos has its own proprietary app, but the company has also started to open up its API for streaming music services. 6 Online music streaming services without restrictions. 6 Online music streaming services without restrictions. Finding a completely unlimited music listening experience can be a challenge. So, if you want complete control over your listening experience, check out these six completely free options... Read More It is now possible to stream audio from the Spotify or Google Play apps directly to the speakers. Since the native Sonos app has been criticized, it's a welcome update.
Like Sonos, Bose offers its own app as part of the SoundTouch range, and you can also stream music directly from third-party apps.
At the other end of the scale, the Chromecast doesn't have an app; you must install the applications of each streaming service individually. If you only use one music service, this may not be a problem. However, if you like to pull your audio from multiple sources, all the cutting and switching between apps can quickly become annoying.
You can divide wireless speaker connections into two broad categories:Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is important to make the right decision; The type of connection your system uses affects both its range and audio quality.
If you live in a large house and want to cover every room with audio, you almost certainly need a Wi-Fi system. The range of a single router can be up to 150 feet in perfect condition, and potentially even more if you get a new smart router 5 Things That Make Smart Wi-Fi Routers Worth Buying 5 Things That Make Routers Worth Buying WiFi Today, you can buy a new class of "smart routers," specifically designed to deal with the demands of running a smart home. Here are five things that make smart Wi-Fi routers worth buying. Read more.
And even if your home has dead spots, you don't need to worry. More and more manufacturers are introducing technology that allows speakers to create their own mesh network. Are mesh networks the future of the Internet? Are mesh networks the future of the internet? Mesh networks are powerful decentralized networks that can change the way we use the Internet. This is how they work. Read more . SonosNet is one example:each individual speaker becomes a node, thus creating one large continuous network.
Wi-Fi also benefits from the use of a lossless codec:audio fidelity will not be lost when transmitting data. If you are an audiophile Are you an audiophile? These 10 questions reveal the truth Are you an audiophile? These 10 Questions Reveal the Truth You might think you're an audiophile, but in reality very few music lovers meet all the necessary requirements. Are you really an audiophile? Or are you just a great suitor? Read More
The biggest drawback of a Bluetooth system is its range. Manufacturers may advertise 30 or even 50 feet, but with interference from other devices and interior walls, you'll be lucky to get half that amount.
You should also make sure that the Bluetooth device you are streaming from supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). It is the only type of Bluetooth connection that supports stereo audio.
On the plus side, most portable devices offer Bluetooth connectivity, so your system compatibility should increase.
I've just explained how using Wi-Fi can give you better sound than using Bluetooth, but you also need to investigate the sound quality of your speaker. It doesn't matter how flashy your speaker is if it doesn't have the sound quality you need!
For example, critics have praised the Amazon Echo for being the first in a new generation of smart speakers thanks to its integration with Alexa. While that may be true Let's face it:Amazon Echo's Alexa is stupid Let's face it:Amazon Echo's Alexa is stupid There's no doubt that voice-controlled assistants are the future, but is Alexa the solution? Maybe not. In this article, I am going to argue that Alexa is pretty stupid. Read More Amazon picked up on the problem:It's the main reason they chose to let the Echo Dot work with any speaker or audio system in your home.
And of course, if you plan on using your speakers a lot with your TV, you should make sure they support 5.1-channel surround sound Dolby Digital, DTS, THX:Surround Sound Standards Explained Dolby Digital, DTS, THX:Surround Sound Standards Explained surround sound standards Although there are only three major players in the surround sound industry, they each have their own subsets of surround-related technology. Read more . If they don't, you won't get that famous movie theater experience.
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I hope this article has opened your eyes to some of the things you need to consider before investing in a wireless speaker system for your home.
Have you considered all the pros and cons of a wireless speaker system? What features are the most important to you? What brand will you buy? Why?
