This data compression decreases the sound quality, so even if the best wireless home-theater speakers used are capable of producing very high-quality sound, the transmission method will reduce their overall ability.
Bluetooth wireless surround-sound systems have a lower sound quality because Bluetooth technology requires audio data to be compressed before it can be transmitted.To make this easier to understand, sound quality can be neatly split between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. However, unless the user spends a lot of time studying the audio industry, most of these numbers will be difficult to understand or completely meaningless. The sound quality for a wireless surround-sound system is dependent on a lot of technical specifications, including frequency response rated output power root mean square, or RMS signal-to-noise ratio and total harmonic distortion, which combine to form a unique sound experience. Photo: Markkus Rovito What to Consider When Choosing the Best Surround-Sound Systemīefore choosing a wireless surround-sound system for the home, prospective buyers should take a few minutes to educate themselves on the most important shopping considerations to keep in mind. Wi-Fi wireless surround-sound systems also offer a better range than Bluetooth systems, making them ideal for large spaces. The sound quality is undeniably better with Wi-Fi speakers and systems because the data does not need to be compressed before transmission, and Wi-Fi connections are much more reliable than Bluetooth connections. Wi-Fi wireless surround-sound systems are more expensive than Bluetooth systems, but they are of higher quality in most ways. It is a more complicated way to pair a device, but the benefits of Wi-Fi might make it worth it. However, most Bluetooth-enabled devices will have their own app that users can access through Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi surround-sound systems that are wireless are newer to the market than those systems with Bluetooth technology, so there can be issues when users want to connect a device that doesn’t have Wi-Fi compatibility. However, because Bluetooth must compress audio data before transmitting it, this technology’s quality is limited.ĭespite falling short in the quality category, Bluetooth surround-sound systems are easier to install, less expensive, and more common, allowing these wireless systems to work with almost any electronic device. Bluetoothīluetooth wireless surround-sound speakers were the first of their kind to emerge into the market. Wireless surround-sound systems are categorized into two main types based on the way in which they receive information: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. So keep this in mind when thinking of the layout of the room and the proximity of available power. Depending on the wireless entertainment system chosen, it may need to be plugged into a power outlet or connected to a subwoofer. Second, although wireless systems have much less wires overall than wired surround-sound systems have, they aren’t completely wire-free. Wireless surround-sound systems are not for everyone, so before getting into the factors to look for when buying, we want to mention a couple of things to keep in mind.įirst, wireless surround-sound systems are not cheap, so prospective buyers need to have a budget in mind. Photo: Markkus Rovito Before Buying a Wireless Surround-Sound System BEST COMPACT SYSTEM: Polk Audio React Surround System.BEST SMART-HOME SYSTEM: Sonos Immersive Set With Arc.