I have a SONOS system, with 2 small speakers, for our casual setup. I can move the speakers to the basement, garage, or kitchen and listen to streaming music. It is awesome and I love the convenience. The speakers sound nice for what they are but, are not audiophile quality.
My dilemma is my main 2ch system. I have a Nuprime IDA-8 integrated amp driving large speakers. They were great in our large old house but, we downsized and moved into a smaller house this summer and the rooms are much smaller and running speaker cables from the amp will not be nice looking at all. I'd love to replicate something like the SONOS speaker system for my main 2ch system but, would like better audio quality. Any suggestions or recommendations?
If I was in your situation I would check out the KEF LS50 Wireless. I’m looking forward to the user/professional reviews. It looks to be an outstanding value; streamer, DAC, amplification with 230 watts.
Audioengine models get consistent high praise and offer good value. I’ve heard them and liked them.
Dynaudio Xeo another I would exxpect very good results with but have not heard.
This is an emerging category of products worth keeping an eye on and expect many more options in the near future as well.
I have a Harmon Kardon Onyx Studio Bluetooth speaker that was very affordable and is just awesome for its size and cost. I'd love to be able to run a stereo pair though somehow.
Hmmm ... Unless I use SONOS speakers, I'd have to create another wireless audio "ecosystem" in my house. It will be like using Apple and Windows computers in the same house. Certainly doable but, not the ideal situation.
albeiro, depending on which way you go, I don't think it would be a big deal at all to run something else alongside SONOS.
For example I run two wireless streaming solutions concurrently to stream to a variety of devices including my good in home hifi systems and remotely to various wireless devices (including computer in my office at work) over internet:
1) older Logitech Squeeze System (wifi) 2) newer Plex (wifi and Bluetooth)
Each works different and has different features to learn but no problem running both concurrently.
If you wnat a single solution, don't see why you could not continue to use Sonos devices. You might want to run an external DAC if the sound quality is not up to snuff out of the box.
Decide how much you want to spend then look at the room size. The great thing about active dsp speakers is they sound consistent so if you like them in the shop you'll probably like them at home.
I bought a pair for a new house, after hearing them at a friend's house, for such a small speaker, they sounded awesome! With their wifi capabilities, they are a "speaker" when my wife streams Spotify to them, and they are a Roon end point for my high end audio system.
I see they have a new version of the LS50 Wireless, you'll probably be able to snag the old version for a good price! From what I see, they've replaced the DAC to one which decodes MQA and you won't need to connect Left & RIght speakers via an ethernet cable in the new version.
This is in my wheelhouse. I have Sonos stuff which I am now selling for the same reason. Just not enough sound quality and so many more options now, but many are still cumbersome.
The KEF LS50 (newest model if can afford) is a great pick. I just got a used older model (was just over 1k used) which is really a nice pair of speakers. Dynaudio also makes some wifi active speakers which I think need a special box however to use over wifi.
I have some audioengines which are bluetooth but sound better than the Sonos. My favorite little bluetooth (not wifi) speaker around $500 is the Vantoo line. But not wifi like Sonos.
I'll stop here as there are a host of ways to stream wirelessly in a house w.o. special wifi or active speakers but do require more specific gear.
After watching the Darko review of the KEF LS50 Wireless II setup I'm tempted to try it, perhaps with the aim of selling my Ayre electronics and KEF Reference 1s. Over 95% of my music is sourced by Roon. HDMI from Cox cable now goes to Audio Engine 2+, but that might go to the new LS50 setup.
Just run your wires under the carpet and call it a day. Wireless speakers are great for background music. I have Sonos speakers in the garage, in the porch and the exercise room. But, for serious listening and goose bumps, forget it. Put your foot down and set up your nice speakers in the best room for audio you have. You might want to get some flowers for the wife first.
The secret to Sonos is using wifi for transmission, not bluetooth (which is mostly short range line of sight). There are not many credible wi fi music systems used out there beyond Sonos (Yamaha Musicast?). Sonos is improving and pursuing higher definition. There are a lot of very high end people in music consulting/advising for them so I know they are chasing this.
Why not get a sonos "connect" and hook it up to what you want? The active part of a speaker is not related to the idea of wifi music, other than it uses electricity. I have a connect amp on a set of small ATC SCM7s [passive] for my office and it works great.
