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I second the Sonos route. I just picked up a Playbar yesterday and I’m extremely happy with it. Very easy to install, great sound quality, and can be used for music streaming. You can get the Playbar, 2 Play:3s, and Sonos Sub for $2,000. Don’t forget to buy the Sonos Bridge as well we for $49. This will allow everything to be tied into your home network.

I’m own a home theater installation company and would normally steer people away from a wireless system, but this is the first one I’ve used that I can get behind.

15 days ago on Wireless Speakers?

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I realize what I’m about to suggest is over your budget, but in my mind its worth the money. Also it may save you money in the long run and can upgrade to a full 5.1 system down the road. I just installed one in my house last night, and I’m very impressed with it.

Sonos Playbar ($699) with a Sonos Bridge ($49).

I own a home theater installation company and it’s what I do for a living. Wireless audio systems go against a lot of what we do, but I just installed a Sonos system in my own home and for many applications it’s a perfect fit.

What I like most about the Playbar is that it connects to a Tos-link (optical) Out port on the back of your TV and anything you watch that’s hooked to your TV will play through the soundbar. Also the soundbar is a 3 channel speaker so it actually has a Left, Center, and Right all built in. They also sell a wall mount bracket for it so you can mount it just below your TV. Now with the Sonos Bridge (which you would plug into your router) it creates a wireless connection to the Playbar allowing you to stream music from a smartphone or tablet. Through their app you can use your streaming music services (Rdio, Spotify, Pandora, ect..) or iTunes from a computer.

Now as far as in the future, you have the option of adding wireless rear speakers (Sonos Play:3) and a wireless subwoofer (Sonos Sub) and have a complete 5.1 surround system without the need of a surround sound receiver. Total for everything would be around $2,000. But you can start with just the soundbar and work your way up a little at a time.

I was streaming music to my Playbar this morning and was extremely pleased with the sound quality. It has a total of 6 mids and 3 tweeters built in.

Coming from someone that installs hardwired surround systems for a living, I was very impressed with this wireless system’s sound quality, ease of use, and easy setup.

If you’re really bound to your budget, you can find stereo soundbars with a wireless sub for $200 – $300 at costco or bestbuy. All these soundbars really do is make the sound from your TV louder. Just remember, with audio you get what you pay for. The Sonos is more investment up front, but you get a system you can build on, looks beautiful and sounds just as good.

Feel free to ask me any questions about it. In my house I hooked a Sonos Connect to my home theater in my living room, a Sonos Playbar to my TV in my Bedroom, and a Sonos Play:5 in my Kitchen.

Sonos.com

15 days ago on Need a 2.1 system recommendation for my TV! 1 reply