Do you like to have music in the background at all times? Do you want to be able to pull up your favorite artists at the press of a button? If you answered yes, then installing a whole house audio solution is a no-brainer.
Figuring out what that setup should look like in your Rapid City, SD home is a different story. As wireless sound systems rise in popularity, many of our clients are wondering if they might be a better option than typical hardwired solutions.
In this blog, we’re going to highlight the benefits of both systems and showcase how a professional installation lets you take advantage of both.
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The Benefits of a Wireless System
As with most wireless solutions, the most significant draw is convenience. Many wireless speakers are plug-in and play and are easily scalable. You don’t have to invest in new switches or amplifiers to add new speakers.
Once you download the associated app, your audio system will recognize your new speakers and let you play music on individual ones or even group them.
These wireless systems are ideal for retrofit solutions where running wire is either impossible or not worth the trouble. You also don't have to deal with wire clutter that ruins your décor and becomes a safety hazard for kids and pets.
You can even incorporate your existing speakers by including wireless receivers like the DENON Link. Once you hook them up, you can stream your favorite services like Pandora and Spotify directly to your bookshelf or standing loudspeakers.
During your installation, you should work with a professional to strengthen your home networking foundation. The stronger the signal, the more powerful and crisp the sound from your speakers will be.
You can also create dedicated sub-networks for your audio system, so it's less prone to interruptions from other connected devices in your home.
The Benefits of a Wired System
The biggest sell for wired whole house audio systems is quality. There are a variety of reasons hardwired solutions tend to offer better sound.
For one, you can carry heavier signals via cables than you can through your Wi-Fi. That means less compression as more of the original recording makes its way through. And you don’t have to worry about a song cutting out because your son suddenly decided to download a movie — hogging up all of your bandwidth.
The other reason is that wired whole home audio solutions usually involve separates. Instead of having your amplifier or DAC (digital-to-analog converter) built-in to the speaker, you use external components. This gives you better control over bass, treble, and more, to get the ideal sound quality.
You’re also not limited to the typical bookshelf speakers that come with wireless sound systems. You can choose powerful loudspeakers for a 2-channel audio layout or in-ceiling speakers in your kitchen that stay out of the way.
When it comes to source components, you don’t have to rely on streaming services or your smartphone music library. You can connect media servers, CD players, turntables, and more, for a more varied selection.
Striking a Balance With a Hybrid Solution
As in most cases, it’s all about balance. We do recommend using hardwired solutions whenever possible, and we keep all cabling behind walls, so you don't have to worry about added clutter.
In some isolated cases, wireless speakers may be the best option. This could be due to specific architectural issues or because the sound quality is not a priority (especially in areas where you'll primarily use the system for background music).
We can create a hybrid solution that incorporates both options while letting you manage everything through the same in-wall keypads, mobile apps, or even voice control.
To get started on your brand new whole home audio system, call us at 910-217-7018 or fill out our online contact form.
