Wireless Speakers System Reviews

Wireless systems offer greater flexibility and convenience to home entertainment owners especially when in-wall wiring is not an option.

In this wireless speakers systems review, we cover some of the best available add-on wireless modules that will enable you to transform a wired speaker system into a wireless setup in no time at all.

Despite that wireless speaker systems have been on the market for a few years now, choice is still very much limited with only a few options worth considering. Furthermore, most wireless speakers systems are mainly designed to deliver limited audio power - typically 25W to 50W RMS per channel. Is this enough? It all depends what are your exact requirements.

Prices vary from less than hundred dollars to several hundred dollars. This mainly depends on the available audio power at the receiver end, as well as supported features. Including the speakers as part of the wireless kit do have a considerable impact on the overall price as well. However, wireless kits intended for home theater use do not normally incorporate speakers; instead, these make use of the same rear or back surround speakers that come with your home theater system. There is a twofold benefit to this:

JBL WEM-1 50W 2-channel 2.4GHz wireless amplifier

An interesting wireless kit suitable for use in a surround sound setup is the JBL WEM-1 50W 2-channel 2.4GHz wireless amplifier. This is one of our favorite wireless speaker kits. It is a relatively robust wireless system that is available at amazon for around $250 to $300 - a fair price considering that it can deliver up to 50W RMS per channel of high quality sound; most wireless speaker systems come with a maximum 25W RMS dual channel amplifier.

JBL WEM-1 50W 2-channel 2.4GHz wireless amplifier, complete with remote control.

Like most systems, it uses the same 2.4 GHz computer wireless technology to transmit CD-audio quality sound up to 70 feet away, making the JBL solution suitable for use in a surround speaker setup as well as in multi-room audio.

The transmitter connects to the source using either line or speaker level inputs. Using the line-level input - if available on your AV receiver - will generally help you avoid most hum problems many encounter when connecting wireless speakers add-on modules via the speaker signal.

Unlike most 2.4GHz systems, the transmitter and receiver are not paired at the factory but instead, have to be paired by the user by selecting a suitable common channel on both the transmitter and receiver. In total, the JBL system comes with four user-selectable communication channels.

This makes it possible to use say a second receiver unit paired to the same transmitter to send audio to a second room. Alternatively you can use a second JBL wireless kit to wirelessly drive both the rear and back channels in a 7.1 speaker setup as further explained in our wireless speakers installation tips.

The receiver/amplifier offers equalization settings for several speaker types. A local input on the receiver module allows the user to hook up a portable device like an MP3 or gaming system to the amplifier, while a subwoofer line level output allows you to feed the low-frequency sounds to a separate powered subwoofer. Note that the subwoofer output on the JBL receiver unit is not filtered or low-passed, so make sure you use the low-pass crossover network on your powered subwoofer as otherwise you will hear a lot of undesirable higher-frequency information from your subwoofer.

The JBL WEM-1 kit comes complete with a remote control to adjust the volume from your listening position as well as to select the input on the receiver amplifier as the signal source. The remote is surely a welcome convenience, one that is often missing on wireless speakers systems irrespective of price. It is true that once you correctly balance the sound level on the JBL receiver unit, you will not be using the remote for volume setting in the case of a surround sound application, but it will still be of use to select the source input (local or wireless) on the receiver end as well as to mute the sound.

One final feature - again missing on most systems within this price category - is Auto On/Standby feature. The JBL On Air WEM-1 wireless speaker amplifier kit will automatically enter the Standby mode after approximately 10 minutes when no signal is detected from your system. The JBL WEM-1 will then power on instantly when a signal is detected. Note that when mute is engaged, auto turn-off is deactivated.

The affordable JBL WEM-1 wireless amplifier is a favorite option among those looking for a serious wireless amplifier kit for whatever application. It is priced a bit on the high side with respect to other systems, but for the price you get a few extras! Definitely, it is worth considering if it falls within your price bracket.

Highly recommended.

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Audio Unlimited Premium 900MHz Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speakers with Remote and Dual Power Transmitter

This Audio Unlimited Indoor/Outdoor wireless speaker kit is typical of most outdoor wireless speaker systems. It makes use of 900MHz FM wireless technology to transmit a stereo signal to the two speakers up to 150 feet away. Rated at just 5W per speaker, this is not the system for those looking for premium sound quality. But overall sound quality is acceptable especially for general outdoor use. The wireless speakers can be powered either using six 'C' type alkaline batteries or AC through the supplied AC/DC adaptor.

Audio Unlimited 900MHz Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speakers with remote control and dual power transmitter.

Connection to the transmitter is at line level - meaning you can connect the Audio Unlimited wireless speakers transmitter unit to the audio output jack or headphone/earphone jack on your audio source. The system transmitter supports all types of audio inputs including RCA inputs for home theater receivers, MP3 players, computers, iPods, and iPhones.

The system features both an auto-tune function which makes setting up the wireless link a simple one button operation, as well as an auto-switch off function which helps save on battery power by automatically switching off the transmitter if it does not detect any signal for 4 minutes. Some may find the latter time window a bit too short but we think that four minutes just strike the right balance between convenience and battery power usage.

Included with the wireless kit is a remote control though which you can auto-tune or power on/off the system, and to adjust the volume control.

Being a 900MHz wireless technology means that the Audio Unlimited wireless system would not interfere with your Wi-Fi networking.

Available in pink, white or black, these Audio Unlimited inexpensive wireless indoor/outdoor speakers represent a good reliable system for the price.

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Bose SL2 Wireless Link for Rear Speakers

Bose SL2 Wireless Link for rear speakers

While the other wireless speaker systems featured here can operate with most audio systems irrespective of brand, the Bose SL2 Wireless Link is designed specifically to provide a wireless connection for surround speakers on Bose 5.1-channel Lifestyle® and Acoustimass® home entertainment systems. It can support Bose systems having a maximum rated output of 200W per channel.

The Bose SL2 wireless link sells for around $220 online. It makes use of 5.8GHz wireless technology - meaning that it is significantly less prone to interference from mobile phones, microwave ovens, wireless home networks, and other household appliances operating in the more congested 2.4GHz and 900MHz bands. But using 5.8GHz transmission also explains the limited 30ft range supported by the Bose SL2. Still, 30ft should be more than adequate for a single room installation. And using RF instead of say infra-red means you can also hide away the transmitter and receiver ends since line of site is not required. At the same time, this limited range means you cannot use the SL2 as part of a multiroom audio setup.

The Bose SL2 wireless link can produce high quality sound that will soon make you forget there are no wires between the rear speakers and your Bose home entertainment system.

Setting up is quick and easy thanks to the use of color-coded connections. Simply connect the transmitter to your Acoustimass module, and the receiver to your rear surround speakers. Just be sure to set the select switch on the bottom of the SL2 transmitter to 'Lifestyle' or 'Other' depending on your system configuration. Then plug both units into a wall outlet. Once you position your surround speakers, make it a point to run the ADAPTiQ® audio calibration system provided with your LIFESTYLE® system; this will ensure you get the best balanced sound from your new setup.

This is all it takes to install your new Bose SL2 Wireless Link. All that remains is... to enjoy your Bose system!

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Jensen JISS-585 Universal Docking Station for iPod with RF Wireless Speakers

The Jensen JISS-585 is not the traditional wireless audio kit many are accustomed to in that it is mainly designed to provide you with a wireless audio system for your IPod or MP3. It comes with two wireless speakers capable of delivering up to 2W RMS of audio power - somewhat on the low side in terms of audio power.

Jensen JISS-585 universal docking station for IPod and MP3 players with RF wireless detachable speakers

However, the relatively inexpensive JISS-585 gives you the opportunity to enjoy much better sound despite the low output power than that possible with most IPod headphones; in fact, overall sound quality is very good for the price. In addition, you get the added convenience of detachable wireless speakers that can be placed anywhere up to 100 feet away from the docking base station.

The speakers are not uniquely paired in that it is the user who can select any of three communication channels to pair the wireless speakers with the docking station. This makes it possible to say get a second set and synchronize all four speakers to the same docking station - making it an ideal setup for multiroom music listening.

Each speaker incorporates a lithium ion rechargeable battery - meaning there is no need for a socket outlet nearby; the built-in batteries will give you several hours of use before recharging.

The base unit includes a docking station for your iPod or compatible MP3 player. Besides transmitting digital stereo sound to the speakers, it will also recharge the batteries used in the Jensen wireless speaker units as well your iPod or MP3 while streaming music. An auxiliary input on the base unit makes it possible to wireless transmit stereo sound to the remote speakers from any other compatible audio source.

The system is relatively easy to use and includes a comprehensive set of controls on the supplied remote control apart from volume and power controls that helps you move on through your playlist.

As stated earlier on in this review, the Jensen JISS-585 IPod docking station is capable of delivering good quality wireless sound for the price. The only complaint we have come across relates to the wireless speakers in view of their relatively low power output. But then do not forget that primarily, this is an IPod docking station that comes with the added convenience of wireless speakers.

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Rocketfish RF-WS01 - Wireless 8W Digital Speaker System

It is not designed for use as part of a wireless surround sound setup. In this respect, both the Rocketfish RF-WHTIB wireless speaker kit and the JBL WEM-1 2.4GHz wireless amplifier featured earlier on in this wireless speakers review article would definitely be more suitable for the job. However, overall sound quality is very good - much better than that of the Audio Unlimited Indoor/Outdoor wireless speaker kit. And this holds true even at full power output.

At a recommended maximum distance of just 55ft between transmitter and the speakers, the supported wireless range is significantly less than that of most systems. This makes this Rocketfish wireless speaker kit most suitable for within the same room or adjacent rooms, like when extending your PC or TV sound.

System setup is a simple push of a button on both the sender unit and the wireless speakers. Audio connectivity on the sender unit is through standard RCA jacks. Each of the wireless speakers includes a selector switch for use either in mono mode or as right or left channel in a wireless stereo speaker setup. Each speaker also includes an on/off switch and a convenient volume control.

The only complaints we have about the Rocketfish system is that (1) it misses on a remote control, and (2) speaker batteries would not last long. Otherwise, this is one of our favorite wireless speaker systems thanks to its clear sound and robust wireless connection. It is not among the cheapest around but the Rocketfish™ RF-WS01 is one we highly recommend for those looking for a complete wireless speaker solution that incorporates a good set of PC-type speakers.