Need Help: Wireless Speakers vs Streo Speakers

[0verkilled]

Hello,

Sorry to start another vs thread, please don't hate me. I am really confused on what to buy, and need your advise on what to do. I will be as specific as I can.

Background: I used to own Aviano 6s paired with Music Hall a 25.2 connected to a DAC and player music through a laptop. I liked the sound of it, although laidback, you could listen to it for longer durations.
I recently moved to a smaller place, very small. The entire setup, especially the speakers were overwhelming for a 12 x 15 living room. Also, it was inconvenient to turn on all the components just to play a song, hence I sold the entire setup here, in the forum.

Sadly, I might be travelling to US next month and more sadly you have an obligation to bring something back. And I was hoping to get a wireless speaker, like LS50 Wireless (2200$) or Naim Mu-So for (1300$), which are beyond my budget :sad: I have identified the following speakers:
B&W Zeppilin (650$), BeoPlay A6 (600$), NAD Viso (350$)or Naim Mu-So Qb (800$). And I feel A6 and Mu-So Qb are overpriced, please let me know what you think.

Another option is to get either NAD D7050 or D3020 they sell for 450 and 300$ in Audiogon, I can pair them with either KEF Q350 or R100 for 650 and 800$. Dynaudio Xeo 2 is also an option, but KEFs are very elegant IMO. Problem is, carrying speakers might attract custom duty. Is it worth the hassle and extra price? Compared to wireless speakers above? If it is, which would be better combination?

Thank you for your time, if you think none of it makes sense or its not worth carrying speakers from there, please tell me. I will be happy to skip everything and buy some active speakers in India like JBL LSR305 maybe for half the price.

 

[asliarun]

My two cents. Even if you get active/powered speakers, wireless or not, you still need to connect them to a power outlet, so you are not really "cable free". Then it might as well be speaker wire instead of a power cord.

Getting an amp (that also works on Indian voltage) might be easier to carry and less prone to damage than lugging speakers. If I was in your shoes, in a small room, and for ease of use, the NAD digital amps sound like the best choice. For further sound quality, you could buy Chromecast Audio and stream to your amp from CCA while controlling the music from your phone.

An alternate to the NAD would be Dayens (such as the Dayens Ampino), but perhaps I am biased because I have their amp and just love the sound. The quality you get for the price is really very very good. The parts used are found on amps much more expensive. Only thing is, this is a minimalistic amp that just focuses on performance and does not have any bells and whistles at all. Which might be fine if you are going to use your phone as the primary interface to stream audio from - using Chromecast Audio. And honestly, Chromecast Audio over wifi is far better than bluetooth (which is what the NAD amps support out of the box). It actually streams uncompressed audio, even high res.

 

[mpw]

Audioengine A5+ with their small sub woofer is an option

The A5+ has an onboard DAC too

 

[newlash09]

The LS50 wireless is an audiophile alternative if you can stretch that far. And will keep you happy for many years to come.

I have heard the Naim Muso , I couldn't figure out what the hype was all about. I would give it a miss at that price.

The nad digital Amps are good quality. Therr is also an definitive technology amp called PW50 in the states, that goes for 500 USD. Does most of what the nad does, plus has room correction. There is also a well regarded elac amp in the 500 USD range that comes with room correction and wireless control.

Besides all above, if you want to go with something I heard and use, I would suggest a bluesound powernode 2. Sounds awesome. It used to drive my QA concept 40's clean. So I guess it can drive a lot of very efficient speakers easily. Comes with app control, which is very user friendly and easy to use. But it might be at around 800 USD mark.

But I would suggest going with a amp in that budget, as in this hobby, the upgrade bug sets in very fast. And when it does, you could upgrade your speakers again.

But if you want a left field suggestion, try to find a set of Harman kardon sound sticks . You won't regret it
Should be around 17 or 20 k on Flipkart or Amazon.

 

[Naturelover]

There was an HK Soundsticks put up for sale in case that interests you
http://www.hifivision.com/showthread.php?t=67173

 

[0verkilled]

Thanks for the suggestions.

D7050 is wifi enabled so audio quality should not be a problem for streaming music, there is one more NAD amp c338 it has built in chromecast and analogue inputs.

Bluesound feels a bit expensive. I could not find Definitive technology amp, even in their website.

Audioengine A5s and Sound sticks are good but I need a bit more hifi.

Maybe I will just buy the amp there and buy some used speakers here. What do you guys think about Q350 and R100?

 

[newlash09]

The R100 is supposed to be a step up from the entry level Q series. But with new Q350 , not sure if it is the same. An audition is the only way to find out. Profx stocks both I guess.

If you are looking for an amp, try to find a marantz HAD amp1. Getting very rave reviews. And very compact too. But you would have to stretch to the USD 1000 mark. I would always advise to buy once and buy high quality. Not many amps in the 500 USD range that are really good, except the NAD's and one onkyo 9010.

 

[0verkilled]

Marantz does not have wireless connectivity and its out of budget too, looks like there are very limited options in what Im looking at. There are couple of amps like NuForce and Project, but for the same price, NAD looks better in terms of reviews.

R100 in Bangalore costs around 1 Lakh and Q350 is not available and they dont know when the stock arrives. I will keep a close eye on For Sale section.

 

[mpw]

Thanks for the suggestions.

D7050 is wifi enabled so audio quality should not be a problem for streaming music, there is one more NAD amp c338 it has built in chromecast and analogue inputs.

Bluesound feels a bit expensive. I could not find Definitive technology amp, even in their website.

Audioengine A5s and Sound sticks are good but I need a bit more hifi.

Maybe I will just buy the amp there and buy some used speakers here. What do you guys think about Q350 and R100?

Define - a bit more hi-fi ?

 

[elangoas]

Also, it was inconvenient to turn on all the components just to play a song, hence I sold the entire setup here, in the forum.

When you say wireless, i hope you like to stream music from phone/laptop to your amplifier and not the wireless speaker's...

Not sure if you skipped this option..Most AVR's are wi-fi capable these days.. An AVR + speakers is all you need IMO..

All AVR come with a mobile app.. So, from turning on the device, playing content from mobile can be done effortlessly..

 

[0verkilled]

Define - a bit more hi-fi ?

Common.. a bit more hi-fi - better sound quality, imaging and all that, you must be knowig what I meant. Not that AudioEngines are bad, but streo amp and speakres would sound better than active desktop speakers IMO.

When you say wireless, i hope you like to stream music from phone/laptop to your amplifier and not the wireless speaker's...

Not sure if you skipped this option..Most AVR's are wi-fi capable these days.. An AVR + speakers is all you need IMO..

All AVR come with a mobile app.. So, from turning on the device, playing content from mobile can be done effortlessly..

I did use a Pioneer AVR (although not wireles) before I bought streo amp, there really is difference between the two in sound quality, for the same price.

The main reason I am thinking about buying amplifier is its easy to carry and the prices in US are less than half compared to Indian prices.

 

[captainrizal]

Common.. a bit more hi-fi - better sound quality, imaging and all that, you must be knowig what I meant. Not that AudioEngines are bad, but streo amp and speakres would sound better than active desktop speakers IMO.



I did use a Pioneer AVR (although not wireles) before I bought streo amp, there really is difference between the two in sound quality, for the same price.

The main reason I am thinking about buying amplifier is its easy to carry and the prices in US are less than half compared to Indian prices.

On what basis are you saying amps would be easy to carry from US? Are you planning to put in cabin luggage? An amp would be at least 10 kgs.







Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[0verkilled]

Yes that is what I was hoping for actually the amps I listed are pretty small and weigh 5kg or less. Do you think that would be a problem?

But if you think I could carry the whole speaker box without any problems, I could do that as well Buying something in my budget in India is easier and best option, however, I do see people bringing stuff while they are travelling and that is what I wanted to know, if its really worth going through the hassle.

 

[captainrizal]

Yes that is what I was hoping for actually the amps I listed are pretty small and weigh 5kg or less. Do you think that would be a problem?

But if you think I could carry the whole speaker box without any problems, I could do that as well Buying something in my budget in India is easier and best option, however, I do see people bringing stuff while they are travelling and that is what I wanted to know, if its really worth going through the hassle.

If you have less check in luggage you can buy speakers as well in US. You must be aware that from US to India, 2 bags each 23 Kg allowed for check in luggage. I am sure 2 B/S speakers will weigh less than 23 Kgs. Make that as 1 pc luggage so that with your own suitcase it will be 2 pcs luggage. Will you not have any cabin baggage like laptop etc?

 

[mpw]

if your room is small to medium - please eye the Totem Rainmaker or Totem Dreamcatcher on agon as well. These will easily be in your check in baggage.

Lovely speakers they are..

I am not sure the customs will be interested in levying duty on speakers ( standmounts - normal size ). I have seen a few go thru without any hitch.

Please do smile and tell them you love your music and these are a gift from your relatives in the USA.

To their credit the customs officers among the younger lot and are not interested in small things like speakers.

They are after much bigger things.

)

There is nothing to fear - you are a genuine music lover and 1 pair of speakers doesnt make a diff to anybody.

regards

 

[0verkilled]

captainrizal and mpw, thanks for those details, this has cleared a lot of doubts and gave a ton of confidence . Now I will have real crazy searching to do.

I did see few Totem speakers in audiogon, they look very serious, no-nonsense speakers. There are lot of options in audiogon, especially if you cross thousand dollar mark. I already have 2 good offers for NADs D7050 for 450$ compare that to hifimart price which is 1lakh+ and C338 for 550$.

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions and sorry for my dumbness!

 

[mpw]

Totem rainmaker or dreamcatcher depending on your room size...