Which One is Really Better - A Wired or Wireless Audio System?
When installing a whole home audio system, the first step you will have to take in the process is to decide whether you would like to install a system that is wired or wireless. We live in an increasingly wireless world, where the convenience of Wi-Fi has seemed to trump all. But what are the pros and cons of each system? Here we provide insight on both choices to help you determine what is the best solution for your unique project.
Easiest Setup/Installation Flexibility: Wireless
When you cannot or do not want to run wires through the house, wireless is the best option. In existing homes, multiple dwelling units or rentals, there is often no easy way to access and navigate within the walls; or as in the case with rentals, you may not want to invest in the property to that extent. Wireless provides a convenient and easy- to-install solution to deliver whole home audio, and also is easy to expand from room to room. Wireless systems can also be removed and taken to a new location if the homeowner moves, making them the winner by far in this category.
Most Reliable: Wired
Wired systems that don’t rely on wavering networks are definitely the most reliable. Wireless systems are at the mercy of the home network, with many variables such as speed, band- width, architecture and environmental factors, and ultimately the ISP (Internet Service Provider). Although Wi-Fi networks have evolved tremendously in recent years, their reliability is not equal to that of a structured wiring solution.
Best Sound: Wired
In new homes where walls are open for prewiring, wired systems are the best option for performance. Wired systems can be designed or calibrated for optimal sound in specific areas or rooms, which is especially ideal for home theaters, outdoor spaces, or great room areas. Easily integrated with other home control systems, hard-wired loudspeakers can also be flawlessly integrated into any space. While some wireless system components can deliver surprisingly immersive sound, in many cases, sound quality is compressed and sound signal is affected by external factors, as mentioned previously.
Most Popular: Wireless
The current trend is wireless. It’s today’s buzzword, no doubt.
Everything we own, from our phones to TVs to even washing machines has some form of wireless connectivity. There will always be situations where running copper or fiber is necessary, and there are also hybrid systems that use both wired and wireless components – but not many. Wireless is widely perceived as the technology of the future, and many home- owners choose wireless.
And the Winner is: You Decide
The “winning system” really depends on each homeowner’s unique needs and wants. With each project, assess the options available and address the pros and cons of each. If you can pre-wire, a wired system is most cost-effective as well as most reliable, and will preserve wireless network bandwidth for appli- cations that require a wireless connection. However, wireless options have their benefits as well, with unequalled flexibility. Often times the best choice is a solution that can manage both wired and wireless equally well, giving you the flexibility of a wireless system, with the performance and stability of a hard wired solution.
For more information about Nuvo, Legrand’s award-winning whole home audio product line with professional wired and wireless solutions, visit www.legrand.us/nuvo.
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