How to Install a Wireless Whole House Audio System

A whole house audio system has become a very popular practice. There are quite a few ways to distribute music throughout the house including wireless/wired options. The living room can be used as the center of the system or alternatively, there can be a dedicated multi-room music system.  

Wireless is much more convenient than the wired system because there are no wires involved and you are not tethered to anything.  Without wires, the speakers can be placed just about anywhere without having to worry about the length of the cable and available electricity points, etc.

A wireless whole house audio system is very convenient. A wireless music system acts like a radio. A transmitter connected to the feeding device which transmits to the receivers in the speakers placed at different positions. Both Analog and Digital transmission can be used to transmit the music. However, the wireless audio system has limitations in terms of range and transmission. Apart from a limited range of 30 to 100 feet, the reception of the audio signal can experience fluctuations due to the barriers like walls, etc.

Step 1 - Choosing the Media Device

There are 2 preferable ways to go wireless: Use the computer or an iPod. IPod users can turn the music gadget into a transmitting device by using the wireless music system for iPod. The device clips on to the iPod and transmits. FM transmitters for certain kinds of music players are also available in the market. The transmitter essentially turns the music device into a short range radio station that can transmit to receivers like stereos and car radios. 

Step 2 - Setting up the Speakers

The wireless speakers have the freedom of being placed at will without having to worry about tacky cables. The speakers should be strategically placed to create a multi-room music experience. The only problem faced by the wireless speakers is the battery life. A standard wireless speaker has a battery life of 2 hours. On the other hand, powered wireless speakers will need to be placed specifically near the electrical sockets limiting the choice of placement.

Step 3 - Configuring the Music System for an iPod

After attaching the wireless system for iPod, connect a small base station to a set of powered speakers and use the iPod to shuffle through the songs and play lists.

Step 4 - Configuring the Music System for a Computer

A computer is the most commonly used media device for the whole house audio system. Also called the media server, computers can be relatively very efficient in handling the media content. The use of any media player on the computer can do the trick for the music preference. The wireless transmitter is plugged into the USB port of the computer while the receiver is connected to the set of wireless speakers.