[el_luke]

I see that a similar question was just posted about an alternative to the Bose Lifestyle 48, but I am concerned about something different than that poster.

I want to know if anybody out there has a competing product with Bose with regards to the ability to add speakers in different rooms and have the music play wirelessly to those speakers, like the Bose system does. I want a solution for multiple rooms to be able to play from the same music source but running speaker wire is not an option.

Basically, I want the same functionality as the Bose system, but I don't want it complicated. I have very little space for hardware in my shelf system, maybe 3-4U in size, so the Bose system fit perfectly. Any alternative couldn't be a monstrous receiver system. Also, I need small speakers, ala Bose. It needs to be easy enough for my wife to use. All of these things are features that make Bose attractive. Are there any similar solutions out there?

Notice I did not mention audio quality, as we are not audiophiles and I am sure the Bose will suit our tastes just fine quality-wise. So it doesn't need to be better sound, just not terribly worse. Oh, and of course the goal would be not to spend $3500+ on the system, otherwise I would just buy the Bose.

Any thoughts,
el_luke

[Raymond lee Leggs]

There Are a few good Systems that are A LOT cheaper

I use The Durabrand 5 peice home theatre sytem without DVD player.

there is a version with a DVD player but the speakers and sub are differnt. but the Sub in the one without DVD player is a lot stronger and Tame sounding in the bass Department.

Check out some of the Phillips and Coby units It doesnt have the A/B thing but its still good for a compact sysem and it Looks and sounds Better than the Bose. The bose sounds Hollow.

The Bose sub's Is too muddy sounding.

[Garrett Lundy]

There are a variety of HTiBs that offer "wireless" back speakers (which could be used for stereo in room # 2), a all-in-one DVD player + reciever that is smaller than a standalone AVR, and a much lower price than $3500. The $600 Panasonic SC-PT1050 is a good place to start looking.

Just remember that "wireless" rear speakers will need a power cord instead of speaker cable..... which is typically thicker & heavier than the cable it was meant to replace! (Plus you'll need a handy outlet).

[el_luke]

Now we're getting somewhere. The Panasonic SC-PT1050 is getting warmer to what I want, though still not matching the features of the Bose.

It's speakers are not small enough and it can't support adding speakers in another room, like the Bose wireless setup can. Is there anything that matches or comes close to the Bose for features such as very compact design, wireless speakers, ability to stream audio to speakers in other rooms wirelessly, etc(not Audio quality - not a deciding factor)?

el_luke

[JeremyErwin]

As, I understand, it the problem is this.

el_luke wants a stereo system to play dvds, cd, radio, etc in his living room. He also wants to be able to play those same sources in other rooms. Normally, this would be done by threading wires through the walls, and getting a receiver that supports zones. A powered zone uses speaker wire; an unpowered zone uses pre outs and an amplifier in the second room.

However, the Bose supports wireless zones. Unfortunately, I can't think of a similar solution that doesn't require a computer. If a computer is available, there are quite a number of 802.11 based devices (e.g this) which can connect to a computer jukebox wireless, and thence to a receiver or powered speakers.

[JeremyErwin]

StarTech MP3 AirLink
soundcast audiocast
Nothing really stands out, though.

[openhandstothewind]

sonos music distribution?

[JeremyErwin]

here's a review of the sonos.