Wireless subwoofers... do you have/use one?

[hnash53]

I have a Rodgers Sound Labs Speedwoofer 10S along with its wireless transmitter.
If I didn't have the wireless, I'd be running nearly 20 feet of cable and my setup wouldn't look nearly as clean.
Very happy with it.

 

[jhaider]

We use the JL Audio J-Link for two of the subs in one system. We picked this system because (a) it’s actually 2-channel (each sub needs its own processing channel) and (b) extra receivers are readily available. Many vendors only sell a transmitter/receiver package even though their devices are 2-channel capable.

 

[sweetchaos]

Amir reviewed 2 models, if I remember correctly:

SVS:

SVS SoundPath Review (Wireless Transmitter)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SVS SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. It costs US $119 on Amazon including Prime shipping. I was surprised by the nice packaging of the units: I looked the FCC ID and it is...

www.audiosciencereview.com

REL:

Review and Measurements of REL Wireless Subwoofer Transmitter

This is a review and detailed measurements of the REL Acoustics Wireless Subwoofer and Transmitter. I purchased it from Amazon and it costs US $98 including Prime shipping. As the name indicates, this is a transmitter and associated receiver to allow you to locate the subwoofer for your home...

www.audiosciencereview.com

He recommended the REL, but not the SVS transmitter.

Yes, I'd like to see more transmitters measured.
Here's the first 2 models mentioned:

RSL Speakers:

AT4 Wireless Audio Transmitter - RSL Speakers

rslspeakers.com

JL Audio:

JLINK™ - Electronics - Home Audio - JL Audio

www.jlaudio.com

EDIT:
I forgot about this shootout by a member:

Measurements of Three Wireless Transmitters (SVS SoundPath, Dynasty ProAudio, iFinity Wireless)

I purchased three stereo wireless audio transmitters and tested their frequency response, distortion, channel matching, and delay. The results are below. I utilized the Motu M2 audio interface and REW to take these measurements. I used REW’s soundcard calibration on the M2 before taking these...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Zoomer]

I use the Dynasty WSA-5TR-V2 for 2 subs. It is dual band 5.2/5.8, stereo and supports multiple receivers per transmitter.
It uses the same module as KEF KW1 internally, but at a much lower price point.

WSA-5TR-V2 Wireless Subwoofer Speaker Kit, 5.2G / 5.8GHz Dual Band Sel

Tired of running cables around doors or hiding under carpet to connect your powered subwoofer to the receiver? Or having limited options on powered subwoofer (or active/powered speakers) placement due to cable length and component location? The Dynasty ProAudio WSA-5TR-V2 with Dual Band as 5.2 /...

dynastyproaudio.com

 

[-Matt-]

Could these transmitter - receiver sets be suitable for use with active surround channels too?

A key aspect of their performance (which might not be captured in the current set of tests) would be whether there is any variability in the audio delay. I.e. it wouldn't be any good if when you do the room eq calibration the delays are all 5ms, but the next day each channel has a random delay ranging between 2 and 20ms.

 

[hnash53]

For those of you who have two subs, is bass produced in stereo? If so, then the bass from each sub is slightly different from one another?
Isn't bass sort of non-directional... less pin-pointed than the higher frequencies?

 

[-Matt-]

For those of you who have two subs, is bass produced in stereo? If so, then the bass from each sub is slightly different from one another?
Isn't bass sort of non-directional... less pin-pointed than the higher frequencies?

There are different ways of doing it, to mention just two...

In a stereo setup with two subs people sometimes use the L and R channel signals to feed the subs. The low pass for the subs may be applied by the subs themselves and the high pass for the mains may even be omitted. In this case you could call them stereo subs.

In a system with an AVR, the AVR applies crossovers to all channels and combines anything below the crossover with the .1 LFE channel. (Any sort of stereo/positional information is lost due to this combining step). When adding multiple subwoofers a device such as a MiniDSP 2x4HD is typically used. (Although some AVRs are now offering multiple sub outputs). The MiniDSP (or multi-sub AVR) takes the combined bass signal and applies individual timings and EQ for each sub (so the signals are all different), with the aim of optimising bass response. I currently use this method with three subs, but really I'd still call it mono bass.

I don't particularly think that stereo subwoofers are better because if you cross at 80Hz or lower it is pretty difficult to localise. (Maybe if you had to cross much higher).

 

[ErVikingo]

aint there one also by Emotiva?

 

[Astoneroad]

My Martin Logan Dynamo 1100x is capable w/ an optional transmitter. I was concerned about latency?

 

[-Matt-]

My Martin Logan Dynamo 1100x is capable w/ an optional transmitter. I was concerned about latency?

It isn't so much the latency per se (that can be factored out with delay calibration), but rather any potential variation or inconsistency in latency that would concern me. (But maybe that is what you meant).

 

[JRS]

Pardon the stupid question but are we talking bluetooth for communication? And if so is there any latency? Seems perfect for MCh and sw

 

[markk]

I've been evaluating these wireless units over the last week. I have this dynasty one on the way today.

I use the Dynasty WSA-5TR-V2 for 2 subs. It is dual band 5.2/5.8, stereo and supports multiple receivers per transmitter.
It uses the same module as KEF KW1 internally, but at a much lower price point.

WSA-5TR-V2 Wireless Subwoofer Speaker Kit, 5.2G / 5.8GHz Dual Band Sel

Tired of running cables around doors or hiding under carpet to connect your powered subwoofer to the receiver? Or having limited options on powered subwoofer (or active/powered speakers) placement due to cable length and component location? The Dynasty ProAudio WSA-5TR-V2 with Dual Band as 5.2 /...

dynastyproaudio.com

I've been testing these pairs in a search for a wireless surround option for my family room. I have a pair of these same Dynasty units (v2) on the way and will post my results.

I purchased a YMOO transceiver pair... this one...

https://tinyurl.com/YMOO-transceiver

Well, I can't recommend it. OK latency. FR not suitable for subwoofer duty. FR curve could be tolerable for surrounds. But poor noise floor, dynamic range and lots of distortion with simple HD and two tone IMD...

similar results with both 2i2 using rightmarkaudio and clio...

In the case of the rightmark data, the better comparison curve is the loopback of the 2i2.
In the case of the clio, the better curve is, again, the internal loopback of the clio setup.

over 10 dB down at 20Hz... Ouch...
Lots of higher order products even with a single 1k tone. Inputs not overdriven. 0.4v/0.775/2 tried as drive level. All with similarly poor distortion numbers.

Let's hope the Dynasty does better.

I have a teardown pix of this box. But, well, all the chip info is removed. Not surprising...

 

[just1n]

I've been evaluating these wireless units over the last week. I have this dynasty one on the way today.

I've been testing these pairs in a search for a wireless surround option for my family room. I have a pair of these same Dynasty units (v2) on the way and will post my results.

I purchased a YMOO transceiver pair... this one...

https://tinyurl.com/YMOO-transceiver

Well, I can't recommend it. OK latency. FR not suitable for subwoofer duty. FR curve could be tolerable for surrounds. But poor noise floor, dynamic range and lots of distortion with simple HD and two tone IMD...

similar results with both 2i2 using rightmarkaudio and clio...

In the case of the rightmark data, the better comparison curve is the loopback of the 2i2.
In the case of the clio, the better curve is, again, the internal loopback of the clio setup.

over 10 dB down at 20Hz... Ouch...
Lots of higher order products even with a single 1k tone. Inputs not overdriven. 0.4v/0.775/2 tried as drive level. All with similarly poor distortion numbers.

Let's hope the Dynasty does better.

I have a teardown pix of this box. But, well, all the chip info is removed. Not surprising...

Eager to see the results of the Dynasty units. I’ll be using wireless transmitters for rear surrounds, rear heights, and a pair of subs. Love to see full bandwidth results.

 

[abdo123]

I really like my SVS Tri-path transmitter.

 

[Zoomer]

Eager to see the results of the Dynasty units.

+1

 

[JktHifi]

wireless sub-woofer is needed because it has to be placed far-away (or, in different room) so it won’t destroy clarity of left/right speaker

 

[Chrispy]

I've got a pair of Infinity (Classia PSW310s) subs with built in wireless receivers plus a coupla transmitters. While I usually use them wired, once in a while I like to take one out on my deck to supplement my outdoor speakers. Can be quite handy.

 

[just1n]

Anecdotal PSA:

Tried a 1Mii wireless transmitter with an AIYIMA two-channel amp for a recently purchased pair of surround speakers. No signal and the volume knob up a hair from zero - terrible hiss. At first I thought I had a lemon of a speaker so I tried swapping them. Same channel, different speaker - hiss. Only thing that solved it was turning the power off the transmitter.

Returning both units and just bought a Dynasty WSA-5RP. The speakers are a tough load on 50w @ 4ohm, but the rears are less than 3ft away from the MLP. The sub in/out will be nice down the road. Here’s to hoping because wireless rears are the only option for me.

 

[markk]

Anecdotal PSA:

Tried a 1Mii wireless transmitter with an AIYIMA two-channel amp for a recently purchased pair of surround speakers. No signal and the volume knob up a hair from zero - terrible hiss. At first I thought I had a lemon of a speaker so I tried swapping them. Same channel, different speaker - hiss. Only thing that solved it was turning the power off the transmitter.

Returning both units and just bought a Dynasty WSA-5RP. The speakers are a tough load on 50w @ 4ohm, but the rears are less than 3ft away from the MLP. The sub in/out will be nice down the road. Here’s to hoping because wireless rears are the only option for me.

Curious to see what you get from a listening standpoint. My testing of the Dynasty show a mediocre noise floor and high IMD... See my next post. It's better than the YMOO in some aspects, but overall, somewhat disappointing...

 

[markk]

So, I got around to testing the Dynasty.

A couple of caveats. I am slowly setting up a new testing setup and methodology for testing. So, some of the tests are a bit different/nonstandard. I would recommend you take them with a grain of salt.

First, let's look at the FR of the Dynasty using clio and multitone. I did both left and right channels with clio and a random channel with multitone. So, this looks pretty good. Definitely flatter than the YMOO and usable as a sub transceiver (from an FR standpoint).

Note that, it's my opinion that clio is a bit more accurate than the multitone generated curve at the very low end. (just because there are not enough low frequencies in the stimulus to get high resolution in the lowest octave.)

Also, the impulse response is posted (not so much that it's the time domain dual of FR and the really sharp ones can do the frequency domain conversion in your head...), but because it show the latency, which is very respectable at 17 or so milliseconds...