I didn't really think through the design with my new extension when it came to audio but did have the foresight to put a projector in. As it now stands, all my AV is at the back of the room in a nice cupboard tucked away, and the projector in the ceiling and everything is very "wife friendly". However of course, the sound is terrible as it comes out the tiny tinny speaker in the projector. To rectify this, I've bought a Bluetooth Low Latency soundbar which is ok ish, but honestly, as we don't have a TV unit, it just sits on the floor, or on end, or the dog uses it as a toy, so we essentially don't use it much. Music in the room is courtesy of a Google Home which needless to say is OK for the radio while reading a paper with breakfast but weak for anything else - and was always my plan to put something half decent in this room stereo wise.
Anyway, enough of the life story! We have 2 sockets either side of the wall we project on - and perfect location for some active speakers. I like floorstanders not bookshelves, 1 because we don't have a shelf and 2 because I actually like both the look as well as (generally) getting a little lower and don't require a sub. (In the other room I run a 5.1 system most of the time, and while occasionally for films a sub might be useful, I don't actually turn the sub on much at all when listening to music). A Sub is also 1 more box to find floor space for, and if a speaker is on a stand, might as well use that real estate for more speaker!?
So, inputs at the back. I want a nice clean minimal "wife friendly" setup and so WiSA based hub systems like Buchardt A700 are perfect. And I nearly pulled the "buy" button but they have not passed the aesthetics test. So I've been on the hunt for something similar and have a shortlist. I really like the idea of WiSA as a standard way more than Kleernet. To me it seem like a much better solution somehow. I stream Qoboz/Deezer/DLNA via Chromecast everywhere else in the house which is easy and works so this would also need to be used here for music.
All the above options fit the scope - but a wide range of prices! While the wife would go for the B&O solution on looks alone, I'm sure I could find a better use of about 8k extra if I went with something else!
So - anyone have any opinions on any of the above? Definite nos or yeses for any specific reason?
Anyway, enough of the life story! We have 2 sockets either side of the wall we project on - and perfect location for some active speakers. I like floorstanders not bookshelves, 1 because we don't have a shelf and 2 because I actually like both the look as well as (generally) getting a little lower and don't require a sub. (In the other room I run a 5.1 system most of the time, and while occasionally for films a sub might be useful, I don't actually turn the sub on much at all when listening to music). A Sub is also 1 more box to find floor space for, and if a speaker is on a stand, might as well use that real estate for more speaker!?
So, inputs at the back. I want a nice clean minimal "wife friendly" setup and so WiSA based hub systems like Buchardt A700 are perfect. And I nearly pulled the "buy" button but they have not passed the aesthetics test. So I've been on the hunt for something similar and have a shortlist. I really like the idea of WiSA as a standard way more than Kleernet. To me it seem like a much better solution somehow. I stream Qoboz/Deezer/DLNA via Chromecast everywhere else in the house which is easy and works so this would also need to be used here for music.
| make | speaker | transport | cost | thoughts |
| buchardt | a700 | wisa | 5600 | my initial go-to; wife not keen on size and look |
| dynaudio | focus 30 | wisa | 6500 | perfect, small, with dirac too being a bonus, but expensive |
| q accoustics | q active 400 | kleernet | 2300 | don't like the plasticy look but kinda does it all |
| dali | callisto 6c | kleernet | 3000 | can't get excited by them, kleernet and blueos neither of which interest me |
| dali | oberon 7c | kleernet | 1600 | cheap as chips for a quick fix even if they're dull? |
| harmon kardon | radiance 2400 | wisa | 3000 | separate sub, but kinda cool? |
| bang & oulfson | beolab 28 | wisa | 14000 | love the look not the price |
| piega | ace 50 | wisa | 2300 | like the slim alu look need wisa hub never heard the brand so buying very blind |
All the above options fit the scope - but a wide range of prices! While the wife would go for the B&O solution on looks alone, I'm sure I could find a better use of about 8k extra if I went with something else!
So - anyone have any opinions on any of the above? Definite nos or yeses for any specific reason?
