Wireless speakers are becoming more popular owing to their ease of use and convenience. In addition, the so-called ‘rats-nest’ wiring of wired speakers is not conducive to a neat and tidy working space. Instead of replacing your current sound system with a modern unit, you can easily make wired speakers wireless by following the steps mentioned in this article.
A Bluetooth adapter is a primary component you need to integrate into your speakers to upgrade them to a more modern functioning. The adapter helps transport sound signals from the sound source to all the speakers within a specified range, without using any medium like wires or cables.
It is a cheaper approach than replacing the entire unit, saving you money and time. The market offers a wide variety of adapters featuring unique connectivity features; most use Bluetooth to convey signals. With multiple streaming services existing, you can finally get to enjoy your music courtesy of wireless connectivity features.
Avoid Disposing Your Wired Speakers
Disposing of your old equipment and investing more resources for a replacement is not always the solution to all your problems. You can upgrade the wired configuration to a wireless one and enjoy a listening experience similar to those using modern units with your old speakers.
Upgrading to wireless connectivity improves the unit’s mobility, allowing you to move with your speakers functioning anywhere within the signal range. Bluetooth is one innovative technology that brought life to the world of connectivity, allowing audiophiles to listen to speakers through their own devices.
However, not all wired speakers can convert the wireless signals transmitted to them by the unit, connecting to an amplifier. The amplifier will act as an intermediary between the two components and translate the received signals to a format acceptable by the speakers involved in the setup using RCA cables. Despite the involvement of some wired speakers in the design, it still fits the title as the speakers do not connect to the source directly.
How Wireless Speaker Kits Work
A wireless speaker kit is a necessity in converting your wired speakers to wireless ones. This kit uses a Radio Frequency signal to transfer audio signals from the source to all the speakers in the system, creating wireless connectivity between the involved parties.
A transmitting and receiving unit are the two components that account for a high-quality wireless signal transfer within each kit. As the transmitting unit accepts sound signals, it conveys them to the receiving unit to all connected outputs.
The Amphony 1800 Wireless Speaker Kit is a highly recommended unit. See our article on the best wireless speaker kits for other great options.
Experts recommend that you include a separate amplifier in your configuration since power requires a medium to travel, and most wired speakers lack a built-in amplifier. You will still need one even if your speakers feature an inbuilt amplifier for, as they may provide inadequate power to your receiving unit.
Remember that this wireless setup uses similar signals used by WiFi and other household devices; hence consider their locations while setting up as they can bring about some signal interference.
Setting Up a Wireless Speaker Kit
The type of speaker you have and the kit you select will determine the complexity of the setup process. You will find it more straightforward to run cables to the front channel since the receiver needs to be close to the speakers. Unlike subwoofers with numerous ideal locations, the rear ones are always further away from the amplifier. The following section should guide you on how to set up your wireless speaker kit.
Select a Wireless Speaker Kit
Choosing the wireless speaker kit to work with is a vital step in the process of configuring your wireless sound connectivity. There exist two primary models of speaker kits; they include those featuring in-built amplifiers and those that don’t. The former type requires an additional amplifier for power transmission to the speakers.
At the same time, the latter has its internal power supply unit, although some produce deficient powers to the receiving unit. Having a separate amplifier in whichever setup you decide helps ensure that your output receives the same energy they require.
It would also help if you considered the input options available on the transmitting unit and the output channels in your receivers to confirm that they are compatible with your wireless speaker set. Receivers with an RCA output are ideal for any wireless setup as they allow a more superficial connection than other alternatives.
Some speakers lack factory manufactured pre-outs; in such circumstances, confirm if it can accommodate a wired input or convert the speakers to RCAs by using a line-level adapter. Most subwoofers present in the market include an inbuilt amplifier to direct connection and provide the best listening experience to listeners.
Connect The Transmitter
After deciding on the wireless speaker kit to go with, the second step involves connecting your transmitter to your speakers for them to function wirelessly. The first thing to do under this step is to connect the transmitter to either the amplifier or receiver, which uses RF signals to transfer audio through a wireless network.
Different kits offer different input options, common prospects available feature either an RCA module, speaker wire, or AUX 3.5 mm input. Our Audio Output Guide covers different Audio Input/Outputs in more depth.
Connect the speaker wires normally to the speakers’ outputs on the receiver for speakers featuring a wired speaker configuration. Receivers with RCA inputs require RCA cables to connect the receiver and transmitter for audio transmission. First, affix all the necessary cables, plug their AC adapters into a power source and check if the power transmission is correct.
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Connect the Receiver
Connecting the receiver is another crucial step in setting up a wireless speaker kit, and if done incorrectly, it may affect the overall functionality of the entire system. After this step, you can confirm if audio signals are correctly dispersed from the transmitter and that the receiving unit can capture the signals and convert them to sound. The procedure for connecting the receiver varies with the types of speakers in question, and this section explains more on the most common scenarios witnessed.
When Using a Separate Amplifier
The first scenario to focus on is when your setup includes a separate amplifier to account for ideal power transmission to all components in the configuration. Under this step, your first course of action is to connect the receiving unit to the amplifier using the present RCA cables.
After this, add your speakers into the system by connecting the speaker wires to the amplifier. By doing this, you ensure that the signal goes to the speakers via the amplifier, whose primary function is to apply power to the signal before arriving at the speakers.
Including a separate amplifier is a wise move offering numerous advantages to all wireless speaker setups. It is ideal for passive speakers that lack a dedicated power source and internal amplifiers since the separate amplifier unit stands for missing features. Plug in the AC adapter of your amplifier to a power outlet and confirm if the power runs through the entire system.
When Using a Receiver Featuring an In-Built Amplifier
Not many individuals use receiving units with built-in amplifiers when upgrading their wired speakers to a wireless functioning since not most audio listening devices feature this innovation. Featuring a dedicated inbuilt amplifier simplifies the connection process by connecting the speaker wires from the receiver to the speakers.
Connecting the entire system to a power source is the last step in this procedure, and you can enjoy your upgraded audio listening device. The only disadvantage of using speakers under this category is that the dedicated power supply unit provides meager power to the speakers, limiting sound perception.
When Using Speakers Featuring an Internal Amplifier
Active speakers are an excellent example of speakers containing an internal amplifier in their make. All you need to do for sound output is plug the unit into a wall outlet and connect it to an audio source. You do not require an amplifier for your wireless receiver as you only need a wired or RCA connection to the speakers, and they begin the wireless functioning. It is vital to note that you must connect the receiving unit’s power adapter to a power source.
Testing
The configuration process is the stage in upgrading your old speakers to a wireless function where individuals experience difficulties the most. Testing your entire system is the final step and will determine the effectiveness of your speakers.
The first step involved in testing is making sure the signals produced from the transmitter are strong by detecting any flaws in the audio input. If you observe some static, delayed, and unclear sounds, it will help adjust the receiver’s position or the transmitter until you achieve clear sound.
Checking if all the connected cables are secured and appropriately positioned is another vital activity in testing. Ensure that the wires involved are not loosely hanging around the house as they pose some danger to everyone within the home, like tripping or electrocution. Some transmitters provide the user with several manipulated channels; you should try and switch them up to improve the units’ sound quality.
The next step after achieving the perfect signal distribution is adjusting the speakers’ levels. Ensure that both the wired and wireless speakers in your configuration are at harmonized levels as you would not want some speakers to outshine others, leading to an uneven sound distribution.
You can adjust these levels either on your amplifier or receiving unit, depending on your setup. If the audio created meets your expectations, you can now enjoy listening through your old speakers, which now feature wireless connectivity.
Aspects to Consider When Buying a Wireless Speaker Kit
The significant aspects you need to consider before making the final purchase decision on your wireless speaker kit are range, ease of connection, and quality. Here is a detailed explanation of how these factors play a significant role in the success of your wireless connectivity approach.
Range
Different conversion units guarantee unique ranges, depending on the network connectivity platform they use in their functioning. Bluetooth is one standard connectivity approach most units find helpful; however, it has numerous interference potentials.
Almost every device in a modern home setting can interfere with the transmission of Bluetooth signals, like microwaves, filing cabinets, and even ceilings. It would help if you engaged in deep research on the most reliable units to attain and maintain a successful connection quickly.
Ease of Connection
Some conversion kits feature long and complicated connection approaches, making it harder for you to get a connection. In some wireless speaker kits, the Bluetooth network takes longer to show and even longer to connect to the respective components. Ensure that your choice provides a straightforward connection approach for the best listening experience.
Sound Quality
The sound quality perceived by the unit is another crucial aspect that significantly affects the success of your entire wireless configuration. Low-quality units produce distorted sounds from your speakers with weird glitchy noises now and then.
Every sound listening device needs to guarantee a musical and harmonized sound playback, hence testing out the sound qualities offered before settling on the final decision. A clear playback plays an essential role in personal listening enjoyment, making sound quality an important aspect when selecting a wireless speaker kit.
Conclusion
Upgrading your old speakers to a wireless configuration is easy if you follow the steps laid out within the article correctly. By having the right equipment and applying the knowledge to set up one correctly, you can enjoy the benefits of having fewer wires in your media space. It is important to note that quality is not cheap, meaning that some of the lower-priced options may compromise sound quality while higher-priced units tend to be more efficient.
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