Smart Home Pro

A new blog post arrived in the email this morning, announcing the Panasonic SC-ZT2 home cinema speakers.  Don't get wildly excited just yet.  Just announced in Munich, we don't know when they'll be in the USA and no pricing is available.

The concept behind these speakers is fantastic, and represents an emerging trend in whole room audio.  7.1 surround sound from a pair of clean tower speakers with down-firing subwoofers?  Very nice!

So if they're not available and aren't priced, why even mention these speakers?

Because we field a lot questions about "wireless speakers," that's why.

First off, unless they're battery powered, "wireless speakers" aren't truly wireless.  They need power for local in-speaker amplifiers.  Wireless power is a really cool concept and I'm sure some research lab is making progress on that front.  Until then, remember your wireless speaker's amplifier will need a power wire.

The second issue is that of sound and image synchronization.   The recent advent of reflected sound speakers such as these Panasonic speakers, the B&W Panorama, Polk Audio, Mitsubishi and Yamaha sound bars and many others direct sound around your listening room using an array of speakers.  When calibrated, they give your ears the illusion of surround sound.

If you were to attempt sending multiple channels of sound and a subwoofer signal to five speakers and a subwoofer (5.1) or seven speakers and a subwoofer (7.1), there is a strong chance the sound paths and image will be ever so slightly out of sync.  The sound will be muddled, annoying or even disorienting.

What are your alternatives for that room begging for surround sound when you have no wires in the walls?

We still suggest running wires if at all possible.   The speakers selection remains wider and thus better tuned to your room.  Many wall surfaces are easier to repair than you think, should access holes be necessary.  Low voltage speaker wires are easier and safer to run than power wires, and we have more options for placing low voltage wires yes stay within the electrical code.  Where wiring is needed, speaker wires will always be the better option.   If you just happen to have CAT-5 or CAT-6 computer wiring running to the speaker locations, we might have some other options.

For rooms where running wires is difficult or impossible, such as concrete walls with no crawl space or attic, a reflected sound bar with a subwoofer is well worth investigating.   And given Panasonic's announcement from Munich, our choices will only get better.