Wireless one box hifi

[karatestu]

As my other thread states, my diy hif journey is over. Well, my hifi journey is nearly over. Just need to chose a one box wireless box of tricks. There is more to life than hifi. The music reproduction needs to fit in with life not the other way around. I am listening to my jbl charge 5 now and loving it.

I want a single box affair. Stereo is not worth the hassle of siting two speakers and sitting equidistant from them. These one box affairs have drivers for each channel but they are right next to each other. No problem, you still get all the detail and you don't have to worry where it is situated or where you are sat. I ran my diy speakers right next tk each other in thd middle of the room and loved it.

I will be using streaming services only, no physical media in the house. So I don't need any external inputs although many units will have them anyway.

I want dsp that I have some control over. Mainly for tailoring the bass response.

I don't care how big it is. This will be my only serious music replay equipment won't take up much room in the grand scheme of things.

Control apps need to be user friendly and I need to link my Google music to it via tablet. A subscription to another streaming provider may happen at some point - you know, the usual suspects.

Recommendations please, thanks.

[karatestu]

My first idea was kef ls50 but that is two boxes and way over the top for what I need.

Sonos 5 has been mentioned so that can go on the shortlist.

Others I have looked at are

Audio pro C10 mk2
Audio pro drumfire blackstar edition
Elipson W35
Bluesound pulse 2i

[slinger]

Have you had a look at a Raspberry Pi-based system, running something like Volumio Stu, or is that still a bit too DIY at the moment?

[Shevans]

The Sonos 5 is probably a good option to audition, sited horizontal it produces a wide soundstage. You can add the Sonos sub to a single speaker if you need extra bass.

The 5 does not have Bluetooth but does have airplay. There is some EQ but also something called Trueplay which requires an Apple iOS device (not all iOS devices are supported but my old iPhone SE is and cheap as chips secondhand). Trueplay is room correction and works remarkably well.

The Sonos EQ is limited to bass, treble and loudness.

I have six Sonos One’s around the house and they are used daily by my daughters as they have Alexa built in, the 5 does not have a microphone as it’s a sealed box (probably)

There is a new Sonos device due soon but it’s hush hush at the moment.

[karatestu]

Have you had a look at a Raspberry Pi-based system, running something like Volumio Stu, or is that still a bit too DIY at the moment?

Yep, too diy Paul. Thanks for the suggestion though. Apart from running through a set up app I don't want to be doing anything else.

[karatestu]

The Sonos 5 is probably a good option to audition, sited horizontal it produces a wide soundstage. You can add the Sonos sub to a single speaker if you need extra bass.

The 5 does not have Bluetooth but does have airplay. There is some EQ but also something called Trueplay which requires an Apple iOS device (not all iOS devices are supported but my old iPhone SE is and cheap as chips secondhand). Trueplay is room correction and works remarkably well.

The Sonos EQ is limited to bass, treble and loudness.

I have six Sonos One’s around the house and they are used daily by my daughters as they have Alexa built in, the 5 does not have a microphone as it’s a sealed box (probably)

There is a new Sonos device due soon but it’s hush hush at the moment.

Thanks Shev. Can I call you Shev ?

Lots of good info there. No Bluetooth is a bit of a deal breaker which is a shame

What is airplay and what does it do ?

Thanks, stu.

[antonio66]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115125932165 ... Swe4Fg3xSB - read good report on this one

https://edenaudio.uk/shop/home/115-aure ... white.html - gives you the option of using one or two speakers

Sorry I don't think these have dsp

[Shevans]

The Sonos 5 is probably a good option to audition, sited horizontal it produces a wide soundstage. You can add the Sonos sub to a single speaker if you need extra bass.

The 5 does not have Bluetooth but does have airplay. There is some EQ but also something called Trueplay which requires an Apple iOS device (not all iOS devices are supported but my old iPhone SE is and cheap as chips secondhand). Trueplay is room correction and works remarkably well.

The Sonos EQ is limited to bass, treble and loudness.

I have six Sonos One’s around the house and they are used daily by my daughters as they have Alexa built in, the 5 does not have a microphone as it’s a sealed box (probably)

There is a new Sonos device due soon but it’s hush hush at the moment.

Thanks Shev. Can I call you Shev ?

Lots of good info there. No Bluetooth is a bit of a deal breaker which is a shame

What is airplay and what does it do ?

Thanks, stu.

Hi Stu, it’s Seppi here!

Airplay is a bit like Bluetooth for Apple devices but it uses your Wi-Fi to connect. So you would need things like an iPad or iPhone.

However you don’t need Bluetooth or Airplay really, the streaming service gets added to Sonos and using your Tablet / smartphone you use the Sonos App to navigate and play music.

But if you listen to music from an unsupported service or want to listen to music from a video then need Bluetooth. (Music your video would not really be in sync as Sonos adds a delay to ensure multi room audio is synchronised)

Best to see a demo in Richer Sounds but explain to them how you currently listen to music using your existing Bluetooth speaker. Google Music or Google Play music as a service ceased a while back so unsure what you use.

I have Bluesound equipment here also…. has Bluetooth as well as being able to send audio out to BT headphones.

[Fretless]

I use an old Sonos Connect through a JVC micro-tower in the kitchen. Work great via Wifi (Sonos Bridge).

2nd-hand Sonos gear like the Connect, Amp and Bridge are going for peanuts om Ebay.
Easy to control - idiot-proof.

The Sonos Amp just needs a pair of speakers and you're good to go.

[George Hincapie]

My first idea was kef ls50 but that is two boxes and way over the top for what I need.

Sonos 5 has been mentioned so that can go on the shortlist.

Others I have looked at are

Audio pro C10 mk2
Audio pro drumfire blackstar edition
Elipson W35
Bluesound pulse 2i

I demoed the KEF at home and was hugely disappointed. I thought they sounded crap.