Bluetooth is essentially AES over wi-fi. However, just about every Bluetooth chip in consumer gear is poor-to-meh. If you have an API 500 Series compatible lunchbox/rack, Heritage Audio makes a one-space Bluetooth receiver. When you see what's involved in a proper Bluetooth circuit, you'll understand the corners that have been cut on common devices. And darn it, things sound good when captured through it. Outputs are balanced XLR. But it's the only time I've heard Bluetooth have quality sound.
I believe that we'll someday have a true lossless and direct wireless streaming protocol but it may not be based on the current Bluetooth standards. Until then, civilians should stick to wires or at least something that uses Wi-Fi.
Not opposed to a Bluetooth output as a backup option on a turntable if you want a way to stream to wireless headphones when the rest of the family is asleep, but otherwise: Srsly, wtf?
When you say 4 ceiling speakers pointing down...can you expand on that? Easy for me to do that - as it's open attic space above the living room. Currently just using a decent sound bar and sub-woofer (Dolby Atmos)- but interested in going further.
This is why it's dangerous to expose yourself to people who mess around with high-end audio. For the full wired Atmos experience, you need 11 speakers and a subwoofer.
Front: Left, Right, Center
Side: Left, Right
Rear: Left, Right
Ceiling: Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right
A home theater receiver to drive these speakers is going to start at around $3200 but most cost more. Then there's the question of what you can invest in the 12 speakers....
Since your family has a professional interest in movies, I realize you may be willing to make that kind of investment. I'd rather spend my money on audio gear, so I solved it a different way.
These have upward-firing speakers that bounce off the ceiling, but there's also some LIDAR witchery going on that gives the illusion of 16 distinct speakers in the room. It's great for movies, and I've had a really good experience listening to 5.1 audio mixes via SACD and Blu-ray. Don't like it for stereo audio, but I think I made my feelings that subject pretty clear.
Give me a day to compose a proper recommendation but short version is that Atmos delivers sound from above. Most Atmos systems (many of them very, very good) cheat with an up-firing speaker built into the two front and two rear speakers. Sound bounces off ceiling and seems to be coming from above. There's obviously a lot of computation going on to make everything sound synced up.
What’s the process like for switching between TV audio and other inputs? For instance, right now I use a Sonos Beam as my TV soundbar and to stream my turntable via a Sonos port. If I’m listening to records and I switch to the TV, the volume is incredibly loud. Do you think if I had my turntable RCA’d into the Kanto and the TV connected through optical that this would help? Thanks!
Lots of great information, thanks, and well written. Cheers!
Bluetooth is essentially AES over wi-fi. However, just about every Bluetooth chip in consumer gear is poor-to-meh. If you have an API 500 Series compatible lunchbox/rack, Heritage Audio makes a one-space Bluetooth receiver. When you see what's involved in a proper Bluetooth circuit, you'll understand the corners that have been cut on common devices. And darn it, things sound good when captured through it. Outputs are balanced XLR. But it's the only time I've heard Bluetooth have quality sound.
I believe that we'll someday have a true lossless and direct wireless streaming protocol but it may not be based on the current Bluetooth standards. Until then, civilians should stick to wires or at least something that uses Wi-Fi.
I can't tell you how many times clients tell me about their new turntable that plays through Bluetooth speakers.... I can't make this up.
Not opposed to a Bluetooth output as a backup option on a turntable if you want a way to stream to wireless headphones when the rest of the family is asleep, but otherwise: Srsly, wtf?
When you say 4 ceiling speakers pointing down...can you expand on that? Easy for me to do that - as it's open attic space above the living room. Currently just using a decent sound bar and sub-woofer (Dolby Atmos)- but interested in going further.
Cheers, Dear!
This is why it's dangerous to expose yourself to people who mess around with high-end audio. For the full wired Atmos experience, you need 11 speakers and a subwoofer.
Front: Left, Right, Center
Side: Left, Right
Rear: Left, Right
Ceiling: Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right
A home theater receiver to drive these speakers is going to start at around $3200 but most cost more. Then there's the question of what you can invest in the 12 speakers....
Since your family has a professional interest in movies, I realize you may be willing to make that kind of investment. I'd rather spend my money on audio gear, so I solved it a different way.
I use the Sony HT-A9 system, which has been replaced by the Sony Bravia Quad and that one gets even better reviews.
My review of the HT-A9 https://www.techhive.com/article/579868/sony-ht-a9-home-theater-system-review.html
These have upward-firing speakers that bounce off the ceiling, but there's also some LIDAR witchery going on that gives the illusion of 16 distinct speakers in the room. It's great for movies, and I've had a really good experience listening to 5.1 audio mixes via SACD and Blu-ray. Don't like it for stereo audio, but I think I made my feelings that subject pretty clear.
Give me a day to compose a proper recommendation but short version is that Atmos delivers sound from above. Most Atmos systems (many of them very, very good) cheat with an up-firing speaker built into the two front and two rear speakers. Sound bounces off ceiling and seems to be coming from above. There's obviously a lot of computation going on to make everything sound synced up.
Excellent. I’ve literally just been wondering about an option to replace/improve my current TV/music speaker set up.
What’s the process like for switching between TV audio and other inputs? For instance, right now I use a Sonos Beam as my TV soundbar and to stream my turntable via a Sonos port. If I’m listening to records and I switch to the TV, the volume is incredibly loud. Do you think if I had my turntable RCA’d into the Kanto and the TV connected through optical that this would help? Thanks!
Great! Thanks James...
HMMM - VEEEERY INTERSTINK!