If you are new to the world of home audio, you may look to compare wired vs wireless speakers. Many of the best speakers, after all, are wireless, but just as many fantastic options use a wired connection. So why use the best Bluetooth speakers over wired speakers, and what are the major differences between both types? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Wired and wireless speakers are both great options for listening to the audio, be it music, podcasts, or television.
- Regarding audio qualities, wired speakers tend to sound a bit better and offer lower latency from the audio source, though Bluetooth models are catching up in these regards, and both options can produce high-quality audio.
- The primary benefit of Bluetooth speakers is the elimination of annoying speaker wires or expensive cables throughout the home, making them portable speakers while still delivering a great audio signal.
Differences Between Wired and Wireless Speakers
The main difference is, of course, wires, which is something to understand when looking for top-rated wireless speaker solutions. The wireless nature of Bluetooth speakers allows them more versatility with placement if you are looking for the best boat speakers, for instance. Bluetooth speakers also tend to include more high-tech bells and whistles if you are learning how to play a USB drive on a Bluetooth speaker.
Insider Tip
If you opt for Bluetooth speakers, make sure to stay on top of downloading and installing associated driver software.
Here are more differences between the two speaker types so you can conduct that Hyperboom vs Sonos Move review.
Latency
There is no around it; wired speakers offer lower latency than Bluetooth speakers or any wireless speaker, for that matter. But, if you want to stick with wireless, you’ll want to read our Libratone Loop review. Cables are extremely fast with delivering signals, which is why you rarely, if ever, see wireless speaker setups involved with music production or rehearsals and the like. With that said, however, wireless technology is constantly advancing, and the Bluetooth speakers of today feature much lower latency than the speakers of even three years ago.
Sound Quality
You will find a slight reduction in sound quality when using wireless speakers, but this is primarily reserved for budget-friendly models. Modern advanced Bluetooth speakers offer quality sound that is nearly indistinguishable from their wired counterparts. In other words, there are great choices in both wireless options and wired speaker systems to deliver a premium hi-fi audio listening experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with various makes and models before settling on your final choice.
STAT: When wireless speakers first became available, the biggest knock against this type of stereo was that the sound quality paled in comparison to wired systems. (source)
Clutter and Simplicity
Wired speakers are an annoyance to anyone trying to make their home as clutter-free as possible. It is no fun to sit down to listen to music and stare down a mountain of tangled-up cables. Wireless speakers eliminate this problem, allowing you to have all of the benefits of high-grade speakers without the added wires. Of course, most Bluetooth speakers don’t need to be plugged into a power source, as they have a built-in battery. They just need to be recharged every so often, depending on battery life, but that is just a single wire. Additionally, Bluetooth models are easy to use. Just power them on, pair them up, and start listening to your Bluetooth-enabled device or favorite music streaming services.
