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Wired Vs Wireless Speakers

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Updated October 3, 2022

Table of Contents_

Differences Between Wired and Wireless Speakers
Latency
Sound Quality
Clutter and Simplicity

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.
The primary benefit of Bluetooth speakers is the elimination of annoying wires and cables throughout the home 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 and 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. Cables are extremely fast with delivering signals, which is why you rarely, if ever, see wireless speakers 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 sound nearly indistinguishable from their wired counterparts. In other words, there are great choices in both categories to deliver premium hi-fi audio. 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 need to be plugged into a power source, but that is just a single wire. Additionally, Bluetooth models are easy to use. Just power them on and pair them up.

Wireless vs Wired Speakers FAQs

What are home audio speaker systems?

These comprehensive systems are available as wireless speaker systems or systems with speaker wires. They include a receiver, speakers, a subwoofer, and plenty of other audio equipment, depending on the package.

How do you choose between wired, Bluetooth, or WiFi for your home speaker setup?

This boils down to personal preference. Wired speakers offer certain benefits with sound quality and audio qualities but at the expense of clutter. Wireless speaker systems offer increased equipment and pair well with wireless headphones, though with slightly reduced bit rates.

Do all wireless speakers connect in the same way?

No, wireless speakers offer connection diversity, just like wired speakers. They connect via Bluetooth, WiFi, radio waves, and many other types of wireless signals. Wireless system systems offer quality sound in a number of different ways.

Lawrence Bonk

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.