Have an older 5.1 setup with Definitive Technology Mythos One’s, a Five center channel, and Gems in the back with a subwoofer in the corner. Yamaha receiver that is so old it has no HDMI ports. We are renovating the basement and I want to upgrade. Running wire for 7.1 speakers is an expensive proposition. Is it time to go wireless? I can shake the house with what I have. Is something like Sonos up to that? All thoughts welcome. Considering a Yamaha RX-V6A for a new receiver. Thanks.

Figure a way to run wires.
Sure you can use wireless but they are more expensive and do not perform as well.
There are however some wireless subwoofer implementations that do work reasonably well.
Still if you can run the wires.

How much of a renovation are you doing and how handy are you? It's not terribly difficult to run speaker wires and hookups. Especially if you've got the walls down to the studs. Then it's easy.

If you're down to the studs I'd think about future expansion, maybe even an 11.2/atmos layout. It's easier to run the wires now and not use them, than to wish you did it later.

Not taking the walls down to the studs, which is part of the issue.

Don't you still have to get power to each speaker?

The receiver/amp provides the power to passive speakers.

Or perhaps you meant if he went wireless?

^^^ Yes I was referring to wireless speakers.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Don't you still have to get power to each speaker?

There are plenty of receptacles around the basement, so that would not be a concern.

A year ago i was also considering the V6A and had to learn all about the HDMI 2.1 bug.
Make sure that the model has the series number that is bug free before buying it. They completely changed the series number for the current production.

Ended up buying a bugged A2A because it was the only available in my neck of rhe woods. Very happy with it.

Also keeping my old DSP-A1 as a spare. Yamaha is an excellent brand.

Pay close attention to match your speakers if you can. Otherwise, put your coin on the Main stereo ones and call the rest Work in progress….

AFAIK, Sonos is a propietary ecosystem. Not my personal cup of tea.

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I'd either stick to 5.1 or run the wires. I know that wasn't the question, but that's what I'd do.

You have a hard ceiling or acoustical tile?

Correct me if i’m wrong:

Passive speakers require wiring but wireless require a power outlet?

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quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
You have a hard ceiling or acoustical tile?

Hard ceiling.

I have hid wires below baseboards and in crown molding as well.
One issue is in transition area like walkway but there are "flat" speaker wires too than can go under carpet, rugs, or flooring.

quote:

Originally posted by 0-0:
Correct me if i’m wrong:

Passive speakers require wiring but wireless require a power outlet?

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Correct. Passive requires speaker wire but no power wire. "Wireless" requires no speaker wire but does require a power cord. Wireless only refers to the audio signal.

quote:

Originally posted by Tgrshrk99:
I can shake the house with what I have. Is something like Sonos up to that?

A Sonos system is designed to produce an accurate, high quality, well-tuned soundscape.

With the larger version of the Sonos Sub, it's capable of producing wall-rattling bass if you manually crank the sub and bass settings up to aggressive levels, but is not really intended for that.

It's more about producing clean and punchy bass sounds to complement the overall audio experience than pushing exaggerated, overwhelming, "feel every gunshot it in your chest" reverberating/booming bass.

We have the Sonos Beam and 2 Sonos One surrounds. Love it. I am not one who wants to shake the house and am not an audiophile purist, though. The Sonos produces great, crisp, clear sound and the surround effect is great. I'm sure the subwoofer would only add to the overall effect. I wouldn't even consider running wires if I was moving or setting up another system - I would go wireless with Sonos.

Sonus is a well-made system but in no way will it outperform a proper AVR/passive system.
Of course, the details matter and that includes proper room design.
But as a general statement the AVR/passive is better than a soundbar solution.

I have several Sonos units and I also have Mythos 1's as front's in the basement room and rear's in my living room. The front setup uses an Outlaw audio sub and as much as I like all my Sonos equipment it can't play on the same level as the Mythos 1's with a decent sub. Sonos sounds great for what it is but nothing they make can hold a candle to real speakers with good source material.

I have two of these wireless kits for my rear speakers and they work flawlessly.
Have had them for years now and paid like $40 each for them.
Rocketfish Wireless Home Theater Rear Speaker Kit - Model: RF-WRSK18 https://a.co/fnwlplk

However my next setup is going to be Sonos for ease of setup and only needing an outlet.
The sound is great and will be just fine for my needs.