Why not more wireless connections?


Greetings

As far as I can tell, wireless is all around us but not so much in home audio systems. Why is that? Why not wireless connections between sources and amp and between amps and speakers? Why use wires at all? 

Thanks

bzawa

Wireless WiFi data connections for streaming work 100% fine as long as you have a strong connection.  That’s all I use.  The key term here is it’s just another network data connection.  You just need enough bandwidth to keep the data streaming.  There is no sound making involved until the data hits the streamer and then goes to the DAC.  Same story with modern hi res smart TVs.  All you need is the network bandwidth. 
 

I own a Cambridge Audio Evo 150 all in one  among other hifi gear. The only wires with that when streaming is to the speakers .  So nice and sound quality is top notch/ big league for sure. 
 

Obviously wireless subwoofers are a thing as well.  I use one with a tv soundbar but have not tried in a good system.  
Wireless technology for hifi is everywhere.  Young people use it with no remorse.  Old, set in their ways, 20th century vintage audiophiles:   Not as much.  
 

I’ve heard some very impressive sounding Bluetooth headphones recently. AptX lossless does CD resolution over Bluetooth these days. So there is now also that. 
 

 

 

 

I have no technical knowledge on wireless versus wired, just my own user experience.  My experience is that wireless can be much more convenient, when it is working.  At the gym, no wires is a must.  At home, a traditional CD player into a good DAC, seems to sound "better."  Maybe because there is no stress that it can't connect.  In contrast, almost daily Roon cannot find the core, taking 2-3 minutes of fiddling.  Connected, Roon is great.  In sum, whenever possible, I'm wired.

@bzawa 

Why not wireless connections between sources and amp and between amps and speakers?

The big fat wires normally connecting amps and speakers have to transmit power measured in tens or hundreds of Watts.  We are talking microwave ovens worth. by comparison, and you do not want to accidentally cook something in the radio beam, like a bird or your head.

Wireless data transmission over short distances usually needs only tiny amounts of power.  Many applications run for months or years on a single button-cell power source.

The only way to get rid of the amp to speaker wires is to put the amp(s) in the speaker box.

But you still need to run mains power so wireless is rarely actually wire less.

I agree with 'wire everything you can'.  With one exception in my case :).  My REL Carbon Limited subs run wirelessly on REL's Longbow system.  Why?  I had node (booming) issues with the subs in traditional (easily wired) positions.  I found with the wireless, I could move the subs around to find their best positions.  Turns out it was all the way to each side and asymmetrical.  I have a basement with odd wall shapes.  In this case, I achieved better sound by moving the subs to spots where wires were difficult at best.  From Tone's review of the Carbon Limiteds:

Finally, you can connect to the Carbon wirelessly, using REL’s Longbow transmitter, featuring the same functionality and inputs as the ones on the rear panel of the Carbon. This eliminates the long cables from amplifier to subwoofer and has a range of about 45 feet

My Auralic Aries Streamer can also run wirelessly, but it is most definitely wired.