From Simplified Streaming To Audiophile Performance—Here Are Our Favorite Wireless Systems

Can wireless audio satisfy a real music enthusiast? While we’ll always still advocate for traditional good quality cabling for audio, whether in a two-channel rig or a whole-home setup, wireless audio has come a long, long way. You can have the convenience of an app to stream a wide variety of sources to wireless speakers that sound amazingly good, with no wires required. OK, you do have to plug all of these in, because power has to come from somewhere. 

Continuing our series on Show and Tell's favorite brands, we're covering three wireless audio solutions that consistently deliver for our Bountiful, UT, clients. Sonos makes multi-room audio simple and expandable. Bluesound brings audiophile-grade streaming to serious music lovers. And KEF focuses on single-room hi-fi excellence that rivals traditional stereo systems. Each tackles different challenges, but they all prove that wireless doesn't mean compromising on sound quality.

SEE ALSO: Are Audiophile-Grade Wireless Speakers Blasphemy?

The Simplicity and Scalability of Sonos

Sonos remains our go-to for clients who want whole-home audio without complexity. Start with their latest Era 100 ($179) for next-gen acoustics and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Step up to the Era 300 ($449) for Dolby Atmos spatial audio with upward-firing drivers that bounce sound off your ceiling. The Five ($549) still anchors their lineup as the premium stereo speaker with a 3.5mm line-in for turntables. Sonos digital audio processing makes these speakers sound bigger and more spacious than they are, pleasing most ears. 

What makes Sonos special is the ecosystem. Buy one speaker, love it, then add another in a different room. Pairing them for true stereo adds even more dimension to the sound. They sync perfectly through the intuitive app, and Sonos' TruePlay room tuning automatically adjusts each speaker's sound for its specific location. The Sonos app aggregates a wide set of music streaming sources for a never-ending choice of music and other audio content. Voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant makes it even easier to use daily.

Stepping Up to Audiophile Specs with Bluesound

When clients prioritize sound quality above all else, we recommend Bluesound. Their Pulse 2i flagship delivers hi-res streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz—far beyond CD quality. The Pulse M features an innovative Omni-Hybrid driver design for 360-degree sound that fills rooms naturally. For portable needs, the Pulse Flex 2i offers the same hi-res performance with battery power.

Bluesound's BluOS platform handles serious multi-room audio with MQA decoding and high-end DAC technology. What sets BluOS apart is its audiophile-grade streaming engine—it connects to over 20 music services natively and maintains bit-perfect audio quality throughout your network. Unlike consumer-focused systems, these are built for discerning listeners who notice the difference between good and great sound. The speakers cost more than Sonos, but the audio quality justifies the investment for music enthusiasts.

Hi-Fi Level Wireless, the KEF Way

KEF takes a different approach—they build wireless speakers that rival traditional hi-fi systems. The compact LSX II delivers KEF's famous Uni-Q drivers in a desktop-friendly package. Step up to the award-winning LS50 Wireless II for their Metamaterial Absorption Technology that eliminates 99% of unwanted resonance. The flagship LS60 Wireless floorstanding speakers offer tri-amping and compete with speakers costing twice as much.

While KEF speakers excel at single-room performance, they handle multi-room through AirPlay 2 and Roon Ready compatibility. Roon integration particularly appeals to serious audiophiles who want sophisticated music management and bit-perfect streaming. These aren't whole-home systems like Sonos—they're precision instruments for critical listening that happen to be wireless. You get traditional KEF engineering and acoustic know-how in a self-contained system that doesn’t need other audio components or cables. You can control it using a KEF app or directing music to the speakers using Apple Airplay or Spotify Connect. 

Which Wireless Audio Solution?

The right wireless audio system depends on how you listen. Want something the whole family can use easily? Sonos delivers simplicity and rock-solid reliability. Serious about sound quality and willing to pay for it? Bluesound's hi-res streaming and BluOS platform satisfy demanding ears. Focused on critical listening in one or two rooms? KEF's acoustic excellence makes every song sound like the artist intended. Plus KEF’s LS50 and LS60 Wireless models easily connect to TVs for sound that’s way better than the typical soundbar. 

Looking for uncomplicated, high-quality wireless audio solutions? Contact us today to learn more about the right system for you.