Wireless 'Smart' Surround Sound

wildest_jjk · 19 Jan 2019 at 14:43

Hi all,

Looking for some advice please on the best setup for my requirements...

We have a lounge that has a TV with Xbox and a Nintendo Switch connected. In the same room there is also a PC used for gaming, music playing, films etc. I would like to have wireless surround sound a bit like the Sonos but with more flexibility i.e. more inputs, the ability to act as an output for PC and the option to change between 7.1 and 2.1 (depending on whether the computer is being used or the TV).

As an aside will it be possible to play sound from both TV/Xbox/Switch and PC at the same time? Will this require something to mix the two?

Not sure how much of this is possible! Thanks in advance.

Bluecube · 19 Jan 2019 at 15:29

I have a Samsung N950 soundbar which comes with a subwoofer and two rear wireless speakers. I use it for my PC, UHD player and XBone and it works just fine. It can do stereo or full on 7.1.4 Atmos if need be.

You'll need a mixer of some sort (if it's possible) in order to input two separate sound sources.

wildest_jjk · 19 Jan 2019 at 17:10

Thanks for the response. Can I ask how you have it connected up please if it's not too much to explain?

Bluecube · 19 Jan 2019 at 17:16

PC and UHD player go into the soundbar as they can output Atmos. XBone is connected direct to the TV as I’ve no need to hear any Atmos output from it. The one bad thing thing about this soundbar is that that it only has two HDMI inputs but I’ve not found it to be an issue at all.

jpaul · 19 Jan 2019 at 18:36

or, if you have a A/V player
eg https://www.de.onkyo.com/downloads/3/3/4/1/8/Manual_TX-NR686_En.pdf
via listening modes see p70 it can be told, just to use the speakers corresponding to the channels from the hdmi connected devices, or other digital input

Direct This listening mode can be selected for all input signals. Processing that affects sound quality is shut down, and sound closer to the original is reproduced. The sound is reproduced with the sound field based on the number of channels in the input signal. For example, a 2ch signal is output only from the front speakers. Note that the sound adjustment is not available when this mode is selected.

.. mixing sounds from several sources might be more problematic though

wildest_jjk · 19 Jan 2019 at 20:40

Thanks for the responses I think @jpaul has come back with the sort of thing I am thinking of.

Do those receivers support wireless speakers? Would prefer if I could connect them up wireless with potential for multi-room as well?

Cheers

SimonR · 20 Jan 2019 at 13:19

Have you considered the HEOS AVR. It will provide everything that you are looking for. Multiple HDMI inputs, wireless surrounds, listening mode switching, ability to add a Sub, ARC from the TV.