speakers

Can I create sound all around the house using Amazon Echo speakers?

Episode 1747

Paul from Columbus, OH

Paul wants to be able to hook up a friend's Amazon Alexa device to his CD system, so he can create a speaker system in every house. Leo says that the Amazon FireTV Cube has an IR blaster that can command your devices from anywhere in the house. But to broadcast the signal on the Echo devices may be a challenge. If they had an audio-in jack, then that would be the easiest. Doing it digitally from your computer and streaming music would be even easier.  But to play physical media over an Echo system is a challenge.

Scott Wilkinson ... Black November

Scott Wilkinson

Episode 1741

Scott joins Leo to talk about how Black Friday is already here with "Black November" deals already starting. Scott says that this means that we may see the end of the crowds fighting over doorbuster deals on the day after Thanksgiving.

Headphones like the Bose Quiet Comfort QC35 Mk. II are discounted 33%. 

Newegg is offering a deal on the Polk TL1600 Subwoofer Satellite speaker system for $179, a 60% discount. 

Can I use IKEA's wireless speakers for my PC?

SYMFONISK from IKEA

Episode 1738

Lott from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Lott came across a set of SYMFONISK WiFi Speakers at IKEA and wants to know if he can get sound from his computer to play on them. Leo says that IKEA has a partnership with SONOS and Amazon to create wireless speakers. You need to use SONOS software to add your music collection and play it. It uses a variant of DNLA and in theory, the SONOS software can scan your PC and play it.

Scott Wilkinson, the Specialist

Scott Wilkinson

Episode 1701

Scott's latest review is of a pair of Bluetooth Speakers that he says are really cool. The Ai60 bookshelf speakers are made by Fluance and have a 6 1/2" woofer and 4" tweeters. You connect two speakers together and then connect the right one via Bluetooth to your device. Scott says that the Ai60 exceeded his expectations, sounding great. The cost is $300, which is surprisingly good. The only real drawback is that you can't stream via WiFi, but you can connect wired.

Scott Wilkinson ... in position

Scott Wilkinson

Episode 1638

Scott joins Leo to answer a question about subwoofers. Dan bought a pair of subwoofers to go with his speaker system. Scott says that proper positioning of your subwoofer can make all the difference when setting up your home theater speakers, and these days, having two subwoofers is a good thing. But they also take up a lot of space. So, he's selling his speakers to get bookshelf models. Scott recommends listing them on AudioGon.com. It's designed to specifically sell your audio/video equipment. Another option is AVSForum.com.

Can I watch TV with headphones and speakers?

Vizio Sound Bar

Episode 1549

Don from Santa Barbara, CA

Don recently bought a new LG TV, and he likes to watch TV with ear phones, but his wife doesn't. When he uses the earphone jack, it shuts off the speakers. What can he do? Leo says the easiest way to do it is to use dual audio outputs. Leo recommends a sound bar that he can plug into the optical port, and then he can use the headphones with the headphone jack. Vizio makes a good budget sound bar for around $100. The other option is an analog splitter.