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best way to stream audio throughout the home?

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hulkster:
ive looked into media centers, and xbox media center stuff and all that for video/audio purposes, but for right now....i just to concentrate on video. 

so i want to do this cheaply first of all, and i want something unobtrusive.  what are my options? 

ive read about fm transmitters, but i can see where the sound quality would only be decent if the pc/laptop was close to the receiver (radio) itself.  that is a cheap option, but im not sure if its even worth the money anyway.  and of course with the fm transmitters, you dont get any control over whats playing unless you have access to the source...which kinda defeats the purpose of the convenience anyway.

like, if i wanted to stream music to the kitchen, or maybe out to the deck or something....what would be a fairly cheap way of doing that??

ChadTower:

I'd say FM transmitter would be cheapest and easiest.

Best value, probably the same as before"  :  modded xboxes.

hulkster:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on August 20, 2007, 03:22:13 pm ---
I'd say FM transmitter would be cheapest and easiest.

Best value, probably the same as before"  :  modded xboxes.

--- End quote ---

but will the sound quality be unbearable?  my home isnt huge (2100 sq. ft) and its 2 floors, but the second floor is more of a half story because its over the garage and its only 5 steps to go up to the room.  fm transmitters would be cheap and very easy, but i dont want to be having static between every song or whatever.

as for local station interference...i live out pretty much in the country, so i dont guess that would cause problems.

ChadTower:

Seems to me a little research into FM transmitter reviews would help answer that.

boykster:
I love that the thread title says "best way to stream audio" but the reality is that you're looking for the best inexpensive way to do it.

I was going to suggest several systems that would work great, but DO cost money, but would give you great sound quality.  If you're going for inexpensive, then fm transmitters or xboxes would probably be the best bet.

Have you considered just wiring your house with homerun speaker cabling or  line level audio cabling and using a central receiver?

I use a system called Sonos (www.sonos.com) - it's not cheap, but it is VERY good quality.  I have 2 zones of distributed audio (living room and rec room) each with inwall speakers and a handheld controller.  Total cost for that was a bit under $2000.  To add a zone its about $500 for the player and another $400 if I need an additional controller.

see...not inexpensive...but VERY good quality and easy to use.

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