How far off are wireless audiophile speakers?

If you really think about how small some high quality amps are, it could be feasible that an audiophile grade wireless speaker could be made in the near future. Especially since only one channel is needed per speaker. The speaker would be basically connected right at the source (the amp). And since digital signals now can be streamed with very high resolution, one day the wireless speaker may be the actual highest quality (in a digital realm). Maybe each speaker has its own DAC. Wireless set ups would really change the way we view and set up audio. The speakers could be used wireless or with an interconnect connected to preamp. A wireless Wilson speaker with a built in Mark Levinson amp would turn some heads. Also. 2 channel vs H/T would combine much easier since all the amplifier electronics is at the speaker. You would just set preamp to whatever configuration you have. This is not too far off. A manufacturer like B&W is probably already working on this.

08-16-11: Uru975
if it is wireless it is automatically off how far depends on where you place the speakers.

It is not clear to me what you are saying. Nonetheless, one can compensate for electronic latency as we do for distance. Of course, not if one insists on pure analog. ;-)

Kal

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/THIEL_Audio_Introduces_Z_et_And_We_Didn_t_Even_Know_It.shtml

The Thiel system looks great and that was three years ago.

Assuming that analog isn't part of the requirement and that AC power at the speaker is not an issue:

Wireless isn't a speaker issue, per se:

For example: Take a pair of the big, powered Meridian speakers with built-in DACs. Get them a quality digital signal and they're definitely high end. These (may, or) may not be your particular cup of tea, but they are pretty clearly an "audiophile" product. So, the only question becomes "How do you get them a quality digital signal, if you transmit it wirelessly?"

Given current wireless digital technology, I can't imagine that it would be much of an issue, but I'm not sure who's selling a quality solution for this application. Sonos offers one solution (via the zone player's digital output). However, Sonos only accepts digital input signals wirelessly, so it's not a purist solution. Someone out there probably offers a similar system that allows wired digital inputs, I'm just not sure who it is.

So, my first answer to your question is: "I think we're probably already there".

However, if your question is more geared toward a compact, all-in-one, rechargeable (i.e., truly wireless) speaker system, that's a different story. The best integrated solution of that type that I've heard is the Soundcast Outcast, which is designed for outdoor use. It's quite good for its intended application, but that's not as a high-end competitor. And it ain't small, either.

Bottom line: If you look for a wireless digital distribution system, I suspect that right now you could assemble a "speaker wire free" speaker system that is very, very good. Just not small, cheap, easy, or "clean".

Marty