Smart Shopper Home audio.
From speakers that deliver music on the go to set-ups that can transform your living room into a concert hall, the latest in home audio plays to every need, writes Georgia Madden.
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Whether you’re an audiophile who can’t bear the thought of missing a note, or you simply want a portable solution that lets you play music outdoors, the latest audio systems have you covered.
As with so many aspects of our lives, technology has transformed the home-audio landscape almost beyond recognition. Gone are the tangled wires and complicated installation. Instead, compact Bluetooth speakers allow you to stream a playlist from wherever you are – even the shower – on your mobile device while wireless systems can deliver music to every room in the house via a few taps on an app. Smart speakers will find and play favourite songs upon voice command, and sleek sound bars and surround-sound systems offer rich, immersive audio without cluttering up the living room.
“Multi-room, wireless streaming systems are extremely popular,” says Len Wallis, owner of Sydney’s Len Wallis Audio. “Many are incredibly easy to install: all you need is a powerpoint, a good wireless network and an app.”
Ralph Grundl, marketing manager at home-entertainment distributor QualiFi, concurs. “What’s great about these systems is the ability to play music inside and out – the same songs or different ones in every room. You can stream music from your phone when you’re on the go, then plug it in at home so it becomes part of your multi-room system. And all the systems are becoming more affordable,” he adds.
Music lovers can even tailor sound set-ups to suit the acoustics of particular areas, says Tad Toulis, head of design experience at Sonos. “Every room has unique acoustic qualities that affect sound,” he explains. “It’s important to maximise sound quality. In the old days you had to hire a professional to come in and tune your speakers. Now, with technology such as Sonos Trueplay, you can do it yourself using an app.”
‘ TECH SHOULDN’ T SHOUT FOR YOUR ATTENTION. IT SHOULD BLEND INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE AND HOME ENVIRONMENT.’ Tad Toulis, Sonos