# Am I weird for not wanting wireless speakers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790 "2023-12-18T23:11:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/21 "2023-12-19T14:50:44Z")
Cables may be lame, but for some professional applications you may want to eliminate both the Bluetooth audio codec and the potential tens of milliseconds of latency. Will not matter for more casual use. > [@Alessan](#): > > The thing about a wireless mouse or keyboard is that they work perfectly 99.9% of the time - but a wired mouse or keyboard works perfectly 100% of the time, and that 0.1% can be a real pain in the neck. I’m happy to sacrifice esthetics to avoid it. Yes and no: wires can be damaged. So maybe not absolutely 100% of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/22 "2023-12-19T17:22:21Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Oh, the Audioengine speakers would be a nice step up without blowing $1k. > > Not sure what Lumpy is looking for, fidelity wise - am I missing something about an ultra-long piano? > [@Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across/851674/7588): > > TIL I learned about the longest piano in the world, the Alexander Piano, 18 feet, 9 inches (5.715 meters), built by a young man in New Zealand starting when he was 16 and completed when he was 20. [[image] ](https://www.alexanderpiano.nz/images/466305/20180511_171954.jpg) You can watch some videos of it, played by professionals, at the official site. To get the best idea of its sound, especially the amazing bass, use headphones or a full stereo system. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/23 "2023-12-19T17:30:58Z")
You are not weird, my computer speakers are wired… into my whole home audio system. My computer is wired out into that system as an input and I have built a Home Assistant dashboard to manage the inputs and outputs. It’s a bit more complex than the typical computer desk set up, but it also allows my desktop speakers to play music alongside speakers in other rooms when that is the mood we are in. I have been using a pair of these for almost 2 years now. [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09B7XF3Z9/](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09B7XF3Z9/) Still happy with them. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/24 "2023-12-19T18:04:33Z")
> [@Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across/851674/7588): > > To get the best idea of its sound, especially the amazing bass, use headphones or a full stereo system. Thanks, I missed that discussion. Obviously, the full stereo system is going to be the best for that. A good system could be had for reasonable price, but the issue there is that it most likely won’t be good for near field listening like either the Bose or Audioengine speakers are. Normal stereo speakers are designed for the listener to be about six to eight feet away or thereabouts. The Bose or Audioengine will be fine on your desk right in front of you. Headphones would also a good solution for good sound. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/25 "2023-12-19T18:10:43Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Why would you want wireless _anything_ (except earphones) for your desktop? Personally…I miss wired earphones. My wireless Bluetooth earphones are flaky sometimes and run out of power inconveniently. They charge fast but still…annoying. I want wired headphones but few cellphones have a jack for them anymore. That said, one of the few things that would really piss me off was catching my wired headphones on something and having them yanked out of my ear. Nevertheless, I want them and not my ear buds. To the OP…my PC speakers and my TV speakers are all wired in. No wireless. I always would go for wired unless it was not possible to run a wire unobtrusively across a room. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/26 "2023-12-19T18:14:15Z")
The Apple lighting to 3.5mm or usb-c to 3.5mm both work great and cost about $9. Yes, the usb-c dongle will work with Android. There are also quite a few higher priced dongle dacs on the market, but you may not need them (depending on the headphones). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/27 "2023-12-19T18:17:01Z")
I also prefer my computer peripherals to be wired. Sure, batteries last a long time these days, but my preferred frequency for changing batteries is “never”. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/28 "2023-12-19T19:27:45Z")
I have a solar keyboard. It’s been going for 10 years now. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/29 "2023-12-19T19:35:29Z")
My computer doesn’t get much sun exposure. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/30 "2023-12-19T19:46:53Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Batteries die at the most inopportune times. Both my mouse and keyboard have accurate low battery warnings, with several hours (at least) of time. Never had one go out at an inopportune time. The mouse converts into an ordinary wired one for charging, anyhow. Always had problems with the mouse cable getting caught on things, or it resting on the back edge of the desk, so there was increased friction when I pulled it back. I could (and did) try to clip it into place, or set something heavy on it so I got just the right amount of slack, but it was still annoying. > [@Alessan](#): > > If you keep the PC on your desk, I can see where wires can be a problem. It’s below my desk, but my desk is glass. The power strip is currently the worst. I should probably shove it in a basket or something. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/31 "2023-12-19T19:52:04Z")
You didn’t miss much. That “piano” is nothing more than a novelty, a thought experiment brought to life. The tone is thin and shrill. Speaking as a 32 year piano technician (now retired 18 years). ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/32 "2023-12-19T19:53:04Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I used to have the [Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified](https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMedia-Certified-Computer-Speaker/dp/B000062VUO/) speakers. I just got these! Great sound, great bass, for the price. In fact, I actually practice bass through them – run into the computer using a digital interface, out through those speakers (with whatever song I’m working on as well). Definitely wired. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/33 "2023-12-19T20:02:38Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Cables may be lame, but for some professional applications you may want to eliminate both the Bluetooth audio codec and the potential tens of milliseconds of latency. Will not matter for more casual use. Yeah, I would convert everything to wireless if I could. As it is, most my set-up is wireless, but when I do any kind of recording on my computer and musical keyboard, I have to use wired connections for both speakers or headphones, as I can’t seem to get the latency down low enough that it feels like I’m playing at the same time as the sound is coming out. It’s a small lag, but annoying enough that it just throws everything off. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/34 "2023-12-19T20:08:10Z")
Glad to see brands I have getting good reviews here. I’ve been using the Bose wired speakers for my desktop for many years. Affordable and recommended. I have an old pair of KEF bookshelf speakers hooked into my old audio system for better sound. And I can play my cassettes from the 70s! I have a wired ergonomic keyboard that doesn’t come wireless but a wireless mouse. I was leery of wireless performance for a long time but it’s gotten to the point that it’s not an issue. The computer tower is under the desk but in that stygian and unreachable darkness lies a tangle of cords and plugs that’s uncontrollable. Absolutely, the fewer the better. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/35 "2023-12-19T20:29:43Z")
Lights will also charge it. Even the light from your monitor. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/36 "2023-12-20T11:10:47Z")
My dog occasional decides to chew through a key cable. Batteries are easier to replace! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/37 "2023-12-20T11:52:11Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > One point to mention (now that I’ve stopped drooling over the $1k speakers!) is that with wired speakers, you will of course want to make sure said wires are shielded. One of the reason I upgraded to the Bose (which are, to my preference, great bang-for-buck rather than the best out there) was my past couple of sets had interference from touching other powered wired behind my PC and even occasional beeping from cellphone interference! congrats (to the OP)! you are living in the golden times of really inexpensive HiFi that - with say - $500,- spent can get you into quality ranges that some 10-20 years ago cost you thousands. If you really aim for good audio-quality (good enough to not leave you wanting more for the rest of your live), those smallish 3, 4 or 5" active speakers are the way to go, especially if listening near field. this link will be your best friend: > **[Master Audio Review Index](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages%2FReviews%2F)** (great website, alltogether, debunking a lot of audiophools product along the way. Probably a good moment to spend some - again - smallish $$$ on a dedicated BT-DAC, which will increase your listening experience hugely. Toping amongst others (mostly Chi-Fi companies, that surpassed european and american brands some years ago, delivering ridiculous good bang-for-the-buck) are a solid choice. … and go for a musical smallish 6-8" subwoofer - which does make a hell of a difference. All that can be had in really excelent (sound) quality for a total of triple digits (I’d say from $400 - $999) when shopping around. another - different route - even cheaper … is to go head/earphones … you can get pretty much high-end sound there for below $99,- today !!! ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790/38 "2023-12-20T12:04:05Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I have Audioengine speakers and they sound excellent when positioned correctly. solid choice … especially for near-field listening > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I want wired headphones but few cellphones have a jack for them anymore. that is your best bet - looks like an adapter cable, but is actually a DAC … that improves output quality of any cellphones by a huge margin and even the apple thingy runs around U$ 10,- > [@Wolf333](#): > > The Apple lighting to 3.5mm or usb-c to 3.5mm both work great and cost about $9. Yes, the usb-c dongle will work with Android. > > There are also quite a few higher priced dongle dacs on the market, but you may not need them (depending on the headphones). [![](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/11459151.png) ](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/11459151.png) [![](https://www.iclarified.com/images/news/57222/57222/57222-1280.jpg) ](https://www.iclarified.com/images/news/57222/57222/57222-1280.jpg) . thats the one I’m talking [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-weird-for-not-wanting-wireless-speakers/994790.md?page=1)