Windows 7: Multiple Speaker Systems from One Computer

Convenience can be expensive and you're still stuck with running wires all over the place. That's made easier if you have a basement or attic otherwise you'll be pulling up carpet to hide wires. (Or maybe not.) Depends on how you view aesthetics. Hard to beat in-wall jacks. Another option is wireless speakers. There's plenty of new technology today for home theaters that eliminates "most" wires.

Have a look at this run down: Wireless Speakers Systems: A buying guide to Wireless Home Theater

Running wires is not an issue; I can be quite creative when it comes to running wires and I'm not afraid of making holes. However, the distances the wires have to run apparently is going to be the issue.

Now, the wireless idea is looking really promising! What would really be nice is I could find a Wi-Fi speaker set; then a transmitter wouldn't be needed. I'll check out the article more thoroughly later; I have some errands to run shortly.

You sure can use more then 1 sound card, just pick which 1 you want the sound to come through when you want those particular speakers.

But, you can only have 1 default playback device at a time, but I`m sure that`s what you want.

Well, I looked into wireless and the only way I could find to get 2.1 or better was prohibitively expensive and required a lot of hardware connected externally to the computer.

I looked into WiFi and the best I could find was using an Apple AirPort Express plugged into an amplifier hooked to nonpowered speakers. Cost was reasonable but the AirPort express can't be used within 25 feet of a microwave or cordless phone due to interference (I had to download the manual to find that out). That kills that (mutter, mutter, mumble, mumble).

Looks like I'm back to Plan A (hardwiring) and looking for a way to boost the signal going to the speaker systems.

I'm not an audiophile but perhaps something like in the diagram below might work. Someone with audio electronics background may shoot it down but I doubt if you're looking for concert hall quality music. It's based on using stereo pre-amplifiers to extend the interconnect lines so that you could use standard remote 2.1 amplified speakers. The interconnect lines can be small (22-3, shielded) since they cary only about 1v. On extra long runs, daisy-chain the pre-amps. I know Pyle makes a lot of household and professional audio gear. From what I recall they have a lot of amps and pre-amps for $50 or less if you shop around.

I would need only one preamp since one of the speaker systems will be right at the computer desk. One approach I've considered is running a speaker line from the computer desk wall mounted left and right speakers through a switch (4PDT; only one pair would be live at any time) to each left and right speaker on the wall opposite the couch. Both sets could share the same subwoofer since sub placement isn't critical (as long as it isn't buried). I could have the sub on the floor under the computer desk in the knee hole (it works fine for me now). I could even use my existing system by using the rear speakers on the wall opposite the couch and run the system as a 2.1. The only concern I see might be a pop everytime I switch the speakers.

There is no way one can get concert hall quality in such a small space. Best one can hope for is CD quality, which is all the better the source is anyway (downloads and ripped CDs).

That would still leave the bedroom system needing a preamp to push the signal along to the system. Any links to a 2.1 preamp that could do the job and not need a lot of space? I haven't had much luck finding one.