What's the easiest way to stream audio from my laptop to a receiver? Ask the Editors

Jeff,

I've read your reviews of headphones that use a USB dongle to stream any and all audio to it wirelessly. Do you know an affordable (less than $60) way to do this and send audio to a receiver? I have a line in port that I'd love to connect to some sort of device that could receive an audio stream from my laptop.

--Russell, New Jersey

Hey Russell,

I've actually been on the hunt for a cheap way to do the same exact thing in my apartment. Unfortunately, there's probably nothing that can do it for under $60. Back at my parent's house, I set them up with an Apple Airport Express (around $100) that allows you to wirelessly stream music from any network-connected computer running iTunes via the Airport's line-out jack.

If that's not something you'd be into, you may want to look at something like the Creative Labs Xmod Wireless Music System (which goes for around $100). It's not as easy as a USB dongle, but it should stream any and all sound coming from your computer.

Our editors really liked the Logitech Wireless Music System for PC but it looks like that device isn't manufactured anymore. However, I'm sure you can still find it on Amazon or eBay.

We also came across an Onkyo solution that looks like it'll do what you want, but it retails for $150.

Lastly, we don't usually point our readers into these murky waters, but we stumbled across a very suspect product that somehow completely satisfies every requirement you stipulated, including the price. If all else fails and you simply cannot spend the extra cash on what we recommend, head over to a1components.com. They've got a no-name USB transmitter/receiver that says it'll do exactly what you want. But please keep in mind, we've never tested it, we're not sure it works, and judging by the photo, they might just be sending you all the components in a plastic bag. If I haven't been clear, this is a total "try this at your own risk" lecture.

Good luck Russell!

-Jeff

Anyone have any additional advice for our friend from Jersey?

[v_noronha]

There's always the Linksys WMB54G which you can use to stream music wirelessly from any desktop or laptop to your receiver. Typical cost is around $60 but I bought a couple at OfficeMax for $25 each! (new)
Setting it up is a bit of a bother because of imcomplete documentation but once connected it works well.

[joshbroton]

Or just use your existing XBox 360 for free!

[knissaj]

Fry's has an "Airlink 802.11g Wireless Music Bridge" for sale right now for $30. I purchased it to use simply as a wireless bridge for my Xbox 360 but it also has stereo outputs for streaming audio to a sound system. Little strange because they are set up as R/L Front, Subwoofer/Center, and R/L Rear and I don't know what 5.1 sound system uses 1/8" jacks but whatever, I just use it as a bridge.

[varshad]

Note that if you have an Airport Express you are not limited to using just iTunes; using Rogue Amoeba's "Airfoil" (for Mac and PC), it will allow you to stream all of your computer's audio to any Airport Expresses on your Wifi Network. This is great if you also use services like Rhapsody, Last.fm, Pandora, or even just watch Youtube/Hulu videos. It's $25, so factor that in.

[jld45000]

I've got an old pc that has itunes installed running next to my stereo. I run it remotely with my mac and can even start and stop songs from my iphone with the remote application. The Pc was just collecting dust in my closet so I decided to put it to better use. Its going to become a media server.

[se90000]

Get a bluetooth audio gateway and connect it to your stereo. After that you can play from your laptop and from mobile phone. Note that most bluetooth stacks suck under Windows, so you might need to update that before it works properly.

[se90000]

Forgot to mention that the bluetooth gateway looks just like another soundcard on your pc.

[joenoob]

Question on Airport Express: do I need to get two AEs to connect a desktop to a stereo, one for each system?

[jpfalcone]

Nope--you just need one AE per stereo/speaker system. (Keep in mind that the Apple TV can also be used for this "AirTunes" setup.) The PC (Windows/Mac) is just the server--it just needs to run iTunes, and have a network connection.

You can also use the iPhone or iPod Touch as a remote to control your music.

Related videos:
http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50004264.html

http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50003582.html

[joenoob]

Oh then I'm definitely in on that! Got iphone.

tx

[kimchimocha]

Well, creative recently introduce several X-Fi wireless music devices. If you're using a laptop, you can try the Sound Blaster X-Fi notebook (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=17988) or if you're using a pc and itunes, you can take a look at the newest Sound blaster for iTunes (http://www.thinkcomputers.org/articles/creative_ces09/2.jpg) ... both looks pretty good!

[aarongobo]

If you are interested in an airport express for less than 60 dollars I would try this listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=140295230796&Category=80059

[filmfan214]

Audioengine (which makes great speakers) has something called the AW1 that looks really simple, but it is $150. I haven't tried it myself, but I like the company and love their speakers.

http://audioengineusa.com/w1_home.php

[random truth]

I like the airport express because of this feature. It also can extend the range of your wireless network, work as a router, and/or you can hook a usb printer to it.

[vancejen]

There are alternatives depend on "where" do you want to control your music on your laptop. If you control it in front of your laptop and just want to send the audio output to your stereo remotely, there are plenty wireless audio transceiver systems for applications such as wireless satellite speakers in surround sound, etc.

If you are away from your laptop and want to control the streaming remotely, there are various solutions with different price range and user interface. Airport Express, as mentioned, is event better if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch that you can browse and control the streaming with the Apple Remote app.

Alternatively, I personally use Logitech SqueezeBox (was Slimdevices) for wireless streaming. Linksys by Cisco has similar products (http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/products/WirelessHomeAudio) too. These systems are over your bedget but offer good iPod like user interface.

[coprock]

I have tried so many different music streaming devices with varying and ultimately disappointing results. My first streaming set up was an Audiotron made by Turtle Beach that was networked via telephone network. This actually worked quite well, until I created a wifi network in the house and could not get working. Creative Soundblaster wireless via wifi network worked well but could not handle the size of my library (20,000 songs) and would frequently stall. Playstation 3 immediately recognized my pc jukebox without any software installation, however takes 15 seconds to queue a song or skip to the next song. Recently got the airport express which I use in conjunction with an iphone as a remote. This works pretty well depending upon how far away you are from the wifi router. Set up downstairs from the router, it frequently stalls and crashes itunes. Connecting to network via apple remote application can take 30 seconds to a minute to make a connection. It also seems to be affected by internet network traffic and slows down. This set up seems to work just fine upstairs closer to the router. I thought about buying a wifi signal relay booster in hopes of making the system work better. I thought about this long and hard and decided that I needed something that works flawlessly when I want to use it. I ended up purchasing a 160gb ipod, which holds all of my music and I just sync it once a week or so. Much less trouble. For these same reasons you may want to look at the Audioengine AW1 wireless transmitter or the AW2 which plugs into an ipod. I understand these are both great performers and sound great, and best of all do not involve software. It's hard to enjoy music when it drops in and out frequently

[dobash]

I have long sought a solution to this problem and have the following comments. A wireless music bridge is the cheapest, quickest, and most effective way to go. To this end, the Airlink101 AWMB100 music bridge works very well. It costs about 30 bucks, is easy to setup, the software is good, and it has digital output to your receiver. AVOID THE LINKSYS WMB54G AT ALL COSTS! The software is buggy (you can't uninstall it) and the hardware has serious compatibility issues (doesn't work with Vista and has issues with XP). There are much more expensive solutions (Sonos, Roku, soundcards) but why not just pay 30 bucks for excellent sound quality and easy setup?

[0995dng]

Check out this