Wireless Rear Speaker Kit - which one to use

[Freedom]

New to the forum, this is my first post.

What I have:
TV: Sharp Aquos LCD, HD and Dolby (2 years old, I will get the model # if needed)

Provider: Verizon FIOS; with OUT the DVR function.

DVD/VCR: combined unit by Symponics. Have not used it since I got the FIOS last October, as I can't remember what the Installer Tech told me to do unplugging and replugging in cords, so we haven't watched any DVDs or videotapes since then.

Home Theater (ordered it yesterday!): Onkyo HT-S3300 - this is a 2010 model, it is a "repeater" not a passthrough. In case that sounds like I know what I am talking about . . . lol, just copied it from a review.

Because it is a repeater, it uses one HDMI cable for both video and audio.

I need to make the rear speakers wireless. Rocketfish has 2 kits:
1. Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit (which has been discussed on this forum)

2. Wireless HD Audio Starter Kit

In on line reviews, I saw one customer review mention the second, the starter kit. No mention at all of the first kit anywhere.

Anyone w/any thoughts which I can use? (either one OK?)
Anyone w/any thoughts do I gain something w/ the second one?

BTW, the second one is more than twice the price of the first one.

Is there another kit I should consider?


*****

Separate question: I see that I have the ribbon composite for the connection from the STB to the TV. Looking on the Verizon FIOS forum, it seems lots of folks have issues if they switch to HDMI cable.

I need one HDMI cable from the Onkyo receiver to . . . somewhere (praying the manual will tell me). Any reason I should change the connection from the STB to the TV? It all works fine just now.

Thanks for any guidance, ideas, things to consider, and "how to" most appreciated, lol!

 

[mpompey]

Why the need to go wireless for rears? Are you in an apartment? Do you have masonry walls or something like that?

 

[Freedom]

No, I own my home. The Family Room is long and narrow, w/ hardwood floor, so the wires won't reach, PLUS no carpet to tuck them under. So I just want to make them wireless, and not sure which of those 2 Rocketfish is the one that will do the job.

 

[mpompey]

...so the wires won't reach, PLUS no carpet to tuck them under. ....

Gotcha, can you fish through the walls to go over the family room ceiling or underneath floor? Or is that too much work? I haven't heard much good news about wireless speakers. If at all possible I try to run wires to my locations.

 

[Freedom]

OK, thanks.

 

[jostenmeat]

No, I own my home. The Family Room is long and narrow, w/ hardwood floor, so the wires won't reach, PLUS no carpet to tuck them under. So I just want to make them wireless, and not sure which of those 2 Rocketfish is the one that will do the job.

Just to make sure, you do realize that "wireless speaker" is a misnomer, in the fact that instead of using speaker wire, you run power cords to them instead? Just want to make sure you know.

 

[markw]

One other thing to keep in mind.

You can forget about the rear channel power rating on your receiver.

The only power driving the surround speakers will be what the amp on the wireless receiver puts out, which I could not discern from a quick glance of their specs.

[edit] I did find the Wireless HD Audio Starter Kit puts out 42 wpc @ 4 ohms with 1% distortion. That should be adequate for surrounds. I don't see a frequency range though. Here's the owner's manual.

 

[Freedom]

jostenmeat: Yes, I know there will be wires rom the rear speakers to the part from the kit (I forget if it is the receiver or transmitter which sits at the back of the room). That is fine, those wires will be behind furniture.

It was wires running down the middle length of the room which were posing a problem.

markw: I don't know ohms from distortion from apples. This is all new to me. But I "think" it will all be OK.

Now just waiting for the HB to arrive in the mail!