Wi-Fi Speaker Connectivity Question

SonnyLumiere

I have a laptop running Win 10. It has a built-in CDROM player. I'd like to play CDs on the laptop and stream the audio to a wireless speaker via wi-fi. (I don't want to use Bluetooth, nor do I want to rip the CDs to the laptop's hard drive, nor connect using cables.) If I buy a wi-fi speaker, will this work and what brands would be suitable? Thanks.

Neil_Jones

Wi-Fi speakers do exist, but the it will probably be cheaper to go Bluetooth.

WiFi speakers connect to your home network. Because most run on AC power, they usually require an outlet. 

Bluetooth speakers pair directly with a device such as a phone or a laptop. They tend to be compact and battery-powered, which makes them more portable

flaneurs_lobster

Google Chromecast Audio would be ideal, shame Google discontinued them in 2019 - they wanted to pump their range of smart speakers. Theirs, or any of the myriad of smart/wireless speakers would work but do need a WiFi network to share with the audio source as @Neil_Jones says.

One thought, last time I looked at something similar I wanted to use a pair of linked Amazon speakers to give stereo separation. Stereo was only available by streaming from an Alexa "source", not by linking the speakers by Bluetooth to my laptop/phone.

DullGreyGuy

It can work, the wifi speakers I've seen just piggybacked on existing protocols like Apple AirPlay2 or Google Chromecast 

What brands will be suitable will depend on what your budget is. They probably start around £50 for some no brand item or you get the Kef LS60 Lotus at £5,500 a pair