Gadgets Galore

We installed our eighth Sonos zone yesterday, with a new ZP-120 in the bedroom. This is also our first wireless zone, because we don’t have Ethernet running to the bedroom.

A couple of modified KEF iQ50 speakers provide the sound, via the KEF wireless system. The wireless receiver units, which are usually externally attached to the back of the speakers, have been manually built into the chamber of each loudspeaker. One of the speaker connectors has been removed from each of the rear panels to enable the receiver’s power cord to pass through to the outside. The connector isn’t needed, because the receiver is attached on the inside.

This was the perfect solution for our bedroom, where running cables isn’t really practical. We’ve been very happy with the KEF wireless system that powers the satellite speakers in our TV room. That the shop we’re dealing with was willing to perform this unique modification for us is testament to the great service they offer.

And so began another glorious gadget day.

Our three year old Philips 37PF9830 TV went upstairs to the bedroom, to be replaced by a full HD Sharp LC-46HD1E in the living-room. Thanks to the ZP-120 in the bedroom, we can also play the sound of the TV over the iQ50 speakers.

Similarly, our old Logitech Z-5450 digital speaker system has been consigned to the cellar. Our existing KEF iQ9 speakers and Rel Quake subwoofer have now been connected to a new Cambridge Audio Azur 740A amplifier, which finally allows us to integrate them with all of our living-room equipment. Our old Sonos ZP-100 is now connected to this, as is our MythTV box and a new Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, which replaces our rather awful old Philips DVDR 7300H DVD player.

The Sony Blu-ray player can be made region-free for DVD playback (not for Blu-ray), but rather unusually, this can’t be done using its own remote-control. One has to use codes that the standard remote-control is unable to send. Normally the installer would have done this for me, but he had forgotten his master remote-control. I was pleased to discover, however, that I could perform the operation myself, using the IR transmitter on my mobile phone and a program called irRemote. That’s the first time I’ve found a use for the IR capability of my phone.

The amplifier is also connected back to the auxiliary input of the ZP-100, which, by linking Sonos zones, enables us to pipe the sound of the TV through the ceiling speakers in the kitchen and dining-room. That’s a nice bonus.

Last, but not least, after eight years of sterling if not stylish service, our trusty old IKEA TV furniture has been retired and replaced by a sleek-looking piece of slim-line glass furniture from Spectral. I’d become so used to the sight of the old thing that I was desensitised to it and finding a replacement that was both practical and attractive has proved surprisingly hard. The new piece is much more in keeping with our living-room.

In the process, the plate of spaghetti behind the furniture has been thinned out, shortened, bound and hidden. This removes an eyesore that has persisted for years, which pleases Sarah no end.

I do love big gadget days like this one.