Remote speakers for apartment?

So, here's what I have: One desktop computer and a couple of laptops. An Apple Airport Extreme Base Station and an Airport Express.

I also have a stereo (see pics in "elevate their cables" thread).

I'm not an audiophile and I don't have money to burn on stereo equipment. My receiver is a 20-year-old JVC, which is hooked up to my turntable (yes, a turntable) and a tape deck. I'm in the process of ripping my CD collection.

So, here's what I'd like to do. My Airport Express is plugged in next to my receiver, and I can pump music through it from the desktop machine (in another room). I can also play that music over the desktop's speakers. But I'd like to expand. For example, to add better speakers to the desktop machine (I've thought about the HK Soundsticks for that), and maybe to add speakers in a couple of other rooms, such as my office and maybe the kitchen.

I'd like to spend no more than a couple of hundred bucks per room (Sonos seems more expensive than that), and I don't want to run cables around the apartment--the walls are old and thick and that would be a major hassle.

So, am I dreaming? Should I suck it up and start thinking about Sonos or something equivalent to get where I need to be? Are there remote speakers I can buy, to plug into additional Airport Expresses for example, that fit my budget and provide adequate sound?

TIA,
Grim.

Yes. The only problem is the lack of remote--you have to change tracks, etc., from the computer from which you're streaming. Since I can stream from either the laptops or the desktop, however, that's not a big deal. Basically, you just plug the powered speakers into the minijack on the Express and tell iTunes where to send the music--to one room, some rooms, or all. I fear I'm going to end up looking at something like Sonos...

Yes, but in either case I'd need speakers, right? Anyone have any recommendations? What speakers did you opt for, GDL?

Also, gdl, am I correct in understanding that the only difference between the 80 & 100 models on the Sonos is that the 100 has a built-in amp and the 80 doesn't?

This is still a work-in-progress, but in the meantime I picked up the Logitech Z-5500 5.1 stereo speaker system. The subwoofer is a monster, but I needed a 5.1 speaker system that would accept an optical audio input, and this fit the bill. The speakers all have standard spring-type cable connectors too, so it's fairly modular.

And no, I did not put the speaker cables on styrofoam cups.

It works fine. The downside, as I said, is remote control, unless you're going to "set it and forget it" or have a laptop you can use to choose music.



I've looked at the squeeze box. I'll check out the Swan speakers. Thanks for that.

I agree that the Z-5500 is a bit muddy. I was testing it both with the Two Towers DVD and with some iTunes tracks, and muddy was precisely my feeling about it. As I said, I'm not an audiophile. And yes, price was a big factor. I couldn't find anything close that was 5.1 and accepted optical input. And it's still better than the built-in speakers on my iMac for playing music.

I'll have to go try playing Return of the King (the game) with the new speakers...

Tunebite, anyone?