Ask Engadget: a device to stream audio from one device to multiple sources?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Chris, who just needs a few more streams to make his life complete.

"I am looking for a device that will stream sound from one source to several recipients. For example, I want to stream sound from my TV or stereo to my phone or MP3 player that has radio and Bluetooth capabilities. I have been told that a Bluetooth device can only stream music to one device. I have looked into radio transmitters and they seem like a decent choice, but I can't find one that uses external power (USB or from the plug) and I would want one with a transmit range of around 50 meters. Thanks!"

We can't say for certain, but we're guessing Chris isn't along here. Any hardcore streamers out there figured out an optimal solution to get one source to multiple devices? Do tell in comments below.

[chefpatel Posted Oct 24th 2009 8:32PM]

Radio Shack Carries a lot of Wireless Products. You should go there and talk to a KNOWLEDGEABLE sales associate. like one whos been there more than a year. theyll hep you out. other wise email me. I have lots of Ideas, but AirPort is the only easy way to do this. other wise a wireless speaker system would have to do in this situation with a booster on the antenna sinal to amplify the signal to repeat it out to the speakers in the surrounding area.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 7:36PM]

Try Sonos: http://wireyourhouse.com/index.php/the-news/22-sonosaudio

[S4Rs Posted Oct 23rd 2009 11:15AM]

Cant windows 7 do that out of the box to DLNA devices? XBOX, PS3, my sweet Onkyo TX-NR906.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 23rd 2009 1:49PM]

Isn't this answers in a more recent post?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/23/rocketfish-wireless-whole-home-audio-system-cuts-the-cord-on-all/

[aopolis Posted Oct 23rd 2009 2:52PM]

I thought exactly the same thing when I saw that Rocketfish post this morning LOL

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2009 7:20PM]

I've researched this topic extensively for a decent solution, and I agree for a cheap audio streamer, that works, apples airport express is one of the best. But there's no remote control to select your music, you have to use your pc/laptop, which is fine most of the time. Then there's squeezebox with a decent remote control, and next up is sonos, which is the best of them all with their new excellent remote control and multiroom independent streaming system system. But its expensive.....Sonos/squeeze box do exactly what we're looking for....(wireless audio streaming and being able to select music on a remote control)

However, none of these stream video yet, and all the video streamers force you to turn on your TV to select content, which for video is fine, but they also allow you to stream audio, but who wants to have to select music by viewing on a TV screen.

Lets have sonos or squeezebox with video streaming and audio/video content selectable via its remote control

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 9:29AM]

airport express + airfoil + airfoil speaker iphone app makes streaming easy-peasy. The airfoil speaker app (free if you have the airfoil program already) is great if you want to stream music to a portable player that accepts an iphone/itouch (or aux input). The airfoil express is small, cheap and works great. The apple store has them in stock all the time for $85.

Add in Pandora One and PandoraJam and you will never listen to the radio the same way again.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 26th 2009 4:41PM]

I've been using

http://www.amphony.com/products/l1550.htm

for a couple of years now. They're great; I can't vouch for the 200ft range though -- please check with sales support first.

I recommend buying one surge protector (APC or similar) for the transmitter and one for each receiver.