In case anyone is interested, I reached out to Jeff Noah (WiSA Product Manager for SoundSend). He was very informative, but it sounds like there are still some kinks to work out:

Jeffery:

You are the first to point out (and we appreciate it!) that the "slow start" of playback is far more detrimental to the "music listening" experience than watching a movie or TV show - which should have been obvious to us but for some reason that never clicked.

A previous B&O customer (18's) had a bit more bizarre behavior with his speakers, and we unfortunately updated several things at once, so we don't know what actually improved the issue of the speakers disconnecting with every second or third channel change and sometimes at random.

We had replaced the other customer's SoundSend with a unit programmed with newer firmware (1.21), and his speakers were updated to the latest B&O firmware. The B&O Lifestyle rep also updated the Summit Wireless Receiver Module firmware in both his speakers. At this point, his speakers no longer exhibited the issue of disconnecting randomly or upon some channel changes.

Let me point out that these updates will not fix the delay at the start of playback. We are working to identify a solution to eliminate this delay upon initial playback or content change and will let you know when we have a solution.

In the meantime, we do recommend you contact your B&O Lifestyle representative and see if they can provide updated firmware for your speakers if any is available.

Regards,

Jeffery

Jeff Noah

WiSA Product Manager

In case anyone is interested, I reached out to Jeff Noah (WiSA Product Manager for SoundSend). He was very informative, but it sounds like there are still some kinks to work out:

Jeffery:

You are the first to point out (and we appreciate it!) that the "slow start" of playback is far more detrimental to the "music listening" experience than watching a movie or TV show - which should have been obvious to us but for some reason that never clicked.

A previous B&O customer (18's) had a bit more bizarre behavior with his speakers, and we unfortunately updated several things at once, so we don't know what actually improved the issue of the speakers disconnecting with every second or third channel change and sometimes at random.

We had replaced the other customer's SoundSend with a unit programmed with newer firmware (1.21), and his speakers were updated to the latest B&O firmware. The B&O Lifestyle rep also updated the Summit Wireless Receiver Module firmware in both his speakers. At this point, his speakers no longer exhibited the issue of disconnecting randomly or upon some channel changes.

Let me point out that these updates will not fix the delay at the start of playback. We are working to identify a solution to eliminate this delay upon initial playback or content change and will let you know when we have a solution.

In the meantime, we do recommend you contact your B&O Lifestyle representative and see if they can provide updated firmware for your speakers if any is available.

Regards,

Jeffery

Jeff Noah

WiSA Product Manager

It's worth noting that Jeff Noah also mentioned that the Axiim Link does not exhibit the startup delay as with the SoundSend. 

I have returned the SoundSend and placed an order for the Axiim Link. I will report back shortly with results. 

It's also worth noting that Jeff Noah said the Axiim Link does not exhibit the startup delay as with the SoundSend.

I have returned the SoundSend and purchased an Axiim Link. Will report back shortly with results. 

For a simple 2.0 or 2.1 system to a non-B&O TV, I think the S8 connection hub is a great option. The hub connects to the TV via Toslink optical. You connect one speaker to the hub via Powerlink and connect the speakers to each other via PL as well. You use the R and L switch on each speaker to assign left and right channel. You don’t actually connect both speakers to the hub, you connect them to each other and just one of them to the hub. And yes, the hub allows you to use your TV remote to volume up, down and mute the speakers.

As for sound codecs, you’ll be limited to whatever your TV outputs over Toslink Digital Out. You can check your particular TV specs to see what that is but it will not be Dolby Atmos, I know that much. I’m pretty certain no TVs output Atmos over Toslink; I think you’d need some type of external AVR for that. If that matters to you. 

I hope this helps! 

Anything to report regarding SoundSend WiSA vs Axium WiSA experience? Really curious. The SoundSend Transmitter is supposed to be the newer/better one....kinda surprising if the Axium is better.

Ive had similar issues with the soundsend and beolab 28's - constant sound drops and lost connection (to the point the speakers close their wooden curtain things and then reopen a few seconds later).  The soundsend is in the same room as the speakers around 4m away and at just over head height (although ive tried moving it around).  Im running an earc out of an LG projector to the soundsend.

Ive also tried turning off 5ghz wifi and changing wifi channels on my router (and switching the sonos system off)  to try and reduce interference on whatever frequency the soundsend/wisa is working but it makes no difference.  total waste of time

ive ordered a transmitter 1 so hopefully that will fix the problem

I would not recommend the soundsend transmitter at all - not sure if im in a "bad area" in the sense of conflicting signals on the wisa frequency band or something (townhouse in Islington)

thought i would update this thread to say that the transmitter 1 solved all my problems - perfect sound and no drop outs

I would say that the set up process and interface is pretty rubbish though - lots of trial and error and lots of loud static on the optical input until i switched it to LG mode on the projector optical out setting.  i cant control the volume using the projectors apps (eg netflix) and its horribly loud - fortunately i have a mag box which i can control the volume on through the transmitter 1 so it all works fine

In case anyone else opts for the transmitter 1, be aware of the lack of multichannel digital input. I believe optical is stereo only, and the multichannel inputs are analogue only so not ideal for digital wireless transmission. I'm still using my Axiim QHD since the Soundsend didn't support phantom centre 4.1 (I didn't notice problems with drop outs when I tried it, but with no centre it didn't stay long). I honestly don't know why B&O don't fill this space with a quality product, sure maybe they sell more TVs but must miss out on selling some speakers given the pain of connecting them to a non B&O TV.

In case anyone else opts for the transmitter 1, be aware of the lack of multichannel digital input. I believe optical is stereo only, and the multichannel inputs are analogue only so not ideal for digital wireless transmission. I'm still using my Axiim QHD since the Soundsend didn't support phantom centre 4.1 (I didn't notice problems with drop outs when I tried it, but with no centre it didn't stay long). I honestly don't know why B&O don't fill this space with a quality product, sure maybe they sell more TVs but must miss out on selling some speakers given the pain of connecting them to a non B&O TV.