It depends on the type of remote and if there are any obstacles in line with your receiver. Given that most remotes are IR, it doesn't take many objects or distance to block the sight of your remote signal. What can help is having your IR signal change to RF signal which has a greater distance and can penetrate windows, walls, etc. Presently I am using a little pyramid unit called a repeater that turns your IR signal to RF and sends it to another small pyramid unit that is in front of your receiver changing the signal back to IR for your receiver to understand. my speakers are on the first floor and the receiver in the basement. works well and was purchased at Radioshack for $89 Canadian. What is great with these units is that they need no wiring except to plug into an AC outlet. What you can do is try it and if they don't work to your satis faction, bring them back.