Help! Multi Room Audio Question...

B

bmsbyrne

Guest
Hiya,

We are in the process of doing up a house, (and money is running out fast!) adn was wondering if anyone knew a good way to put multiroom audio in the ground floor (kitchen, dining area, familly area).

We are nearly at 1st fix stage with the electricians, so now is the time to get this planned, or we could be regretting it for years!

The solution that we would like is as follows:

1. Main Stereo (Sony, Philips, or other Micro Stereo) with Radio/CD/Line out for IPOD Docking
2. Standard Speakers (or good value small designer speakers) in the kitchen, dining area, familly room. They will be as hidden as possible, above kitchen caninets etc.
3. The ability to play sound in just a single zone (ie. Kitchen) or in two zones (ie. Kitchen + Dining Area) or all zones.
4. We don't mind changing the destination zone from the control area (Kitchen), and don't think we will be able to afford those mad digital displays all around the place to select various sources etc...we dont' really need it too, just a simple solution...

Please help if possible!!!
 
I don't believe you can have the facilities you want from a "micro stereo system", if we have a shared understanding of what that is.

In order to drive multiple sets of speakers in multiple rooms with the option to selectively use some or all of them simultaneously from a single music source with any degree of quality, you will probably need a system with a multi-channel output amplifier with "equalizer" and volume control per channel.
 
You will need some form of Amp with multi zone capability.
This could be from a micro or whatever, it may have multiple inputs.
Just ensure the output impedences of the amp are matched to the speaker cable and speakers.
 
I have a Rotel RA-05 www.rotel.com will drive 2 sets of speakers individually or together. It also has a 12v trigger switch, which can be used for a wired remote control panel. I would suggest wiring for the wall mounted remote and adding this later when funds allow. Cost of the amp is about €600, from Cloney Audio in Blackrock, Dublin.

Some other amps such as NAD (the NAD C352), Arcam and (I think) better Sony amps may run two sets of speakers. Might be worth ringing around, also try www.peats.ie for the NAD, as well as www.richersounds.ie (in Belfast, but will deliver country wide)

Also, when wiring for sound, put in some decent speaker cable! Not just plain ole copper....
 
Did you consider the Philips WACS Streamium wireless audio system?

It is quite good, works with ripping CDs on to an enclosed HDD and having other wireless base units in different rooms in the house sharing music stored on the main one.
 
Give richersounds a call in Belfast (From ROI) 04890 321332

they are very helpful with the advice and will talk and recommend what to use , delivery is only €14 depending what you're ordering


What ya'd want I believe is the speaker wire from speakers back to control pad on the walls and then cat5 back to the multi room unit, obviously probably varies with models.
Think the cost would be about €1500 and then add speakers approx
 
While we are on the subject, are these kind of speaker switches http://cgi.ebay.ie/STEREO-SPEAKER-SWITCH-VOLUME-CONTROL-UNIT-2-PAIRS_W0QQitemZ200197323341QQihZ010QQcategoryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem any good? I know an amp with a second pair of outputs is best… I want to put a second pair of speakers in the kitchen with is a 25m run of wire. My main speakers are 6 Ohm and the pair I have in mind for the kitchen are 8 Ohm, I am not to sure what sort of load the switch would present to the amp, 3.5, 7 or 14 Ohms.
 
If you are going down a wireless route then read the reviews on the Philips and the Sonos before deciding - if memory serves me correctly the Philips has not had the same rave reviews as the Sonos. Also, with the dollar the way it is at the moment the Sonos is looking much cheaper if you buy in the US (you can get them on eBay)
 
If you do go the sonos route, though, and as you are in a position to rewire, make it wired, via cat5 at least.
Wexfordman
 
I insalled a Niles speaker selector which allows you to install speakers in 4 to 6 rooms and use all or any combination. The selector has a protection switch to protect your amplifer if you choose to use all channels simultaneously. I run a 4 channel selector swithch from a Technics amp. The selector switch spec can be found at [broken link removed]. I purchased it in the US but it is available through Amazon and other web retailers.
 
i've installed a 3 zone Sonos setup in our house and it is fantastic - very easy to setup/use and having direct access to over 15000 songs from our Music library and whatever radio station you want is superb. I'm running a wireless setup which works great and hasn't interfered with my wireless broadband or any other system in the house.
The only issue we have is we used to download some (not much) music from iTunes - this music can only be played on Apple gear/software due to the drm protection.

Another factor is that it can be moved around the house as and when we like - only wiring required is a power socket. Any questions - just ask
 
As the OP is prewiring, if he goes for sonos, he should install it as wired and avoid the wireelss set up. My setup, with 6 zones is a mixture of wired and wireless, mainly because it was installed after the house was built.

Also, one other tip, dont go for ceiling mounted speakers, go for wall or corner mounts, or free standing.

Wexfordman
 
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