AVS › AVS Forum › A/V Control & Automation › Home A/V Distribution › Just Multiroom Audio distribution
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Just Multiroom Audio distribution

post #1 of 33
11/7/11 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
Before some one yells at me to do the research , I have already looked at this section and couldn't find any solution .

SO here is the requirement.
I have 3 audio (stereo) sources that I want to distribute to 4 zones of speakers.
So basically I am looking for an audio distribution Amp / switcher .

does anyone have any particular product in mind other than the russound , niles ...Etc . I just want the amp to distribute the audio and should have IR ...

Thanks in Advance
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 33
11/7/11 at 2:26pm
You're still describing a "Whole House Audio" or "multizone" system...

>> Other than Russound, Niles, etc.

So other than the companies that make products for this application???

For "less expensive" solutions, look at Aton, HTD.com and perhaps a few others.

Jeff
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 33
11/7/11 at 2:47pm
The Xantech Digi5 piece is nice and now that they have lowered the price its really a good value
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 33
11/7/11 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericspencer View Post

The Xantech Digi5 piece is nice and now that they have lowered the price its really a good value

I am just looking at a amplifier kind of system with multi zone options as I plan to just use a universal remote to change the zones as I don't have cat5 to all the zknesy
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 33
11/7/11 at 9:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

I am just looking at a amplifier kind of system with multi zone options as I plan to just use a universal remote to change the zones as I don't have cat5 to all the zknesy

zkensy?

Do you want different sources playing in different zones simultaneously? If not, then an amp and a remote speaker selector would do the trick. Check out the speaker "router" from Aton if you're going to use an RF remote or iDevice...

http://www.atonhome.com/DLA4Room.html

Jeff
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 33
11/8/11 at 7:09am
There are also a few solutions from a Receiver end from Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon etc.. that will allow 2-3 zones and wireless remote with and Ipad/Iphone.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 33
11/8/11 at 7:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

I am just looking at a amplifier kind of system with multi zone options as I plan to just use a universal remote to change the zones as I don't have cat5 to all the zknesy

correction - zknesy ( I meant zones - Stupid auto correction in the phone )
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 33
11/8/11 at 7:34am
Thread Starter 
Aton looks nice , I may have to look at their audio distribution package as my budget was only upto $500 , but if I can get a couple of wall plates I might consider that package .

yes , I am looking for a multi source to multi zone amplifier ...
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 33
11/8/11 at 7:59am
How will you control from each zone, without IR or a wired keypad? The price of Russound, Nuvo, etc jumps because it includes the control option (keypads).

If you're going to run a cable for IR to each zone, you might want to run an ethernet cable too, for futureproofing.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 33
11/8/11 at 8:23am
Thread Starter 
I was actually thinking about hooking up the HTPC,CD player and Satellite as three zones and use a Audio matrix switch to be controlled by an RF remote so that I dont have to spend money on the wall plates that cost as much as individual switches .
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 33
11/8/11 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
I found this from ATON .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aton-DH44KT-...6032%26ps%3D54

What do you all think ?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 33
11/8/11 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

I found this from ATON .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aton-DH44KT-...6032%26ps%3D54

What do you all think ?

That's close to the price available from Internet sellers (unauthorized dealers), I'd go with one of them instead...
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 33
11/8/11 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

I found this from ATON .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aton-DH44KT-...6032%26ps%3D54

What do you all think ?

You can get the xantech d5rhk system I mentioned earlier (which is basically the same as the Aton - both use the Linear owned digi5 technology) ... brand new, full warranty and support for less than the ebay listing .. we been buying from a local distributor for under $675 .. when I did a google search I found a place that we buy stuff from that is selling it for $710.00
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 33
11/8/11 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
Thing is , After looking at the wall panel from Aton , the xantech stuff looks old technology and I am more confused now
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 33
11/8/11 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

Thing is , After looking at the wall panel from Aton , the xantech stuff looks old technology and I am more confused now

The Aton keypads are actually less sophisticated than the Xantech ones - the image you see on the Aton is a drawn graphic, not an LCD/OLED display... It's just a series of LED's to display the source # and volume level. The Xantech keypad has a small display that allows you to customize the source name, for example.

(Looking more at the Xantech Digi5 implementation, I'm liking it more than their Aton cousin... The choice of rack-mount or wall-mount for the hub is a great option to have)

Jeff
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 33
11/8/11 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
so the xantech one should be installed by a dealer or can I do it myself ?
the reason being , would they provide the online/phone support if needed ?
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 33
11/8/11 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

so the xantech one should be installed by a dealer or can I do it myself ?
the reason being , would they provide the online/phone support if needed ?

Read the installation manual. If it makes sense to you, and if you are comfortable running wires, terminating Cat5 / RJ45 connections, and other related tasks you can do it yourself. Xantech support has always been helpful, but I wouldn't expect them to hold your hand through an installation. Having the skills and performing the work is what their dealer/installer network is trained for and is paid to do...

If you don't have a cat5 cable/connector tester, get one before you attempt any installation... Terminating RJ45 correctly is probably the hardest part of the install (not counting retrofit cable runs). The rest is plugging cables.

Jeff
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 33
11/8/11 at 2:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

so the xantech one should be installed by a dealer or can I do it myself ?
the reason being , would they provide the online/phone support if needed ?

I have installed 5 or 6 of them and they are a really easy install.. so I think they are DIY freindly

Like any place you buy online from, you should be sure they support what they sell .. any legit distributor is going to stand behind the products they sell.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 33
11/9/11 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 
I like the Xantech combo package shown here

http://www.amazon.com/XANTECH-D5RHK-...ref=pd_sbs_e_1

But the problem is that the Installation manual doesn't provide much info about how to customize the source names on the wall plates . ..

Does any one has that manual ?


Also , I was told that smart-home and parts express are the only authorized dealers and smart-home doesn't sell this package and I have to buy all the items individually .
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 33
11/9/11 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

I like the Xantech combo package shown here

http://www.amazon.com/XANTECH-D5RHK-...ref=pd_sbs_e_1

But the problem is that the Installation manual doesn't provide much info about how to customize the source names on the wall plates . ..

Does any one has that manual ?


Also , I was told that smart-home and parts express are the only authorized dealers and smart-home doesn't sell this package and I have to buy all the items individually .

They keypad manual covers it briefly - page 20 http://xantech.com/files/manuals/429...structions.pdf

We buy a lot from tselectronic .. I know they are an authorized xantech distributor .. its where we buy all of our xantech! They have the D5RHK listed on their site
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 33
11/9/11 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Can You get me a quote to have this package shipped to 75028
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 33
11/9/11 at 9:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravi355 View Post

Can You get me a quote to have this package shipped to 75028

I am afraid thats something you've got to do on your own mate. Google 'em and get the shipping charge from their site
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 33
11/9/11 at 11:43am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info . Ordered it from them and hopefully I can register my product wit Xantech once its here for warranty purposes .

Will keep you all updated
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 33
11/9/11 at 11:45am
Thread Starter 
Now to search for a decent set of speakers to go with this .

Can Anyone refer me some good ones . I need a Pair of Inwall and 3 pairs of in ceiling 6-8 inch ones .
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 33
11/9/11 at 12:00pm
How much are you willing to spend?

How large are the rooms?
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 33
11/9/11 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
$200 for each pair .
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 33
11/9/11 at 12:48pm
In walls: http://emotiva.com/uaw82.shtm

In ceilings: http://emotiva.com/uac82.shtm

Other choices:

http://www.htd.com/Products/high-definition

http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/8...-speakers.html
- ACE 800 or ACE 840 the others are not worth the money.

Hope this helps...
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 33
11/10/11 at 10:33am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the links

Bought the Emotiva's and one HD-W80 in wall set .

Will install them next week as soon as I get these
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 33
11/10/11 at 11:29am
Give us feedback on what you like / dislike. Let the speakers break in at least 10 hours before making a comment on the sound quality.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 33
12/6/11 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
I installed the Xantech Digi5 last week and not sure why the sound quality is not that good . I mean , I tested the speakers when installed by playing songs from a CD changer and hooking them directly to the Speakers and the sound was good . But once I attach the wall controllers and Xantech 4 zone controller , the same songs sound so Bad . I mean there is no good base in the sound .

I even fiddled with the setup settings and still cannot figure it out . Could it be due to the fact that the cat5 is about 100ft ?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home A/V Distribution

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › A/V Control & Automation › Home A/V Distribution › Just Multiroom Audio distribution