[jollyjolly]

Hi folks,


Moving into a house, looking to put in a whole house audio system (theatre room, audio indoors and outdoors). Our installer is recommending Niles Audio for the whole system (speakers included). Most of our content is digitized (itunes; 50% of it DRM'ed).


I'm not familiar with them... I'd love any input you have on them (pro's and con's), and any other alternatives.


How does this compare vs. Sonos (for digital audio streaming?)


Thanks in advance,


John

 

[captaincondor]

what niles controller specifically?

 

[jollyjolly]

Not sure of model yet. The installer likes Niles, so I'd like to do some homework. Are they reputable, what's the bang for the buck, what other set ups would one recommend?


Googling, it seems they are known for outdoor speakers, and whole house audio distribution....


Sorry for the noob questions, but I will definitely appreciate any pointers in the right direction.

 

[emcgrath]

I have two niles setups in two houses. They make quality equipment and they work fine for whole house audio. For the whole house audio, I use three sources, my cable box (for the audio channels), my itunes library, and Pandora internet radio (the last two use my iphone as a source). I am considering getting either a squeezebox or an airport. Either of these will work with the system too. The only downside to this setup is that I have limited control at the wall controls. I can change the source and the volume and turn on/off. If I want to change playlist or pandora station, I need to go to the equipment. This is not a problem for me. The tradeoff is that this also means that it is relatively futureproof in the sense that as long as your source has rca jacks, you can use it with this system. I am just blown away with what has happened with audio sources in the last 5 years. You want to make sure that whatever changes in the next 10 years, your system will adapt. I feel pretty good about this setup.


I use a separate system for the home theater tho.

 

[Neurorad]

After researching the Niles ICS, and asking lots of questions of the CI, ask him/her about alternatives.


Then do more research, and post back.


Most CI's have 1-2 systems that they are familiar with, and will do a good job installing.


If you're not 'married' to this CI, consider all possibilities.


Others to consider would be NuVo GC (audio only), NuVo Essentia (audio only), Russound Sphere (high end), Russound CAV/CAM (A/V vs. audio only), Speakercraft MODE. Not an exhaustive list.


So much to learn, so little time...

 

[fedders]

Niles is very reputable and was one of the first companies in the whole whole-house audio thing. I would be happy to have it in my home.


I think the key for you is to find a CI that you like and trust. This is more important than the system they will install for you. Frankly, I think most systems will do the basic whole-home sound thing quite well and at a competitive price. The secret is in finding an installer who knows what he/she is doing so that your headaches in using the system are kept to a minimum.


Whose wire you use, however, can make a profound difference in how the system preforms and sounds. (Just kidding...)


My $0.02.


Carl

 

[jollyjolly]

Folks - your input is very much appreciated. I'll post what I find.

 

[colecole]

Agree that you should look into those systems in addition to Niles. Two questions you should ask yourself are :


1. what type of sources do you wish to use/listen to with your system


2. how do you wish to control the system.


On the first question, if you wish to access a large library of digital files (on a PC or network drive or server), internet radio, satellite radio, terrestrial radio, cable/satellite music channels - your response may push you toward on system over another.


On the second, do you want in wall controllers in each room or would you want a wireless controller(s) that could control all zones while sitting on your coach?


I wouldn't overlook the Sonos system. Although there is not alot of discussion about it here- it is one product that folks seem to love. Of course it is not for everyone and for all uses- but I would certainly add it to the list. The sonos app for the itouch is an added bonus- as you can put an itouch in each room to act as a controller for $200 each (vs. $800 for Niles remote controller).


Sonos is easily expandable- one box for each zone up to 32 zones.


Can access all music on your PC or network drive (which could also be used as backup storage for your PC files), set up playlists etc. Also can use online music services like Rhapsody and satellite radio if you wish.


Downsides to Sonos? I am no expert but not sure if it plays apple drm music. Also not sure you can control an input like terrestrial radio or sat/cable TV from the remote- i.e. changing cable channels from remote.


My sense is that installers may not want to push sonos over more expensive systems as anyone can buy sonos- don't need to be a licensed installer and install is incredibly simple. No need for installer to come back and fix system.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mohitk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by colecole /forum/post/15473588


Downsides to Sonos? I am no expert but not sure if it plays apple drm music.

You are right, it doesn't. FWIW, and this is probably old news by now, but iTunes is going DRM-free. I can't post URLs, since this is my first post, but it's an easy google.

 

[Neurorad]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mohitk /forum/post/15600781


You are right, it doesn't. FWIW, and this is probably old news by now, but iTunes is going DRM-free. I can't post URLs, since this is my first post, but it's an easy google.

heard the same thing

 

[redcaesar]

Hi I'm in the same boat as I'm renovating home and want to put in system. I pretty set on Niles especially after hearing about their new standalone digital music gateway (DMG1). Will fully integrate with zr6 and provide access to network shares, nas, internet radio, and internet subscription based services...

 

[Neurorad]

redcaesar, Nuvo and the MPS4 do the same thing.


Pretty sure Russound offers something similar as well.


If you have a 3rd party controller (Crestron, RTI, C4?, etc), the Autonomic Controls Mirage Media Server does all that too. And more.

 

[redcaesar]

Yes I've heard this about Nuvo and MS4 but big difference I've heard is MS4 retails for $2500 where the DMG-1 will retail for $600