[perilous]

Pretty much decided to do a Niles ICS system for whole house audio until I was faced with the 70% markup for hardware, so been shopping for Niles "deals" with different custom installers. Along the way, another installer said Russound was equivalent (he didn't do Niles, but also did NetStream and Crestron which is beyond my budget.)


In summary, multiple zones -- probably 9-12 in all, including pool, deck, kitchen, MBR, great room, etc. and sources are HD Radio, iPod, "legacy" (CD jukebox, DirecTV satellite XM) and potential future Sirius. Love the iRemote and the "metadata" feedback capability of Niles ICS. Looks like I'll be spending about $10K+ for hardware alone on Niles ICS....


Can anyone help me with pros/cons of Russound vs. the Niles ICS??? Any other systems I would like better within this budget range???


Thanks!!!

 

[QQQ]



Quote:
Originally Posted by perilous /forum/post/0


Pretty much decided to do a Niles ICS system for whole house audio until I was faced with the 70% markup for hardware...

Even full retail isn't close to a 70% markup. Did you just pull that # out of the sky?


There is no comparison between the niles ICS and Russound but I'll leave the pros/cons to others.

 

[chunkisagoonie]

Are we talking a 70% markup above MSRP? That seems very unlikely.


With 9-12 zones, you'd be looking at two GXR2 units ($5,600 combined MSRP) and the following modules for the base hardware:


- TMHDR HD Radio module ($400)

- IMIPOD iPod interface module ($200)

- SmartDock iPod docking station ($130)

- 2x IMAUDIO Legacy audio module ($340)


So that's a bit shy of $6500 in base hardware and the next step would be adding iRemotes ($800 each) and keypads/touch panels ($200-750 each), so depending on how fancy you want the control to be in the end, $10k+ is probably realistic for that kind of system. Obviously, the full-blown "Contact" touch panels aren't necessary for each and every room in the house (but perhaps the Kitchen, Office, Master Bed) and there would be smaller areas where "Single" keypads would work just fine.


Russound CAM/CAV systems are cheaper, but flexibility wise, it doesn't even compare to the Niles ICS, so I guess in a sense you really do get what you pay for. The biggest strength of the ICS is its modular design where you have total control over what features the system has without paying for the features you don't want.

 

[14U2ENV]

^^ I agree, ya get what you pay for.


As for 70% mark up, I highly doubt that. 50% is the norm for MSRP.


I thought I went down this road with you already?

 

[perilous]



Quote:
Originally Posted by 14U2ENV /forum/post/0


^^ I agree, ya get what you pay for.


As for 70% mark up, I highly doubt that. 50% is the norm for MSRP.


I thought I went down this road with you already?

70% markup from dealer cost...yes we did (go down this path); unfortunately, your option (although appreciated) was/is not realistic...therefore, I am stuck with local "authorized" Niles ICS installers here in good ol' Jersey..

...


Thanks to all comments...looks like Niles ICS is my choice...