I've been looking at finding the best value for the buck for an audio only solution for 4-to-6 zones, I don't need video distribution but am interested in having sources located away from the distribution hub. For me, I'm also very interested in mounting it in a structured wiring cabinet.
ATON DIGI5 around $1000 for 4x4
Pros: No speaker homerun, Doorbell/phone mute
Cons: No simple solution for remote source
Xantech DIGI5 around $1050 for 4x4
Pros: No speaker homerun, natively supports remote source input, structure wiring mount, programmable input name on LCD
Con: No doorbell mute, different color faceplates are spendy
Breathe Audio 4x4 for $500
Pros: Multicolor wallplates included, has doorbell/phone mute option
Con: Gotta homerun speakers, only 15W per speaker (versus 30W), Non-expandable, no simple remote source solution, no LCD touchpad
For all of the systems, if you want to go to 6 zones the cost is roughly 2x. Was leaning towards Xantech but I'll have to go revisit the Breathe solution. If you step up to 6x6 you get 20W per speakers. Could live with giving up the structured wiring of Xantech to gain doorbell mute and save cash. Would need to solve the remote input and see if there is any simple L/R Analog over cat5 options out there.