[parkermarc]

Hey Guys,


I would like to have Russound CAM 6.6 installed in a new construction. I have a total of 9 zones but many of them are linked into common zones. I assume that I would need two system controllers since each controller allows 6 zones.


Questions:

1) Can you link zones in this fashion?

2) Is there a way that I can use a single zone on the system controller then split the zone into two keypads and two sets of speakers that would play in synchrony? I see the SA-XZ3 splitter, but it only splits keypads and not speakers. If Russound does not support this natively I was thinking of using the SA-XZ3 splitter to support two keypads in different rooms then using a audio amplifier/splitter to run each set of speakers. Would this work?


If the Russound CAM 6.6 can not be used in this fashion, Is there another product from Russound that can?

 

[huntrm]

I'm not an expert, so please rely on others. Here's an opinion:


- You can take the Master Bedroom and the Living Room, use a single controller, then take the speaker wires and put them directly (combined) into the russound controller. In that way, you double-up the speakers, and able to use 1 controller. I did this for my CAA66L.


- This scenario sounds unlikely for the Kitchen possibly due to the number of speakers, and you may be disappointed by the sound output.


Wait for others to chime in.


I know there's an amplifier to help boost output.

 

[SBSmarthomes]

You can use the keypad splitter to connect up to three keypads in a single zone and then use the "zone out" which is available on the first two zones only to connect to an external amplifier to power additional speakers.


The zone out selector on the back of the CAM6.6 should be set to "variable" so the speakers connected to the external amp will change volume when you adjust it at the keypad.


The CAM6.6 amps are rated at 6ohms which means you're only supposed to connect one pair of speakers to each zone. The reality is that the amps are really rated at 4ohms but have been derated in the specs because of heat.


The reality is that you can connect 2 pair of speakers to one or two zones on the CAM6.6 in series (not parallel) and be ok. I wouldn't recommend connecting three pairs to one zone or connecting two pairs to more than two zones.


By looking at your drawing you'd need at least one external amp to power 2 pairs of speaker in teh zone you have with three rooms/areas.


Your drawing also only seems to show 5 zones used?

 

[parkermarc]

Thank you guys. This makes complete sense.


You are correct that I am trying to have only 5 zones so that I only have to have one system controller instead of 9 zones and have two zones controllers.


Thanks again.

 

[jeffm13]



Quote:
Originally Posted by parkermarc /forum/post/18180220


Hey Guys,


I would like to have Russound CAM 6.6 installed in a new construction. I have a total of 9 zones but many of them are linked into common zones. I assume that I would need two system controllers since each controller allows 6 zones.


Questions:

1) Can you link zones in this fashion?

2) Is there a way that I can use a single zone on the system controller then split the zone into two keypads and two sets of speakers that would play in synchrony? I see the SA-XZ3 splitter, but it only splits keypads and not speakers. If Russound does not support this natively I was thinking of using the SA-XZ3 splitter to support two keypads in different rooms then using a audio amplifier/splitter to run each set of speakers. Would this work?


If the Russound CAM 6.6 can not be used in this fashion, Is there another product from Russound that can?

I'd say you have a couple of choices. I think that using multiple CAM6.6 controllers would work, but you have the extra expense of the additional controller.


Another option would be to buy a single CAV6.6 for six "main" zones, and use ABus (Russound A-K3) keypads for up to four "subzones". However, each "main" zone can only have a single subzone, so you'd have to modify your diagram a bit. Each subzone plays the same source that is played by its "main" zone. When you change the source on the main zone, the subzone will also play that source. And vice-versa. Older A-Bus keypads from Russound restricted you to choosing only four sources on the subzones, but the A-K3 supports six. I am currently using 9 zones in this manner with a CAV6.6.


It may be possible to connect another amp to one zone, and use more than one pair of speakers, but I haven't tried that yet.


Jeff