[verti89]

When I had my house built, I had them run speaker wires to 6 different locations throughout the house and source them in my media closet upstairs. I am trying to now create a shopping list for exactly what equipment I need to get to meet my needs.


Goals:

- Separate volume controls for each room, preferably remotely

- Ability to control source remotely is preferable

- No need to be able to play 6 different thing in the 6 different rooms, 1 source at a time is fine

- Connection to media server pc and preferably network

- Media room is wired for 7.2 so if I can serve that room, and the whole house with a single receiver, that is preferable but not required


Questions

- What equipment/software do I need to make this happen

- What other information do you need to answer the above

 

[verti89]

When I had my house built, I had them run speaker wires to 6 different locations throughout the house and source them in my media closet upstairs. I am trying to now create a shopping list for exactly what equipment I need to get to meet my needs.


Goals:

- Separate volume controls for each room, preferably remotely

- Ability to control source remotely is preferable

- No need to be able to play 6 different thing in the 6 different rooms, 1 source at a time is fine

- Connection to media server pc and preferably network

- Media room is wired for 7.2 so if I can serve that room, and the whole house with a single receiver, that is preferable but not required


Questions

- What equipment/software do I need to make this happen

- What other information do you need to answer the above

Been a few months since i posted this and I didn't get any responses then. hopefully a bit more productive this time.

 

[Section 107]

Been a few months since i posted this and I didn't get any responses then. hopefully a bit more productive this time.

I'm guessing you're probably in the wrong forum. Maybe this one?

http:www.avsforum.com/forum/36-home-v-distribution/

 

[mtn-tech]

The all-out way to go is a true whole house audio system with independent source and volume for each room - keypads in each room - but these can easily run more than $5k. And there are a lot of wireless options, but since you already paid for in-wall wiring I assume you want to use the wires and add standard speakers or in-wall speakers.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1iZRIICIILR/learn/multi-room-audio-buying-guide.html

You could start with a 12 channel power amplifier so that you can drive a stereo signal to each room - these are expensive but there are lower cost options or eBay:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SI1...90265&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=23365597345&awdv=t
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ma1240a-multi-zone-12-channel-amplifier--300-815

The other, cheaper option if you don't need a lot of power or loud music in the rooms (this is what I do) is to get a good stereo amplifier and an impedance limiting speaker selector - some have built in volume controls if you only need to balance the volume once
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SS6/Niles-SS-6.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SSVC6/Niles-SSVC-6.html

For remote volume / off selection in each room, you can just use wall mount volume controls:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190VCS100K/Niles-VCS100K.html

As you mentioned, a 7.1 AVR with multi-room capability is the easiest way to get 7.1 in your media room and an additional source to the rest of the house - most of thes have preamp outputs for the multi-room feature. It would also give you remote selection of source like you wanted - some even have a separate RF remote that will work from anywhere.

 

[Martycool007]

The all-out way to go is a true whole house audio system with independent source and volume for each room - keypads in each room - but these can easily run more than $5k. And there are a lot of wireless options, but since you already paid for in-wall wiring I assume you want to use the wires and add standard speakers or in-wall speakers.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1iZRIICIILR/learn/multi-room-audio-buying-guide.html

You could start with a 12 channel power amplifier so that you can drive a stereo signal to each room - these are expensive but there are lower cost options or eBay:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SI1...90265&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=23365597345&awdv=t
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ma1240a-multi-zone-12-channel-amplifier--300-815

The other, cheaper option if you don't need a lot of power or loud music in the rooms (this is what I do) is to get a good stereo amplifier and an impedance limiting speaker selector - some have built in volume controls if you only need to balance the volume once
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SS6/Niles-SS-6.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SSVC6/Niles-SSVC-6.html

For remote volume / off selection in each room, you can just use wall mount volume controls:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190VCS100K/Niles-VCS100K.html

As you mentioned, a 7.1 AVR with multi-room capability is the easiest way to get 7.1 in your media room and an additional source to the rest of the house - most of thes have preamp outputs for the multi-room feature. It would also give you remote selection of source like you wanted - some even have a separate RF remote that will work from anywhere.

How would you control the impedance limiting speaker selector from multiple locations ? For that to work, wouldn't you have to walk into the main zone/room where it is located and select the room/zone that you want to control from there? Or is there a remote or any other solution?

Also, say you are using a multi-zone receiver such as the Denon AVR-3310, and speakers in 4 other rooms besides the main zone, which are hooked up to an impedance limiting speaker selector on the zone 2 option on the AVR-3310. How would you control the source from the other rooms? Say you are listening to an iPod or CD and you wanted to chance tracks, (songs), how would that work , and also, how would the separate volume controls to each room be done?

 

[arnyk]

The all-out way to go is a true whole house audio system with independent source and volume for each room - keypads in each room - but these can easily run more than $5k.

In general a more practical approach is to simply put a ca. $250 networked AVR wherever you need a volume control.

 

[mtn-tech]

In general a more practical approach is to simply put a ca. $250 networked AVR wherever you need a volume control.

Of course, Arny is right - the cheapest and easiest way is to do all of this is to just a low cost AVR and bookshelf speakers in each room. You get volume control, source selection, local input (for phone or MP3 player) for as little as a couple hundred per room.

In-wall speakers are expensive and hard to install, in-wall volume controls are even worse, and whole house components are specialty items that are hard to configure and most expensive of all - so why do people do it?

 

[mtn-tech]

How would you control the impedance limiting speaker selector from multiple locations?

You wouldn't - this would only work if you only needed to balance the volumes of the different zones once and use the multi-room remote to raise / lower the volume of all rooms together - that is what I do.

The OP didn't say that he needed independent volume control in each room. But if you needed it in each room you can just add an in-wall volume control.

Also, say you are using a multi-zone receiver such as the Denon AVR-3310, and speakers in 4 other rooms besides the main zone, which are hooked up to an impedance limiting speaker selector on the zone 2 option on the AVR-3310. How would you control the source from the other rooms? Say you are listening to an iPod or CD and you wanted to chance tracks, (songs), how would that work , and also, how would the separate volume controls to each room be done?

You would control it the same way you would if you were in the main room - with its remote control - of course you would need to use a remote extender or an on-wall volume control which has built in remote extenders. You could also get programmable remotes for each room so you don't need to share the remotes

 

[87Echo]

Verti,

I am using the xantech product for whole house distro. You can research "A bus" which for me is working OK. If you are used to very high fidelity sound, you will notice a difference, but otherwise I like the convenience. You can choose to use a local input such as IPOD or cell phone- which we use all the time in the bathrooms. The sound on local source is definitely better. Or pick your source, which is very cool for parties, etc.
Some other things that I have found useful are the JBL recessed speakers for the bathrooms, outdoor speakers made by Carvin, which are a great value for the sound quality, and we use the Airport express with the optical out and Remote app. for music and wireless networking.
There are better systems out there depending on your budget and requirements, but they can also be many thousands of dollars. I have also hooked up a remote for my G4 phone that controls the amp located under the stairs in the basement via IR.

Let us know what you go with and how it turns out.